lasfag043r
New member
If I were to walk into HD tomorrow and buy a fuel 1/4 hex impact will it still have the same issue? Or should I hold off until a new model number is on the shelves?
Milwaukee gen 3 1/4 hex impact collet issue
- Thread starter lasfag043r
- Start date
Welcome to GJ!
For those who aren't aware of the issue nor are mind-readers:
If you can "hold off", did you need an impact driver? For most of us, we either do or don't, unless there is a particularly good sale price. You are leaving out more than one portion of the relevant info inspiring your post.
I wouldn't expect a collet design change in any gen 3 found on the shelf, that they'll implement it in gen 4, and "maybe" have an improved collet replacement for warranty repaired tools.
Frankly I consider this sort of thing inevitable as tool manufacturers keep trying to make more powerful 1/4" drive and customers keep pushing them instead of accepting that historically if you wanted more power or speed, you moved up to a larger drive size. Redlining anything, isn't a good idea for longevity and effects more than just burning up the motor, which VCG managed to do too, lol.
The counter-argument is other brands and models aren't exhibiting the problem, so if you need one now, better to pick something else, but I expect more of these sorts of problems from other makes and models as they keep pushing for more out of 1/4" drive.
For those who aren't aware of the issue nor are mind-readers:
If you can "hold off", did you need an impact driver? For most of us, we either do or don't, unless there is a particularly good sale price. You are leaving out more than one portion of the relevant info inspiring your post.
I wouldn't expect a collet design change in any gen 3 found on the shelf, that they'll implement it in gen 4, and "maybe" have an improved collet replacement for warranty repaired tools.
Frankly I consider this sort of thing inevitable as tool manufacturers keep trying to make more powerful 1/4" drive and customers keep pushing them instead of accepting that historically if you wanted more power or speed, you moved up to a larger drive size. Redlining anything, isn't a good idea for longevity and effects more than just burning up the motor, which VCG managed to do too, lol.
The counter-argument is other brands and models aren't exhibiting the problem, so if you need one now, better to pick something else, but I expect more of these sorts of problems from other makes and models as they keep pushing for more out of 1/4" drive.
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jonesg
Well-known member
On the video, he's pulling up on the driver instead of letting the tool run the screw out. Bit of a drama queen.
Wrench97
Well-known member
That guys videos have always been a bit dramatic.............
Put bit in pull up on collar and once in a while spray a little lube in it if you have a issue, personally I have not seen it on my M12 or M18
Put bit in pull up on collar and once in a while spray a little lube in it if you have a issue, personally I have not seen it on my M12 or M18
Dammit!!! I got tricked into clicking one of that guy's videos! I can't stand that guy, he's number 1 on my YT blocked list!
I won't watch the video so could someone please explain what this collet issue is?
I've never had any issues with my 2nd gen M18 impact driver or any of the other M12 impact drivers I have used at work.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Bits fall out because the collet does not pop back out to lock.
Big Bad Jon
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2008
- Messages
- 719
I didn’t watch the video but I assume that it is the bit falling out and not locking in. I have one that has this problem but if I hold the collar and pull the trigger to spin it it will lock in. It is a hassle but not so much to send it in for repair. I love most my Milwaukee tools but this is one that has given me issues.
didn't watch the video
I have the current gen m12 fuel (non-surge) impact driver, I haven't had any issues. You can hear/feel the retainer click or lock in place when you insert a bit. It's not that old (about a year) but used most days for little nuts/bolts/screws that an auto tech runs into
on my old makia, you had to pull the collar to insert and remove the bit
I have the current gen m12 fuel (non-surge) impact driver, I haven't had any issues. You can hear/feel the retainer click or lock in place when you insert a bit. It's not that old (about a year) but used most days for little nuts/bolts/screws that an auto tech runs into
on my old makia, you had to pull the collar to insert and remove the bit
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure I've seen the video. I have an M18 Fuel Surge version that hits softer than the regular M18 Fuel driver. and I picked up the Bosch driver w/ integral 1/2" square drive. So I'm not worried about breaking the chuck x 2. 
IMO the dislike for VGC is understandable at first. Buuuuuuuut, he had a Milw. v. Bosch driver comparison that I found helpful. Function. Form. Sometimes it's nice to get opinions and info without buying and test driving.
IMO the dislike for VGC is understandable at first. Buuuuuuuut, he had a Milw. v. Bosch driver comparison that I found helpful. Function. Form. Sometimes it's nice to get opinions and info without buying and test driving.
DFB
Well-known member
I have had no problems with the orig Fuel Gen 3 impact driver Milwaukee gave me to replace my old Gen 1 under warranty service.
ProCharger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2015
- Messages
- 69
I have 5 of these drills and I have this issue on 2 of the 5. While most people don't have much of a problem with it we switch bits often going from tapcons to wood drivers especially on something like a set of split foyer concrete step setup. I have had multiple times where bits were lost. Like said above if you put a bit in and hit the trigger a few times while holding the collar it will eventually lock. Our temporary solution is to have multiple drills when we need to swap between which works but is a hassle.