April 5, 2013
Tags
Article Type - Review, Battery Type - 12V, Manufacturer - Milwaukee Tool, Power Type - Cordless, Tradesman - Carpentry Tool Reviews, Tradesman - Electrician Tool Reviews, Tradesman - HVAC Tool Reviews, User Type - Professional
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sounds very interesting how does it compare to hitachi?
Great review, as always, and you’re bang on. I have other 12v impacts and an 18v too. The 18v is often too powerful for certain applications and when I grab a 12v instead, it’s often under powered for the job. The M12 Fuel impact is exactly what I’ve been needing. In fact, due to the incredible amount of power and the two speed/power options, I never use the other 12v impacts and rarely use the 18v.
Nice review. I’ve been digging around on Milwaukee’s site recently drying to find answers to two questions: 1) what’s the max torque on mode 1 of the drive control, and 2) does the chuck work with insert bits (like DeWalt’s model)? You answered the first question already, but where did you get this info? I’m hoping you might be able to answer the second question too.
As for the 3-LED lighting system, DeWalt has had this on their 12V Max impact driver and screwdriver since the tools were introduced, but it’s not on their drill – and the difference is significant. I never really though LED lights on tools were that big of a deal (when none of my tools had them), but DeWalt changed my mind. In fact, DeWalt’s 3-LED system is one of two things making me hesitate on going all Milwaukee for my 12V tools. The other is the work light – DeWalt’s design is really well thought out, right down to blinking when the battery is getting low.
Anyway, anything you can say about using insert bits with the Milwaukee impact would be helpful. I’ll also have the same question about the screwdriver when you get to do a review of it (the chuck is different for some reason).
Thanks… keep up the good work.
Yea, I don’t get it even Ryobi the corporate cousin of Milwaukee has the 18 volt impact with the 3 led’s in the nose of the tool. All a can think of is they want to keep the nose of the tool as narrow as possible.
FYI – I found the torque ratings for the two drive control modes on Milwaukee’s site: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/~/media/PDF/2453-22_Brochure.ashx
On the 3 LED, Bosch has the patents on that when the introduced the first 12/10.8v in 2007. They must let DeWalt use the patent and Ryobi or they could be doing it and waiting for someone to call them on it. I don’t know, but this Fuel 12v looks legit and can replace 18v possibly. Nice review.
michael, you should be able to put a drill bit in it if it has a 1/4″ quick change end like driver bits,in the 3rd picture down they have a bit with the type of end that you would need on a drill bit, personally i think dewalt makes the best 1/4″ shank drill bits, they are hard to snap if they are impact rated.
Brody – I now have the impact driver, and can say that it does not work directly with insert bits (slightly less than 1″ long, usually inserted into a magnetic holder). The bits go in fine, but don’t stick out enough, so you can’t grab them to remove them, and pulling out on the chuck collar doesn’t eject the bits either. As for drill bits, I know I can use any bit with a 1/4″ quick change type shank.
oh,okay, i just misunderstood your question
I’m sorry, but Dewalt can not compete with Milwaukee at this point in terms of 12v. Maybe they will beef up their line up, but right now in 12v is not even close in my opinion. This Impact is an example of why.
I may have to get one of these. I almost overlooked the 12v system until I started watching lots of the Tools in action videos. You guys do great reviews for people like me who want to know exactly what they are getting when they go to buy something. It seems the 12v system would be extremly handy for a lot of projects I have. Thank you.
love the fuel and was wondering what type of bit do you use??? i can never find a good, strong durable bit. what ones do u guys prefer???
Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita make good impact bits. Never tried the Bosch bits.
I dropped this impact driver nearly forty feet onto a concrete floor while battening a roof, that’s it I thought something is bound to have broke. The battery and body did separate after impact but there was hardly a scratch and I was amazed to find it worked perfectly again, truly heavy duty indeed.
This generates so much power in such a compact unit I can see it taking over much or most of the work I’d normally use my larger tools for.
its a great tool, i was stupid to have waited so long to buy one.