New M12 Fuel Impact - Worth an Upgrade?

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Links to Buy
M12 Gen 3: www.homedepot....
M12 Gen 2: www.homedepot....
Music Credits:
The Devil's Sway / I'm Not That Girl (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

[@Jeedehem]

Ooooooh man! I am always amazed at how engineers at Milwaukee’s are able to squeeze more juice (seemingly endlessly) from 12 DCV. Three years after buying my Gen 2 M12 impact driver, I am as in love with it - if not more - as I was the first time I used it. There’s barely a better sense of proudness than casually lending the tool to an All-Dewalt friend, and feeling his amazement from the get-go (apart for, hem, yes, the proudness you get from your child’s achievements, but, still, you know…. Oh, yeah : you know.)

[@TinkerWithTools]

It will be interesting to see what the next step is when it comes around. I agree thought that in terms of the 12v lineup they currently stand alone and their Fuel stuff is actually almost more competitive to entry level 18v stuff.

[@set2gotransportationllc379]

Just ordered the gen 3 kit for 99 bucks on home depot online. Comes today, can't wait!!

[@goldeagleengineering4898]

can you send me one, i live in the uk ?

[@GregBrecker]

Agreed on the light placement, like the DeWalt, I guess they didn’t have a patent. The trigger does feel smoother or more controllable. One other thing another reviewer had mentioned and I feel it immediately is the handle rake. It’s backed off a little. Not sure why but the ergonomics are better. I have larger hands and still didn’t care for the larger “pregnant” grip size due to the 18650 placement. Not as bad on the gen 3’s. Picked up a set with the free extra HO battery at the Orange store. Time to sell the old brushed set. Was good for lend out, shore/ mountain house tools, but am out of room. 😤

[@TinkerWithTools]

Hadn’t noticed too much on the handle but overall it just felt familiar to me.

[@J.Wick.]

Nice to hear the trigger is improved. That's always been Milwaukees weak spot to me. Ive always much preferred the Metabo HPT or Makita triggers. G3 looks nice, but I'll be waiting on a hopeful M12 Surge update meself.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah a updated surge would be awesome both on the M12 and the M18!

[@itsogmcfatty]

Man the surge is so quite but lacks power I'm with you on that!

[@shaun4298]

M12 Surge is my go to. I love how quiet it is and the trigger control/accuracy of depth is awesome. Only thing I wish they did was have Makita/Metabo/Dewalt style ergonomics but they would have to change the battery style.

[@J.Wick.]

@@shaun4298 Hikoki & Makita have an oil impulse driver. But they're both pretty hard to find. And both are very expensive. Especially the Hikoki. M12Surge is definitely the best for the $. Between it and my DCF601 Screwdriver, they're my 2 favorite, and most used drivers.

[@АлексейВладимирович-г2э9т]

@@shaun4298меня как раз привлекает малогабаритный аккумулятор и мощности хватает, но с удовольствием перейду на 2 поколение гидравлики, обидно у импакта уже 4 поколения

[@cvperformance1]

I just added the Gen 3 impact driver and have been using the Gen 2 daily for over a year. The Gen 3 is slightly faster. The only thing I don't like is the rapid start. While the Gen 3 trigger seems to have more range the Gen 2 has a softer start in self-tapping mode which is nice in preventing stripping phillip head screws when doing assembly work. The Gen 3 doesn't have that gradual start in self tap mode so you need to learn to be more precise with the variable trigger to achieve the same. Easy enough to get accustomed to the difference unless you are moving between both often.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I appreciate you sharing experiences with them.

[@Miked1332]

So I'm going to say that $139 is not worth the 0.25 seconds gain you get since most people are not going to be using the 12v impact driver to drive 8-10 inch timberlok screws. I'm probably drilling a pilot hole, and then using my bigger impact driver. But either way, the M12 gen 3 is an improvement, but not worth the $139 for it. I will say, I still love my M12 driver since it's small, light and can get into small spaces

[@mdeamicis]

While the whole point of timerlocks is no need to pre drill, cutting time by more than half per fastener, Inagree it's overkill. But we know it's a stress test to bring out the difference

[@QUANTRELLBISHOP]

I had the original m12 fuel and i lived it except the hirrible belt clip which always loosened itself up just got tye new ine tiday and damn they have a BETTER bigger ckip and its so small now mayches my 3/8 stubby impact

[@TinkerWithTools]

Glad you got it sorted out. Hope it stays that way.

[@unclefester4626]

I have the gen 2 set. I bought a couple of the new high output 2.5 and 5.0ah batteries. Those batteries in themselves are an enormous upgrade especially with the drill.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I agree on the batteries.

[@86Sando]

Thanks for your honest opinion mate. I’m really enjoying your content. 👍

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks! I am glad you are enjoying it.

[@tortillawingtv2175]

i bought the kit and man is that impact driver more powerful than gen 2 it’s just loud, wish they updated the m12 surge

[@TinkerWithTools]

I would hope it’s coming soon. Hopefully in the next year.

[@devonboyer626]

Can't believe they already came out with that deal! Can't wait to hear how they work!

[@nathanokeefe1390]

As a guy who has been thrilled with dewalt xtreme 12v impact, I hated the trigger control of the 2nd Gen. Really my only complaint. This 3rd Gen is amazing.

[@fabbro9999]

Nice comparison. I like my M12 Surge a lot, and, while I don't love it, my G2 hammer drill gets it done. I might grab a G3 drill (no hammer) if I can find one on super sale this holiday season because of the mechanical clutch and smaller size. Separately, my old Hitachi brushed 12v drill works great and I can't bring myself to unload it, even though Milwaukee is my main 12v platform.

[@TinkerWithTools]

The Surge is awesome. I have a hard time unloading older tools too. It feels like I am abandoning them.

[@Backtatt]

Thank you for your review 🤙🏻

[@icyrene1]

Cool video, I did get the new hammer drill clutch awesome…the impact I’m going to hold off..love my old one..grip and all..thanks

[@TinkerWithTools]

The hammer drill was the biggest upgrade between the two. So nice choice.

[@WolfCoTools]

Awesome video! I'm very interested to see a protective boot come out for this model and wonder how it's going to not cover up the three lights upfront🤔

[@TinkerWithTools]

I’ve never used the protective boot before but I know they are useful. I would be shocked if Milwaukee hadn’t thought about it in the testing phase but I guess we will see.

[@NoxiousShock]

Should be similar to their tri light impact wrench

[@ZeGermanHam]

I own both of these, and while I do agree that the Gen-3 is slightly more powerful, has better trigger control, and better lighting, I still feel that it's not worth upgrading from the Gen-3 if you're buying the tools individually rather than in a combo kit.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I went back and forth on it. Truthfully if the Gen 2 is meeting your needs for what you use it for then I don’t think the 10% improvement in performance is enough to cause me to move but it did seem nicer to use and that is mostly what swayed me.

[@lawdog516]

Very informative review, thanks🎉

[@DanielGomez-cf6vk]

I’m still happy with the m12 gen 2 kit and m18 gen 3 little more power the gen 2 from the gen 1 m12 was a upgrade a lot

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah it felt nice to use but I understand those that don’t feel it’s worth it. The hammer drill was a big upgrade.

[@DanielGomez-cf6vk]

@@TinkerWithTools I tried them with a TTI rep to me the difference was slim

[@sdtvmounts7955]

I love your page. You truly have great contact

[@TinkerWithTools]

And thanks again!

[@sdtvmounts7955]

Awesome review 🎉

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks

[@3jmontg]

Lets aee the Gen 3, swapped into a impact wrench. The stubby wrench doesnt have the 3 led's yet, and the driver appears to have more torque

[@TinkerWithTools]

I don’t know if anyone has don’t a swap on a m12. I’ll have to look into it.

[@softwarephil1709]

That’s very soft wood you’re drilling into. How about using oak?

[@TinkerWithTools]

I’d love to be able to test in all sorts of materials but it’s pretty cost prohibitive at this point to drill into Oak.

[@Олег-д5т]

Gen3 faster +10-20%, but more vibration and more noise

[@skyemac8]

Just get the M18 gen 3 or 4. It’s worth it.

[@brianf9619]

The M12 Gen.3 Impact Driver is $139 for the tool only , but for just $229 you can get the Hammer Drill with a 2.0ah & 4.0ah battery , a charger and bag😵‍💫 , you would be Nuts not to pay the Extra $90 for the Whole Enchilada 😉

[@TinkerWithTools]

I agree.

[@АлексейВладимирович-г2э9т]

Сравнил хрен с пальцем! Ударная дрель и импакт совершено разные инструменты

[@gregbarry5875]

instead of getting longer with your screws you should have gotten thicker.

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

So basically the only reason to upgrade is the tri-light. Not worth it. I'll wait foe the next one. I have two Gen2s that are still going strong.

[@TinkerWithTools]

That with a 10% performance increase and a better trigger. Slightly lighter weight. But I don’t think you are wrong to be satisfied with the Gen 2. It’s a great impact.

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

That's not a measurable increase in the real world.

[@gordonschiff3621]

It’s never worth the upgrade unless it is broken

[@TinkerWithTools]

Valid point.

[@Diogenes_the_Dog]

Gen3 and Gen4*****

[@TinkerWithTools]

M18 is Gen 3 and 4 but the M12 is a generation behind. It’s only on Gen 2 and 3.

[@jasonsgrowingtree5764]

The lights still suck in gen 3. Not very bright

[@TinkerWithTools]

I thought it’s a nice upgrade. It’s not the best on the market but it’s better than it was.