Let’s talk about the new Milwaukee M12 brushless impact driver, model 3450, which was recently announced alongside a brushless drill.
Compared to their flagship M12 Fuel model, the new Milwaukee 3450 Subcompact impact driver is less powerful and less featured, but more compact.
It looks to be a substantial upgrade compared to their brushed motor M12 impact driver.
Advertisement
The Milwaukee M12 Subcompact brushless impact driver features a stubby design with an internal metal gearcase.
It delivers up to 1100 in-lbs max torque and speeds of up to 3000 RPM and 4100 IPM.
There’s a single LED worklight below the 1/4″ hex bit quick change collet, and battery charge status indicator lights at the top of the tool.
- 1/4″ hex bit chuck
- Brushless motor
- 1,100 in-lbs max torque
- 0-3,000 RPM
- 0-4,100 IPM (impacts per minute)
- 4.3″ length, 2″ width
- Weighs 1.7 lbs with battery
Milwaukee says that the new M12 impact features the smallest size and lightest weight, and it indeed has impressively diminutive specs.
The cordless impact driver will be available in tool-only format, and kitted with 2x 2Ah batteries, a charger, and tool bag.
Price: $119 for tool-only (3450-20), $149 for the kit (3450-22)
Advertisement
You can also buy the impact driver as part of a new 2-tool combo kit for $199.
Discussion
I shared some of my thoughts so far in previous posts about the new combo kit (see Milwaukee Launched M12 Subcompact Cordless Power Tools) and M12 cordless drill (see New Milwaukee M12 Drill is Smaller and Lighter).
The new M12 cordless impact driver is positioned between the brand’s now value-focused brushed motor model, and flagship M12 Fuel model.
There doesn’t seem to be any “gotchas” in the design.
Frankly, I think the launch pricing reflects off-season pricing, and that the new impact, drill, and combo kit will be priced considerably lower during holiday shopping seasons, such as around Father’s Day or around Black Friday.
$119 for the kit seems fair, until I point out that Milwaukee’s 1-battery M18 compact brushless impact driver kit sells for $99 at regular promotional seasons every year.
At the time of this posting, Home Depot still has the M18 compact brushless kit priced at $99, and it’s been at this price for 4 months, since the holiday deals went live in late October.
The new impact driver’s smaller size and lighter weight make a compelling selling point, but most users will likely find greater appeal in saving $20 with the M18 model.
One could argue that the M12 kit comes with 2 batteries and the M18 kit just 1, but when you do the math the M12 kit comes with 43.2 Wh of energy capacity (10.8V x 2Ah x 2), and the M18 kit 36 Wh (18V x 2Ah).
I think that either we’re going to see lower promotional pricing on the new kits, or lower priced kits with a single M12 battery instead of two.
The M12 Fuel and M18 compact brushless combo kits, each with 2 batteries, were both priced at $179 over the recent holiday shopping season. I predict that the $199 price for the 2-tool Subcompact combo kit won’t be set in stone.
Its brushless motor, performance specs, and compact design position the 3450 impact as a mid-range model. It lacks features found in the more premium M12 Fuel model, most notably multiple speed or operating modes, and it has a more simplified LED light, rather than multiple LEDs or a ring.
Why Buy this Impact Driver?
Smaller size and lighter weight, which is especially advantageous when working overhead.
Why Avoid it?
1,100 in-lbs max torque seems respectable for a compact impact driver, but don’t expect to drive or remove larger and longer fasteners as quickly as with more powerful tools.
While the impact has a variable speed trigger switch, it lacks the speed and torque settings of the more premium M12 Fuel model. Thus, if you want the speed ceiling reduced, you’ll have to control your finger pressure.
The impact seems plenty fast and powerful enough to strip out smaller fasteners if you’re not careful.
It also lacks special modes.
The M12 Fuel model (available at Home Depot and elsewhere), has a 4-mode drive control button which allows users to select between 3 max speed settings, plus a self-tapping mode where the tool drives at full speed before slowing down when the screw starts to cut threads and encounters resistance.
If you think the speed settings or self-tapping screw might come in handy, this might not be the best model for your needs.
Jared
I think this version makes a lot of sense – the brushed version seems a bit dated and the FUEL version is expensive and more substantial. If I was buying a 12v impact, this is what I would choose.
That said, I could also see this just replacing their brushed impact. Does Milwaukee need three M12 impacts?
That follows the 18v product roadmap, but the differences (price, size, power) seem less substantial in the 12v category and most people gravitate to 18v tools. Milwaukee probably knows better than me though.
Stuart
I think the M12 brushed model might remain for a while longer, as it’s typically included in value-priced combo kits that tend to be seasonally popular, such as this 4pc combo kit at Home Depot. The same is true for the M18 brushed motor tools.
Saulac
The end (black cap) looks to be flat could make it easier for mods such as attaching bubble level or clap. With power tools getting this small and light…would chest carrying become a thing?
S
I’m glad to see they’re keeping the integrated hammer option on the rear plate in this impact as well. Has come in handy more than once.
Harry
I want to hold one to see exactly how small it is. My favorite tiny impact driver is on its last leg. It’s an old snap on 7.2 volt model that’s really small. It’s outstanding for under dash stuff & trim work.
Eric
The pricing just makes no sense to me, especially as a combo with the drill. The M12 Fuel kit is regularly $229 and the bigger battery that it comes with makes up that $30 price difference. So even without promo pricing it’s basically a wash. And the M12 Fuel Drill and Impact kit is basically always on promo with either a free battery or tool. So the only reason this Impact and drill might be compelling is if being slightly smaller and lighter was very important to you.
Stuart
The M12 Fuel is occasionally $199 or less. Acme Tools has that combo for $229 with an XC HO 5Ah battery right now.
Don’t get hung up on the price yet. Milwaukee tends to be very strategic regarding how they price and position everything, and so I’m sure it’ll make sense.
There’s no precedent by which to make reliable predictions. At this time, I think there are equal chances that we’ll see lower pricing or lower priced single battery kits, and a slim chance of things going differently.
Lance
Stuart, my prediction is the Fuel kits will start shipping with the 2.5 and 5.0 HO batteries at a higher price, putting the new brushless offerings roughly where the Fuel units used to be.
M12 Fuel prices are getting insane, especially when compared to M18 products which offer more of everything except the compact size.
Stuart
Perhaps, but only if they launch new M12 Fuel tools. Milwaukee very rarely updates kits mid-cycle, but they have a history of promotional SKUs and promotional pricing.
Leo B.
I could see this being nice for flat work, if you use screws vs duplex nails. Usually you’re just using 2” screws, maybe 3” at the corners. Nice and light, fits in tight spots, drops into your bags pretty well. I don’t form enough to get one to try specifically for that purpose, but may be worth a try for someone who’s doing it all day.
Matthew Rousseau
The 3453 m 12 impact can be found all over the place for around $ 80.00 new. Those 3450 is only fractionally smaller and lighter and is $120.00 . Makes no sense
Stuart
At this time, the 3453-20 M12 Fuel impact driver is $139 at authorized retailers. Sure, you can find it for $80, but only from 3rd party sellers and resellers at online marketplaces.
CMF
I see so many specs and numbers, I just do not know what is what, anymore.
I have a first gen M12 impact driver, before Fuel existed, and I like it very much. Compact and light is nice. Yet, it can do just about anything. Like Stuart mentioned, if I was making a deck, driving 100’s of 3 1/2″ screws, it certainly would take longer than an 18v, but it could certainly do it (provided you have enough batteries). keep in mind this is an older brushed M12, so newer tech and if it is brushless, should do quite well.
I also have the 1st gen 3/8″ Fuel M12 impact wrench; this is a beast, yet compact and light also.
I have tons of 18v tools, yet these M12 tools can do the job very well. Either for price (too close to M18) or smaller size, people should never dismiss the M12 line
CMF
In short, don’t split hairs because of pricing, M12 are better than just adequate.
Nicholas Brown
If the kit goes on sale for a reasonable price, say around $150, I’ll likely pick it up to toss in the bag I keep in my truck all the time to have it handy. I’ve got the brushed set in there now and the smaller footprint would be welcome. Won’t replace the fuel set in the shop though.
MKY
Stuart –
“… but when you do the math the M12 kit comes with 43.2 Wh of energy capacity (10.8V x 2Ah x 2), and the ***M12*** kit 36 Wh (18V x 2Ah).”
Stuart
Thanks, *fixed*!
Andy
Saw this in person at Home Depot recently, and it’s noticeably slimmer than the M12 Fuel driver next to it.
If the pricing hits a good spot in between the Fuel and brushed models, I think this is a slam dunk for 90% of what a typical homeowner would need.
Stuart
Are you sure? It’s not out for another 2 months.
Val
Lol.. Andy sounds like a bot or a Milwaukee rep..
Andy
I’m neither, just a regular guy.
Andy
I was fairly confident, but now I’m not sure. I’ll have to check the model numbers on the display next time I’m in the store.
ElectroAtletico
Perfect size, perfect prize for an electrician.
eddiesky
I wish DeWalt would take a lesson here, and make a “sub-Atomic” line of drill, drivers. Put the Gyroscopic 8v Battery in a smaller driver. Perfect for small assembly work and tight spaces. Think something like the Atomic 12v, but grip like the Gyro. Doesn’t need to have too much torque to strip bolts but enough power to install/remove hundreds of fasteners.
Stuart
I think their proven reluctance to expand the 12V line is telling.