Milwaukee M18 Impact Choice

[galaxy]

Need help picking out an impact gun. I know I want Milwaukee (not looking for brand recommendations in this thread), because everything else I have is already the same brand and that keeps the batteries standardized.

But need something for general automotive use. But strong. I have a M12 1/4” impact, but it’s not enough for big jobs. Looking for one that’ll take lug nuts off (torqued to 150 ft lbs), suspension bolts, top nuts on struts and thing like that.

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[jonesg]

I think you need the 1/2 inch Fuel, pricey but its got the beans.

I have the regular non fuel, its ok to 90 lbs, but then I have the garage plumbed with air.

 

[m3bs]

I bought a 3/8” M18 2654-20 back in 2016. Haven’t used my air gun since. Handles lug nuts on my cars, truck, and trailer in with no problem. Used it for multiple suspension jobs, etc.

I recently bought a car which calls for 140 ft-lb lug bolt torque. The 3/8 would remove them, but had to work pretty hard at it, so I added a 1/2” 2863-20. It’s a monster, at up to 1400 “nut-busting” torque, but it’s also big and bulky. It won’t see nearly as much use as the 3/8.

 

[CarbonJoe]

HD has several of the M18 impacts as a "Special Buy" now. Most include a free battery. I just ordered the 3/4" One-Key. The One-Key models allow you to connect to them using an app to set up some custom settings. The 1/2" One-Key model has a few settings to torque limit the tool, like for lug nuts. The torque ratings on the 1/2" are 1400 ft-lbs for "nut busting", and 1000 ft-lbs for tightening. The 3/4" are 1500 and 1200, respectively.

 

[510ebl]

I recently bought the 2767-20, and like it so far. 1400 ft lbs to loosen, 1000 ft lbs tightening torque. It is heavy, but powerful. I wouldn’t want to use it all day in an automotive shop, but for a home shop it is more that I am ever going to need. I hope. I believe it is appropriate for an agricultural, equipment, or commercial (truck) shop environment.

 

[plinker]

I've got the 1/2 drive 2767 at work, it has good power, easily comparable to a high end 1/2 air gun. It is heavier and bulkier then said air gun. Battery life with a 5.0 is 4-5 days depending on how much use it gets.

I also have the 3/8 fuel model 2754, which would do anything you need an air impact in 3/8 for and is handier. This gets to stay at home though, as I have a m12 2554 stubby at work which has pretty much equal or a tad more power. Neither is ideal for lug nuts on a consistent basis.

I dont think there is a single do-all impact, as drive size and torque makes a difference. If I could only have one cordless and the rest air, I'd take the 2754 M18 or the 2554 M12 as that is what I use the most. It's also easier to deal with an air hose on a 1/2 impact then a 3/8 IME.

 

[fordgasm]

Get the 1/2” mid torque and call it a day. 600 ft/lbs will take off 99% of what you will prob need. If you can wait 2 months the newer version will be out which is smaller, lighter and does 650 ft/lbs.

 

[iWrench]

I use a Fuel mid-torque 3/8" impact for stuff that I can't use my 3/8" Fuel stubby or 1/4" tools for. I do all my suspension work (which is up to 24mm) with that mid-torque with no issues.

 

[dnschmidt]

Mid-torque. The right combination of power and weight. They have a new version coming out soon. I'd wait for that.

 

[jferrante]

I had the larger max torque 1/2 and ended up selling my tools for a move. I got the mid torque this time and it is way more usable and I haven't ran into any positions when it didn't have enough juice. I do mostly auto work with it and did full suspension on my rsptor.

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[Showkey]

Just remember BIG impacts require BIG batteries to get max power out of the tool.

 

[stonesfan68]

Another vote for the 3/8" drive mid-torque impact.

 

[FTG-05]

I bought my Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" impact 2767 gun specifically for taking of and on my Bushhog blade bolts.

Spun them off easey peasey.

 

[galaxy]

Get the 1/2” mid torque and call it a day. 600 ft/lbs will take off 99% of what you will prob need. If you can wait 2 months the newer version will be out which is smaller, lighter and does 650 ft/lbs.

Mid-torque. The right combination of power and weight. They have a new version coming out soon. I'd wait for that.

Do you know what model this one is? Which one is the new one? Thanks man!

 

[DFB]

In the Milwaukee Mid Torque lineup there is both the original Gen 1 version and a newer upgrade (Gen 2) available, Both offer up choices 3/8" anvil or a 1/2" anvil with friction ring or pin detent

Pick your poison

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Search#q=mid torque impact wrench

 

[M635_Guy]

Do you know what model this one is? Which one is the new one? Thanks man!

Get this one: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/Impact-Wrenches/2962-20

It's great. Powerful. Small. Relatively light. Great usability. I have it and it's great. I'd skip 3/8" unless that's the impact set you already own. Go friction ring unless you like needing another tool to pop sockets off the anvil.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Mid torque will fit in a lot more places and weigh a lot less than the high torque will.

 

[TTMotorsports]

Does the pin detent allow sockets to come off easy if they have a hole in them or not unless you use a pick and push it down to pull them off? Some pin detents I've seen are impossible to take the sockets off unless you push the pin in

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[AJHD]

This is a situation where size truly does matter. Size equals weight, and size can cause access problems in tight spots. The 3/8" does most of what I need it to do, but sometimes I need the 1/2" and I've yet to find a bolt or nut it can't take off. It just depends on what task you need to complete and what you're asking the tool to do.

[Pics Removed]

 

[ovilla]

I highly recommend the high torque model. You will quickly get used to the weight. It’s just nice having an impact that’s as strong as any pneumatic impact gun.

 

[juddspaintballs]

I have a M12 Fuel 3/8" impact wrench that has some balls for being so small. I also have the high torque 1/2" Fuel M18. I'd consider getting the mid torque if I really used the impacts that often, but I can get 99% of what I need done with what I have and I wouldn't trade the high torque in for anything. It's more powerful than my really powerful air impact and it hits faster so it really helps break stubborn things loose.



General purpose and you didn't have any other impact...go for the mid torque 1/2" unless you only own 3/8" impact sockets.

 

[M635_Guy]

I highly recommend the high torque model. You will quickly get used to the weight. It’s just nice having an impact that’s as strong as any pneumatic impact gun.

Well sure... except when does your average DIY-guy (like the OP) need it?

I have the Stubby, Mid and High, and the High is a virgin. The Mid has done everything I've asked of it, and the size let's me use it in places the High wouldn't come close to fitting.

(note to self - get off your **** and sell the High)

 

[TTMotorsports]

What part # is the mid torque? I have a high torque which works great but it is heavier than I need and has more torque than I need as well.

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[sparky 1971]

This is a situation where size truly does matter. Size equals weight, and size can cause access problems in tight spots. The 3/8" does most of what I need it to do, but sometimes I need the 1/2" and I've yet to find a bolt or nut it can't take off. It just depends on what task you need to complete and what you're asking the tool to do.

Size comparison;
3/8 #2754 w/ 2.0ah battery on the left
1/2 #2767 w/ 6.0ah battery on the right

I have both of those, I also have the old style M18 1/2" drive. The old one is my favorite of the three, but if I had to choose only one to have it would be the big Fuel. You can always turn the torque down on that one, but its awful hard to get more power out of a lesser model. With all that being said, I like my IR 231 air powered better than any of the battery impacts.

 

[TLR-NUT]

I have the 1/2" stubby m12. It is my favorite. Super small and light, but strong enough to remove the lugnuts on my dually pickup(150ftlb ish). Will take off anything on a car that I've run across. The 6-amp battery helps too.

 

[TTMotorsports]

I have the 1/2" stubby m12. It is my favorite. Super small and light, but strong enough to remove the lugnuts on my dually pickup(150ftlb ish). Will take off anything on a car that I've run across. The 6-amp battery helps too.

Do you know what part # it is? Thanks

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[AJHD]

I have both of those, I also have the old style M18 1/2" drive. The old one is my favorite of the three, but if I had to choose only one to have it would be the big Fuel. You can always turn the torque down on that one, but its awful hard to get more power out of a lesser model. With all that being said, I like my IR 231 air powered better than any of the battery impacts.

Good point and another variable to consider. Being able to dial down the ugga dugga's on your impact is definitely easier than trying to get more ugga dugga's out of your impact.

As for air/pneumatic, I agree. When I worked in a shop, I didn't use battery powered impacts. My primary impact in fact was the now older version of the stubby Matco 1/2" that could give me damn near the same realistic power (never came across a nut/bolt I could not take off) at less than 3LBS. Hell, even the full size guns these days are less than 5LBS.

But at home, I don't even own a compressor, everything is battery powered. Then again, less mechanics these days are using pneumatic tools as a whole, because li-ion battery and brushless motor technology have come so far.

There are pro's and con's for everything. Like I said in my previous post, I'm not a one tool for everything kind of guy. And if you're not setup for or don't want to use air at home, you're obviously "limited" to battery powered.

 

[galaxy]

Do the different (larger Ah) battery options give you longer life or more power?

I’ve got a buddy that turns wrenches for Mercedes for a living and he no longer uses air for anything. And all his power tools are Milwaukee.

Thanks for all your help guys. I don’t have any impact sockets, so that’s not a factor. But seems like the new 2962 is gonna be the way to go. Like someone said, easier to throttle this one down than to throttle up a smaller one. 3/8 might do the job for me, but....

I also looked at the 2861, but there’s not enough price savings to justify not getting the new one.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Do you know what part # it is? Thanks

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That would be #2555-20. I have the same one that I used recently and it is fantastic.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Do the different (larger Ah) battery options give you longer life or more power?

I’ve got a buddy that turns wrenches for Mercedes for a living and he no longer uses air for anything. And all his power tools are Milwaukee.

Thanks for all your help guys. I don’t have any impact sockets, so that’s not a factor. But seems like the new 2962 is gonna be the way to go. Like someone said, easier to throttle this one down than to throttle up a smaller one. 3/8 might do the job for me, but....

I also looked at the 2861, but there’s not enough price savings to justify not getting the new one.

In the M12 line, the larger batteries definitely give you more power.

 

[pbon]

I was just changing wheels and brakes on my father in laws 2015 Navigator, which is driven year round in NH so there is corrosion. My mid torque could not do one lug nut. 150 lbs is the spec and I put them on with a torque wrench last spring. Had to bring out the high torque.

 

[galaxy]

That would be #2555-20. I have the same one that I used recently and it is fantastic.

Even though they're both 1/2", clearly you're not going to get the power/torque out of a M12 tool that you will an 18, correct?

 

[galaxy]

On second thought...2861 vs 2962?? worth the ~$50 savings? Or is the new one worth the $50?

 

[Ign]

On second thought...2861 vs 2962?? worth the ~$50 savings? Or is the new one worth the $50?

Revival 'cause I'm curious too.

I've presently got the 2861 and I find it underwhelming.

Is the new 2962 noticeably better? I know the specs on paper are close but that doesn't always tell the full story, especially since I think the 2861 was overrated on paper, more than usual.