Full Review ⭐ Milwaukee M12FRAIWF38-0: 12V Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench Bare Unit

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench is a compact yet powerful impact wrench designed for tight spaces and overhead work. This new generation Fuel impact wrench packs impressive power and runtime into a lightweight and compact body.

With a powerful brushless motor and Milwaukee's proprietary POWERSTATE technology, the M12 Fuel delivers up to 220 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque and up to 2,500 RPM in a tool that weighs only 2.8 lbs with a battery. The 3/8" anvil provides versatility for most fastening applications.

Despite its small size, the Milwaukee M12 Fuel impact wrench delivers best-in-class power. It's built with a durable all-metal gearbox and housing to withstand tough professional use. The right angle head design provides excellent accessibility in tight spaces where a traditional inline impact wrench won't fit.

Overall, the M12 Fuel is an ideal cordless impact wrench for automotive, maintenance, and construction applications where power, performance and accessibility are needed in a compact size.

Design & Build Quality

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench is designed with durability and performance in mind. It features an all-metal gear case and reinforced housing to withstand job site abuse. The compact and lightweight design at only 2.6 lbs makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Despite its small size, the wrench feels very sturdy thanks to its metal reinforced housing. The rubber overmold grip provides comfort and control when handling the tool. It's very well balanced which reduces fatigue during prolonged use.

The 3/8" anvil with detent pin helps retain sockets during use. The wrench has an LED light to illuminate dark work areas. Overall, the high quality materials and smart ergonomic design allow this impact wrench to deliver powerful performance while remaining portable and easy to handle.

For even more power in a compact size, professionals may want to consider the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 Fuel ONE-KEY 3/8in F Ring Impact Wrench. This 18V impact wrench packs a serious punch with up to 300 ft-lbs of fastening torque. It combines Milwaukee's POWERSTATE brushless motor with the REDLINK PLUS intelligence system to provide incredible power while protecting the tool from overload or overheating.

The Milwaukee ONE-KEY technology gives users total control over the tool through an app on their smartphone or tablet. You can customize drive control, speed, LED light settings and more to match the specifics of the job. There are also mode presets optimized for different applications like wood fastening, concrete/masonry, and metal fabrication.

Despite all this power and technology, the M18 ONE-KEY impact wrench remains ergonomic and easy to handle at only 5.1 lbs. It has a reinforced housing to withstand drops and an all-metal transmission for maximum durability. The 3/8" friction ring is designed to prevent socket drops while providing quick and easy socket changes.

In summary, for a compact but powerful impact wrench, the M18 Fuel ONE-KEY model is a top choice. Its advanced technology allows total user control while the rugged design can withstand the demands of professional use. This high-performance 18V tool will make quick work of all sorts of bolting, fastening, and loosening applications on the jobsite or in the garage.

Power & Performance

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench delivers impressive power and speed for its compact 12V size. It generates up to 300 ft-lbs of max torque and 0-2,400 RPM no load speed. This high-performance brushless motor provides the power of an 18V tool in a lighter 12V form factor.

The POWERSTATE brushless motor is engineered for longer life, better efficiency and more power. It delivers up to 25% more torque than the previous model. The REDLINK PLUS intelligence system helps optimize the tool's performance by preventing overloading and overheating. This results in best-in-class power-to-weight ratio.

The variable speed trigger allows precise control over the output speed and power. It has 4 speed/torque settings to match the power and control to the application. Setting 1 provides maximum precision, while setting 4 delivers full power for heavy-duty tasks. The bolt removal control mode prevents fastener damage by reducing speed/torque when the bolt is loosened.

Overall, the M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench packs tremendous torque and speed into a lightweight, compact 12V package. It's ideal for tight spaces and overheard work where a full-size 18V tool is too large and heavy. The brushless motor provides long-lasting power and efficiency for the most demanding automotive and industrial fastening tasks.

For even more power in a compact size, check out the Milwaukee M12 FRAIW. This 12V 1/2" brushless right angle impact wrench delivers an impressive 300 ft-lbs of max torque and 0-2,600 RPM in a lightweight design. The POWERSTATE brushless motor provides up to 50% more power while running cooler and more efficiently than previous models.

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW features a friction ring for quick and easy socket changes. The variable speed trigger gives you maximum control over the output speed and power. There are also 4 drive control settings to match torque and speed to your application. An integrated LED light illuminates dark work areas.

At only 5.1 inches in length, this compact right angle impact wrench can access tight spaces other tools can't. It weighs only 2.8 pounds for reduced fatigue during overhead tasks. The rubber overmold provides increased comfort while reducing vibration.

Milwaukee's proprietary REDLINK PLUS intelligence prevents damage to the tool and battery for improved performance and longer life. The REDLITHIUM battery pack provides superior pack construction, electronics, and fade-free performance to deliver more run time and more work over pack life.

In summary, the Milwaukee M12 FRAIW packs tremendous fastening torque in a small, maneuverable package. It's ideal for automotive and industrial applications where you need serious power in tight spaces. This brushless impact wrench will make easy work of lug nuts, bolts, and other stubborn fasteners.

Battery & Charger

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench comes without a battery or charger. It is compatible with all Milwaukee M12 batteries, including the compact, XC and RedLithium options. This gives you flexibility to choose the battery capacity and size that best suits your needs.

The most popular battery option is the M12 RedLithium XC4.0 battery, which provides extended run time for up to 300 holes per charge. With RedLithium technology, the battery pack delivers fade-free power and runs cooler for longer life. It also has an on-board fuel gauge to show the remaining charge.

Charging these M12 batteries is quick and convenient with the Milwaukee M12 charger. It fully charges an XC4.0 battery in under 60 minutes. This rapid charge time allows you to get back to work quickly. The charger displays the charge status and automatically shuts off when the battery is fully charged to prevent overcharging.

With the range of M12 battery and charger options available, you can build an optimal power supply solution for your impact wrench. Quick charging RedLithium batteries ensure you have sustained power for the most demanding fastening applications.

Noise Level

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench operates at a noise level of only 76 dBa, making it quieter than many competing models. The brushless motor design helps reduce noise and vibration during use. At just 76 dBa, the noise output is comparable to a vacuum cleaner running. This makes the M12 Fuel impact wrench a good choice for applications where lower noise is desired, such as automotive repair in a home garage or commercial shop where noise can be disruptive. The quieter operation also reduces fatigue and improves the user experience when using the tool for extended periods. Overall, the 76 dBa noise rating makes this one of the quieter compact impact wrenches available while still delivering impressive power and performance.

Accessories

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench comes with a few handy accessories right in the box. It includes a 3/8" friction ring, which helps hold sockets on securely for easier use. The friction ring fits onto the anvil and can be easily removed when not needed.

The impact wrench also comes with a belt clip, allowing you to attach the tool to your belt or pocket for convenient access when working. The sturdy clip keeps the impact wrench from falling, even when working upside down or in tight spaces.

Some other helpful accessories that can be purchased separately include extended reach sockets if you need to access hard to reach areas. Right angle adapter sockets are also available to provide even greater accessibility in tight spaces.

Milwaukee offers a carrying case specifically designed for the M12 Fuel impact wrench and its accessories. The case helps keep everything organized in one place for storage and transport.

Overall, the included accessories and availability of add-ons make this impact wrench ready to tackle a wide variety of jobs right out of the box. The friction ring and belt clip add convenience, while extended sockets and a carrying case can expand its capabilities even further.

Uses

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" impact wrench is well-suited for automotive repair and maintenance tasks where high torque in tight spaces is needed. Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver into small engine compartments for brake jobs, starter replacement, alternator replacement, and more.

The tool's 300 ft-lbs of max torque allows it to efficiently remove stubborn lug nuts and bolts. This makes it a handy impact for tire changes and suspension work. It has sufficient power for disassembling engines and transmissions too.

The right angle head is ideal for accessing hard to reach fasteners, like on exhaust manifolds or in between tightly packed components. The head rotates 180 degrees for even more versatility.

The wrench can be used by professional mechanics every day in a shop. It also works for DIYers doing automotive projects at home. Its power and performance rivals air impact wrenches, but with the convenience of a cordless electric tool.

Overall, the M12 Fuel impact wrench shines when difficult bolts in cramped areas need loosening. It packs impressive torque output into a small but rugged package.

Pros

• Extremely compact and lightweight at only 2.5 lbs, making it easy to use in tight spaces

• Fuel technology provides outstanding power and speed for fastening tasks

• Delivers up to 215 ft-lbs of max torque, comparable to much larger impact wrenches

• 4-mode drive control allows adjusting speed and torque for different applications

• 1/2" anvil with detent pin for quick changing of sockets

• Brushless motor design increases tool life span and runtime per charge

• Onboard fuel gauge and LED light for visibility

• Redlink Plus intelligence prevents overloading and overheating

• Flexible battery system works with all Milwaukee M12 batteries

• Quiet operation at only 76 dB for reduced noise on job sites

• 3-year warranty provides peace of mind

Cons

While the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench is a powerful and versatile tool, it does have some drawbacks to consider:

• The compact head design can make it difficult to access tight spaces in some applications. The head is optimized for accessibility but may still be an issue in extremely tight quarters.

• Battery life is limited, especially under heavy use. While Milwaukee's RedLithium batteries offer good run times, frequent high torque driving will drain the battery quickly. Carrying extra batteries is recommended.

• There is no built-in LED light. Many users find a light invaluable when working in dim areas. The tool will need to be paired with an external light.

• It lacks the high torque output of larger impact wrenches. While suitable for most automotive jobs, it may struggle with the most stubborn lug nuts or bolts. Larger air or electric impact wrenches are better suited for heavy duty applications.

• The plastic battery housing feels a bit flimsy and cheap. This could potentially lead to damage if the tool is dropped.

• At 2.8 lbs it is relatively lightweight but can still feel heavy after extended overhead use. An auxiliary handle or support strap may help reduce fatigue for all day use.

• It is not as quiet as some brushless motors. The noise level may be prohibitive for some applications without hearing protection.

Conclusion

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" Right Angle Impact Wrench is an excellent compact impact wrench that packs a punch. It delivers impressive torque and power for its size, making it a versatile tool for automotive work, light construction jobs, and home projects.

The tool features Milwaukee's latest brushless motor technology and REDLINK Plus intelligence to optimize performance. It runs cool and efficiently even under heavy use. The compact head design allows access into tight spaces, while the variable speed trigger gives you control. An LED light illuminates dark work areas.

With up to 200 ft-lbs of max torque, this impact wrench can handle most common automotive lug nuts and bolts. It makes quick work of brake jobs, suspension repairs, tire changes, and other tasks. The 3/8" anvil is suitable for a wide range of sockets.

For the size, power, and features, the M12 Fuel right angle impact wrench provides excellent value for money. It costs significantly less than higher-voltage 18V and 20V competitors yet matches or exceeds their performance. If you need a compact, high-torque impact wrench, this Milwaukee model is highly recommended.