Full Review ⭐ Milwaukee M12 FRAIW: 12V 1/2'' Brushless Right Angle Impact Wrench with Friction Ring - Body 4933471699

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW is a compact yet powerful 12V cordless impact wrench designed for automotive and light industrial applications. As part of Milwaukee's M12 line of tools, it's optimized for tight spaces and one-handed use.

This right angle impact wrench measures only 7.6 inches long, allowing access into cramped engine bays and tight spots. Despite its small size, it delivers 175 ft-lbs of max torque and 1,000 RPM thanks to its efficient brushless motor. The 1/2" anvil accepts standard impact sockets.

With its compact form factor, right angle head, and generous power, the M12 FRAIW excels at tasks like brake jobs, exhaust work, and suspension repairs. It provides ample torque for lug nuts, bolts, and other stubborn fasteners. The friction ring allows quick socket changes.

Overall, the M12 FRAIW packs impressive performance into a lightweight, maneuverable package. It's a versatile automotive impact perfect for DIYers and professionals alike. This review will take a closer look at the tool's design, features, performance, and ideal use cases.

Design and Build Quality

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW is a compact and ergonomic right angle impact wrench. Its lightweight magnesium gear case keeps the tool's weight down to just 2.5 lbs, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Despite the compact size, the impact wrench still delivers impressive power thanks to its durable all-metal transmission and gears.

The handle is overmolded with soft rubber for comfort, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use. It has an integrated LED light to illuminate dark work areas. The compact head profile allows access in confined areas. The battery pack sits inline with the tool for optimal balance.

This Milwaukee impact wrench utilizes premium materials like hardened steel hammer and anvil mechanisms. The reinforced housing is rugged enough for job site abuse. The friction ring allows easy socket changes while reducing wear on the anvil. Overall, the high-quality construction provides long-lasting durability.

For even more power in a compact cordless package, consider the Milwaukee M18 FMTIW2F12-0 FUEL Cordless 1/2 Inch Impact Wrench. This FUEL impact wrench delivers up to 600 ft-lbs of fastening torque, while only weighing 5.2 lbs with the battery. It provides the power of an AC impact wrench with the freedom of cordless operation.

The POWERSTATE brushless motor is Milwaukee's most powerful motor, engineered for maximum efficiency and longer motor life. REDLINK PLUS intelligence ensures maximum performance by optimizing the tool based on the battery and application. The REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT battery pack provides superior pack construction, electronics, and fade-free performance to deliver more runtime.

The reinforced housing withstands jobsite abuse for long-term durability. The 1/2" anvil with friction ring allows for quick and easy socket changes. Overall, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL impact wrench combines extreme power and runtime with incredible compactness for the ultimate cordless solution.

Power and Performance

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW impact wrench packs impressive power and performance into its compact 12V cordless design. It delivers up to 339 Nm of max torque and 2,400 impacts per minute, providing the muscle needed for automotive and heavy fastening applications.

The brushless motor delivers better runtime, more power and increased durability over brushed motors. It generates over 80% more torque compared to the previous model. You'll have no problem removing stubborn lug nuts or bolts thanks to the tremendous torque output.

In terms of speed, the FRAIW delivers 0-2,400 IPM for excellent control and quick fastening. The variable speed trigger gives you flexibility to dial in the precise speed needed for the task at hand. At max speed, you can drive fasteners quickly without stripping them.

The right angle compact head design allows you to access tight spaces that larger impacts can't reach. It measures only 3.2 inches in length, yet provides the power of an 18V impact in a much smaller package.

The FRAIW is engineered for optimal power transfer thanks to its friction ring anvil. This creates greater surface contact with the socket, resulting in less wear-and-tear over time. The impact runs cool and is built to last on the jobsite or in the garage.

Overall, the M12 FRAIW combines outstanding torque, speed and power in a lightweight 12V cordless design. It's ideal for automotive repairs, large fastening jobs, and heavy-duty applications where high torque is needed in a compact size.

For even more power and performance, check out the Milwaukee M18FHIWF12-0: 18V Fuel Brushless 1/2" Impact Wrench with 1 x 5.0Ah Battery. This impact wrench delivers up to 700 ft-lbs of max fastening torque and 1,200 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. The POWERSTATE brushless motor provides increased efficiency, lasts longer, and delivers maximum power.

The Milwaukee Fuel impact wrench is engineered for the most demanding applications. It provides best-in-class power-to-weight ratio thanks to its lightweight design at only 7.2 lbs with battery. You'll experience up to 25% faster removal speed versus the previous model.

This high performance 18V impact features REDLINK PLUS intelligence to protect against overloads, overheating, and over-discharge. 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, for those seeking maximum torque and power for automotive, fabrication, construction and heavy fastening applications, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18V brushless cordless 1/2" impact wrench delivers the goods. It's designed for efficiency, long life, and unmatched performance on the jobsite.

Brushless Motor

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW features a brushless motor that provides significant performance advantages over brushed motors. Brushless motors have become increasingly common in power tools due to their superior power delivery, runtime, durability, and efficiency.

Brushless motors replace the brushes and commutator contacts found in standard brushed motors with an electronic controller. This eliminates friction and electrical losses associated with brushes, enabling more efficient power usage.

The electronically controlled commutation also enables better speed control and faster acceleration in a more compact form factor. Brushless motors deliver constant power output across their entire operating range, while brushed motors tend to lose torque at higher speeds when the brushes start to bounce off the commutator.

With no brushes to wear down over time, brushless motors also have greatly enhanced lifespan and durability compared to brushed equivalents. Milwaukee claims the brushless motor in the M12 FRAIW delivers up to 2X more runtime versus brushed motors.

Overall, the brushless motor design translates to more power, longer runtime, and longer lasting performance from the M12 FRAIW impact wrench. This allows the tool to drive screws faster while being more efficient.

Battery and Charging

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW impact wrench comes with Milwaukee's Red Lithium XC4.0 battery pack. This 12V battery provides impressive runtime for an impact wrench of this size. Users report getting 30-60 minutes of continuous runtime depending on the task. This is ample time to complete most automotive jobs like lug nut removal.

The 4.0Ah battery capacity gives a good balance between power and weight. The battery itself is compact and lightweight, making the whole tool easy to maneuver in tight spaces. For extended runtime, Milwaukee offers larger XC battery packs up to 6.0Ah.

Recharging the battery is quick thanks to Milwaukee's rapid charging technology. The Red Lithium batteries can recharge from 0 to 80% in under an hour when using a Rapid Charger. This means you can top off the battery during a short break. The charger and battery pack use an intelligent communication system to optimize recharging.

Overall, the battery life, power, and rapid recharging make this impact wrench a very capable cordless tool for automotive repair and maintenance. The M12 battery platform provides options to upgrade for more runtime as needed.

Applications and Use Cases

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel Right Angle Impact Wrench is ideal for automotive work, construction projects, and general home DIY applications where space is tight but high torque is still needed. Its compact right-angle head design allows access into confined areas that a traditional straight impact wrench cannot reach.

Despite the small size, this impact wrench packs a serious punch with its 1/2" anvil and up to 339 ft-lbs of max fastening torque. It has more than enough power to remove lug nuts, suspension components, brake calipers, exhaust system parts, and other stubborn automotive bolts. The right angle head also makes it easier to remove bolts on engines, transmissions, and other drivetrain components.

For construction and home projects, this tool excels at driving and removing lag bolts, carriage bolts, timber screws, and other structural fasteners. The friction ring allows excellent control when driving screws to avoid over-tightening. This versatility also makes it a handy addition to any home DIY toolkit when working in tight spaces around the house, garage, or yard is required.

Overall, the compact right angle design of this Milwaukee impact wrench opens up many possibilities that a standard straight impact wrench cannot handle. It packs M18 Fuel power into an M12 size, giving automotive technicians, contractors, and DIYers high torque and versatility for tight space fastening applications.

Features

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW stands out for several useful features that make it a versatile and convenient impact wrench.

Friction Ring

One of the most notable features is the friction ring right angle head, which allows the user to manually adjust and set the desired amount of nut-busting torque. This gives you precise control when starting a fastener or driving in sensitive applications. The friction ring prevents over-tightening and damage while providing just the right amount of torque.

LED Light

It has an integrated LED light to illuminate dark spaces and see the work area clearly. The LED light has two settings - high and low so you can adjust the brightness as needed. This is extremely handy when working in tight, dark areas like under the hood or below the car.

Compact Size

Despite its power, the M12 FRAIW is lightweight and compact at only 2.9 inches head length. It can fit into tight spaces where a bigger impact wrench won't go. The small size makes it easy to handle overhead or in awkward positions. It reduces fatigue compared to heavier wrenches.

Protective Boot

A thick protective boot on the head safeguards against accidental drops or bangs. The overmolded housing also gives added grip and comfort during use.

Pros

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW stands out for its lightweight and compact design while still packing impressive power. Weighing only 2.4 lbs with the battery, it's one of the lightest 12V impact wrenches available. This makes it easy to maneuver and reduces fatigue during extended use. Despite its small size, the FRAIW delivers up to 300 ft-lbs of maximum fastening torque and 2,400 RPM. This high power-to-weight ratio gives users the ability to drive large fasteners quickly without tiring out.

The right angle head is ideal for tight spaces where a traditional straight impact wrench won't fit. It allows you to drive fasteners in corners or up against walls where access is limited. Combined with the short 5.1 inch length, you can drive fasteners in extremely confined areas. This compactness also improves balance and control compared to bulkier models.

The FRAIW combines Milwaukee's latest innovations like the POWERSTATE brushless motor and REDLINK Plus intelligence to provide industrial strength power in a 12V platform. For a tool of its size, it's incredibly fast, productive and efficient. The compact and lightweight design paired with high performance makes it one of the best 12V impact wrenches available.

Cons

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel Right Angle Impact Wrench does have a few drawbacks to consider.

Battery Life

The battery life is decent but could be better. On a full charge, you can expect around 30-45 minutes of continuous use before needing to swap out the battery. For professionals using the tool all day long, this may mean needing multiple batteries to avoid downtime. The included 2.0Ah battery is on the lower capacity side. Higher capacity M12 batteries are available, but this adds to the overall cost.

Price

This brushless impact wrench has a relatively high price point, especially considering it only includes a 2.0Ah battery. While Milwaukee tools are known for their premium quality and performance, the M12 Fuel line sits at the top end of the pricing scale. The bare tool itself costs around £150, then adding a higher capacity XC 4.0Ah battery will add another £65-100. For DIYers or occasional users, it may be more impact wrench than needed for the price.

So in summary, the two main drawbacks are the battery life could be longer, and the overall cost is quite high. But these are tradeoffs for the compact size, power and advanced brushless technology that Milwaukee packs into this tool.

Conclusion

The Milwaukee M12 FRAIW 1/2" impact wrench is an excellent compact and lightweight tool for automotive and light industrial use. Its brushless motor delivers impressive power and runtime for a 12V tool, while the friction ring provides greater control and precision.

Key pros of this impact wrench are its compact size, brushless motor efficiency, adequate power for most tasks, and friction ring for extra control. The 1/2" anvil also allows use of industry standard impact sockets.

Potential cons to consider are its lower torque compared to larger 18V/20V tools, lack of variable speed trigger, and relatively high price for a 12V tool. It's also not intended for heavy duty use.

Overall, the M12 FRAIW is an outstanding choice for mechanics, automotive enthusiasts, and professionals who need a versatile, portable impact wrench. It combines power and performance in a compact 12V platform. For those needing maximum torque and power, an 18V or 20V tool may be a better choice. But for general automotive use, light industrial tasks, and situations where smaller size and weight are beneficial, the M12 FRAIW is hard to beat.