Milwaukee Hex Impact or Impact Wrench?????

[flippin]

With Black Friday around the corner, I am at a purchasing crossroad. Curious to hear your thoughts and rationale. I will be purchasing a few new Milwaukee Fuel tools and I am having trouble deciding between hex impact versus impact wrench.

So far I have decided to purchase;

(1) Milwaukee 2762-22 M18 FUEL™ 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Pin Detent. This of course will handle all of the heavy duty hi-torque situations.

I will also be purchasing both an M18 impact driver and an M12 impact driver but can't decide between;

M18 Fuel 3/8" impact wrench (friction ring) or
M18 Fuel 1/4" hex impact

and

M12 Fuel 1/4" impact wrench (friction ring) or
M12 Fuel 1/4" hex impact.

Clearly there are adapters to go from one to the other so it will be easy enough to switch back and forth. However if you were starting fresh which would you want to begin with. Is there a torque limitation to the ever popular 1/4" hex format? I want both the M18 and M12 because there will be situations when the higher torque of M18 will be required and conversely the M12 compact size will be advantageous. I work primarily rigging tournament boats and the M12 power will probably be sufficient however much like many of us our tools will be used in a variety of different situations.

Lastly given that there will be an investment made in both formats (M18 & M12) should I consider the M12 cordless 3/8" ratchet. Certainly interested in hearing your comments on this tool. Pardon my ignorance as I am not a licensed mechanic but when driving conventional nuts and bolts is it ever bad to use impact vs just a cordless ratchet?

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Stuey]

I would go with the M18 3/8" Fuel impact wrench and M12 1/4" hex impact driver.

I reviewed the new Fuel impact driver (http://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m12-fuel-brushless-impact-driver-review/) and have nothing but good things to say about it.

I also have the 1/4" wrench on my test bench, but have been slow to find real-world testing opportunities for it.

With the 1/4" hex, it would be easy to use a hex to square drive adapter if/when you want to use 1/4" sockets.

The torque of the 1/4" hex driver should be similar to that of the 1/4" square impact. Edit: Actually, that's not true, the 1/4" impact wrench has lower peak torque - 450 in-lbs vs. 1000 in-lbs for the hex driver.

If you find yourself using the 1/4" hex with 1/4" sockets very often, you can always add a brushless or brushed 1/4" wrench later on.

With a 1/2" heavy duty impact, 3/8" compact impact, and M12 1/4" hex impact, you have just about all your corners covered. The 3/8" compact impact will offer enough overlap that you might not ever miss not having a 1/4" wrench. And as you mentioned, the ratchet remains an option.

There are numerous advantages of the ratchets, including better tight-quarters access, and at times greater tightening or loosening control. The impacts offer greater power and speed of application.

 

[flippin]

That was awesome, many thanks for the response!! Huge follower of the blog, it's almost always open on the desktop.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have the combo Stuey recommends. It's awesome, IMO. According to the specs the M12 1/4" square has much less torque than the driver, I think I heard to keep from breaking the anvil... but I have yet to break a Shockwave 1/4" adapter, so I dunno what that's all about.

Other than driving sockets, I don't know what use I'd have that requires a hex driver with more torque than the M12 has. Only way I would recommend the M18 hex would be if you just didn't want any M12 tools.

 

[flippin]

Other than driving sockets, I don't know what use I'd have that requires a hex driver with more torque than the M12 has. Only way I would recommend the M18 hex would be if you just didn't want any M12 tools.

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. For me it's not so much a question of torque rather battery longevity and sometimes the mass of the bigger tool can be useful in certain construction applications. For whatever reason it seems that each of my friends has me recruited to build them decks. Driving 1000's of 3" deck screws is better suited with M18. Furthermore, using the bigger tool in a vertical position when driving deck screws is actually less fatiguing.

 

[Ign]

IMO you're almost always better to adapt square to hex than the other way around.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. For me it's not so much a question of torque rather battery longevity and sometimes the mass of the bigger tool can be useful in certain construction applications. For whatever reason it seems that each of my friends has me recruited to build them decks. Driving 1000's of 3" deck screws is better suited with M18. Furthermore, using the bigger tool in a vertical position when driving deck screws is actually less fatiguing.

Have you tried the M18 impact, especially with the 4.0 battery? It's not terribly unbalanced, but the battery is definitely heavier (and bulkier) than the head is. I'm sure it's better in both respects with a compact pack, though if you're driving screws all day the battery life might not suit you. I don't have compact M18 packs to judge by though.

On the flip side, the M12 feels great to me, and even better balanced with a 4.0 pack on it when I have room to use one. If you catch the free battery promos, the M12 Fuel drills come with 2 XC batteries and a compact and you can have all that and a bare-tool Fuel impact for $300.

 

[flippin]

Have you tried the M18 impact, especially with the 4.0 battery? It's not terribly unbalanced, but the battery is definitely heavier (and bulkier) than the head is. I'm sure it's better in both respects with a compact pack, though if you're driving screws all day the battery life might not suit you. I don't have compact M18 packs to judge by though.

On the flip side, the M12 feels great to me, and even better balanced with a 4.0 pack on it when I have room to use one. If you catch the free battery promos, the M12 Fuel drills come with 2 XC batteries and a compact and you can have all that and a bare-tool Fuel impact for $300.

You certainly have convinced me to spend some time playing with both before purchasing. I kinda decided to purchase both formats because; (1) We are Garage Journal and more is always better! (2) There are a variety of other tools in the M18 line-up which I also want (bandsaw, metal saw, grinder, circular saw). Perhaps now I can pick a different combo pack to get the M18 tools that I want and start with the M12 drill/impact. -Thanks

 

[Stuey]

That was awesome, many thanks for the response!! Huge follower of the blog, it's almost always open on the desktop.

Glad to help, and thanks for the support!

I have the combo Stuey recommends. It's awesome, IMO. According to the specs the M12 1/4" square has much less torque than the driver, I think I heard to keep from breaking the anvil... but I have yet to break a Shockwave 1/4" adapter, so I dunno what that's all about.

Other than driving sockets, I don't know what use I'd have that requires a hex driver with more torque than the M12 has. Only way I would recommend the M18 hex would be if you just didn't want any M12 tools.

This is correct. I added an edit to my original response to reflect this.

The 1/4" impact wrench has a peak torque rating of 450 in-lbs. the impact driver has a peak torque of 1000 in-lbs. The M12 3/8" impact has a peak torque of 1200 in-lbs. That's what I was thinking about when I crafted my initial response.

With the Fuel brushless impact driver, you could dial back the torque with the electronic speed settings (low/high).

 

[reptilezs]

if you use sockets mainly then get the square drive. i have a separate tool for each use.

 

[May Pop]

I have broken hex to square adapters loosening bolts with the M18 hexdriver. So I got the 3/8 impact. Nice to have both. 1/2 is really nice working late at night as its much quieter than air impact. Great tools.

 

[HMCFab9]

IMO you're almost always better to adapt square to hex than the other way around.

if you use sockets mainly then get the square drive. i have a separate tool for each use.

Both of these guys are right on! If you plan on automotive use / or do most of your work with 3/8 sockets.... buy the square drive.
The hex drive is nice if you do a lot of work with hex drive tools / need to change between hex drive drill bits, etc to another driver.
If you plan on using 1/4" drive sockets.... it's a toss up. Going from a hex drive to a 1/4" square drive adapter may be too long if you work in cramped environments (engine compartments, etc)
I have the hex drive one & wish I would've bought the 3/8 drive, but I bought it in a kit with the drill & that's the only way it came.

 

[Fedwrench]

It depends on what you work on. I do automotive work so, i have the M12 1/4, and 3/8 square drive fuel impacts along with M12 1/4 and 3/8 square drive ratchets.

I wouldn't want to be without any of them. For upper engine, interior, and trim work they offer great access because of their small footprints and offer a lot of speed compared to hand use. Now, I don't try to use the M12 to remove lug nuts. It's not meant for that. having a common battery makes life soo much easier.

As for 1/4 hex stuff, i have used and abused my snap on cts561 cordless screwdriver for more than a few years. It has a smaller footprint than the m12 series and offers the best access for under dash. also when removing/installing trim screws, it's real easy to damage plastic when using larger cordless tools.

 

[Schwinn68]

Subscribed. I think I will be waiting to see what they have on Black Friday sales too.

Having been able to handle both in the store the m12 line just isn't small enough in size to justify having two kinds of batteries. I already have one m18 drill. I think I will be getting the 1/4 hex impact or 3/8 impact and 1/2 high torque impact. Both in m18

 

[Stuey]

Subscribed. I think I will be waiting to see what they have on Black Friday sales too.

Having been able to handle both in the store the m12 line just isn't small enough in size to justify having two kinds of batteries. I already have one m18 drill. I think I will be getting the 1/4 hex impact or 3/8 impact and 1/2 high torque impact. Both in m18

In my opinion, the most to hope for on these around Black Friday would be for a free battery or add-on tool. But, maybe Milwaukee will follow Dewalt and Bosch in offering an $** off $YYY discount of some kind.

 

[Schwinn68]

In my opinion, the most to hope for on these around Black Friday would be for a free battery or add-on tool. But, maybe Milwaukee will follow Dewalt and Bosch in offering an $** off $YYY discount of some kind.

the extra battery is what I'm after. I have two of the 1.5 batteries that came with my drill and they are getting tired. better value to buy a new tool with batteries than to just buy replacement batteries. Plus I get another tool that I've been wanting.

 

[Hip2u77]

For what's worth. . . every time I've tried to use a non-fuel 18v impact driver to remove any type of rusted phillips / torx screw I've broke the bit (usually) or the screw head. These were all Wera, Apex, Zephyr, bits of various hardness. I've finally gave up and only use it now with 1/4" to square adapters for bolts / nuts.

Now, the non-fuel 12v impact is great as it doesn't have enough power to break quality bits so you can hammer on something until it breaks free.


If it was me I would get an impact wrench with the 3/8" friction ring.

 

[FiendFX]

Subscribed. I think I will be waiting to see what they have on Black Friday sales too.

Having been able to handle both in the store the m12 line just isn't small enough in size to justify having two kinds of batteries. I already have one m18 drill. I think I will be getting the 1/4 hex impact or 3/8 impact and 1/2 high torque impact. Both in m18

Same here. Waiting to get the 3/8 cordless ratchet and 3/8 impact Fuel on BF.

 

[ADSR]

Just get both and be done with it. Get the 1/2 700 - 1100ft-lb impact too.

 

[ADSR]

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002KKBBQ0/?tag=atomicindus04-20

3/8 square to 1/4 hex

 

[flippin]

Just get both and be done with it. Get the 1/2 700 - 1100ft-lb impact too.

As a fellow Canadian and someone equally disappointed with our friends over at JC Cayer, Lord Diesel, who did you end up going with? It is even more frustrating for me given that JC Cayer is local for me, but I refuse to give them a cent let alone the grand that I have stashed away for my Milwaukee fix.

This is my plan so far;

Fuel 18;
Hammer Drill
3/8" Friction Ring Impact Wrench
Grinder
Circular Saw
1/2" Impact Wrench Pin Detent

M18;
Band Saw

Fuel 12;
1/4" Hex Impact

M12;
3/8" Right Angle Drill
1/4" Ratchet
3/8" Ratchet

Thx

 

[ADSR]

Bro, email justin at www.bcfasteners.com

They have prices very close to JCC

The 3/8's fuel impact isn't on the site, but they do stock it. I believe it's 135. He can also put a package deal together for you. He's working out one for me right now.

If it's not listed on their site, email them. They have a lot in stock, and can get it fast if they don't.

 

[ADSR]

It is even more frustrating for me given that JC Cayer is local for me.

That stuff really bothers me too. I do really like to deal locally. And i do when i can. Sometimes business ethics get in the way. BC fasteners isn't local for me either (mainland BC), but they treat me right and have good prices.

One thing to think about, if you have a milwaukee authorized repair depot close by. I'm lucky and have one 20 minutes from me.

 

[flippin]

Lord Diesel,

Thank you so much for the recommendation. The site is great and their prices are every bit as good. There is a Milwaukee depot in Ottawa, so I am good, again thanks. I'll be sure to send Justin an email and I will pass on that a friend from GJ recommended their store.

Cheers
Paul

 

[Monte]

you don´t have to make a decision

 

[Stuey]

you don´t have to make a decision

Not yet available in the USA, but it's expected... eventually.

 

[03protege]

Smart

 

[BK13]

That would certainly help me add the Bosch 18v system to my collection...

 

[ADSR]

Lord Diesel,

Thank you so much for the recommendation. The site is great and their prices are every bit as good. There is a Milwaukee depot in Ottawa, so I am good, again thanks. I'll be sure to send Justin an email and I will pass on that a friend from GJ recommended their store.

Cheers
Paul

we're all here to help, bud

 

[ADSR]

That would certainly help me add the Bosch 18v system to my collection...

Not a fan of the bosch system, but that's a great idea.

When it comes out, i'll buy the snout and machine it to fit the milwaukee.

Problem solved.