Milwaukee M12 12" Stubby Impact Wrench

[Donald]

I am considering getting this impact. I have two Milwaukee M18 1/2" impact wrenches

My question is they offer three models. Hog ring. A ball and a pin detent.

I know what the hog ring is. But not sure of the difference between the pin detent and the ball. Maybe the ball is what you find on a normal ratchet where there is nothing to push. Just pull off the socket and the ball holds the socket on with some friction.

Maybe the pin detent is where you push a small button to release the socket.

Comments on this impact in general also appreciated.

 

[04silverado6.0]

The ball is similar to what is on a ratchet. Detent pin is superior in my opinion. I hate hog ring anvils.

 

[Tomioka]

I can see the pin detent better for construction/trade work where the fastener size is all the same. Two hands to remove the socket and less chance of the socket coming off if you're many feet off the air. Ball and hog ring lets me swap sockets with one hand.

 

[dubber09]

Ring.

 

[Donald]

Looking at more details they may only have pin and hog ring. And need to be careful as Amazon does not have Gen 2 model 2563. Home Depot does.

 

[Donald]

The ball is similar to what is on a ratchet. Detent pin is superior in my opinion. I hate hog ring anvils.

Why do you hate hog ring. Isn't it just a pull on the socket to get it off?

 

[IndyIan]

Mine have all been hog ring, which always seem to be a two hand pull, wiggle, yank, to remove. I've never lost a socket so I guess that's good but they seem to be a bit of PITA compared to ball on a ratchet.

 

[Pterostylis]

Don’t pin types require a punch like tool to remove the socket if oriented through the hole in the socket, and can get jammed if using the incorrect sockets? Or is that not a problem with modern pin type?

 

[CarbonToast]

Don’t pin types require a punch like tool to remove the socket if oriented through the hole in the socket, and can get jammed if using the incorrect sockets? Or is that not a problem with modern pin type?

Correct, pin retention requires depressing the pin with a tool like a allen key or small screw driver.

Hog ring or ball is the way to go if you change sockets alot.

 

[DemoFly]

If automotive you want a hog ring.

Detent needs a pin punch to depress the detent to get the socket off. It's mostly found on jobsites, super high torque, and people working elevated to lock sockets on.

Ball is a compromise between hog ring and detent pin but requires aligning with most sockets and is the least durable.

 

[Donald]

If automotive you want a hog ring.

Detent needs a pin punch to depress the detent to get the socket off. It's mostly found on jobsites, super high torque, and people working elevated to lock sockets on.

Ball is a compromise between hog ring and detent pin but requires aligning with most sockets and is the least durable.

So a pin detent would seem odd on an M12 Stubby Impact wrench?? Its designed to fit into tight spaces. Not have high torque.

 

[CarlB]

So a pin detent would seem odd on an M12 Stubby Impact wrench?? Its designed to fit into tight spaces. Not have high torque.

It's for trades/sites that need the retention.

 

[Trav]

It depends on the type of pin they use, if it has a tapered pin like the one Makita uses then that is the best I have come across, socket on/off is super easy and retains well, you don't need to align it with the hole. A straight pin with a flat top is a miserable SOB to own unless you only use one socket, these are commonly used for scaffolding work (mandatory in EU like Osha) with O ring sockets.

Do some research on that tool, it was made because Dewalt came out with a powerful stubby and a lot of mechanics made the switch, it is a better tool. Milwaukee cordless tools are usually decent enough my complaint with them was the batteries not the tools. This one already has complaints about the double pull switching mechanism and poor battery life, they tried to put to much stuff in a small case and didn't even leave room for a switch just so they could say it has more power, it does but at a cost. I wouldn't want to be a beta tester for this one.

Taped pin..

Scaffold socket and flat top pin..

 

[Donald]

It depends on the type of pin they use, if it has a tapered pin like the one Makita uses then that is the best I have come across, socket on/off is super easy and retains well, you don't need to align it with the hole. A straight pin with a flat top is a miserable SOB to own unless you only use one socket, these are commonly used for scaffolding work (mandatory in EU like Osha) with O ring sockets.

Do some research on that tool, it was made because Dewalt came out with a powerful stubby and a lot of mechanics made the switch, it is a better tool. Milwaukee cordless tools are usually decent enough my complaint with them was the batteries not the tools. This one already has complaints about the double pull switching mechanism and poor battery life, they tried to put to much stuff in a small case and didn't even leave room for a switch just so they could say it has more power, it does but at a cost. I wouldn't want to be a beta tester for this one.

Taped pin..
View attachment 247272
Scaffold socket and flat top pin..

View attachment 247274

View attachment 247273

Do the impact wrenches for pin detent need a special impact socket?

 

[Trav]

For tapered pins no, for straight pins the socket needs a hole for the pin. If in doubt use a hog ring style.

 

[Tundragod]

I have both M12 and M18 stubby. I keep grabbing M12 first but keep switching to M18 because M12 can't break loose the bolts.......

 

[04silverado6.0]

My old dewalt had the detent pin. Easiest removal of any type of anvil. It did not have a release button, just pull off. Hog rings are a pain with certain brands of sockets and eventually fall off. Hog rings do not seem to play well with harbor freight sockets from my experience.

 

[DemoFly]

So a pin detent would seem odd on an M12 Stubby Impact wrench?? Its designed to fit into tight spaces. Not have high torque.

Correct. I promise you that you want the friction/hog ring design. It's the standard for almost everything.

 

[Donald]

I have a commercial gate opener to replace part of and the bolt holding arms on the main shaft looked very rusty. Neither of my M18 impacts will fit between the gate opener and cement pad. So looking at getting the Milwaukee M12 Stubby. Yes - justification. But just went out with a breaker bar and was able to get the nut off. Sprayed PB Blaster yesterday.

Now what - no justification??