Milwaukee Mid-Torque Impacts

[Pontiac787]

Hi All,

I wanted to get your thoughts on the Milwaukee mid-torque models 3/8" vs. 1/2". I have 1/2" pneumatics in regular and stubby varieties so I like the idea of the 3/8” mid-torque. Do folks find that they get much better clearance with the 3/8” sockets? I don’t have any 3/8” impact sockets right now so the added expense would be picking up the Sunex 3580.

 

[jshailor1871]

I got my 1/2" mid-torque Milwaukee impact as a Christmas gift and have used it for 40-50 different automotive jobs ranging from brakes/suspension to drivetrain.

It quickly has become my favorite tool in my box, I have never had any sort of clearance issues that couldn't be solved with a smaller socket or extension. I also have 1/2" air impacts in various sizes and have yet to use them since receiving the 1/2".

I am sure there are some benefits of a 3/8" impact, but I haven't run into an issue with my 1/2" as of yet.

HTH


John



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[PelicanPines]

I only have 1/2" sockets.. stubbies, regular, deep, extra deep ... can't see a use for 3/8" impacts yet...

 

[DerekV]

I only have 1/2" sockets.. stubbies, regular, deep, extra deep ... can't see a use for 3/8" impacts yet...

Although I know others may disagree, I'm with you on this. I've always seemed to make 1/2" drive impact stuff work without really any issue in my modern VW engine bay (pretty damn crowded), under car work, brake stuff, etc. If clearance is ever an issue, I've always felt that no impact size would fit, and that's when the hand tools come out which...that's why I have them haha. I personally find it effective and efficient having just one drive size for the impact stuff. 1/2" drive covers a ton of ground while also being more durable (think universal joints and extensions) than 3/8" drive.

One thing that I've noticed about the 3/8" mid torque (to be fair, in pictures) is that the anvil sticks way out of the nose. I can't confirm because I've never used it, but that alone would cancel out most of the benefits of using the smaller drive size. In other words, the way I see it is if your 1/2" mid torque doesn't fit, your 3/8" one won't either - thus, go with the 1/2" drive for reasons mentioned above. IMHO of course.

 

[Pontiac787]

Thanks all. I appreciate the first hand experience.

 

[Tallpilot]

I feel the same way. I have a 1/2" mid torque and anywhere it won't fit I use my Nano. I can't think of anywhere I had to use the Nano where the 3/8" would have fit instead.

Perhaps someday I will invest in 3/8 impact but so far it hasn't been necessary.

 

[kctyphoon]

For the record - my new 3/8 m12 stubby and 6.0 battery - took the lugs off my car without any effort AT ALL

 

[Dimitriy]

I have the mid-torque in 1/2 and think it has the broadest application range of any impact that Milwaukee offers. Great for wheels, suspension and brakes (when clearance permits). If you want something for tighter areas, i would go with the 3/8 stubby impact.

 

[PeedoPie]

Love mine. Use it 95% of the time. I also have the big 1/2 and also the 3/8 and 1/4 impacts. Great tools. If I had to choose one it would be the mid torque

 

[tutti57]

I had the 1/2" mid and also have the 1/2" high tq and 3/8" M12.

I sold the mid torque but will say it was a great tool. Now that they have the stubby M12 I'm going to get that one.

The mid torque would take off everything I tried except subframe bolts and maybe a few caliper brackets using swivel sockets. This was about a year of professional use. Very versatile tool.

At work I use a 1/2" IR air, 3/8" M12, and will soon be adding a 1/2" M12 stubby and hopefully later the 3/8" stubby. All of my work power tools are M12.

At home I have the 1/2" high torque and when I get a 3/8" stubby for work I'll bring that other 3/8" home.

What other impacts do you have? Would this be your primary?



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[Pontiac787]

I have two 1/2” aircat impacts. A standard size and a stubby. I am looking at the mid-torque because it seems like it would cover most jobs and is a reasonable size. My other Milwaukee cordless tools are 18 volt so I wanted to stay with that platform.

 

[tutti57]

I think that would be good to get if you want to stay m18 and already have the other two. You'll want to have one of the bigger batteries if you don't already have a 4+ah battery. I think I paid $60 for a 4ah Milwaukee new on eBay. A lot more power and it goes all day on one charge.

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[marineman]

If you're already invested in 1/2" options with both sockets and impacts (regular and nano) I wouldn't see much use for a 3/8. I went the other way and went deep into 3/8 before I bought a 1/2" nano impact that I rarely use because 3/8 works. In 1/2 all I have is standard and deep 6 point except for a few specific 12 points, in 3/8 I have standard, deep, mid depth 6 & 12 point (no mid depth 12 point) swivel and pretty much every length extension available. Out of habit and choice of sockets I can do anything with my 3/8 that a 1/2 nano could do. If you have all those options with your 1/2 there's really no benefit to 3/8.

 

[impactsocket]

Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3/8 Stubby vs Milwaukee 3/8 M18 FUEL Mid Torque video:

 

[AS556]

I have 4 sets of 3/8 impact sockets.

Tekton deep SAE
Makita shallow SAE
Makita shallow Metric
Craftsman shallow metric

I paid under $15 per set new for 3 of the 4 so couldn't pass it up. I will use them on the M12 stubby 3/8 with my 4.0Ah when I get around to buying the stubby.

As it stands I like to use the sockets on my 1/4 hex impact drivers (M12, M18 brushless and Makita 18V brushless. Have a corded Craftsman I still need to try it on.) with a 3/8 socket adapter. Saves my nice chrome sockets from getting beat up by the impacts.

I use the Tekton deep SAE on the M18 brushless almost every single day at work and they're holding up great.

 

[AS556]

I do use an M18 Fuel 1/2 impact wrench at work quite a bit too. I think mine is the compact, not sure where that falls on torque level.

It does pretty well but there's some stuff it wont touch. For instance today we were trying to remove a 19mm Allen head bolt that wouldn't even budge with a 3/4 IR air gun. It would've just laughed at my Fuel.