Milwaukee Fuel Drill/Impact Driver vs Regular

[Kilgore Trout]

So I am getting ready to redo about 600 sq feet of decking and railing. I've got a milwaukee (non-fuel) drill and impact driver. Just curious whether the fuel is significantly better. Given I will be driving hundreds of screws, I will upgrade if its useful. I'd get the kit with the hammer drill, since I only have a regular drill right now. I'd also get some value from being able to have multiple bits ready to go by having an extra drill.

If the performance is similar, I'll just stick with what I have. Thoughts?

 

[PDub88]

According to what I understand, the Fuel series has more power and is more efficient. They are supposed to run cooler under load and utilize the battery power more effectively, hence increasing run time. Also, since they are utilizing a brushless motor, there are no brushes to replace down the line. I don't know if this helps you or not, nor have I done a test between the fuel series vs the regular line up, so I can't help you in that regard. The impact driver I currently have, the 2753-20 does have an auto locking collet which is nice, because it allows you insert bits without having to pull the collet back. Whether or not upgrading to the Fuel series would be beneficial is completely up to you. I would just go to Milwaukee's website and compare specs between models and see if the performance difference is worth it to you.

 

[Firebrick43]

The fuel surge is significantly faster and quieter than standard impactors. It doesn't have top end torque so it wouldn't be useful with socket adapters trying to take off lug nuts and such. The pulses are longer however and drive screws very fast. So fast in fact nearly every one burried the first screw or so until they get use to it. It works well even with 1/4" GRK 6" lags as well. The hydraulic impact mechanism imparts less vibration to the operator and a lot less noise.

I switched from Bosch 18v li ion compact to the surge. I can only assume that the Bosch would be close to the standard m18 but you know what assumptions make.

 

[MrSurly]

I have the M12 non-fuel kits. One impact driver, two drills, three small batteries. I used that impact (again, 12v, the little batteries) to run every screw in my building, totaling over 3000 screws. I also ran the big TimberLok 4" but used the corded Magnum for the 8s.
I have often thought of getting the fuel, and maybe the 18v.... But it would not be because the regular M12 can't do the job. This is one of the few tools that I love. If it were to die (and it IS starting to get a little sloppy and rough looking) I would immediately replace it.
Get the fuel if you are buying anyway, but don't discount the beast you have.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DFB]

Honestly IMO it is not worth the investment for that job

18V Fuel drill driver though more powerful than the brushed or compact brushless is also much bigger and heavier. I do have both

the 18V brushed impact though lacking the different electronic mode settings is no slouch for driving deck screws, Sets even the longest ones fast I have the 2 speed version.

I also with some of the others on the 12v tools they are my favorites for most jobs!

 

[tarbellb]

The Brushless / Fuel is superior to the Brushed. No contest.


My biggest complaint about the Brushed line isnt the power (which is noticeably less), but the dated electronics. The lag on the power switch, and easily tripping the overload is super frustrating.

 

[finn]

Not worth upgrading for one job, especially if you aren’t a professional carpenter. Just have a fully charged spare battery on hand. Deck screws aren’t huge power drains, so I doubt that a new driver will shorten the project duration.

On the other hand, if you want to upgrade to have the latest tool, do it. Just don’t rationalize that the project requires an upgrade.

 

[DerekV]

More powerful? Technically yes.

Mo’ bettah? Technically yes.

...BUT:

Honestly IMO it is not worth the investment for that job

I agree with this. Your regular M18 is fine. The extra dozen screws per charge and .5 seconds quicker drive times may not be enough warrant the upgrade. But then again, tools are awesome, especially the Fuel power tools, and any excuse to buy more tools is always a good one [emoji6]

 

[theoldwizard1]

Buy an extra battery.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I looked at my M18 impact driver today. I assumed it was a fuel but it's an older non-fuel. I have never been disappointed with it and used two batteries to screw down a new wood floor in a 28 foot cattle trailer. The first battery was the small 2.0 and the other 4.0. I didn't drill any holes, used all wood screws. I went through several boxes of screws. Since I was only using one Milwaukee tool, having two batteries kept me going. The batteries would be charged up 100% way before I needed to change out.

Short version, fuel isn't needed if you have spare batteries. On the other hand, if you want the fuel, more tools are never a bad thing.

 

[Voi]

Thoughts?

What kind of decking and fastener system? I recall from a previous thread a poster mentioning preferring a drill with a clutch for one of the hidden fastener systems in synthetic decking.

Obviously you already have that option available with your current drill/driver but you may find yourself needing a second drill anyways like you said for different bits and clutch settings.

I don't have a link to that thread and I suspect it will be tough to find.

At any rate, if I were in your situation and was thinking about a second impact driver I'd either get the new M12 Fuel for it's compact size and light weight or I'd get the M18 Surge for the reduced noise and compact size (I believe it's around the same length as the new M12 but heavier).

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Well, the consensus seems to be that the fuel isn't "better enough" to justify the purchase. Fair enough. I have three 2.0 batteries and one 5.0 battery (came with my hackzall) so I should be good to go from that point of view.

So, no new tools for me!

 

[mc4life27]

i have only owned the m18 fuel and and m12 non fuel both great and neither one has ever let me down but i always grab the fuel unless im forced to use the m12 for size or unexpected reason, like visting mom with no intentions of working needed to use tools but then she pulls out the son to do list once i arrive and my back up tool bag in my car is way better tools then when she has laying around the house. i have a friend who is a new construction plumber and has both and says the m18 non fuel will get a job done but he really hates using it compared to the fuel. he said using the non fuel is like driving a little Honda civic (good reliable car nothing wrong it good quality goes point A to B but boring) and the fuel is like driving a supercharged corvette (still good reliable good mpg when not using a lead foot but when you when want to go the power is there). now this is for everyday use for the most part. now if you have the money and enjoy buying tools and dont mind having back up tools then i say buy it. now if your just building your tool collection maybe think about buying another tool in the m18 line that would be of better use say a hackzall (if thats something you have a need for as example). i love tools and i say you can never have to many tools but having a good selection of tools to get jobs done is always better then have multiples of the same tool when your collections is just for example a drill a hand saw. if that makes any sense.

BUT THE NEW 3RD GEN OF THE M18 DRILL and impact drivers are either just came out or are coming out now. so im sure if you look around you have possible find a smoking deal on the 2gen drivers or see if someone who a used set they would sell so they can upgrade to the 3 gen. i personally own the 2gen m18 fuel and they are my favorites drivers i have ever owned and use them daily, and i want the 3gen because i love my tools and you never know when your dad or a so called buddy wants to borrow them and if your like me im always willing to help out a friend but no touche on my good tools that i make a living with but then i offer them the back ups to help them out. just food for thought.

 

[tarbellb]

At any rate, if I were in your situation and was thinking about a second impact driver I'd either get the new M12 Fuel for it's compact size and light weight or I'd get the M18 Surge for the reduced noise and compact size (I believe it's around the same length as the new M12 but heavier).

This ^^^

My M12 Fuel drill is a absolute beast. And that Surge sure is nice if driving screws all day.

 

[DFB]

If a new tool is in your future for just driving screws I would also recommend to consider a Surge

Otherwise a Fuel circular saw is pretty awesome to own and dang handy too!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I've had 5 fuel tools and at least 10 brushed tools. I''ve had 2 dead in the water failures, and both were on fuel tools, and were electronic controls in nature. Othere than that, fuel is better in every way.