Home Depot has kicked off their early Black Friday 2021 promos with several Milwaukee cordless power tool deals, including this M12 FUEL impact driver kit special buy, model 2553-21.
This was a popular deal last year and for Father’s Day, and given how many people have mentioned it again this week, I bet it’ll sell just as well this holiday season.
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This is a great impact and a very good price, and so I’m not surprised that so many people are interested in it.
This impact delivers up to 1300 in-lbs and also has a 4-mode drive control setting so that can dial down the speed and torque if needed.
The kit comes with an M12 charger, 2.0Ah battery, and carrying case.
Special Buy: $99
Update: It appears that other retailers are also offering this deal:
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If you’re interested in a different Milwaukee cordless impact driver, there are a couple of other promos going on right now.
See Also:
Milwaukee M18 Brushless Impact Driver Kit: $99
Milwaukee M12 Drill & Impact Driver Combo: $99
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Sammy
I heard the one’s with the drive control don’t have a actuator in the switch. Is that right? I like being able to control the speed with the trigger.
Stuart
That is incorrect.
This particular model has 4 speed ranges:
In the regular 3 modes, you get full control with the variable speed trigger. The different modes just narrow or broaden the max speed range.
In the self-tapping mode, the tool starts off with variable speed up to full speed until the fastener starts to cut threads, at which time the speed ceiling automatically dials back to provide for better control.
I don’t have the impact readily available, and so I grabbed the SURGE, which has similar 4-mode drive control, and can confirm that you get variable speed trigger control in each mode.
You don’t get a lot of resolution/steps, but the different speed settings make up for it.
Russ
I think the 4-in-1 Installation Drill/Driver behaves like you describe. That was one of the reasons I am not buying it. Plus I already have a Bosch FlexiClick from an Amazon deal a few years ago; it is a nice problem solver.
Some Guy
My m12 installation driver definitely has a variable speed trigger.
Aaron SD
What’s the difference between M12 Fuel and M12 Surge? Do these have overlapping products or similar to the yellow Atomic series? Thanks!
Stuart
It’s mainly about noise. There are on-paper differences, but performance should be comparable. The M12 Fuel Surge is meant to perform like the M18, and so it might perform better than the M12 Fuel impact. I don’t recall doing any direct application speed comparisons.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-m12-surge-hydraulic-impact-driver-5-reasons-to-buy-it/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
The Surge costs more and is quieter because it has a very different style of drive mechanism.
Are you asking me to compare the M12 Fuel impact to the Dewalt 20V Max Atomic series, or did you mean the Xtreme 12V Max series?
Cross-brand overlap with this model? Yes. With the Surge? No.
Aaron SD
Thanks for the quick reply. Mainly to see which is the best of the M12. Would either work across all M12 and is this more about the tool than the battery? If just the tool, and the battery is common, then the comparison would be to the Dewalt 12V xtreme (which I think was done earlier).
Thanks for all the great info and especially now as we are ramping up to the busy season!
TonyT
I can’t find a chart now, but I believe that impact drivers impart a higher, more sudden impact, while the oil impact drivers have a lower, but more longer impact.
Here’s the best I could find: an illustration of each type’s cycle:
https://www.woodmagazine.com/tool-reviews/drills-drivers/oil-pulse-impact-drivers-0
Stuart
Yes, that’s an accurate way to put it.
Oil impulse drivers’ application performance should be comparable to that of impact drivers, depending on brand and model.
Albert
Will the oil eventually leak out of the hydraulic mechanism? I imagine there are several seals, valves, and who knows what else. I have a regular impact and am thinking about getting a Surge, but am concerned about longevity. I would love to not wear ear protection, but I still have to for my other tools so the problem is still there.
Stuart
They shouldn’t require any maintenance, and I don’t remember ever hearing any stories about leaking.
I’ve heard about problems with cordless nailers that have air pistons, but nothing about oil impulse drivers.
The M18 Surge has been around for longer than the M12, and other brands have had similar tools for even longer, and so far I don’t see any pattern of complaints.
Jeremiah Ducate
Ive had an m18 surge since their early days and would heartily recommend it. No extra maintenance, I beat it up just like my other tools. Ive got an m18 fuel impact too but almost never use it. I want to get an12 surge but its not in the cards currently.
AttachMount
I picked this up today at HD after shopping around a bit. Yeah, this is a good deal. I wanted something compact and lighter than my Dewalt 20v. I intend to store in vehicle, take with in a tool tote or tuck into my tool belt. It meets these requirements and seems just a powerful as my 20v. Love the m12 platform.
Adam
Not a deal in my book. More than half of the $179 deal where you get the drill & additional 4ah. Usually the drill will sell for more than the impact (aftermarket at least). You can pick up a m12 charger for $10. I’d get the kit, and split.
Also get a much better bag, than the “case” that comes with the single tool.
Joellikestools
I like the m12 screwdrivers for $69. I got one a couple years ago for 59$ iirc. It has been amazing for repetitive work with machine screws.
Aaron S
thats another favorite of mine too. small, quiet, hex chuck. perfect for doorknobs and cabinets
IronWood
I got one of those for light duty cabinet hardware, electrical devices and boxes, etc. It’s very good for the price. I always find the Milwaukee belt clips to be shaped wrong so they hang weird and the M12 handles tend to be a little too big for my hands. But for a compact $60 driver it’s outstanding.
Dave P
Those are very good.
I have several of them and they are quite strong. Off the top of my head, I believe they are rated about as strong as the non-fuel M-18’s but there is still a difference–the old M-18 is way faster driving long screws although it’s heavier and bulkier. This one is compact and hard to beat, although if my surges are still available, I always grab one of them. MUCH MUCH quieter, especially if driving screws through steel siding or any other “noisy” application.
That’s a good buy and the 2.0 batt is of course better than the old 1.5’s that they always used to include.
JoeM
Ummm…. Is it Stolen? Or is it operating above 30 C? Then, yeah… Hot…
Otherwise… I believe the word you’re looking for is just “Milwaukee”… It’s… Well within expectations from the company, as far as I can tell… If you love Milwaukee, this will also be loved… I… Don’t know what else needs saying about it…
DeWALT fanatics won’t like it? I dunno. Once a company reaches the levels of trust and reliability that Team Red and Team Yellow have, I’m not sure there’s any real surprise left when they release something, or it gets put on sale. It’s a bit like a critique of the popularity of toilet seats, isn’t it? The proof is there, whether you sit on the seat or not, you know what you’re getting, usually.
Shane
Maybe it’s just my perception but my m12 surge “feels” like an upgrade over my fuel. A few months after I bought it I “lost” it on a job and had to recommission my fuel. I replaced the surge within a week. The noise reduction and attenuated harshness of the anvil strike just make it a more enjoyable tool to use.