Full Review ⭐ Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0: Fuel™ ONE-Key™ 1/2in FR Impact Wrench 18V Bare Unit

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 is a powerful 18V cordless impact wrench designed for automotive and heavy fastening applications. Part of Milwaukee's M18 Fuel line, it delivers impressive torque output and fastening speed in a compact body. This tool is built with a brushless motor and REDLINK Plus intelligence to provide efficient power delivery and overload protection.

Some notable features of the M18 Fuel 1/2" impact wrench include a friction ring for quick and easy socket changes, a tri-LED light to illuminate dark work areas, and a protective bumper to prevent accidental damage if dropped. It has a 1/2" anvil with detent pin to hold sockets securely. The wrench measures 7.4" in length, making it easy to maneuver in tight engine bays.

This bare unit does not include a battery or charger. It requires an M18 REDLITHIUM XC or HD battery which must be purchased separately. Batterer offer flexible runtimes from compact 2Ah packs up to large 12Ah options.

Overall, the M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench is a high-powered cordless tool designed to make short work of stubborn fasteners. Its compact size combined with Milwaukee's latest brushless motor technology makes this a versatile option for automotive repair, fleet maintenance, and industrial fastening jobs.

Design

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench has a compact and lightweight design despite its powerful performance. It measures only 5.9 inches front to back with the anvil installed. The tool itself weighs only 4.0 pounds bare without a battery installed. This makes the M18 ONEIWF12-0 easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces where a full-sized impact wrench won't fit. The dimensions and weight also reduce user fatigue during extended use. While lightweight, the tool still has a robust professional-grade build quality. The housing is constructed from a durable composite material that can withstand job site abuse. The compact design doesn't sacrifice power or runtime either, as the wrench delivers up to 600 ft-lbs of max fastening torque.

In addition to the compact size, the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench has several other design features that enhance its usability. It has an ergonomic grip area with molded rubber overmold, providing a comfortable secure hold during use. An LED light is integrated into the housing to illuminate dark work areas. The wrench also has a detent pin anvil retention system for quick and easy socket changes. Another handy design feature is the self-releasing hog ring, allowing users to easily remove jammed sockets by hand rather than needing to use a tool.

Those looking for an even more compact cordless impact wrench may want to consider the Milwaukee M12BIW38-0: 3/8-inch Sub Compact Impact Wrench. As the name suggests, this is a 3/8-inch drive model designed for tight access applications. It measures only 3.2 inches front to back and weighs just 2.0 pounds with the battery installed. Despite the tiny size, it still delivers up to 155 ft-lbs of max torque, making it quite powerful for its diminutive stature. The sub compact design allows users to drive and remove fasteners in extremely tight quarters where no other tool can fit.

Power and Performance

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench packs serious power into a compact and lightweight package. It's powered by Milwaukee's proprietary POWERSTATE brushless motor, delivering up to 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,000 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. This high-performance motor provides more than enough power for automotive repair, heavy equipment maintenance, and other demanding applications.

Despite its small size, the ONEIWF12-0 delivers up to 2,000 RPM of maximum speed. This enables you to power through fasteners quickly. The POWERSTATE motor is optimized to deliver outstanding power while keeping the tool running cool even under heavy use. It provides more power in a smaller package than previous generation brushed motors.

With best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, the ONEIWF12-0 can tackle lug nuts, rusted bolts, and other stubborn fasteners with ease. The exceptional torque lets you get the job done faster without excessive strain. Even at the highest setting, the tool maintains control thanks to its smooth power delivery.

For even more torque, check out the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0: FuelTM ONE-KeyTM 3/8in F Ring Impact Wrench 18V Bare Unit. This impact wrench delivers up to 550 ft-lbs of max fastening torque and 1100 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. It uses the same efficient POWERSTATE brushless motor but in a higher torque 3/8" drive size.

The ONE-KEY technology gives you total control over the tool's output speed, torque, and LED light settings. You can customize and save profiles for specific applications so the tool is optimized every time you pick it up. It's an extremely versatile and powerful impact wrench suitable for automotive, fabrication, maintenance, and construction jobs.

With Milwaukee's proprietary DRIVE CONTROL, you can shift between four different speed and torque settings to match the demands of the application. It provides maximum control over the power delivery for excellent productivity. Weighing only 5.2 lbs with the battery, the ONEIWF38-0 delivers best-in-class power-to-weight ratio.

Both the ONEIWF12-0 and ONEIWF38-0 represent the pinnacle of cordless impact wrench technology. They blend immense torque, intelligent ONE-KEY electronics, and Milwaukee's unrivaled POWERSTATE brushless motors. If you need maximum fastening torque in a compact, ergonomic package, these Fuel impact wrenches are hard to beat.

Battery and Charger

The M18 ONEIWF12-0 comes as a bare tool without the battery or charger. It is compatible with Milwaukee's M18 RedLithium XC 5.0Ah battery packs, which use advanced lithium-ion technology to deliver more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack.

RedLithium batteries have a fuel gauge that displays the remaining charge, so you know when it's time to recharge. They are designed to provide more consistent power output to withstand extreme jobsite conditions. The batteries also feature overload protection to prevent overheating.

When it's time to recharge, the M18 rapid charger can fully replenish an XC 5.0Ah battery in just 60 minutes. This helps maximize work productivity by minimizing downtime spent waiting for batteries to recharge. The charger displays the charging status and automatically shuts off when the battery is fully charged to prevent overcharging.

The tool's compatibility with Milwaukee's M18 batteries and chargers makes it easy to share batteries across other M18 tools you may have. This allows you to reduce the number of batteries and chargers needed.

User Interface

The Milwaukee M18 ONE-KEY Fuel Impact Wrench features an intuitive user interface designed for ease of use. There are no complicated buttons or controls - simply a forward/reverse selector switch, a variable speed trigger, and an LED light.

The selector switch allows quick transitions between forward and reverse rotation. This is useful when removing and installing bolts where you may need to switch directions frequently. The switch has a positive click in each direction so you know it's engaged.

The variable speed trigger gives you precise control over the torque output. Squeeze lightly for lower torque tasks or depress fully for maximum torque up to 700 ft-lbs. There's no trigger lock option, so you do need to hold the trigger continuously during use.

An LED light is integrated into the base of the handle and illuminates the work area when powered on. This is a handy feature when working in dimly lit spaces. The light automatically turns on when the tool is running.

Overall, the streamlined user interface allows for intuitive operation without unnecessary bells and whistles. The inclusion of the LED light adds convenience, making this a user-friendly impact wrench.

Comfort and Handling

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench is designed for comfort during prolonged use. The overmold grip provides exceptional comfort and control thanks to its dual texture soft elastomer and rigid overmold. This results in reduced vibration and increased grip, even when wearing gloves or when your hands are oily or wet.

The tool is very well balanced, with the battery fitting snugly for an even weight distribution. This allows you to hold the impact wrench comfortably without your hand or arm tiring during extended periods of work. The weight is centered towards the back of the tool near the battery pack, making it easy to support the wrench while tightening or loosening fasteners.

Vibration is well dampened thanks to the overmold grip and internal mechanisms. Milwaukee claims this is their "smoothest" impact wrench design yet in terms of vibration control. Users report very low hand/arm fatigue after using this tool for several hours. The vibration dampening allows you to maintain control and accuracy during repetitive fastening tasks.

Overall, the comfort-oriented design features like the dual texture grip, balanced weight distribution, and vibration control allow this impact wrench to be used for long periods without significant user fatigue. This helps increase productivity for demanding fastening jobs.

Durability

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench is built to last on job sites and withstand tough conditions. The housing is made from a durable composite material that can handle drops and impacts without damage. Though Milwaukee doesn't specify an exact drop rating, users report drops from 8+ feet onto concrete with no issues.

The composite housing also offers weather resistance, ensuring the inside components stay protected from rain, snow, and dust. The tool has an IP54 rating, meaning it is dust protected and can resist water splashing from any direction.

Overall, the durable housing and weather sealing allow this impact wrench to keep running in harsh job site environments. Users mention using it for years with no durability problems despite drops, dusty conditions, and outdoor use in all weather. This level of ruggedness gives confidence that the M18 ONEIWF12-0 can handle accidental abuse while getting the job done.

Accessories

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 comes as a bare tool without batteries or a charger. However, it is compatible with all M18 batteries and chargers in Milwaukee's extensive line of 18V power tools and equipment.

Some recommended accessories to purchase with the impact wrench include:

• M18 Red Lithium XC5.0 or XC6.0 battery packs - Higher capacity batteries with fuel gauge for longer runtimes. The XC models have excellent performance.

• M18 Dual Charger - Can charge two batteries simultaneously so you always have a backup ready. Charges batteries faster than a single port model.

• Carry bag or case - Protects the tool and batteries when transporting between jobsites. The Milwaukee Packout system has cases that can hold the wrench, batteries, and other accessories.

• Impact socket sets - Add impact-rated socket sets to handle different bolt and fastener sizes. Metric and SAE sets available in shallow, deep, and universal depths.

• Impact extension bars - Use extension bars for reaching fasteners in tight spaces. Available in varying lengths.

While the tool doesn't include batteries or a charger, Milwaukee provides a wide system of M18 batteries, chargers, and accessories to customize your setup. Investing in additional batteries and a dual charger helps improve productivity on the job.

Pros

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench stands out for its exceptional power, compact size, and innovative technology. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Industry-leading torque: Delivers up to 700 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, making it one of the most powerful cordless impact wrenches available. Easily loosens even the most stubborn bolts and lug nuts.

• Compact and lightweight design: Weighs only 7.2 lbs with the battery, making it easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. The short length allows access where larger tools can't reach.

• ONE-KEY technology: Customizable drive control lets you set specific torque and speed settings for precision control. Stores up to 4 custom profiles for different applications.

• Excellent battery life: The REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery provides all-day run time even under heavy use. The REDLINK Plus intelligence optimizes the tool and battery.

• Durable and rugged: Withstands drops up to 6 ft and is rated IP56 for dust and water resistance. Built to last on the jobsite.

• 3-mode drive control: Choose between self-tapping screw, hard fastening, and spinning nut modes for optimal control. Quickly switches between applications.

• Quiet operation: At only 76 dBa, it's significantly quieter than comparable models. Less disruptive to use around other workers.

• 5-year warranty: Backed by Milwaukee's industry-leading coverage against defects or failures. Gives peace of mind for years of service.

Cons

While the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench is a powerful and versatile tool, it does have some downsides to consider:

• The tool itself is fairly large and heavy, especially when loaded up with a battery. This can make it tiring to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. Some users may find a more compact impact wrench easier to work with for extended periods.

• It's an expensive investment, especially when factoring in the cost of compatible batteries and chargers if you don't already have them. While it delivers excellent performance, the high price tag may put it out of reach for some buyers.

• Noise level can be an issue. This is a loud tool that emits over 90 decibels of noise in operation. Hearing protection is a must when using it for any length of time. The noise could be disruptive in certain work environments.

• While the variable speed trigger offers good control, some users feel the lowest speed setting is still too fast for more delicate tasks. It may lack the finesse at low speeds that some auto mechanics and woodworkers prefer.

• At just over 7 pounds, it ranks among the heaviest impact wrenches in its class. The weight is centered toward the front, which can make the tool feel unbalanced. This is another factor making the M18 ONEIWF12-0 tiring to use for extended jobs.

• Battery runtime is limited, especially at higher torque settings. Plan on having spare batteries on hand for jobs involving heavy fastening work.

Overall, the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF12-0 impact wrench delivers outstanding torque and speed for the size. But the noise, weight, cost, and battery limitations prevent it from being the ideal choice for every user.