I recently got a Milwaukee M12 stubby 1/2" impact wrench that comes with two XC 3.0 batteries. I plan to use it for breaking lug nuts regularly and possibly for brake jobs. Is the XC 3.0 battery adequate for this task, or should I consider returning it for a better option? If so, what would you recommend? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
If you have the 2nd gen model, I’d advise getting the 5.0 high output battery. It makes a huge difference. For the 1st gen, though, a 4Ah or even a 6Ah should do the trick without breaking the bank.
The 2.5 battery surprisingly holds up well for lug nuts and other bolts. It might sound underpowered, but it gets the job done for most tasks. However, if you don’t think you’ll ever need the XC 5.0 features, maybe consider sticking with your current setup until you truly need an upgrade. Check out some comparison videos online to see how different batteries perform!
I’ve used the XC 3.0 for lug nuts, and while it works, I had to really put some effort into it. If you're torquing to 150 ft-lbs, it can drain the battery pretty quickly. I switched to a 5Ah, and it definitely speeds things up, but for lots of lug work, you might want to think about moving up to an 18V tool like a DeWalt.
Yeah, the 2.5 can handle more than you’d think! Just be sure to check out some torque tests online, like the ones from the Torque Test Channel. They really help illustrate how each battery stacks up!