New M12 Right Angle Impact Wrenches Coming June

[Fedwrench]

Looks like Milwaukee has a new M12 right angle impact wrench coming out in June. It's available in 3/8 & 1/2 inch drives. Doesn't look that compact to me but, time will tell. I could use some M12 goodness.

https://www.toolnut.com/milwaukee-t...-3-8-right-angle-impact-wrench-tool-only.html

 

[MrNatural]

That’s got suspension work written all over it.

 

[Wamsutta]

There's a video on that page. Full power to break the fastener loose and then it slows itself down to spin the fastener off.

 

[KnurledNut]

Kinda neat. If the specs are right, the existing 20V IR is thinner, but longer.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

That’s got suspension work written all over it.

Meh, I doubt it. Add the typically required universal socket on the end, and the "220" ft/lbs will be fighting tooth and nail to do anything. It's like my stubby IR 1/2 impact - "450" ft/lbs. Or my 3/8 m12 impact with "100" ft/lbs. I'd be blown away if either could produce half of that at the end of a standard socket, let alone a swivel socket.

Now, it may compliment my impacting air ratchet.

 

[Yarpo]

Meh, I doubt it. Add the typically required universal socket on the end, and the "220" ft/lbs will be fighting tooth and nail to do anything. It's like my stubby IR 1/2 impact - "450" ft/lbs. Or my 3/8 m12 impact with "100" ft/lbs. I'd be blown away if either could produce half of that at the end of a standard socket, let alone a swivel socket.

Now, it may compliment my impacting air ratchet.

Seconded.

There's not a chance. My stubby doesn't do **** on suspension stuff, I doubt this will be any different. Plus it looks large, and there's nowhere for "large" tools on cars anymore.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Yeh it too weak be really useful.
as I work 99% in shop doing auto repair I stick mainly with air and not investing heavily in battery until they evolve with a bit more grunt .
Some trades find it useful and the battery tools are evolving well so another 2 to 4 years may see one compact & truly up to task of suspension work !

 

[CROmech]

Will maybe be useful on a power wheels?

All jokes aside I find air the best when doing suspension work. These simply don’t have enough power yet. Even my Milwaukee mid torque fuel impact has a lot of trouble with breaking fasteners loose.

 

[General Geoff]

Seconded.

There's not a chance. My stubby doesn't do **** on suspension stuff, I doubt this will be any different. Plus it looks large, and there's nowhere for "large" tools on cars anymore.

Yep. Stuck suspension stuff needs full high-torque power, especially if a swivel joint is required. Use all the torque you can get.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

For guys like me that work on machinery I will definitely be adding it to my drawer.

And the off road trucks is all new clean hardware so it will probably work good there as well... I. E. Flex lock nuts

 

[darkzero]

I don't like that it's an impact wrench, what I mean is it doesn't work like a ratchet so you can't use it to break fasteners free manually if the tool is not strong enough to get it loose. Still it's seems like a great too but specialized & wouldn't be useful for me.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I don't like that it's an impact wrench, what I mean is it doesn't work like a ratchet so you can't use it to break fasteners free manually if the tool is not strong enough to get it loose. Still it's seems like a great too but specialized & wouldn't be useful for me.

So...you just want/need the Fuel ratchet, correct?

 

[darkzero]

So...you just want/need the Fuel ratchet, correct?

Correct & I do have one.

I'm curious what kind of things people would use this for that an impact gun & ratchet wouldn't cover. I'm not talking trash about it, I truly am curious. Great that Milwaukee continues to come out with new tools unlike most others (I know there was one before this).

 

[MrNatural]

My bad: didn’t realise that you couldn’t crank on it and break a faster loose.

 

[Skin]

Looks huge for M12.

 

[trackwelder]

Definitely a handy tool to have around. I really like the IR 3/8” impact. I will get the Milwaukee when a deal comes around

 

[MarylandUSA]

Kinda neat. If the specs are right, the existing 20V IR is thinner, but longer.

From Stu at Toolguyd:

"Milwaukee has informed me that IR’s measurement for drive head length does NOT take into account the anvil. These new M12 Fuel impacts measure 2.2″ without anvil, or 2.8″ including it. In other words, they head height is the same for these M12 tools as IR’s 20V."

 

[Skin]

From Stu at Toolguyd:

"Milwaukee has informed me that IR’s measurement for drive head length does NOT take into account the anvil. These new M12 Fuel impacts measure 2.2″ without anvil, or 2.8″ including it. In other words, they head height is the same for these M12 tools as IR’s 20V."

Milwaukee's own marketing literature says their head is 2.8 not including the anvil?

 

[Fedwrench]

Yeah, lots of speculation here about power, compactness, or lack there of, battery life, etc. These are questions that will be resolved later this year once we've had a chance to beat it up a bit. I for one don't like that massive 20 volt battery pack hanging off the back of the IR version and there have been similar complaints about the pneumatic versions regardless of whether they're labeled Astro, Capri, CP, or IR. I was just happy to see another M12 tool released

It might not be the end all tool to your needs but, it might be just the ticket for someone for what they do.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Very true Fed. IMO it would be awesome for swapping parts between engines doing a swap. Motor mount brackets, accessories, exhaust manifolds, etc. Just seems a little weak sauce for suspension work, but I live in the rust belt. Even my 2235 and the best Snap-on has to offer can get stopped cold by crusty suspension bolts.

 

[DFB]

It certainly will be handy for tight places and WHOLE lot better that what they had for the existing RA cordless impacts...any of them

This has been on the Milwaukee Addiction thread for a while now.

There is actually 3 models being released. One with a 3/8" drive ring anvil and two different 1/2" drive one has a pin detent the is a standard ring anvil, I believe they all have same rated spec.

Pretty much on par with an M18 Compact Impact Wrench with the 220ftlb power rating

 

[rustbucket5]

i work on golf carts and i know this would be great for my shop environment. cant speak for larger stuff however

 

[Zexx]

That electrician saying its great to use it on live circuits makes me cringe so hard...

 

[WittHay]

The only right angle impact I have seen are the Mac's. Usually used by truck guys when removing transmission bell housing bolts, pto units and transfer cases. These bolts are not rusty, just awkward.

Jobs like these arent done out in the field. I think air would still be better for shop work.

Milwaukee M12 stuff is priced cheap enough that for car guys, its not that big of deal if its a limited used tool

 

[Professional Tool User]

220 ft lbs after being hooked up to a swivel isn't going to cut it.

 

[BolognaBlake]

220 ft lbs after being hooked up to a swivel isn't going to cut it.

I don't think any of the air-powered right angle impacts are more powerful.

 

[Mr_B]

I don't think any of the air-powered right angle impacts are more powerful.

Most of the decent taiwan ones have another 150 ft-lb on that .

 

[Fedwrench]

Most of the decent taiwan ones have another 150 ft-lb on that .

Do they? I'm not speaking about their ads or claims of nut busting torque. I'm asking for real world experience about their power levels. I know I've seen more than a few struggle in you tube videos. I have an old IR Hammerhead that usually lets me down when I want to use it

 

[Mr_B]

^ I have the astro and it pretty decent on power (still short of a decent nano impact power), way better than the old IR hammerhead style which is close torque range match to the M12 angle impact .
hammerhead gear drive sucked lot of the power potential ...

 

[Skin]

Kind of unfair to compare the Hammerhead to those though. The Hammerhead and MAC/Proto clone is miniscule compared to the stubby impacts with an elongated handle. This M12 will be a fair bit smaller also if it really is 2.8" with the anvil. By comparison something like the Astro is 3.5" or closer to 3.75" if you include the direction switch.

I've also found the real world torque of the stubby impacts to be substantially lower than the big number they like to advertise where as IR and Milwaukee seem to be more truthful.

After some contemplating I pre-ordered the new right angle impact so thanks for making me spend money Fed. Figured worse case scenario it replaces my Hammerhead which I only use on occasion.

For anyone that's interested Acmetool is running a 15%/10% off promo that seems to be applying to pre-orders so the bare tool is $180 or kit is $270.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Hammerhead is thin head but not exactly miniscule.
I found brands like astro AP Kuani Facom be pretty close to stated torque on the stubby nano tools as long as you feeding them over 90psi dynamic .
I hardly ever need touch a full size impact even for forcing screws on BJs and hub bearings . impacts like the ns2500g and ns3500g are crazy power to size .
This M12 tool is pretty cool, they getting better every year and cost considering warranty also pretty good value and in a generation or 2 the usability thus value going be even better hopefully .

 

[2ndGearRubber]

N

^
Hammerhead is thin head but not exactly miniscule.
I found brands like astro AP Kuani Facom be pretty close to stated torque on the stubby nano tools as long as you feeding them over 90psi dynamic .
I hardly ever need touch a full size impact even for forcing screws on BJs and hub bearings . impacts like the ns2500g and ns3500g are crazy power to size .
This M12 tool is pretty cool, they getting better every year and cost considering warranty also pretty good value and in a generation or 2 the usability thus value going be even better hopefully .

Over 90psi dynamic flow can be a tall order depending on shop layout. Our shop is 120 static but I doubt after 75+ feet of 1/2 iron pipe, then 25+ foot of hose reel I doubt I see 90psi dynamic.

My IR stubby impact ***** ***. It got stopped by lug nuts so often i just gave up. I probably puts out an honest 150 tops.

 

[Mr_B]

Over 90psi dynamic flow can be a tall order depending on shop layout. Our shop is 120 static but I doubt after 75+ feet of 1/2 iron pipe, then 25+ foot of hose reel I see 90psi dynamic.

My IR stubby impact ***** ***. It got stopped by lug nuts so often i just gave up. I probably puts out an honest 150 tops.

I pretty lucky as my small 2 bay shop lent itself well to compressor and pipe runs and has short hard line runs and I use 12ft hose most of the time and tend be at 100 to 110 dynamic. I get about about 25psi static to dynamic difference on that, on long runs you need static pressure in 150 range .
When I worked in a large truck shop they changed to 2 compressor setup so line runs kept sensible length and tools get fed what they needed .
My facom astro and ACT stubby guns all manage over 300ft/lb and the facom is seriously hard hitting pulling lugs off farm equipment and large suspension and crank bolts etc pretty effortlessly .

 

[MattT]

Milwaukee's own marketing literature says their head is 2.8 not including the anvil?

And that same literature is comping milwackys not busting (anything) torque to IRs max torque which is apples to oranges. IR don't appear to publish "nut busting" figures for the hammerheads but it's substantially higher than max for the guns they do quote it for.

And if that 2.8" excluding anvil length is correct that pushes the Astro Nano on a stick guns into the "pneumatic competitor" category................................

 

[MattT]

That electrician saying its great to use it on live circuits makes me cringe so hard...

At least they had the boot on it Though the toolnut boot product page states "not for use on, or near, live circuits". Also boot doesn't look like it's designed for safe use on live circuits. And I don't see any approvals marked on it in the pictures.

I could maybe see some low voltage live uses for it if the actual, pinned anvil, tool and boot are released with independently tested 1 kV or better ratings. Don't think high voltage "Works in up to 69kV environments" will be possible though.

 

[Mr_B]

And that same literature is comping milwackys not busting (anything) torque to IRs max torque which is apples to oranges. IR don't appear to publish "nut busting" figures for the hammerheads but it's substantially higher than max for the guns they do quote it for.

And if that 2.8" excluding anvil length is correct that pushes the Astro Nano on a stick guns into the "pneumatic competitor" category................................

that chart not that honest as all the right angle ones of same style pneumatic are 350 to 420
only the geared drive ones are in the 180-200 range .

the head is 2.2 deep and 2.3 wide.
depth with anvil is 2.8.
It nicer design tool than the FUEL ratchets .
For a 3/8 drive tool I could find uses for it ...

 

[Skin]

Got mine today. Pretty compact and seems to have a fair bit of pep. I think mechanics are going to like it a lot. Kind of makes the long neck ratchets pointless since it has so much torque so you'd definitely grab this guy first for something like brake calipers. When I get a chance tomorrow i'll try to torque some stuff to 200 foot pounds and see what happens. On paper its suppose to be only 30 foot pounds weaker than the M12 stubby that's basically twice as long.

 

[KnurledNut]

When I get a chance tomorrow i'll try to torque some stuff to 200 foot pounds and see what happens.

Nice eye candy there.
Definitely interested in the results.

 

[Tallpilot]

Got mine today. Pretty compact and seems to have a fair bit of pep. I think mechanics are going to like it a lot. Kind of makes the long neck ratchets pointless since it has so much torque so you'd definitely grab this guy first for something like brake calipers. When I get a chance tomorrow i'll try to torque some stuff to 200 foot pounds and see what happens. On paper its suppose to be only 30 foot pounds weaker than the M12 stubby that's basically twice as long.

Let us know. Is it about .66" less wide than the Astro 1838? Blows the M12 stubby out of the water but half as powerful as air. This one is a tough call but who doesn't love getting rid of the hose.

Don't forget the $30 boot though. Why can't they figure out how to have those available at the same time as the tool? I think it was two months before the one I ordered at the same time as my die grinder showed up. It must be a very special process to make that super fancy Chinese rubber.

Do you hear me Milwaukee?? You're stuff is good but you over your boots.

 

[Skin]

Let us know. Is it about .66" less wide than the Astro 1838? Blows the M12 stubby out of the water but half as powerful as air. This one is a tough call but who doesn't love getting rid of the hose.

Don't forget the $30 boot though. Why can't they figure out how to have those available at the same time as the tool? I think it was two months before the one I ordered at the same time as my die grinder showed up. It must be a very special process to make that super fancy Chinese rubber.

Do you hear me Milwaukee?? You're stuff is good but you over your boots.

I did order the boot. I guess they're coming in on a different boat. Sites are showing July.

Yes this is 2.82" from tip of the anvil to the back of the head. The Astro measurement doesn't take into account the reverse lever that sticks out the back if you want to get technical so probably more like 3/4" difference. I cant speak to the Astro's torque but the super stubby pneumatics in general all seemed way overrated to me. I think I had 3 different stubby impacts and I ended up selling them all.