M18 mid-torque impact wrench

tbm5690

tbm5690

Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Messages
2,096
Location
North Dakota
For anyone that has the Milwaukee M18 mid torque, is there any general automotive job that you've run into that it couldn't handle? I'm in the market for an M18, and honestly even the compact version might fit my needs as basically it'll be used for lug nut removal, mower blades, etc. but I also want something that I won't outgrow and can handle, for example, loosening a crank bolt.

Second question: I haven't had the need to get M18 batteries any larger than the 1.5 aH to date...I have two and they are more than enough for my drill and impact driver. I'm assuming I won't find a need for larger ones with the impact...am I wrong?
 
Trav said:
I see you have an MDX, no mid torque is removing that crank bolt. With a 1.5A battery power will be lower and have a shorter run time with the larger tools.
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While true, if that's the only limitation you have, you're in pretty good shape.

My nitrocat 1250K has no problems with crank bolts, but there's no way I'd want a gun that size as my only or primary tool.
 
tbm5690 said:
For anyone that has the Milwaukee M18 mid torque, is there any general automotive job that you've run into that it couldn't handle? I'm in the market for an M18, and honestly even the compact version might fit my needs as basically it'll be used for lug nut removal, mower blades, etc. but I also want something that I won't outgrow and can handle, for example, loosening a crank bolt.

Second question: I haven't had the need to get M18 batteries any larger than the 1.5 aH to date...I have two and they are more than enough for my drill and impact driver. I'm assuming I won't find a need for larger ones with the impact...am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Hello fellow NDer (I grew up in Beulah and Mandan before moving to Bismarck).

I think you're asking too much to have crank bolt capability in the same tool you want to use for daily work. You really need a high torque for reliable crank bolt removal. Do you really want the ability to do a one-off job every 100k miles to force you into a tool that is MUCH less practical and useful the 99.99% of the time when you don't need something that big?

Remember, the size and weight of the tool matter every single time you touch it and use it. The peak capability matters quite rarely.

Also remember-- Honda (and others) sell a tool that will fit inside the crank hub to let you use a big old breaker bar to get the bolt loose. Yes, impacts are far more convenient. But inconvenience for the rare crank bolt job in return for much more convenience in daily use seems like a good tradeoff for me.

The importance of battery size really comes down to how hard you will use the tool. If you're working in the garage and swapping batteries every hour or so, you really need larger batteries. Not only are the 1.5s limiting the tool power, but they will soon lose capacity in hard use from such frequent charge cycles.

Since you're an M18 guy, I think something 2962 sized would be the very largest you'd want to consider, with the 2855 being a better daily drive choice IMO.
 
I use the 2962 daily for most ugga dugga work like caliper bracket bolts, large suspension fasteners. I'm impressed at how powerful it is for a relatively compact size. It handles 95% of my 1/2" work

The previous gen 2860 (or 62?) was junk. Gutless.

I use a 2854 (3/8") for smaller stuff, topside engine work etc.

When I really gotta get jiggy wit it I also have the larger 1/2" but it's too unwieldy for daily work.

If I was only allowed one Milwaukee gun (what imaginary hell is this??) it would be the 2962 no question.
 
Thanks, yes really I was eyeing and comparing the 2962 and the 2855. I agree that I'd rather buy a unit that is the best choice for my more routine tasks even if it can't handle a once in a decade job like a crank bolt. I mis-spoke and have 2.0 batteries and not 1.5...still small obviously but I assume for easy tasks like lug nut removal they should do the job. That being said, if I don't need the small form factor of the 2855 for tight spaces maybe I spring for the 2962 given the relatively small price difference.
 
tbm5690 said:
Thanks, yes really I was eyeing and comparing the 2962 and the 2855. I agree that I'd rather buy a unit that is the best choice for my more routine tasks even if it can't handle a once in a decade job like a crank bolt. I mis-spoke and have 2.0 batteries and not 1.5...still small obviously but I assume for easy tasks like lug nut removal they should do the job. That being said, if I don't need the small form factor of the 2855 for tight spaces maybe I spring for the 2962 given the relatively small price difference.
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I think you'd be really happy with the 2962 give the relatively small price difference (and acceptable size difference).

Even as I advocate for smaller/lighter/sufficient tools, I will say it's really nice to have some extra impact ugga dugga on hand when you account for how easily impacts lose power with extensions and wobbles or u-joints and such.

Astro has some super-beefy extensions that lose a lot less power, might be a good idea to grab some of those.

https://www.astrotools.com/product/4pc-1-2-drive-goliath-torque-saver-impact-extension-bar-set/

1742571135493.webp
 
Well I bought the 2962-20 on Amazon for $135 minus $130 in gift cards, so with tax under $15 out of pocket. I know that it's not a Milwaukee authorized seller so warranty might be an issue, but from what I can tell based on reviews it's the genuine product. I'll give it a closer look when it arrives but for literally half of retail price combined with my gift cards I'm absolutely willing to roll the dice before ponying up $250 at Acme for the bare tool.
 
tbm5690 said:
Well I bought the 2962-20 on Amazon for $135 minus $130 in gift cards, so with tax under $15 out of pocket. I know that it's not a Milwaukee authorized seller so warranty might be an issue, but from what I can tell based on reviews it's the genuine product. I'll give it a closer look when it arrives but for literally half of retail price combined with my gift cards I'm absolutely willing to roll the dice before ponying up $250 at Acme for the bare tool.
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Seems really cheap. TTC has shown how some entirely counterfeit tools (not just batteries) are hitting the market. Hopefully you get the real thing
 
Trav said:
I see you have an MDX, no mid torque is removing that crank bolt. With a 1.5A battery power will be lower and have a shorter run time with the larger tools.
Click to expand...
Heavy wall socket is the way to go for the crank bolt. So much easier!
 
super cheap usually means one of 3 things
fake
stolen
reselling after bought with stolen CC's etc.
 
Trav said:
I use the IR power sockets, they seem to work well. The 17mm is especially useful when it comes to those blasted euro lug bolts that have not be updated to the 2 piece design where a big fat socket will not fit.

View attachment 273127
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Have you tried Astro's offerings? I have one but haven't used it yet.
 
Anyone bought from genuine tools? Seems legit, but the prices sure don’t. I usually get my Milwaukee from ace, to support the little guy.
 
cptbarkey said:
^ Forge
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I just bought one today. I’m drilling a patio that was poured in the 50’s and wanted some extra juice with my hammer drill. I can feel (maybe) some extra grunt, as well as extra weight and size. I have 1, don’t know if I’d buy another. Not a huge difference between an xc that I can tell.
 
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