Milwaukee m12 fuel 3/8 imact?

[SD_40]

Should I get one...what do you say? I found some posts on here through a search but most seem to be from when it first hit the market. I have a 1/2" corded impact but it just doesn't "fit" in a lot of places. I have the m12 fuel 1/4" hex driver.....I'm on the fence about this one. Owners chime in!

 

[Jeeper]

I bought one a few months back. I really like it. I have the fuel hex driver and I used the adapter socket frequently that thought it was time to get 3/8" anvil impact.

It's powerful. I actually did the brakes on a honda pilot over the weekend. It was able to pull the lugs off the wheels (80 ft/lbs) and it actually pulled the caliper bracket bolts which surprised me. If I remember right those were 80 ft/lbs too.

It's a very handy tool to have and power enough. I have air so if I get stuck I can switch over but you can't beat the convenience of that M12 impact.

 

[firworks]

I use mine all the time and love it. I would say besides lights it's my most used Milwaukee tool. If you already have the M12 FUEL 1/4" Driver then it becomes a little harder to say for sure buy it. You can put an adapter on that to use sockets, but you do lose some torque doing that. I actually go the opposite direction. I have the 3/8" impact and use the Milwaukee shockwave adapter to drive screws with it.

Common issues people bring up though is that the 3/8" M12 FUEL impact is not much smaller than the M18 1/2" Compact Impact. I don't know if that's true exactly as I don't own the M18 one but it may be.

What I will say about the 3/8" M12 is that it's a surprisingly powerful little guy. It'll pretty easily do car lug nuts:

and not that you should do this but I even used it to take off a spindle nut one time:

.

It might be easier for people to make a good recomendation if you tell us more about the kinds of work you do.

 

[SD_40]

It'd be for general automotive. I like the 1/2" imact I have but its just too bulky to fit in a lot of places. I had to take the caliper bracket bolts off my old Altima and I couldn't fit it behind there. I have the 3/8 adapter for the hex driver but if the 3/8 impact was a big step up I'd get it.

 

[gdocktor3]

Is it too bulky because of the cord, or the overall size? Corded impacts are generally quite weak when compared to cordless or air. Let's say the corded impact you have puts out 300 ft lbs. The 3/8" m12 puts out 117 ft lbs. The 3/8" m18 puts out 200 ft lbs. None of those numbers are impressive, especially considering the 1/2" m18 puts out nearly 1200 ft lbs of torque. What you have to realize is most people using the 3/8" m12 say its an impressive little tool, but they also have more powerful air or 18/20 volt impact wrenches to turn to when the m12 just can't cut it. Unfortunately, you don't have that option. If I were you, I'd go for the biggest, strongest cordless impact wrench available. It will probably still be smaller than your current corded model. I'm a diyer as well and until recently only had pneumatic impact wrenches. I found a great deal on a brand new Dewalt dcf899 20v 1/2" impact for $200 on Craigslist and because I already had 20v batteries, I jumped on it. It's rated at 1200 ft lbs and it is an absolute beast. Though I don't use it daily or even every week, I consider it the best tool purchase I've made in a looong time.

 

[M4A1Carbine]

Should I get one...what do you say? I found some posts on here through a search but most seem to be from when it first hit the market. I have a 1/2" corded impact but it just doesn't "fit" in a lot of places. I have the m12 fuel 1/4" hex driver.....I'm on the fence about this one. Owners chime in!

I was in the same boat, I love my Dewalt 1/2 impact (DCF889) but it is large and won't fit in a lot of places. I have an M12 Fuel impact driver and looked at getting the 3/8 impact wrench but ended up getting the Dewalt 3/8 impact (DCF883) as it was shorter than the M12, more powerful, and cheaper.

Another option is to get the M12 3/8 ratchet for something smaller and can fit a lot of places, then use your impact driver with adapter or 1/2 impact for applications that require more torque.

 

[bcradio]

If you need something for tight spaces, I'd go air

 

[TK-421]

Common issues people bring up though is that the 3/8" M12 FUEL impact is not much smaller than the M18 1/2" Compact Impact. I don't know if that's true exactly as I don't own the M18 one but it may be.

If you have the 2.0 on the M12 and the 5.0 on the M18, then the M12 is not only way smaller, it's also way lighter. If you send me a PM next week on Tuesday reminding me, then I'll see if I can't get some side by side photos comparing the two, and take some overall measurements so that we can have a definitive answer.

I think they're pretty close in length from socket to back, but height, width, and weight are almost guaranteed to be different enough that I can see myself reaching for the M12 quite a bit, as long as it has the oomph needed to get that particular bolt off.

 

[TK-421]

If you need something for tight spaces, I'd go air

Presuming you already have an air compressor and the needed accessories to use an impact, hoses and fittings and the like. If, like me however, you don't, then going electric isn't a bad idea, since it saves you a **** load of money.

 

[SD_40]

Presuming you already have an air compressor and the needed accessories to use an impact, hoses and fittings and the like. If, like me however, you don't, then going electric isn't a bad idea, since it saves you a **** load of money.

Nope, that I don't . It was my original plan in the beginning but due to space constraints in my garage I figured I'd just get the corded. If someone I knew had one I could try out I could decide in 2 minutes

The m18 looks great but of course I already have the m12 charger, batteries, etc.

This is what happens when I get an Amazon gift card. The "what can I convince myself I need" switch gets flipped on

 

[TK-421]

Nope, that I don't . It was my original plan in the beginning but due to space constraints in my garage I figured I'd just get the corded. If someone I knew had one I could try out I could decide in 2 minutes

The m18 looks great but of course I already have the m12 charger, batteries, etc.

This is what happens when I get an Amazon gift card. The "what can I convince myself I need" switch gets flipped on

You could always do what I do, and get both.

I've got the M12 Fuel 3/8 Impact, and I just picked up the M18 Fuel High Torque 1/2 Impact, and my M18 Fuel 3/8 Compact Impact will be here Tuesday.

I have the M18 1/2 for lug nuts and big bolts where it will fit, the M18 3/8 for where the 1/2 won't fit, and the M12 3/8 for where the M18 3/8 won't fit. Plus the fact that I'm a tool ***** and I want everything, so I'll also pick up the M12 1/4 and the M18 Compact 1/2.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am waiting for a sale on the M12 Fuel 3/8" impact. Unfortunately HD only puts them on sale once or twice a year.

 

[TK-421]

I am waiting for a sale on the M12 Fuel 3/8" impact. Unfortunately HD only puts them on sale once or twice a year.

I'd get them from cpomilwaukee.com, free shipping for orders $199 and over, and no sales tax for me at least.

Waiting for a deal is definitely the way to go though. I started my collection when you could buy a tool and get a tool for free. Picked up the M12 Fuel 3/8 Impact, M12 Fuel 1/2 Hammer Drill, and the M12 Fuel 1/4 Impact Driver, and got the M12 Stick Light, M12 3/8 ratchet and a 4.0 battery for free.

 

[SD_40]

After thinking about it a bit...I think I'm going to skip the m12. It seems like it'd be a small step up from the hex driver I already have. I'm thinking about the m18 3/8 fuel. I've got time....it's not like I need it today or anything.

 

[gdocktor3]

After thinking about it a bit...I think I'm going to skip the m12. It seems like it'd be a small step up from the hex driver I already have. I'm thinking about the m18 3/8 fuel. I've got time....it's not like I need it today or anything.

That's honestly your best bet. If you can, try to find a set with the 12/18 volt charging station to save space and outlets. What brand/model is the corded version you have?

 

[theoldwizard1]

After thinking about it a bit...I think I'm going to skip the m12. It seems like it'd be a small step up from the hex driver I already have. I'm thinking about the m18 3/8 fuel.

If I already owned a 1/4" hex driver, I would probably do the same. Guys like the 3/8" M12 over the 3/8" M18 for the smaller size and weight, especially with the "standard" battery.

 

[bcradio]

Presuming you already have an air compressor and the needed accessories to use an impact, hoses and fittings and the like. If, like me however, you don't, then going electric isn't a bad idea, since it saves you a **** load of money.

Unless you need to get into tight spots where cordless doesn't fit... then you gotta pay to play or do it by hand

 

[Know Wosad]

I am waiting for a sale on the M12 Fuel 3/8" impact. Unfortunately HD only puts them on sale once or twice a year.

Buy it somewhere else for service. Lose the illusion of extreme bulletproof-ness. You WILL have problems. The five year warranty is a condom.Get it from an authorized dealer and service center for "in case(inevitable). Saving $20 aint worth the BS of dealing with my avatar and a name tag

 

[SD_40]

That's honestly your best bet. If you can, try to find a set with the 12/18 volt charging station to save space and outlets. What brand/model is the corded version you have?

Without looking.... Im pretty sure it's a Milwaukee 9070.

Unless you need to get into tight spots where cordless doesn't fit... then you gotta pay to play or do it by hand

I haven't used an air powered impact in a long time, so I forget about its size. Where would an air gun fit that a cordless impacts couldn't? Trying to get a mental picture.

 

[allinon72]

Couldn't live with mine. I also got the 1/4" driver attachment that basically makes it 2 tools in one.

 

[gdocktor3]

Without looking.... Im pretty sure it's a Milwaukee 9070.



I haven't used an air powered impact in a long time, so I forget about its size. Where would an air gun fit that a cordless impacts couldn't? Trying to get a mental picture.

Have you come across any fasteners the corded impact couldn't remove? Reason I ask is because the 3/8" impacts are only good for 167 or 200 ft lbs depending on the model. Your corded version puts out 100 ft lbs more. I just don't want to see you spend the money on a tool that isn't going to work for what you need.

As for the pneumatic vs cordless, the only difference would be height, but when you have an air hose attached it doesn't make much of a difference. The angle of the nose cone could make some difference though depending on its orientation to the handle.

 

[TK-421]

Unless you need to get into tight spots where cordless doesn't fit... then you gotta pay to play or do it by hand

Yeah, sure, but if it's $600 for a 1/2" high torque impact, a 3/8" compact torque wrench, 4 batteries and 2 chargers, that's a lot more affordable than $600 for a compressor and $400 for impacts, along with say $30 for the hose and fittings, presuming you don't want to plumb in the air system and just run it straight from the compressor.

I'm not saying one is better over the other, I'm simply saying that starting from nothing, electric is easier to afford if you're on a tight budget and it's one or the other.

 

[SD_40]

Have you come across any fasteners the corded impact couldn't remove?

No, not yet. It's really only been used for lug nuts and suspension work though.

 

[bcradio]

Yeah, sure, but if it's $600 for a 1/2" high torque impact, a 3/8" compact torque wrench, 4 batteries and 2 chargers, that's a lot more affordable than $600 for a compressor and $400 for impacts, along with say $30 for the hose and fittings, presuming you don't want to plumb in the air system and just run it straight from the compressor.

I'm not saying one is better over the other, I'm simply saying that starting from nothing, electric is easier to afford if you're on a tight budget and it's one or the other.

I definitely agree.