Milwaukee’s new FUEL M18 impact driver is the latest edition to their line of 18V brushless cordless tools. The new 2653 impact driver features the latest and greatest impact technology in a compact and lightweight package.
The FUEL lineup of brushless cordless tools initially launched with just a heavy-duty drill driver and a heavy-duty hammer drill, and will soon be expanded to include M12 drills, drivers, and wrenches. Two 18V impact wrenches have been announced, but all we know about them is that they’re “coming soon.”
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Milwaukee’s FUEL impact driver faces strong competition from Dewalt’s brushless impact driver, and after testing out both, we’re still undecided about which is the best buy.
Features and Specs
- 3 settings for electronic speed and torque control: 200 in-lbs/0-850 RPM, 700 in-lbs/0-2100 RPM, 1600 in-lbs/0-2900 RPM
- 5-1/2″ length, 3.0 lbs with battery
- 1600 in-lbs max torque, 0-2900 RPM/0-3600 IPM
- 1/4″ hex chuck accepts standard power bits
- on-board fuel gauge
- LED work light
- removable belt clip
- 2653-22CT kit comes with two compact 1.5Ah batteries
- 2543-22 kit comes with two XC 3.0Ah batteries
- both kits come with quick M12/M18 multi-voltage charger
The M18 FUEL impact driver kit is available now with a list price of $280.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
If you’re wondering what this brushless business is all about, check out our primer: Power Tool Tech: All About Brushless Motors.
Jerry
Just a question about brushless tools in general. Is it easier to make a brushless tool more compact front to rear, when there is no need for the brush assembly at the back of the motor, or does there still need to be some sort of controller back there? The images I see look as though the body of brushless tools are shorter, and was wondering if that was due to the nature of brushless motors, or if tool makers found a way to make the drivetrain more compact.
Stuart
The removal of brushes may be part of it, but there look to be other factors involved. Many manufacturers have been making more and more compact versions of their tools recently in response to pro and consumer demands. My guess is that the new Milwaukee drills and drivers would be more compact even if designed with brushed motors.
Monte
I guess the necessary electronics/controller are placed in the handle and the motor itself is shorter.
Wayne Burgess
Before everyone gets too exited about Brushless and the Dewalt v Milwaukee battle.
Just remember there are 4 pole drills out there with more power than them both e.g Metabo L.T.X.
And not all Brushless are created equal.
Dewalt will quote megga run time.
Milwaukee will quote megga performance.
Metabo offer a 4ah Battery. (Dewalt will make one soon)
But the Metabo tool has more torque.
Just have a good look and a think folks before you buy.
I did and I bought Metabo 🙂
Taras
The Metabo LTX 200 1/4″ impact has less power than the Milwaukee brushless. It only puts out 150 Nm of torque which translates to roughly 1300 in/lbs of torque. In fact the Milwaukee beats it in all the performance specs listed on Metabo’s website.
http://www.metabo.com/Product-catalogue-handheld-powertools.24048+M59e21cced76.0.html
xisarrowix
I am a real fan of both milwaukee fuel and deiswalt 20v max now my question is witch has the smaller head? Dewalt is bringing in 5 1/4″ what size is themilwaukee?
chris k
Anybody see a head on comparison between this Milwaukee and the Makita lxdt01 brush less impact?
James
I agree with Metabo, they’ve got torque. But I can’t knock Milwaulkee, the 18 volt drills are pretty hard to beat with a 3.0 batt. then add a 4.0 ah battery well I’m not sure if the Metabo’s will beat, if they can not by much!
LXDT06Z this is Makita’s most powerful Impact driver. Makita is releasing 4.0 ah batteries very soon. It may be able to take out the Milwaukee 2653-22CT M18 Fuel with the new battery…
James
The Milwaukee M18 1/4″ hex impact I’m looking at has two 4.0 xc batteries, not 3.0 ah…