Milwaukee Impact Driver & Socket Adapters

[Tool_Freek]

I’m considering purchasing my first battery powered impact driver. Brief shopping led me to this one:



Advertising boasts 2000 in-lb (167 ft-lb) of torque! The quick release collet style tool holder requires a 1/4” hex shank tool. For nuts and bolts, I’m considering using these socket adapters:



Milwaukee advertises these adapters as being made from a proprietary alloy and heat treating. The interchangeability from socket drivers to screw drivers and whatever else with 1/4” hex drive is desirable. However I have to ask, 167 ft-lb of torque through 1/4” hex is a lot! Does anyone have experience doing this? Does the 1/4” shank hold up or shear off at full power?

 

[finn]

Ok for household use, but you lose a lot of torque capability through those adapters, so it’s pretty weak for removing real structural nuts and bolts in, say, automotive repair.

I would recommend something with a 3/8” square drive at least for general use. Drivers like the one shown are great for light assemble, using torx screws, or dedicated bits. Not a fan of those adapters, though.

You’re going to struggle removing lug nuts, etc.

 

[Higgy1300]

i have twisted 1 and broken another. did not think the drive was that powerful.

 

[DGersic]

I’ve had (and broken) several adapters before the Shockwave stuff came out. Whatever they’re made from, I haven’t broken one yet. I wouldn’t use that tool on lug nuts, even if it claims the ability to do so.

 

[manwithtools]

While not as powerful as a dedicated 3/8" or 1/2" impact wrench, I think you will be amazed at the power that impact driver has. I have that model (2953-20) and it drives 5" long LedgerLok screws into glulams effortlessly.

 

[jar944]

Are you planning on primarily driving screws or nuts?

Your answer will change the recommendation.

 

[Gangly]

It's great for drilling and driving screws, but not so much for automotive work. I'd recommend a 3/8 stubby if your going to be doing a lot of work with sockets.

 

[Tool_Freek]

Your responses support my concerns. My immediate use is for tightening nuts and bolts. Sounds like the 3/8” drive unit would be best.

I would be interested in everyone’s opinion of this adapter. It gets enough bad reviews to be a concern:

 

[Tinkerer2]

This is what I have: Bosch GDX18V-1800B12 PROFESSIONAL

Best of both worlds. Takes 1/4 in bits and 1/2 in sockets without an adapter.

 

[Tool_Freek]

Tinkerer2,
I saw this tool last time I considered a battery powered impact wrench/driver. At that time, the release for the 1/4” hex drive got a lot of bad reviews. If I recall correctly, it broke or wouldn’t release. I see now Bosch has a new model out. What have your experiences been?

 

[kbeefy]

I use those impact adapters for 1/4 sockets all the time. That tool will be great for that and driving screws.
As mentioned, a 3/8 drive will be much better for anything bigger than about 10mm.

 

[loganb]

They have an M12 3/8" drive impact with 500 ft lbs that is a beast. Light, compact and stupid powerful.... Get it and ditch the hex to socket adapters

 

[tarmy]

Get the hydraulic version…more slow speed control and seems to work better for me. If you want a regular impact driver I have 3 slightly used I will make you a deal on…cause as soon as I used the hydraulic version I bought 3 of those…

 

[Tinkerer2]

Tinkerer2,
I saw this tool last time I considered a battery powered impact wrench/driver. At that time, the release for the 1/4” hex drive got a lot of bad reviews. If I recall correctly, it broke or wouldn’t release. I see now Bosch has a new model out. What have your experiences been?

I have had it for almost 3 years without any issues. It has done everything I've asked it to do. I haven't tried to change a tire with it on our car but have used it to do that on multiple golf carts. The 1/4 bit function has met all of my needs without any problems as well. All of my battery tools are Bosch (drill/driver, circular saw, jig saw,, oscillating multi-tool, and grinder) . Well, I have a Ryobi hand held vac, 1 gallon sprayer and a handheld fertilizer spreader but I bought adapters for those so I can use my Bosch batteries.

 

[Tool_Freek]

Wow! I’m swimming in confusion. I want something that’s slow enough and controllable so I don’t strip out threads when I tighten them. Different power settings seems like the right thing for that. I’m not production oriented in my work so speed is secondary and noise level is third. It seems faster and more power is what online videos focus on.

My current need that’s driving a purchase is to check tightness of nuts and bolts on the tracks for a large roll-up door. I’ve been using a pneumatic impact wrench but dealing with the air hose on a ladder and scaffold is just too dangerous 15’ in the air. Time to upgrade, but to what…

 

[ATC]

You need a 3/8 impact. You control the speed with your finger, and they have settings to limit the maximum torque.

You say you are "checking tightness of nuts and bolts"....I would want a hand-held ratchet for that.

 

[seber]

Your responses support my concerns. My immediate use is for tightening nuts and bolts. Sounds like the 3/8” drive unit would be best.

I would be interested in everyone’s opinion of this adapter. It gets enough bad reviews to be a concern:

Tightening nuts of any kind should not be done with an impact. Especially lug nuts where stud failure could cause major accidents. Tightening should always be done by hand and for critical applications, with a torque wrench.

 

[JoeMcGov]

Wow! I’m swimming in confusion.

Fret not dear friend. Don't F around.

Get the 1/4" drive.
Get a 3/8" drive.
Get a 1/2" drive.

The beautiful trifecta. You'll be ALWAYS PREPARED. You're in the mood now OVER act on that impulse.

Full disclosure: I have all three sizes (in the yellow color).

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

My current need that’s driving a purchase is to check tightness of nuts and bolts on the tracks for a large roll-up door. I’ve been using a pneumatic impact wrench but dealing with the air hose on a ladder and scaffold is just too dangerous 15’ in the air. Time to upgrade, but to what…

We can help you convince yourself you need whatever tool you fancy But this task probably isn't it.

Those don't sound like things that should routinely be coming loose. Maybe there's a problem causing excess vibration, and/or threadlock or nyloc should be used?

If you're checking them with an impact, which doesn't give you much in the way of feedback, could you in fact be tightening them a little bit more each time, leading to overtightening?

 

[theoldwizard1]

More money, but more power ! And you won't lose any of it with those adapter !!!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wow! I’m swimming in confusion. I want something that’s slow enough and controllable so I don’t strip out threads when I tighten them. Different power settings seems like the right thing for that.

The Milwaukee M12 2454 3/8" impact has 2 power settings.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Fret not dear friend. Don't F around.

Get the 1/4" drive.
Get a 3/8" drive.
Get a 1/2" drive.

I use a 3/8" to 1/4" square adapter with my M12 2454 when needed.

I did have to buy an M18 1/2" mid-toque for wheel lug nuts !

 

[theoldwizard1]

 

[jar944]

That one is only rated at 1400 inch pounds vs the current generation at 550ftlbs (with 5.0)

 

[ChevyEFI]

Get the hydraulic version…more slow speed control and seems to work better for me. If you want a regular impact driver I have 3 slightly used I will make you a deal on…cause as soon as I used the hydraulic version I bought 3 of those…

The Surge I got was M18 Fuel and pretty worthless as a smaller "impact gun." Supposedly they're great at running screws in wood with a smoother drive and less vibe. Just not for ne

OP, if you want a smaller impact gun that acts like an impact gun be very careful to avoid the Surge. And frankly, look at Bosch Gdx18v-1860cn instead of trying to navigate Milwaukee Marketing Muck. My 1800 version takes 140lb-ft nuts off my truck.

 

[bigfunwmu]

Sounds like an application for loctite, a torque wrench, and a paint pen to me.

Get the impact anyway, but for the door torque and mark the fasteners so you can visually inspect them all without having to put a tool on every single one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

That one is only rated at 1400 inch pounds vs the current generation at 550ftlbs (with 5.0)

Way over kill for what I want ! Too much for driving screws or loosening 10mm nuts !

 

[richfinn]

I’m considering purchasing my first battery powered impact driver. Brief shopping led me to this one:



Advertising boasts 2000 in-lb (167 ft-lb) of torque! The quick release collet style tool holder requires a 1/4” hex shank tool. For nuts and bolts, I’m considering using these socket adapters:



Milwaukee advertises these adapters as being made from a proprietary alloy and heat treating. The interchangeability from socket drivers to screw drivers and whatever else with 1/4” hex drive is desirable. However I have to ask, 167 ft-lb of torque through 1/4” hex is a lot! Does anyone have experience doing this? Does the 1/4” shank hold up or shear off at full power?

It's the wrong tool for nuts and bolts, you really want a square drive impact wrench

I do have an M12 1/4" hex impact driver which is tiny and works good as a screwdriver for interiors and other low torque applications

 

[TailGunner3000]

It's the wrong tool for nuts and bolts, you really want a square drive impact wrench

I'm shocked it took this long for someone to point this out. The name kinda says it all. Impact drivers are essentially souped up screwdrivers. Impact wrenches are souped up socket wrenches.

You need the right tool for the job.

 

[ATC]

I'm shocked it took this long for someone to point this out. The name kinda says it all. Impact drivers are essentially souped up screwdrivers. Impact wrenches are souped up socket wrenches.

You need the right tool for the job.

You need a 3/8 impact. You control the speed with your finger, and they have settings to limit the maximum torque.

You say you are "checking tightness of nuts and bolts"....I would want a hand-held ratchet for that.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like having an impact driver and an impact wrench right.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I have had it for almost 3 years without any issues. It has done everything I've asked it to do. I haven't tried to change a tire with it on our car but have used it to do that on multiple golf carts. The 1/4 bit function has met all of my needs without any problems as well. All of my battery tools are Bosch (drill/driver, circular saw, jig saw,, oscillating multi-tool, and grinder) . Well, I have a Ryobi hand held vac, 1 gallon sprayer and a handheld fertilizer spreader but I bought adapters for those so I can use my Bosch batteries.

Lowes has the 360ft lb break away tq version for $99 with battery and charger until 10/15

$99 hex/1/2" square impact deal

 

[ChevyEFI]

Lowes has the 360ft lb break away tq version for $99 with battery and charger until 10/15

$99 hex/1/2" square impact deal

I had no idea they added 1/4 hex to a higher tq. (Than the gdx 1860) That's great.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

A)You dont need the 18 volt to break hex shanks. 12 doesnt usually break them.
B)when the hex shank twists off in the collet, the stub is a royal pain to remove.
C) the 1/4 hex loads in fuel tools by pushing it in. On the cheaper tools you also have to fiddle the lock ring every damn time.