milwaukee 3/8 impact which one?

[BLUE72CAMARO]

Looking to get a 3/8 drive milwaukee impact for home shop use but cant decide on which one to get. I am looking at the 2554-20 M12 vs the 2754 M18. The part that really kills me is that the same specs arent given to be able to compare the two head to head. Also this will not be used for heavy bolt breaking type stuff I have the high torque half inch for that but it weighs a ton for working on little stuff.

So the pros and cons for me right now as I see them

2554 M12

Pros:
Size - looks to be much more compact
Power - given the numbers provided on milwaukee's site it has more power?

Cons:
I dont currently have any other M12 tools but I am eyeballing several others so not a huge deal

2754 M18

Pros:
M18 - already have quite a few batteries and chargers for this line

Cons:
Size - looks considerably bigger and heavier than the M12 but still drastically lighter than what I have now
Power - looks to be out gunned by the smaller and lower voltage gun? I am still struggling to think this is true.

So those with either of these what are your thoughts and opinions on them? I will be using to work on all kinds of stuff from automotive to atv's to farm equipment.

 

[_Riddle]

I just went through the same thought process and settled on the 2554 (m12 3/8 stubby). It's more compact and has more power. I don't have any Milwaukee tools yet so battery platform didn't matter, but I plan on owning M12 and M18 tools.

Now I'm just waiting to find the best deal. I see the bare tool goes around $150 on ebay but hoping to pick one up somewhere on sale over the next few weeks.

 

[redragoon]

The M12 version is much more compact and has removed everything I have found for it, including some rusted on lugnuts on a steel wheeled boat trailer. Bought a set of Gearwrench 3/8" impact sockets for it and some adapters to run 1/2" sockets.

I haslo have the M18 high-torque for anything serious, but the M12 is far lighter and compact when working around my car.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Stubby hands down by far. My favorite all around gun

 

[DieselSaves]

Stubby hands down by far. My favorite all around gun

I’ll second that. It was worth adding the M12 batteries just for this stubby impact. Very useful small impact that will hit way above its class.

 

[RKA]

Stubby, no question. The other one is a dud imho (want to buy mine for cheap?).

 

[Retroman]

None of the above you want the 2852 mid torque 18 volt, Although I respect the above opinions on the 12 volt stubby which I have not used.

 

[RKA]

He did say he has a high torque and wants something for “little stuff”.

 

[seber]

The M18 is rated 210 ft lb. The M12 is rated 250 ft lb. Add to that the smaller lighter package and is a no brainer. For me, I like to stick to one battery size so I would step up to 1/2" but I certainly understand why that might not work. I spin lug nuts with a 1/4" impact and use a torque wrench to tighten and a breaker bar to loosen.

 

[Bretny]

Get the m18 one. My 3/8 m18 will break the lug nuts looks on my crappy old k3500 dump. For light duty vehicles theres not many uses for a 1/2in heavy monster with these 3/8 guns being so high in torque. The most i would buy is a mid-torque.

 

[matlok]

I’ve actually been using the 2554 (Stubby 3/8”) for swapping wheels at autocross events. Doesn’t take up much room, little to no hammering removing lug nuts, and on Mode 1 I can zip the lugs back on without fear of being too tight. (about 1/8 turn remaining with a torque wrench) I’ve used it on brake calipers, control arms, etc and it’s always had enough power. Great little gun. Haven’t needed more power yet, but when I do I plan on getting the M18 1/2” Mid-Torque.


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[Philbert]

I am looking to go 12 volt in the Milwaukee. For the ratchets, lights, and impacts. I do intend to get the 3/8" 18V impact later. Each tool does well within its range. The 12 volt will get you in places that may be problematic for the larger 18v. But the 18v will give you more endurance and power. Get them all and be ready for what ever comes at you.

 

[DerekV]

I had the 1/2 version of the 2754 (2755B) and I was very unimpressed, enough to sell it cheap on Craigslist. First off, it isn't that compact. There were countless times it was just barely too long so I needed extensions and that robbed the thing of power. I also found it to be too powerful for some things and not powerful enough for other things. It just never did what I wanted it to, an all-around disappointing tool. I swear the 2753 impact DRIVER is both more powerful and more controllable, simply a better tool in every aspect, but that's a different discussion.

Even if you assume the M12 stubby is the same in power in the real world (not just on a spec sheet), AT LEAST it's more compact. Noticeably more compact. That said, between these two, I'd go with the M12 stubby. Just don't be blown away if you run across some lugs/caliper carrier/suspension bolts it won't take off without a minute of rattling.

 

[CafeTools]

I have a regular m18 fuel hex impact and with a 1/2 adapter I took the wheels off a Honda Civic yesterday with zero hesitation. The hex is more versitale imo.

 

[plinker]

I have both the 2554 & 2754, slight edge to the 2554 as far as over all torque, you really wouldnt notice it much though given what a 3/8 impact is needed for. Either can take off non-rusted lug nuts, But I dont like using a 3/8 for that purpose. Wither oif these will run circles around the previous m12 3/8 impacts, fuel or not.

The 2554 is fatter so to speak but a smaller package. The m12 ratchet is quite handy in it own right, so IMO, it's six of one & half dozen of the other if you only want the impact. The ratchet's are very complementary to the 2554 though and I use it as often as the impact.

FWIW, I use my 2554 at work and the 2754 is at home.

 

[BroncoAZ]

My impact stable is the 3/8” M12 stubby and the 1/2” M18 mid torque. I go with the stubby 90% of the time. I keep eyeballing the M18 high torque as I’ve found a few things the mid torque struggled with (but was able to do), but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

[2manytools]

I have a regular m18 fuel hex impact and with a 1/2 adapter I took the wheels off a Honda Civic yesterday with zero hesitation. The hex is more versitale imo.

Yes it is more versatile, but it isn't a wrench. the Gen2 Fuel Impact has enough power for many vehicles, but not all, and over time you will shear the adapters if it isn't up to it. Often you will need an adapter or extension, which in both cases will lose torque, but more so on the hex driver.

My impact stable is the 3/8” M12 stubby and the 1/2” M18 mid torque. I go with the stubby 90% of the time. I keep eyeballing the M18 high torque as I’ve found a few things the mid torque struggled with (but was able to do), but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

same here, aside from having the HTIW already. Stubby stays in my truck with a full set of impact sockets, which if they were 1/2", I probably would not lug them around. Tool might stay the same size (1/2" stubby), but the same sockets almost weigh twice as much.
Only struggles are rusted calipers for me, which is when the HT comes out. Also use on large tractors, but the mid-torque takes care of most of those needs.

 

[69LT1]

I bought an M12 3/8 ratchet although mine has number 2457 on it. Not sure how it is different but it has plenty of torque for anything I have wanted to do with it. It is safe to say it has become my favorite tool.

 

[pbon]

I am really impressed by the 3/8 stubby. Since you have a higher torque impact as well, it is a good choice. I have an older m18 3/8 that I rarely use now, the M18 mid torque that I regularly use, and the m18 high torque that I rarely use.