Milwaukee M12 FUEL Stubby Impact Wrenches in 1/2' 3/8' & 1/4' Anvils For Tight Spaces

Stubby Cordless Impact - Milwaukee Tool has a new line of small M12 impact wrenches that Milwaukee claims are the "industry’s first cordless stubby impacts" and also "the most compact cordless impact wrenches on the market".  The new FUEL M12 impact wrenches are very small, lightweight and powerful.  Full specifications for the 1/4", 3/8” and 1/2" models are listed below.

The new stubby impact wrenches are designed to replace pneumatic stubby impacts.  Cordless units have no hoses and no maintenance and provide close to the same performance.  Like other FUEL models, the M12 FUEL Stubby Impact wrenches are powered by Milwaukee Tool's POWERSTATE Brushless Motors along with the REDLINK Intelligence system to protect the battery and tool.  Each impact wrench model has a four-mode DRIVE CONTROL feature with the 4th featuring an Auto-Shut-Off Mode to prevent over-fastening of bolts.

Models & Specs
M12 FUEL 1/2” Stubby Impact Wrench (2555-20) 
250 ft-lbs Breakaway Torque
RPM: 1,200; 1,800; 2,700; 1,500 – 2,700
IPM: 1,100; 2,100; 3,200
4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL
Length: 4.9”
Height: 7”
Width: 2.4”
Weight (w/ XC4.0 battery): 2.93 lbs
M12 FUEL 3/8” Stubby Impact Wrench (2554-20)
250 ft-lbs Breakaway Torque
RPM: 1,200; 1,800; 2,700; 1,500 – 2,700
IPM: 1,100; 2,100; 3,200
4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL
Length: 4.8”
Height: 7”
Width: 2.4”
Weight (w/ XC4.0 battery): 2.92 lbs
M12 FUEL 1/4" Stubby Impact Wrench (2552-20)
100 ft-lbs Breakaway Torque
RPM: 1,300; 1,900; 3,200; 1,500 – 3,200
IPM: 1,300; 2,000; 4,300
4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL
Length: 5.1”
Height: 6.75”
Width: 2.25”
Weight (w/ XC4.0 battery): 2.0 lbs
Long-Term Use
These small and very ergonomic impacts are our new go-to tool for small tasks.  The M12 line has a slightly larger handle because the battery fits connect in the handle, but these tools fit our hands well and they are nicely balanced.  While it would be nice to see the fuel gauge on the battery, the Milwaukee M12 line has them on the tool.  This forces us to make sure the batteries are charged after each use.

The drive control is changed on the top of these units and is lit up by a light.  When you pull the variable speed trigger, the light turns on for a few seconds letting you know what mode you are in.  To change modes, you just push the button and the other mode will light up.  This did cause us a bit of confusion when we first started using them as we were switching them back and forth and when the next guy picked up the tool, he did not know what mode they were in.  While the drive control mode is cool looking, the long term question is when that area gets dirty or the cover on the button cracks, will it work as well.  I would much rather see a simple switch so one could visually see what mode they are in at all times.  There are times where we enjoy technology in tools and other times where we just want simple and reliable, in this case, if we had a choice, we would opt for a switch rather than a button for drive control.

On the other hand, these drive control buttons open up the door for Milwaukee to adapt their new ONE-KEY technology for these tools in the future.

If you think 12 volt tools cannot provide the power and run time you need, we suggest you try some out.  These days, they have improved and can be a great player in the market.  There is not a huge gamble on the tools as it is backed with Milwaukee's tool warranty for 5 years and the battery is backed for 2 years.

[Saitama_]

I love how calmly you two talk. I definitely prefer it over being yelled at for "hype"

[messidub]

I picked up the 3/8” and the Tekton impact sockets, have changed the way I work. Thanks for great honest content, keep it up!

[MrSupernova]

I really appreciate you guys talking about realistic use of these tools for DIYers, especially, because many people get these pretty tools, get carried away, and start breaking stuff or realize they never use them to full power. Really great review guys! Cheers!

And yeah, I think a lot of hard asses are going to use their chrome sockets with these power tools no matter what you tell them then come back and complain about broken sockets. Some people can't be helped. Me, I like to buy good quality tools that will last me a lifetime so no, I will never use a chrome socket, extension or adapter with a power tool.

[zrtrackerjoe]

Been using this in an industrial setting. The drive modes are fantastic for using the 3/8 on lighter duty tasks and stainless fasteners and parts and yet still has the power for when it is needed. I highly recommend the boot for it to protect it. It pairs well with my grey pnumatic sockets

[robd]

Before I got impact sockets, I tried using regular sockets a couple of times (I have a 1/2" Ryobi impact wrench). With only one or two uses, the socket's receiver was already getting damaged, and these weren't cheapo chrome sockets either. I bought an inexpensive set of impact sockets (my impact wrench use is limited) and so far there's been no damage to the socket or the tool's anvil. Lastly, I want to give props to the Ryobi impact wrench. For a non-professional user, this thing has plenty of power. It's not a compact tool, but it's not huge either. I watched workshop addicts' Ryobi video which helped me with the buying decision. Thanks fellas!

[jimbrausky]

I was planning using the stubby with my regular sockets. You saved my set. I rather buy a whole set of impacts. Also, I rather buy the half inch since most impacts are available in that size.

[niradz]

Just ordered one, thanks for mentioning the extensions, especially the impact rated ones. I wouldn't have thought of that on the front end, so now I can get the right extensions for the job!

[Questchaun]

Milwaukees 3/8 ratchet is amazing is an absolute must have.

[ftlaud]

Koon trucking did a review and it did break loose 260ft/lb on a big rig using 3/4 socket with adapter. Love the power in such a small size. Great tool!!

[williamdon]

This little guy works wonders. You don’t need a big hulk of a impact, I mean it depends what the task calls for. For under the hood this is perfect. I’m just a diy guy. It doesn’t see a whole lot of action. Now when I think of fixing something it gives me the confidence knowing something won’t take as long

[Gyppor]

I have the brushless, non-fuel 1/4" impact driver. I only has 133 ft-lbs of torque but I've I've used it for years to remove lug nuts off our 2 cars, they both get torqued to 75 ft-lbs and they come off easy. I have a 400ft-lb corded impact that almost never gets used. These little impact tools are great! I use mine with impact sockets on lug nuts but for smaller stuff like 12-13-14mm bolts that don't require full power I will use the regular sockets.

[TrueNomadSkies]

This is one of my favourite tools. The weight balance and weight itself is great, and being small means it'll fit in and around places. Impact grade sockets obviously rob less torque, so I'll save the chrome ones for hand tools where being a little skinnier helps, and when they won't explode on me. Really wish this was around some years ago when I worked in manufacturing facilities and so much time was wasted dragging air lines around.

[briancnc]

Great review. I was just realizing today changing brakes with difficult caliper fasteners that my corded impact just doesn't cut it for most things other than lug nuts. it is truly incredible how powerful these impacts are for how small they are, especially with the latest m12/m18 generation.

[ktkawaguchi]

Since this is a stubby impact driver, i got stubby sockets too. As an example look for Astro 78314 Low Profile Nano (that part number is metric 3/8 drive). The square drive end has 17 mm external hex so it can satisfy the hand tool guys when teamed up with a 17mm flex head ratcheting box end (i have both regular and stubby). The hex end has a groove to accept small rubber bands (othodontist brace bands work great) to make a friction fit inside a box end wrench. If things are really tight, the hex end used with a wrench basically gets rid of the thickness of a ratchet.

[shauncatlett]

I use impact sockets, but I have used chrome sockets on this unit plus the high torque as a last resort when I didn't have the impact socket available and couldn't get a breaker bar in the work area.

[justind]

Everybody that watches these type of videos have a tool that can easily pop off lugs. The appeal of these tools is the stubby factor. Show us something something these can do that something you might already have cannot. Love you guys, but I was really waiting for you to convince me that I need this tool. Might buy one anyway because, new tools.. 😂

[sierratrey]

I have the 1/4” stubby m12 impact. I freaking love that thing. I got a great deal at HD. The wrench, 2 m12 batteries, the single charger in a bag for $179. Milwaukee tools are becoming the leader of the pack. The thing that sucks is not being able to find enough things to use it for. Btw they make an awesome small portable tire inflator for the m12 line. I highly recommend checking it out.

[ih]

Gonna have to check out that 1/2” drive stubby. That would be super handy around the farm and a nice complement to the m12 3/8” impact I already have.

[musicman]

I have several Milwaukee impacts, although not the stubby ones yet. I have an M12 1/4” hex Impact Driver and a couple of M18 3/8” impacts. I have a 1/2” drive high torque on back order. I’m glad to see you guys back me up on using the black chrome moly impact sockets. I thought maybe I was just being old school about it, but that’s all I use with my impacts.

[jackbrady]

I bought a mid torque m18 impact a few months back that I use for working on my car and I absolutely love it, and I'm thinking about buying a stubby to keep in my car for emergency situations