I'm looking to use the M12 Fuel Drill (3404-21) for some car repairs here in the rust belt, specifically for extracting broken or rounded bolts. Do you think the M12 is powerful enough for that, or should I consider moving up to an M18?
4 Answers
While the drill is fine for drilling, I’ve discovered that impact tools do a lot better at removing rusted or stubborn bolts. Ever since I got my 1/2” M12 Gen1 Stubby impact, my M18 has just been collecting dust in the toolbox. The 12V can manage just about anything I throw at it, so I’d say give it a shot!
Honestly, for extracting those pesky broken bolts, an impact driver or wrench would be a better bet. The drill can do some drilling, sure, but when it comes to fastening or really getting those bolts off, impact tools shine more.
What kinds of bolts are you typically dealing with? You might actually want to try a mix of penetrating oil and heat before drilling if you’re facing a lot of broken bolts. Around here, it’s not too common, though my son did manage to snap a caliper pin bolt once.
I hear you, but having the right tools ready is key for those rare moments when something does break. It really can be a major hassle!
If your goal is to drill into a bolt to use an extractor, the M12 can handle that. But if you’re aiming to impact them off, you might want the M12 Gen2 stubby with 550 ft-lbs—it’s a powerhouse for that kind of work!
I get it, but I'm focused on extracting bolts that I messed up with my torque impact already. So, I'm definitely in need of a drill, not just an impact.