ThatSickRip
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- May 23, 2017
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The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)
- Thread starter JustinsGr8
- Start date
I'm a remodeling contractor and bought the surge a couple or three months ago. As was mentioned, I usually used my M12 Impact for 90% of the time.
I have an M18 Impact, and it only got used for the jobs the M12 just couldn't do.
After I bought the surge I forgot about the M12 impact. I use it for everything now. Quiet, excellent speed control, and the right amount of power for carpentry related tasks.
X2!
Being quieter than the M12 fuel impact made me switch over and slightly being smaller too.
deberly12
Well-known member
Well I did some research... I will now humble myself and eat everything that I thought about m12. I was told and believed that they were only good for diyers hanging shelves or as secondary tools. I started researching and found the m12 to be better in every spec than my current 19.2 V C3 driver. I always thought I used my tools too hard to look at M12. I guess I just used them to the top of their ability because they were so outdated. In their defense I have had most of my cordless tools for 5-7 years. The m12 fuel drill is very close and better in some ways than my big one. I have a 3/8 fuel impact and a 2763 so the M12 may handle all of my screw driving needs.
But...you guys saying you chose the surge over the M12....is it mostly noise? Noise isn't a big concern. My use is either around my house or on the farm. What things have you run into that the M12 couldn't drive? Does the auto shut off on the surge cause problems?
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deberly12
Well-known member
FYI one reoccurring use is driving alot #9x3" deck screws in to pressure treated. This is for some feeders I build for the farm. Alot of these screws so I want it to not hesitate at them.
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The surge operates more like a cordless drill when you want it to. Variable speed trigger. You have more ability to finesse when needed.
It also has the power to run 6" ledger loks into solid framing.
I would use the M12 for everything except 3" deck screws and up. And it never had a prayer for lag bolts or ledger loks. If I'm screwing a deck down, I would have gone straight to M18, just for the battery life and power. Now I go to the M18 surge. It drives fasteners in easier in a way that is difficult to describe.
It did finally give up from getting too hot after about the 20th 6" ledger lok.
It also has the power to run 6" ledger loks into solid framing.
I would use the M12 for everything except 3" deck screws and up. And it never had a prayer for lag bolts or ledger loks. If I'm screwing a deck down, I would have gone straight to M18, just for the battery life and power. Now I go to the M18 surge. It drives fasteners in easier in a way that is difficult to describe.
It did finally give up from getting too hot after about the 20th 6" ledger lok.
Ign
Well-known member
The Surge is faster than any impact driver I've used. You think speed isn't important until you get used to it, then everything else seems slow.
morgantm
Well-known member
The only thing I have had the M12 not be able to do recently is run 3.5" screws into 2" thick oak but that is a completely acceptable in my opinion. For normal pressure treated pine I have not found anything the M12 cannot do.
If you are not in a rush later this year the new M12 models will be coming out with a little performance bump and a they will be a bit more compact.
deberly12
Well-known member
Is there such a thing as not being in a rush to buy new Milwaukee tools??? That is a good point though I may wait for them.... unless I steal some on eBay... I agree screwing into oak is a serious business. Anything like that I can use an adapter on my 3/8 impact. You guys are really talking me out of the surge combo and into the M12. Have we heard any specs on the new M12?
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morgantm
Well-known member
NEW 2ND GEN M12 FUEL IMPACT DRIVER – LAUNCH DECEMBER 2017
Milwaukee Tool’s next generation M12 FUEL™ ¼” Hex Impact Driver raises the bar of performance for 12V Impact Drivers. The completely redesigned Impact Driver delivers 20% faster application speeds, outputs an industry-leading 1,300in-lbs of torque, and is over 1” shorter than competitive 12V Impact Drivers. With Milwaukee’s leading 4-mode drive control that includes TEK screw mode, this tool is the most advanced and highest performing product in its class.
My Take: The original M12 Fuel impact driver was the Beez neez when it came out, the first brushless 12V impact driver and good torque. Since then they’ve had severe competition from other brands such as Bosch and Makita which bested the M12 Fuel in size. Milwaukee fights back with the 2nd Gen M12 Fuel by making theirs even more compact than the competition, adding an additional middle speed for a total of 3 speeds plus a fourth self tapping screw mode, and somehow managed to give it more power – now up to 1,300 in-lbs.
https://toolcraze.net/new-milwaukee-tools-nps2017-m12-m18-power-tools/
Milwaukee Tool’s next generation M12 FUEL™ ¼” Hex Impact Driver raises the bar of performance for 12V Impact Drivers. The completely redesigned Impact Driver delivers 20% faster application speeds, outputs an industry-leading 1,300in-lbs of torque, and is over 1” shorter than competitive 12V Impact Drivers. With Milwaukee’s leading 4-mode drive control that includes TEK screw mode, this tool is the most advanced and highest performing product in its class.
My Take: The original M12 Fuel impact driver was the Beez neez when it came out, the first brushless 12V impact driver and good torque. Since then they’ve had severe competition from other brands such as Bosch and Makita which bested the M12 Fuel in size. Milwaukee fights back with the 2nd Gen M12 Fuel by making theirs even more compact than the competition, adding an additional middle speed for a total of 3 speeds plus a fourth self tapping screw mode, and somehow managed to give it more power – now up to 1,300 in-lbs.
https://toolcraze.net/new-milwaukee-tools-nps2017-m12-m18-power-tools/
deberly12
Well-known member
Well I will see it only has 100 extra inch pounds. If I find the old one cheap I might do that. It is definitely better but it will cost alot more because it is the new kid.
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Ign
Well-known member
Yep. 9.0 starter kit w rapid charger $129. I was just talking about BF when the guy wanted to buy knock-off Gerits and days later ToolUp launches "BF in July" LOL
When you could get two 5.0's for $100 or a 9.0 for $85 Gerits definitely don't make sense.
The resellers will be snatching up batteries at these prices to put on eBay and Amazon, even though margins are thin after shipping and fees.
Ign
Well-known member
Exactly. It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't used it or seen it in action. Instead of a very rapid pause/impact/pause/impact it's still impacting but it's also more constant.
It's almost like comparing welding steel AC to DC - - the end result is the same (generally speaking) but the process differences are significant to the operator.
bcradio
Well-known member
Yes, love it for so many things. Get it if you think you'll want it.
deberly12
Well-known member
Ugh....now I am waffling .... I don't know where to go big or go small.....
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Go both... you will be covered.
deberly12
Well-known member
LOL. If I could only have 2 impacts it would be M12 Fuel 3/8 and M18 Fuel 1/2 Mid Torque. You can get 3/8 or 1/2 to hex impact adapters so you dont need a dedicated hex driver.
Of course I am a fool and have 8 Fuel impacts.
Of course I am a fool and have 8 Fuel impacts.
Yep, it's a great tool. Use it a lot out in the garage. I believe it hits way above it's weight class. I've used it on lug nuts (video), and even axle nuts(video). Granted, the axle nuts was just for the spectacle. You would never use it for that but the important thing is it was able to. Also with the very reasonably priced Milwaukee Shockwave adapter, now it is also an M12 FUEL Impact: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KKBBQ0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I haven't used my Bosch 18V impact driver once since I got the M12 3/8" impact. It feels at least as powerful, is way smaller and lighter and I have avalanches of M12 batteries vs. one 18V compact for the Bosch.
deberly12
Well-known member
What if you had 2763 and m18 3/8 impact. And you can only buy 1 hex driver
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If you already had M18 1/2 and 3/8....hmm the M12 Fuel hex impact or the M18 Surge....or hold out for the new kickass M12 Fuel hex in Q4. Its always nice to have a small hex impact, and the new M12 coming out is even smaller.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KKBBQ0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Bam. 16$ and now you have a hex impact with no waffling.
Yeah thats what I mentioned in my first post, I have both the 3/8 and 1/2 adapters, always wanted to put the 1/2 one on the 2763 and test on somethimg for sh!ts and giggles. Only drawback is it will add about 1" to the length of the tool.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KKBBQ0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Bam. 16$ and now you have a hex impact with no waffling.
Doh... Sorry... For Deberly then Bam get an impact adapter.
I actually didn't realize also that there was a 1/2" version until just now... Sort of thinking of grabbing one for fun to mount on the 2763 and do something stupid with it.
bigtim1985
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2016
- Messages
- 56
Anyone have the m12 fuel 2-speed screwdriver? 2402-20? I was looking to replace my brushed version. Looks a bit more compact, I'm just wondering if it's worth getting? They-re a little over $90 on EBAY.
bcradio
Well-known member
This is an excellent way to go and exactly what I did (although I have the M12 Fuel 1/4" impact wrench as well). I plan to get the version 2 M18 high torque when it comes out as well.... just a-cause.
bcradio
Well-known member
Yes and it's about my least used M12 tool also... way too powerful to be useful even with the clutch set to 1.
bigtim1985
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- Joined
- Nov 6, 2016
- Messages
- 56
That's what I was afraid of.... I'm looking for a power screwdriver for more delicate stuff like metric hex screws on rc cars. I was trying to stay with Milwaukee because i already have so many m12/m18 batteries, but I think i'll have to look at other brands. The brushed m12 version I already have is also too powerful on the lowest clutch setting.
It doesn't keep you in the same battery system but it does keep you in the same brand...
View media item 72997
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2101-22
That's probably the tool you need.
We use this style of driver all over in our labs for hex cap screws on ECM connectors. People STILL manage to strip them out though just going hog wild. Their clutches can go very very low though.
I have always wanted that buy cant justify the $ on an abandoned platform. Maybe they will come out with a new one for the new tiny battery platform powering the headlamp, pocket light, etc.
The topic of screw driver for RC came up before, I have a few small 3.7v lithiums I use. Anything M12 is too much.
The topic of screw driver for RC came up before, I have a few small 3.7v lithiums I use. Anything M12 is too much.
deberly12
Well-known member
Well decision: I will get the M12 for light weight and tight spaces. I will then get this awesome adapter for when I need something heavy or am going back and forth between types of screws in a project. I didn't know that they made locking adapters like that. I have used a socket to hold the bit before but that is a real pain. I wonder if anyone makes a good adapter for the short bits. I use alot of the torx screws and the boxes come with a bit but it won't latch into a driver so I use a magnetic adapter. I know I can buy a long torx bit but I have these and those arent free lol.
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deberly12
Well-known member
It's not Milwaukee (don't hang me for blasphemy) but there are much more compact options. I have seen some that are barely larger than a stubby screwdriver.
I just saw this. I don't know much about it but it takes the 1/8 inch bits and can be gotten for 35 ish. It is called a Wowstick. (Stupid name)
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Freaking love it. The clutch settings are wonderful. Mine is less than a month old and is almost my most used power tool.
I got the kit with the 6amp battery from home depot. Worth the extra bucks if you need the battery ...
It's not Milwaukee (don't hang me for blasphemy) but there are much more compact options. I have seen some that are barely larger than a stubby screwdriver.
I just saw this. I don't know much about it but it takes the 1/8 inch bits and can be gotten for 35 ish. It is called a Wowstick. (Stupid name)
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I get the name though, I went "wow". That is pretty cool... I kinda want to get one just to see if it's absolute trash or cool. 32$ isn't that expensive... Hmm. I've been doing a lot of teardowns lately analyzing electronic battery chargers and that would be handy.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hmmm my clutch works perfectly... I did a project recently in soft wood and a setting of 1 worked perfectly... I even tried to screw it up, so to speak... as it was my test of the 2402... I didn't strip a single screw. Even when I used slightly smaller replacement fasteners.
I was redoing an outside kitchen cooler with all stainless fasteners... replaced about 30 or so hinge and handle screws... #8 1/2" and #8 3/4"
Ign
Well-known member
Mine's on the truck for delivery today. I got the kit thru HD, $169 and you get the two 2.0's in the kit and a "free" 6.0 XC thru the end of the month.
Of course I need another M12 charger like a hole in the head, that'll go to scrap as they're not even worth selling.