I'm just a weekend mechanic working from my driveway, and I mainly use an M12 1/4" impact driver. It has worked wonders for almost every stubborn bolt, and I love how it performs with 3/8 and 1/2 inch adapters. Recently, I've been eyeing the Gen 3 M12 stubby impact wrench to upgrade from a driver to a wrench, especially since the smaller profile would really help in tight spaces.
Most of my sockets are 3/8 drive, but I've noticed that the wrench only comes with a friction ring, which doesn't seem to hold the sockets as securely as I'd like. My current driver works well with pin detent adapters that keep the sockets in place.
So my question is, does a 3/8 anvil with a pin detent exist? If it does, can I swap it into the new wrench if I decide to get one? Or should I just buy the 1/2 drive with the pin and get new sockets instead?
4 Answers
A good hog ring should work just fine too. If you’re having problems with sockets falling off, it might mean the sockets or the ring are worn down. I’ve got an M18 3/8, and my sockets fit super tight.
If your 3/8 sockets are sliding off the friction ring, something might be off with either the sockets or the ring itself. They should grip just fine!
You might not even need a stubby impact wrench just yet. If it's about sockets not falling off, how many nuts and bolts are you tackling in your driveway jobs anyway?
The pin detent can be a bit tricky, which is why many wrenches use rings. But honestly, I haven't faced issues with sockets coming off; and if you do, Milwaukee does sell replacement rings.
I wonder if he's using chrome sockets? I've heard that chrome and certain brands of impact sockets don't hold up very well.