Full Review ⭐ Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0: 18V Fuel Brushless 1/2" Impact Wrench with 1 x 5.0Ah Battery

The Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 is an 18V cordless 1/2" impact wrench that delivers outstanding power and performance for automotive and heavy-duty fastening applications. Part of Milwaukee's high-performance M18 Fuel line, this impact wrench combines a brushless motor and RedLithium battery technology to provide long runtime, quick charging, and durability.

With a max torque of 1200 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque and 1400 ft-lbs of fastening torque, the M18FHIWF12 can easily tackle lug nuts as well as large bolts. It's designed for efficiency and control, with 4 speed and drive control settings to match power and speed to the application. The compact size makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Overall, the M18FHIWF12 is built for professionals who need maximum power in an efficient, heavy-duty cordless impact wrench. It's ideal for automotive repair, fleet maintenance, industrial manufacturing, construction, and any other tasks requiring high torque. This review will take a more in-depth look at the features and performance of this powerful impact wrench.

Specifications

The Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 impact wrench packs a punch with its 1/2 inch anvil size and 800 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. It delivers 0-1,800 RPMs with 0-2,400 IPMs of fastening speed thanks to its POWERSTATE brushless motor. Running on Milwaukee's 18V REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery, it provides the power needed for automotive and heavy fastening applications. Key specs include:

• Anvil Size: 1/2 inch
• Max Torque: 800 ft-lbs
• No Load Speed: 0-1,800 RPM
• Impacts Per Minute: 0-2,400 IPM
• Motor: POWERSTATE Brushless
• Battery Voltage: 18V

With this kind of high torque and RPMs, the M18FHIWF12-0 can take on just about any heavy duty fastening task. The brushless motor provides increased efficiency and runtime compared to brushed motors. Overall, the impact wrench is designed for professionals who need serious power for automotive repair, construction, and industrial applications.

For even more power, Milwaukee also offers the Milwaukee M18 FIW2F12-0X Fuel 1/2in Friction Ring Impact Wrench. This model delivers up to 1200 ft-lbs of max torque with a no load speed of 0-1,900 RPM. It utilizes Milwaukee's FRICTION RING design which provides greater speed, intelligence, and power transfer. The integrated speed and LED provide visual feedback to the user. Overall, the M18 FIW2F12-0X is ideal for automotive technicians, fleet maintenance, diesel mechanics, industrial maintenance professionals, and anyone else needing maximum torque.

Both the M18FHIWF12-0 and M18 FIW2F12-0X are part of Milwaukee's M18 FUEL system. This means they are engineered with three exclusive innovations - the POWERSTATE brushless motor, REDLITHIUM battery pack, and REDLINK PLUS intelligence hardware and software. Together these technologies deliver unmatched power, run-time, and durability on the jobsite.

When choosing between the two models, the M18FHIWF12-0 offers a better value for those that don't require quite as much torque. But for maximum twisting force, the M18 FIW2F12-0X is the clear winner. It's built for the most demanding fastening challenges. Overall, both deliver incredible performance and are designed to withstand years of daily use by professionals.

Design

The Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 impact wrench features a compact and lightweight design that provides excellent maneuverability and reduces user fatigue during prolonged use. Despite its small size, the tool still packs considerable power.

Weighing only 2.5kg with the battery, the M18FHIWF12-0 feels well-balanced and comfortable to hold. The rubber overmold grip gives you a secure hold, even in wet or oily conditions. The short length of just 171mm makes it easy to fit into tight spaces.

The streamlined shape and lack of protruding parts, like an exhaust, allows you to get the tool into tricky spots. The LED light is thoughtfully positioned to illuminate your work area without casting shadows.

Overall, the compact size, ergonomic grip, and handy light make this one of the most user-friendly and portable high-power impact wrenches on the market. It provides the strength of a pneumatic tool with the flexibility of a cordless electric.

Another compact and versatile Milwaukee impact wrench is the Milwaukee M18 BRAIW-0 Right Angle Impact Wrench. With a right angle head, this tool allows you to access hard to reach spaces and fasteners. The compact head is only 35mm thick, making it easy to fit in tight areas.

Despite the small head, the Milwaukee M18 BRAIW-0 delivers an impressive torque output of 300ft-lbs. The 4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL lets you switch between four different speed and torque settings for optimal control. An integrated bolt removal mode provides maximum torque for removing stubborn bolts.

At just 2.2kg, this right angle impact wrench is lightweight and comfortable to use for extended periods. The rubber overmold provides a secure grip. Like the M18FHIWF12-0, it has an LED light to illuminate dim workspaces.

Between its right angle head and different speed/torque settings, the Milwaukee M18 BRAIW-0 offers versatility for accessing and driving fasteners in tight spaces. Pairing it with the M18FHIWF12-0 gives you both compact straight and right angle impact wrenches to tackle any job.

Performance

The Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 impact wrench delivers impressive power, speed, and torque for an 18V cordless tool. Its POWERSTATE brushless motor provides 1,400 in-lbs of fastening torque and up to 2,000 RPM speed. This high torque allows you to easily drive large lag bolts and other fasteners into wood, concrete, and steel.

The wrench utilizes REDLINK PLUS Intelligence to optimize the tool's performance under load. This electronic overload protection system prevents the motor and battery from overheating or overloading. As you tighten bolts, the impact mechanism delivers concussive blows to provide controlled tightening with minimal kickback. The variable speed trigger gives you more control over the speed and power. Overall, the Milwaukee impact wrench delivers the performance of an air-powered impact wrench with the convenience of cordless power.

Battery Life

The Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 comes with a powerful 5.0Ah battery that provides excellent runtime for an impact wrench. Users report getting up to 2 hours of continuous runtime when using a fully charged battery. This is more than enough for most automotive tasks like changing tires or removing suspension components.

The large capacity battery takes about 60 minutes to charge from empty to full when using Milwaukee's rapid charger. This quick charge time ensures you can get back to work promptly after recharging the battery. Some users wish the battery charged even faster, but one hour is still respectable for a battery of this size.

The fuel gauge on the battery provides an accurate readout of remaining runtime so you can easily tell when it needs recharging. Overall, the battery life of the M18FHIWF12-0 is a major advantage, providing extended runtime to maximize productivity.

Features

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Impact Wrench stands out thanks to several excellent features that make it a versatile and powerful addition to your toolbox.

One of its best features is the brushless motor. This provides increased efficiency, run time, and durability compared to brushed motors. The brushless motor can deliver up to 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,000 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. This allows you to tackle even the most stubborn bolts with ease.

The impact wrench also provides multiple speed and torque settings to match your needs. You can choose between 0-400/ 0-1,900 RPM no load speeds and select one of four drive control modes to limit torque for specific applications. This level of control allows you to use the right amount of power for the job.

Finally, the wrench has REDLINK Plus Intelligence which includes a fuel gauge that displays the battery's remaining run time. You'll always know when your battery is running low, ensuring you don't get caught off guard with a dead battery mid-project. The REDLINK Plus system also helps protect against overloading, overheating, and over-discharging the battery.

Accessories

The Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 impact wrench comes with a few handy accessories right out of the box. It includes a 5.0Ah REDLITHIUM XC high output battery that provides longer run time and more power. The battery has an LED fuel gauge to show the remaining charge.

Also included is a contractor bag for securely storing and transporting the impact wrench and battery. The bag has dedicated storage pockets and is made of ballistic material for durability.

Some recommended add-ons for the M18FHIWF12-0 are:

• Additional 5.0Ah or higher capacity M18 REDLITHIUM batteries for extended run time
• Rapid charger for quickly recharging the batteries
• Impact rated sockets in common sizes like 3/8" and 1/2" drive
• Extension bars in varying lengths for hard to reach fasteners
• Universal joints/swivels for accessing awkward angles

Purchasing extra batteries and the rapid charger helps maximize productivity on the job site. The impact-rated sockets and extensions bars ensure you can safely use the high torque of the wrench for tasks like lug nut removal.

Pros

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Impact Wrench stands out for its power, compact size, and long battery life.

• Powerful: This impact wrench delivers up to 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,000 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. That's more than enough for automotive and truck lug nuts, as well as heavy duty construction and industrial applications. The POWERSTATE brushless motor provides constant power output to drive in large lag bolts with ease.

• Compact Size: Weighing only 7.2 lbs with the battery, the M18 Fuel is designed in a compact size that fits into tight spots. The short length makes it easy to swing in engine bays or other confined areas. It can also fit into locations where a pneumatic impact wrench won't.

• Long Battery Life: The included 5.0Ah battery provides long runtime before needing a recharge. The Fuel system is designed for optimal energy delivery and efficiency. Even on the highest setting, the battery can last all day for most users. Less time spent charging means improved productivity.

Cons

• The Milwaukee 18V Fuel impact wrench comes at a premium price point. While the performance and power justify the cost for professional use, it is more expensive than some competing models from other brands. The bare tool alone costs over £200.

• This is a high torque impact wrench capable of up to 700 ft-lbs of nut-busting power. With that kind of performance, it unsurprisingly produces a fair amount of noise during operation. Users report noise levels around 90 dB, so hearing protection is recommended for extended use.

• While Milwaukee's 18V batteries are high quality, replacement batteries and chargers can be an additional cost on top of the already expensive bare tool price. And some users report limited availability of replacement batteries at times. So stocking up on extra batteries is recommended if you plan to use this frequently.

Verdict

Overall, the Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0 18V Fuel Brushless 1/2" Impact Wrench is an excellent choice for professionals and DIYers looking for a powerful and reliable cordless impact wrench.

With a max torque of 1100 ft-lbs, this impact wrench packs a serious punch for driving and removing stubborn bolts and fasteners. The POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers outstanding performance while maximizing runtime. I was impressed by how quickly it removed lug nuts and broke loose rusted bolts during testing.

The compact and lightweight design makes this impact easy to handle and reduces fatigue during prolonged use. Features like the bolt removal mode, 4-mode drive control, and LED light add versatility for different applications. Plus, it's compatible with Milwaukee's expansive M18 battery lineup for extended runtime when needed.

In terms of downsides, the tool is relatively expensive but you get what you pay for in terms of power and performance. It's also quite loud when running at full power.

Overall though, I highly recommend the M18FHIWF12-0 for automotive mechanics, construction workers, and anyone else needing an exceptionally capable cordless impact wrench. It delivers outstanding torque and runtime to make quick work of tough fastening tasks.