Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel Surge is a hydraulic impulse driver. It’s does the same type of work as other cordless impact drivers, but is quieter.
Right now, Acme Tools has this 2-battery kit on sale for $179.
If you use the TOOLGUYD coupon, which is good for one use per customer every 30 days, you’ll save another $10, which takes care of the shipping fee. Or, get your order total over $199 and you’ll get free ground shipping.
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Should you get the SURGE? Yes.
I particularly like Milwaukee’s Surge hydraulic impact drivers for working in cabinets or other types of spaces that tend to amplify noise.
This deal went live on Black Friday, and it’s unclear how long it will last.
If you miss out, there will be other Surge deals, usually in the form of a bundle with a battery or similar. Deals on kits like this are less frequent.
As with other M18 Fuel cordless power tools, the Surge features a brushless motor.
Don’t let the 450 in-lbs max torque spec scare you. The Surge transmits power in a different manner than traditional impact drivers, making for an apples to oranges comparison.
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colin
My favorite day to day driver. Smooth and isn’t jarringly loud like most.
It doesn’t set ledger locks or similar larger fasteners well, but I’ve still got my regular impact and a set of earplugs for those.
Pretty good deal but those 2.0 batteries are kind of weak.
Stuart
Impact drivers aren’t very demanding tools. I spoke to a Milwaukee engineer a few years ago, and they told me that stepping up to an XC battery such as 5Ah won’t deliver any performance gains. The only benefit is in runtime, but a smaller battery isn’t without its own benefits, such as with respect to weight.
neandrewthal
Torque Test Channel on Youtube did a test specifically to prove this, but they did find a little increase in power, up to 15% from an XC5.0 to 6.0 with 21700 cells. I wonder how the 2.0 packs compare.
Jeremiah McKenna
It isn’t an increase in power. All you will ever get out of an 18 volt battery is 18 volts.
Where an increase in Amp (pushers) hours(time) is represented is in gow long the tool will work at optimum performance.
Imagine if you will, you have a huge log. That log needs to be moved. So, you hore 3 equally sized and strength men to move the log. It takes these men 5 minutes to move the log 5 feet in the beginning and then 6 minutes per 5 ft. and they can only move the log 50 feet before becoming tired and needing to rest. But if you were to hire 3 more men of equal size and strength they can now move the log 5ft/5min for fifteen minutes, but can now move the log 150 feet before becoming tired.
The more amp hours you add, the longer that tool will perform at its max performance level of 20 volts, then reducing to 18 volts to continue the job. All Milwaukee batteries are 18 volt nominal while 20 maximum.
MM
Power is not voltage alone, it is defined as voltage x current. Watts = Volts x Amps. If you compare a 2.0ah battery with a 6.0ah battery they will both be 18 volts (nominal), but the latter will be capable of delivering more current (amps). However, just because the larger battery is capable of delivering more current doesn’t mean that the motor in the tool demands it. In the case of an impact driver the difference is relatively small, in this case only 15%, but if you were to try that same test with a more power demanding tool like a circular saw or an angle grinder then you’d see a lot bigger difference between small and large battery packs.
Mr B
I thought when you go from a single stack battery to a double stack the internal resistance of the pack is halved. Less resistance more current flow. Of course the internal resistance of the battery is just part of the circuit, the motor and control resistance factors in. My understanding is that is why they get more power from tabless cells.
Stuart
This is not accurate.
No. The power demand from each cell is what’s halved. Internal resistance can be affected, as it can be dependent on power draw and temperature conditions, but it’s a fundamental property of each cell.
neandrewthal
“It isn’t an increase in power. All you will ever get out of an 18 volt battery is 18 volts.”
In reality it’s much, much more complicated than that.
Andy
Just bought a M12 Surge and can’t believe how much quieter it is than the Gen 2 M12 Fuel Impact I have. It’s something you have to hear to believe.
I use the M12 Fuel impact for nearly everything because it’s lighter, more compact and offers plenty of run time. I have an M18 impact if I need more power for longer fasteners. So for me, the M12 surge was more appealing than the M18, but in a perfect world I’d have both!
OldDominionDIYer
. . . and I believe the M12 has the same torque rating as the M18! I have one too, and love it! Quiet, light weight, powerful and pretty compact!
Joellikestools
The M12 is the same torque the advantage to the M18 is that it has higher RPMs so can fasten more quickly. I have bought both. I ended up gifting the M18 and buying an M12 since I prefer its size and grip.
James+C
I have the m18. I love it but I’d much rather have the m12. I was waiting a long time for the m12, broke down and bought the m18, then I think a month later they announced the m12’s release.
Rog
What’s the decibel level on this compared to others on the market, namely the Makita.
Joellikestools
Harder to answer without model numbers since Makita has so many drivers. Makita does offer and oil impulse model, XST01Z, it says it has a 30% noise reduction on their website. I did not see any decibel specs. Keep in mind that decibels sound is not linear and there is a drastic difference between 70 and 80 in actual usage. Makita is the only non TTI brand I know of that offers an oil pulse driver. I have used both the brushed m12 impact and the surge and the noise difference is substantial. To where I can use the Surge in the house for projects while the kids are napping.
Rog
I was referring to Makita’s oil impulse, I should have been more clear. Thanks!
Aaron
I have 2 M18 Surge’s and 1 Makita 18v oil impulse. The Makita is slightly quiter driving small wood screws (#6 1″) but it isn’t that noticeable of a difference. The Surge is substantially quieter driving ¼” and ⅜” GRK’s of any length and has noticeably more power than the Makita. The Surge is also smoother and has a much more refined trigger. The point where they are both the same speed is #8 2″ deck screws and the Surge is slightly quieter. This is with 5.0 AH batteries on each. The 2.0 does lose a bit of power on the Surge. I haven’t really used the 6.0 HO or 8.0 HO as they make it feel unbalanced. I have some CP3.0 and some Forge 6.0 batteries coming and I’m curious as to whether there will be any noticeable power differences.
The reverse/forward switch also sits flush when all the way in either position on the Surge where as on the Makita it sticks proud which is more uncomfortable when using it all day. The Surge is by far my favourite and most used ¼ driver. So quiet in cabinet carcasses or around metal ducting and has more than enough power for most fasteners I use. I switch to an impact wrench if I need more and actually sold my standard impact drivers. I use my Surge’s almost daily on the job site. My Makita is now on home duty.
Brad
I was really disappointed when the pulse drivers didn’t really take off. Still contemplating buying a Ridgid Stealth.
Joellikestools
I think the stealth was discontinued unfortunately.
Kris Petrie
I just grabbed one as the free tool with battery pack from HD earlier this week (on the work account). I’m really considering getting one for myself at home.
Gabe
Thanks to your coverage Stuart I picked up the M12 Surge a few weeks back. Home Depot deal of the day was $130 for bare tool and a battery which is the best deal I’ve seen on it. It’s as quiet as a screwdriver when you don’t need much torque.
Aaron
Any info as to whether milwaukee will be coming out with a Gen 2 M18 Surge?
Stuart
Not so much as a whisper yet.
Aaron
That sucks. I’ve been hoping for a gen 2 now for 5 years. Haha. Maybe 600 in/lbs of power, tri-ring LED, same noise level or even quieter would be awesome, same length is fine as I’ve never wished it was shorter, same weight and ergonomics are fine too. The ¼” impact driver definitely seems more popular and gets frequently updated because of it I imagine. It’s really a shame that the Surge doesn’t get more notice, probably because of the “weak” 450in/lbs number that most people probably look at without realizing that most everyday fasteners don’t require that much torque to drive and with more sustained torque you don’t lose much speed of driving in the real world. The smoothness and quietness is well worth the switch to these hydraulic drivers IMHO.
I wish I knew someone high up at Milwaukee to push a Gen 2 M18 surge. Even the M12 surge has 450in/lbs of torque matching the M18 version (albeit doesn’t drive screws quite as fast as the M18) so the technology advances are obviously there. Just maybe not the money.