Jeff, I had to come back to this video..... I had the regular M12 impact forever and upgraded to the Surge a few months back after all the positive feedback about it having more "control". I had always assumed this additional control was in the trigger.... but to my surprise, its actually within the driver. It really threw me off guard. Had a task recently that required a lot of use, and it was the 1st time I've had this in my hands for a while and doing more delicate work. I was caught off guard by what you called the "tapping" of the screw. As a user, it almost feels like when the head of a Phillips screwdriver bit skips and catches again. It really thru me off guard; I thought maybe something was wrong with the tool. After a bit of internet searching, I really didn't find anyone describing this feeling. I missed your description of "tapping" the first time I watched this video. It's going to take a little while to re-train my brain that the skipping/tapping you feel does not visually translate to a skipping bit.
I hang blinds and drapes all day. The surge is light and for those times when I need to drive longer than 1 1/2 screws it handles those job. Had 2 M18 surge but got both stolen. M12 easy to carry all day. For the times when there's concrete or hollow tile walls have a rotary hammer drill. Looking to purchase a new M18 rotary hammer drill with build in dust collector.
Thank you for making this video. The timing couldn’t be better. I’ve been using the Bosch 12v and 18v ecosystems for about 6 years. Their impact and drill driver are a bit under-powered for larger fasteners like #12 wood screws. I’ve been wanting to move over to the Milwaukee 12v platform for a while. One of the things that makes this a challenge for someone new to Milwaukee is the generations of the tools they offer. If I’m going to jump in, I want to make sure I’m getting the latest generation version of the tool. I know that the hydraulic m12 surge impact is the latest gen, but it doesn’t seem to be offered in a kit with a drill driver. As for the drill driver, I want to get the hammer version which I perceive to be the “best” version. I’m resigned to having to buy these tools by themselves in kit form with batteries as they’ll be my first M12 tools. Each of these is currently $179 with batteries and the impact comes with an additional free battery through today (I believe the free battery promo ends today). So that was my purchase today at Tool Nut; a Surge Impact kit and a Fuel Hammer Drill Driver kit plus a two pack of the 3ah batteries which are also on sale today. I figure that should get me started.
Im glad the video helped. I looked at the surge for a while, but i had the regular fuel M12 and just didnt "need" it (even though the M12 i had is the last gen). The sale youre talking about is what pushed me over the edge. I ordered the surge at 149 and got a cp2.5 for free, and i figured at that rate if I didnt like it i could return it, and if i did i could sell the regular fuel and between that and the battery it would make the surge basically free (fuzzy math). Im confident youll like them.
@@WashandShineGarage I threw it on eBay got an offer immediately and then accepted it. Guy cancelled saying his kid was using his phone so now it needs a relist. If you’re interested email me jeff@improved-garage.com
I have the m18 Surge. After watching this video, I think I want the m12 surge for everyday use around the house and smaller tasks. I want to sell my m18 surge and upgrade to the non-surge m18 gen 4 impact just to have a more powerful driver when the tasks calls for it. The tri lights are nicer and it’s a much newer driver. Not sure I’ll mind the noise or control if I break out the m18. Any thoughts?
I agree 100% with your approach, however torque test channel just did a video on a flaw with the 4th gen that is causing a higher than average number of failures in that model. Im planning to stay with my 3rd gen M18 for now.
I do apartment maintenance and just bought the fuel surge. I had the original fuel gen 1 and it worked well but I bent one of the prongs and it was wonky after that. Hoping that won’t happen with the surge one also, but I beat up my tools.
Hey Brian! Honestly i usually just do ebay, it sucks to lose 15% but dealing with people on FB marketplace or craigslist is really tough. If I can ship it reasonably ill usually make a bid auction on ebay, have it end on a tuesday or wednesday night around 6PM pacific and I've had good luck with pulling a fair value out of my tools.
@@btverse yea. I had someone today that was supposed to meet me this morning. Messages at 1pm that she got sick and will see if it’s available next week. I have no problem with plans changing but people can’t communicate. I do a lot on eBay and it’s all under the business so I can spend the income and not have the tax implications so that’s nice. 🙂
You can, but I agree with Lumpia_in_Texas, use the entry level 2401 hex screwdriver for those tasks. It’s smaller, lighter, lower power, has a great mechanical clutch. It’s now the first power tool I reach for 90% of the time.
You seem to be interchanging impact drivers and impact wrenches. Talking about 1/4 collets then 1/2 or 3/8ths, were talking about 2 totally different tools. Drivers are not wrenches
I very clearly said that they are not designed to change tires. Its fairly normal for someone to buy a 1/4 collet impact and use a 3/8 or 1/2 adapter to drive an occasional lag to hang a tv, because they don't have the money or long term need for a dedicated impact wrench. For the person who needs to turn bolts all day they should buy an impact wrench like the 1/2 mid torque that i mentioned in the video.. 7.5 minutes of the 8 minute video were talking about the M12 1/4 impact drivers specifically.
