Milwaukee's best kept secrete tool - M12 Fuel Digital Torque Wrench

Milwaukee's best kept secrete tool the M12 Fuel Digital Torque Wrench
This is by far one of the coolest tools in Milwaukee's product catalogue and not one that you see being pushed too often. I think this tool far exceeds the offerings from Snap-On and Mac tools in terms of digital torque Wrenches. The interaction with the Milwaukee app is great for storing and sending data, and the fact that it's an electric ratchet as well as a digital torque wrench is a real time saver as well.
Let me know what you guys think about this tool in the comments section bellow. Would you add this to your tool box?

[@ResearchDesignBuild]

Would you consider adding this tool to your tool box even if you already have a digital torque wrench from one of the big tool trucks?

[@coleshattuck3420]

The only thing that I could think of is the size and weight of the thing. The head seems to be pretty large and the body is big as well so MAYBE for some things it wouldn’t work. But I’d still buy it. That’s freaking awesome, and for things not in super tight spots it would be AWESOME!

[@coleshattuck3420]

There has been instances where I was in an engine bay torquing head bolts down and size of that may be an issue compared to the thinner head snap on but the added features of that are so nice. The other thing is that it’s another super expensive tool in addition to a snap on tech angle or any other torque wrench. Another 500 for a tool you already have and the snap on has a reputation of being good. Like you said I’ve never seen one of these in a shop before but I’d still consider buying it for the convenience factor

[@MrNightro]

The only drawback I have with it is having to send it in to be calibrated every year. I understand why it needs to be done but still a hassle.

[@ResearchDesignBuild]

That is the same with all Digital Torque wrenches, I don't know many people that actually do send them in and of the ones I have tested, they don't seem to go out of calibration. It's more of a re-validation than anything else.

[@MrNightro]

​@@ResearchDesignBuild This particular one actually lets you know when it's time to be calibrated with a fullscreen lockout notification with a red background. There is a way to acknowledge this lockout screen & still use the tool at this point but I am sure it will become annoying at some point if you need to constantly deal with this each time you need to use the tool. I am an electrician who owns a number of single & three-phase power quality analyzers & loggers, also own thermal image cameras which each require recalibration every year so it's something already I have to deal with. The part for me in particular that becomes an extra hassle is the fact that I am located outside of the U.S. which makes it extremely problematic (& VERY expensive with some tools costing over $1k U.S. each to be sent out every year) trying to ship each tool out for recalibration every year which means down time (no return on investment) during this period (average of 2 - 4 weeks turnaround time but have seen some take 6 - 8 weeks, one occasion even longer). I own an earth grounding tester that comes with its own calibration check test kit which is an AWESOME idea that I wish more companies provided with their expensive tools.

[@burgerbirger2221]

It's a cool tool. But it lacks angle measurement when doing head bolts. And it's around 900 bucks give or take, so it's way too expensive for lug nuts.

[@ResearchDesignBuild]

That is one draw back for sure, But how often as a mechanic are you using that feature vs a straight torque value? Most of the torque values I run into are just straight torque values, not torque angle.

[@JrSpitty]

@@ResearchDesignBuild I am a Chrysler tech, work mostly on RAM trucks. A lot of engine internals use TTY or angled measurements. 5.7 Hemi rocker arm assemblies are angled. All headbolts are angled. Almost all harmonic balancers are angled. There are a lot of angled components, or components in odd locations where a flex head torque wrench is ideal. Also the industry doesn't care about precise measurements like aviation, which is probably why Milwaukee doesn't push it. Most technicians don't torque bolts unless they are critical for safety or operation. My torque wrenches sit in my big tool box... like most of everyone else!

[@ResearchDesignBuild]

The stuff I work on is all old, so just straight torque values. But I'll also always use a torque wrench when changing rims, all the suspension parts, etc. After working at an automotive plant I kind of have it stuck in my head that everything has a set torque value.

[@JrSpitty]

@@ResearchDesignBuild Yeah older stuff tends to use less TTY. But usually engine internals tend to have a lot of TTY regardless of what engine it is. You will find that engines that blow a lot of headgaskets (honda d series motors) don't use torque to yield bolts, letting the headgaskets literally blow out over time and there will be nothing wrong with the block or head. Torque specs for at lot of components are only there to cover the "liability" much like the brake rotor screw is only meant for factory use of holding in the rotor on the assembly line. You don't have to torque everything, you just need common sense on what NEEDS to be torqued. If a vehicle comes back and the cause is a loose bolt, its more then likely your fault regardless of what torque wrench you thought you pulled out and what log it has, typically people don't come back after picking up their car out of spite trying to "get you" as they probably went without their car for much longer then it would be worth to pull that stunt.

[@JrSpitty]

@@ResearchDesignBuild I think the big issue is its priced higher then a snap-on tech angle torque wrench, and my tech-angles are much more useful for my job. Not to mention our snapon dealer will knock like 100 bucks off the price...

[@billyandriam]

Tool Tested Channel actually did a thorough review of this model, turns out it's overpriced junk, completely out-of spec and inacurrate out of the box. The Harbor Freight worth $20 is way better than this.