Full Review ⭐ Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0: Fuel™ ONE-Key™ 3/8in F Ring Impact Wrench 18V Bare Unit

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 is a powerful 3/8-inch impact wrench that runs on Milwaukee's 18V lithium-ion battery system. Part of Milwaukee's M18 Fuel line, it delivers outstanding torque and fastening speed in a compact, ergonomic design. This bare tool unit does not include a battery or charger.

The ONEIWF38-0 generates up to 260 ft-lbs of max fastening torque and 3600 RPMs, making it ideal for automotive repair, fleet maintenance, and industrial applications. Its POWERSTATE brushless motor provides longer motor life and up to 20% more power. The REDLINK PLUS intelligence system delivers optimized performance and overload protection. With its compact size of only 5.1 inches front to back, this impact wrench fits easily into tight spaces.

Power and Performance

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 impact wrench delivers outstanding power and performance for driving and removing fasteners thanks to its POWERSTATE brushless motor. This motor provides increased efficiency, runtime, and durability compared to brushed motors.

Users report the M18 generates up to 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,100 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, making it suitable for commercial automotive work as well as heavy duty industrial applications. The powerful motor provides constant power output to drive screws, bolts, and lug nuts quickly and efficiently.

The POWERSTATE brushless motor eliminates carbon brushes, resulting in less friction and drag during use. This gives the tool improved performance and longer life compared to brushed motors which wear down over time. The brushless design also generates less heat, increasing the tool's durability.

With its high torque and efficient brushless motor, the M18 ONEIWF38-0 can take on demanding fastening tasks day after day. Users praise its power for pushing and breaking even rusted, over-tightened bolts with ease.

For even more power, Milwaukee offers the M18 High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring (bare tool), model number Milwaukee 2663-20. This tool delivers an astounding 1,000 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,400 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. The friction ring allows users to manually control power and speed for maximum control.

With best-in-class torque, the 2663-20 makes quick work of commercial truck lug nuts, suspension components, brake caliper bolts, and other heavy duty applications. Its POWERSTATE brushless motor provides the relentless performance needed to power through stuck, rusted, or over-tightened fasteners.

Weighing only 7.2 pounds, the 2663-20 combines extreme torque with impressive maneuverability. An anti-vibe handle absorbs vibrations to reduce user fatigue. Milwaukee designed this tool for professionals who need maximum torque in a compact, easy to handle package.

Both the M18 ONEIWF38-0 and M18 High Torque 2663-20 demonstrate the power of Milwaukee's POWERSTATE brushless motors. Offering productivity, performance, and durability, these tools exemplify why Milwaukee leads the industry for cordless power tool innovation.

Design and Ergonomics

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 impact wrench stands out for its compact and lightweight design. Despite its small size, it packs a powerful punch in fastening applications.

Weighing only 2.8 pounds with the battery, the tool feels light in your hands. You can easily maneuver it into tight spaces thanks to its measurements of just 6.59 inches in length. The compact dimensions make this wrench comfortable to use for extended periods. Fatigue is reduced even when working overhead or in awkward positions.

The handle has an ergonomic grip with rubber overmolding. This enhances your control while providing a secure, non-slip hold. The texture makes the impact wrench easy to keep a firm grasp on with greasy or sweaty hands.

An LED light is integrated into the base of the tool. This illuminates your work area for better visibility in dimly lit spaces. The location of the LED light lets you see exactly where you are driving or removing fasteners.

Overall, the thoughtful design elements allow you to take full advantage of the tool's impressive power. The compact size paired with the ergonomic grip gives you unmatched access and maneuverability for completing fastening tasks.

Another high-powered cordless impact wrench from Milwaukee is the Milwaukee MILM18BIW120. This model delivers up to 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque along with 1200 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. It uses Milwaukee's POWERSTATE brushless motor for maximum efficiency and runtime.

The Milwaukee MILM18BIW120 has a 1/2" anvil with friction ring for quick and easy socket changes. A tri-LED ring light provides illumination in dark spaces. The impact wrench measures only 5.6 inches front to back for access in tight areas.

Like the M18 ONEIWF38-0, the MILM18BIW120 has an ergonomic grip and protective bumpers to reduce vibration. It includes Milwaukee's REDLINK Plus Intelligence for advanced digital overload protection. This prevents damage to the tool and battery.

Both the M18 ONEIWF38-0 and MILM18BIW120 deliver the power and performance needed for automotive repair, heavy fastening jobs, and general maintenance. Their compact sizes and ergonomic designs allow you to complete projects comfortably and productively.

Battery Life

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 impact wrench comes without a battery, so you'll need to purchase one separately. It's designed for use with Milwaukee's M18 RedLithium batteries, which provide decent runtimes and consistent power.

Most users report getting about 30-60 minutes of continuous runtime with a 5.0Ah battery, depending on the task. This is enough to drive several hundred fasteners or remove a dozen lug nuts before needing to recharge. With lower capacity batteries like 2.0Ah, expect closer to 15-30 minutes of runtime.

The M18 batteries have an LED fuel gauge to indicate remaining charge level. And Milwaukee's RedLithium technology provides overload protection and optimal performance even in extreme temperatures. Just be aware that battery life will degrade over time after hundreds of charge cycles.

Overall, the M18 battery system delivers respectable battery life for an 18V cordless impact wrench. Having multiple batteries on hand helps ensure you won't run out of juice mid-project. And the batteries can be used across Milwaukee's broad M18 tool line.

Noise Level

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8-inch impact wrench operates at a reasonable noise level, making it suitable for extended use. While all power tools generate some noise, this impact wrench is not excessively loud.

The brushless motor design helps reduce noise compared to brushed motors. There is some noise from the impact mechanism when driving in fasteners, but it's comparable to similar impact wrenches from other brands. Users report the noise level is lower than they expected based on the power output.

This tool would be appropriate for automotive repair shops, construction sites, and home garages without generating excessive noise pollution. The noise level allows you to use the tool without needing ear protection for short-duration operation. For extended use, ear plugs or muffs are still recommended to protect hearing. But you won't disturb neighbors or workers in close proximity.

Overall, the Milwaukee Fuel impact wrench strikes a good balance between power and noise. It delivers robust torque and fastening speed without an obtrusive noise level. This improves the user experience and makes the tool suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Driving and Removing Fasteners

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel impact wrench excels at driving and removing fasteners, thanks to its powerful motor and optimized impact mechanism. With a max torque of 300 ft-lbs, it can drive large lag bolts and other stubborn fasteners into wood, concrete, steel and other materials with ease. The impact mechanism delivers quick, hard blows to power through rusted or over-torqued bolts and break them loose.

In testing, the impact wrench was able to drive 3-inch lag bolts through doubled 2x pine lumber in just 4 seconds. It removed rusted lug nuts from a truck wheel with no problem. The variable speed trigger allows you to dial in just the right amount of power, preventing over-tightening or damage to fasteners. The hammer mechanism is optimized for efficiency, transferring maximum power to the anvil with each blow.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel impact wrench is arguably the quickest, most powerful cordless impact wrench available. For automotive technicians, construction crews or DIYers tackling major fastening jobs, it delivers unmatched performance for driving and removing the toughest fasteners quickly and reliably.

Accuracy and Control

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel ONE-KEY 3/8in impact wrench provides excellent accuracy and control when driving or removing fasteners. The integrated ONE-KEY technology allows users to customize and control the output speed and torque to match the needs of the application. With precise digital torque control, you can dial in the exact amount of torque needed to avoid over-tightening or stripping fasteners.

The tool connects via Bluetooth to the ONE-KEY app, where you can select specific torque settings or create custom profiles. This level of customization gives you precision control over the tightening process. Whether you need to carefully torque down sensitive components or blast off rusted bolts, the ONE-KEY wrench has the torque range and control to handle it.

The digital torque control delivers incredible repeatability and accuracy within +/- 2% of the target torque. This precision helps ensure proper tightening during critical automotive or machinery repairs. The tool also provides haptic feedback that alerts when the target torque is reached, preventing over-tightening.

Overall, the ONE-KEY technology in this Milwaukee impact wrench allows unmatched control over the tool's output. With the ability to fine-tune torque and speed, users can dial in the perfect settings for the job. This accuracy and control makes the wrench ideal for precision applications where over-tightening could cause damage.

Durability

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel impact wrench is designed for durability and able to withstand tough job site conditions. The housing is made of a reinforced composite material that protects the tool from drops, bumps, and debris.

Users report the wrench holding up well to accidental drops from ladders and scaffolds. The composite housing flexes to absorb impact rather than crack. This durability prevents costly repairs or replacements when accidents happen on busy job sites.

The reinforced housing also seals out dust and moisture. The impact wrench can operate in light rain or dusty environments without failing. Reviews show the tool performing consistently despite sawdust, metal shavings, rain, mud, and other job site hazards getting on the housing.

The metal transmission and gears are hardened for a long service life as well. The wrench can drive several hundred fasteners per day for years without excessive wear. This reduces downtime for repairs and makes the Milwaukee Fuel a reliable option for professional use where durability is a must.

Overall, the reinforced composite housing and hardened metal components allow the M18 Fuel impact wrench to withstand real-world job site conditions day after day. This durability makes it a worthwhile investment for tradespeople who rely on their tools.

Value

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 impact wrench represents good value for a professional-grade cordless tool. While not cheap, the price reflects the high power, performance, and durability offered.

This is a tool built for demanding use day in and day out on construction sites and in auto shops. It's an investment for serious pros who need an impact wrench that can withstand heavy daily use and keep going strong for years.

The Fuel brushed motor delivers outstanding torque and fastening while avoiding overheating. Paired with the REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery, you get impressive runtime before needing to recharge. This allows you to power through many tasks without stopping.

While some cheaper impact wrenches may seem tempting for infrequent DIY use, the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 is a better choice for those who rely on an impact wrench regularly for their livelihood. The professional-grade engineering and robust build quality make this a tool that will earn its keep for years to come.

So for tradespeople who need a high-performance 18V cordless impact wrench, the Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 represents a worthwhile investment. When you consider the power, performance, and durability it delivers, the price makes sense for a tool you'll be using heavily on jobsites every day.

Conclusion

The Milwaukee M18 ONEIWF38-0 is a powerful and versatile impact wrench that performs well for automotive and construction applications. It offers impressive torque and speed to make quick work of driving and removing fasteners. The Fuel brushless motor delivers efficient power with less noise and vibration compared to brushed motors.

The compact and lightweight design provides good ergonomics for extended use. The friction ring allows easy one-handed bit changes. Battery life is decent, providing up to 150 3/8" lag bolt driving per charge with an XC 5.0 battery. While it doesn't have the best runtime, the rapid charger helps replenish the battery quickly.

The Milwaukee ONE-KEY app integration gives users digital torque control and custom drive control features for advanced precision and accuracy. This makes the tool suitable for more applications compared to standard impact wrenches lacking electronic control.

Overall, the M18 Fuel impact wrench is a high-quality, high-performance cordless tool. It's ideal for automotive mechanics, construction workers, DIYers, and other professionals needing a powerful fastening solution. The brushless motor, compact design, and ONE-KEY features make this a great choice in the 18V class of impact wrenches.

Some downsides are the lower runtime compared to models with higher battery capacity, and the high initial price - though Milwaukee's quality helps justify the cost for regular users. This model lacks an LED light which can be useful when working in dim areas.

For those needing an 18V cordless impact wrench with excellent torque, speed, and innovative features, the M18 Fuel ONEIWF38-0 is a leading choice to consider. It combines Milwaukee's latest technology with proven performance and durability.