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Milwaukee Tool released the second generation of their M18 FUEL High Torque Impact Wrenches. The new impact wrenches have increased torque capabilities and are slightly smaller than previous models. The new models include an M18 FUEL High Torque Impact Wrench with ½” Friction Ring and M18 FUEL High Torque Impact Wrench with ½” Pin Detent. Please note that there are overall power and speed differences between the two models that can be seen in the specifications below.

The Milwaukee Gen 2 M18 Fuel Impact Wrenches models are designed with four-mode drive control. Modes 1-3 provide RPM and IPM control to match the power and speed to the application. Speed 4, labeled with a bolt head with an arrow pointing counter clockwise, is designed for power and control. This new Bolt Removal Mode provides maximum torque to remove the bolts or nuts and as soon as the impact wrench senses the bolt or nut is broken free, the tool then shifts to 750 RPM for control.

Mar 21, 2016  Milwaukee Tool is hoping to make your life just a little bit easier with the latest addition to their quickly growing tool platform, Milwaukee One-Key: tool tracking. You Can Now Track Your Tool’s Location Using Milwaukee One Key. March 21, 2016. If you have a tool that is lost or stolen, you can opt-in to this service and when anybody. The Sawzall®, still a defining Milwaukee tool to this day, was the first portable hacksaw to have a reciprocating mechanism. To meet their customers' demands for versatility, Milwaukee followed the Sawzall® up with a full line of blades for cutting all types of materials.

M18 Model Specifications

M18 FUEL High Torque ImpactWrench w/ ½” Friction Ring (2767-22)

• 1000 ft-lbs Fastening Torque
• 1400 ft-lbs Nut-Busting Torque
• RPM: 0-550 / 1,400 / 1,750 / 1750-750
• IPM: 0-950 / 1,750 / 2,100 / 2,100
• Length: 8.4”
• Weight (w/ XC5.0 battery): 7.5lbs

M18 FUEL High Torque ImpactWrench w/ ½” Pin Detent (2766-22)

• 750 ft-lbs Fastening Torque
• 1100 ft-lbs Nut-Busting Torque
• RPM: 0-950 / 1,500 / 1,800 / 1800-750
• IPM: 0-1,150 / 2,100 / 2,400 / 2,400
• Length: 8.1”
• Weight (w/ XC5.0 battery): 7.1lbs

Pin Detent Vs Friction Ring Torque

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If you have ever wondered why there is less torque in pin detent models compared to friction rings, we have the answer. The pin detent anvil has lower overall strength due to the design of all pin detent tools. The friction ring is a solid piece of steel whereas the pin detent has a hole inserted into the solid piece of steel to insert the pin for socket retention, causing a decrease in anvil strength.

Next question is why did the Gen 2 M18 Impact Wrench get more torque than the Gen 1 model if the anvil is what is holding it back? Well, Milwaukee Tool made material and design updates on the Gen 2 Pin Detent anvil that has allowed them to increase torque from Gen 1 without sacrificing on anvil life.

Why Gen 2?

Battery operated impact wrenches allow mechanics and contractors to complete about 85% of the work needed. When there is rust or corrosion involved, many users were forced to look to more powerful pneumatic impact wrenches to get the job done. In the 1/2″ impact wrench category, the Gen 2 Milwaukee M18 Impact Wrench should complete closer to 95% of all the jobs thrown at it. This will eliminate the need for a possible backup in those rare situations.

In our shop, we run into situations working on suspension fasteners of off-road rigs can be a pain to remove. The combination of rust and deteriorated rubber can cause issues with removing these larger nuts. We have often relied upon larger 3/4″ or 1″ pneumatic impact wrenches. While doing so, we normally will render these bolts and nuts unusable because of the heat and possible cracks created in removal. This extra power will be more than welcomed in hopes that we do not need to take the extra time to get out a different tool to complete the job.

Our Take On The Tool

Milwaukee’s new impact wrench deserves some respect when using it. It is a 1/2″ model and delivers more torque than most fasteners in the 1/2″ range can hold without damage. We found that the power was adequate to complete jobs a 3/4″ impact wrench would do, even when we added the adapter to this gun. Adding the adapter does cause for a loss of torque but it is not noticed with this impact wrench.

The drive control mode is not something many automotive enthusiasts will use. But the application could be very useful in certain construction situations. This large and powerful of impact wrench could really benefit from the One-Key App so we could tune this tool up exactly how we wanted it in each mode.

Milwaukee changes the placement of the LED light. That small LED light is very bright and in some cases can interfere with mode changes. It would be nice if there was a way to decrease the intensity or turn it off completely.

This tool is clearly a pneumatic replacement and the cordless jobsite will soon take over.