Bosch has come out with a new 18V brushless cordless 1/2″ impact wrench, IWMH182, that they described as delivering extreme torque in a tiny package. The new IWMH182 cordless impact wrench is also described as delivering the power of a corded [air?] tool in a compact cordless package.
The press materials also encourage that you could finally ditch your air compressor.
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Okay, so first things first, let’s look at the power. This new impact is very compact-looking indeed, and delivers up to ~ 185 ft-lbs or 2213 in-lbs of torque. Bosch provided us with the 2213 in-lbs torque rating, and sales sheets mention 185 ft-lbs, which comes out to be 2220 in-lbs. I’m guessing that the ft-lbs figure is rounded up, which is okay by me.
But is this extreme torque?
We now have a whole category for brushless impact wrench coverage. If you look at some of those other previewed models, you’d see that the new Dewalt heavy duty impact delivers 700 ft-lbs of max torque (1200 ft-lbs breakaway torque), the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel second generation compact 1/2″ impact delivers 220 ft-lbs of max torque, and the new Kobalt 24V Max impact can deliver 650 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque.
But the Bosch is certainly compact than those heavy duty models, at just 6.4″ long and weighing 3.6 lbs. Although, the new 2nd gen M18 Fuel 1/2″ impacts are 6.1″ long.
I’d expect for “extreme torque” to describe a cordless impact wrench that delivers 500 ft-lbs or more. 185 ft-lbs doesn’t sound like much when you compare the new model to compared to heavy duty impacts that deliver up to 700 ft-lbs in forward-driving mode?
I do still think that Bosch certainly does still have a right to be so energetically boastful about their new brushless impact wrench. It’s reasonably powerful, and quite compact, even if it doesn’t best the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2″ impacts on paper.
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- 1/2″ square drive with detent pin
- 185 ft/lbs, 2213 in-lbs max torque
- 0-2600 RPM
- 0-3500 BPM
- 6.4″ length
- 3.6 lb weight (with battery?)
- Slim diameter handle
- Brushless motor
- 3 LED worklight
Bosch says that their new impact:
Was engineered for construction pros and auto mechanics who spend a great deal of time fastening high-torque nuts and anchors.
It was designed to tackle heavy duty fastening and anchoring task, as well as automotive applications.
In the email I received, it says that this is one of the lightest and most compact 1/2″ cordless impact wrenches out there, which I find hard to disagree with.
But in a product page for the impact, it says:
The most powerful compact tool in its class…
Which seems technically correct, but also wrong. Milwaukee’s newest M18 Fuel impact wrench is more powerful, more compact, and also offers more features – electronic speed and torque controls, plus an 4th auto shut-off mode for uniform tightening. So technically, the Bosch and Milwaukee impacts are not quite in the same class.
MSRP: $169 for the bare tool
Street Pricing: $135 for the bare tool (IWMH182B), $279 for the (2) FatPack battery kit (IWMH182-01)
I should note that the impact above is shown with a compact battery, but the impact is bundled with (2) higher capacity 4.0Ah FatPack batteries.
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I was initially confused by Bosch’s claims for their new impact, since extreme torque isn’t quite congruent with compact, and to tell you the truth, I still think their message could have been improved. Even so, 185 ft-lb is certainly respectable.
On paper, this looks to be a good choice for anyone in need of a medium-duty impact wrench in a compact package.
My experience with Bosch impact drivers and impact wrenches have been quite decent, and I don’t see any potential hesitations about this one.
The impact is described as having a 1/2″ square drive with detent pin. A detent pin is used for more secure socket retention, such as when using an impact at heights.
More precisely, the press releases says this:
1/2 in. square drive with detent pin for secure socket retention
But when I took a closer look at the product images, it looks to have a hog ring (for friction-based retention) and ball detent. I don’t think I’ve seen dual socket retention before; an impact wrench will typically have a hog ring or pin detent for socket retention, not both. Others have a 7/16″ quick-change chuck. I’ll update this post once I hear back from Bosch.
Hopefully this is the spearhead of even more Bosch brushless impact tools. I definitely want to see them match up to competitors’ premium models that have electronic speed and torque control settings. As a reminder, Bosch is also working on customizable power tools, which will hopefully include some impacts.
Nathan
make it a touch smaller – and make it a 3/8’s rig and it would make much more sense IMO.
and then compare to the dewalt or milwaukee 3/8ths. for 1/2 I would expect more – since the jobs I use 1/2 for around the car – are larger – mostly suspension.
Hang Fire
Combined with Sunex’s relatively short and slim 3/8 impact sockets, and yes this would be a winner for working in tight places (most any car nowadays).
Hang Fire
I’m sorry, but I’m keeping my air compressor. The existence of the Astro Pneumatic Nano series means 450 ft-lbs in a package smaller than this Bosch! I’m getting one in 3/8″ to match my Sunex 3/8 Master Metric impact set.
I speak from experience. I have the older brushed 110 ft-lb version of this Bosch, and it’s OK (just OK) but for taking my pickup truck lug nuts off (105 ft-lbs on, 125-175 off) it’s back to air and my 650 ft-lb IR. The battery tool is convenient for running on lug nuts on all my vehicles, because… lol… it won’t overtorque them, and I can follow-up with my torque wrench to finish.
Unfortunately the industry has decided to come up with another phantom, non-defined-in-physics term, “nut-busting torque”. It is as meaningful as 5HP air compressors and vacuums running on 110V/15A, or 1000Amp battery boosters with a 70Amp peak AGM battery inside.
Mark S.
My Ryobi can top this at 300 ft.lbs! While I love my Ryobi and would never trade it I don’t equate it with Bosch-level. This seems woefully underpowered for a 1/2″ wrench (a 3/8″ compact with these stats would be pretty darn good though).
RKA
Ditching a compressor is overstating things much like the rest of their marketing propaganda. When will they learn they lose credibility with statements like this? Leads me to question the torque figures they publish as well.
That said, I bought the red version of the same tool. I don’t need the 10 lb 12″ long variety of impact wrenches, just something that will remove a lug nut so I don’t need to fire up the compressor for quick tasks. For an axle bolt, I’ll get the big boy wrench out. It still has its purpose unless Bosch is volunteering to send someone out to remove it when their wrench can’t.
Diplomatic Immunity
Enh I guess it’s good for someone already in Bosch’s 18v platform but it really doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The Makita XWT02Z has more ft lbs of torque and is smaller. Not to mention Makita now has their heavy duty impact wrenches that are right up there with IR, Milwaukee, and Dewalt’s guns. Bosch is too slow to release products as usual. I would have expected better than this at this point.
Drew M
I’d like to see a torque vs effective RPM curve for these tools.
Dacan
Yeah where do the get their best in class nonsense.
The 2755 Fuel Compact 1/2 is 220 ft lbs and even the old brushed 2655 Compact 1/2 is 210 ft lbs. Even Fuel V1 & V2 3/8 Impacts blow away their specs.
Their marketing department probably does not include anyone who has ever used a tool or is familiar with their competitors.
John
Don’t forget about impact drivers with socket retaining rings like:
http://www.impacttools.com.au/page17/files/blocks_image_8_1.png
But you do make a good point that is rather odd to see both a friction (hog) ring and detent pin.
If you watch their product video for the IWMH182
https://youtu.be/AOzpOz9R-2Q
they describe it as a:
“1/2 pin detent socket drive with ‘quick attach'”
which is further described as:
“providing maximum socket retention with sloped detent for fast easy socket attachment”
I imagine that means the detent pin is not nearly as pronounced as normal detent pins and also sloped so it should be easy to slide off without requiring a screwdriver etc to press in that ball pin.
Their manual also only describes a detent pin oddly enough and no friction ring on the anvil:
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/ocsmedia/2610033029_1013_IDH182.pdf
Dominic van Lievenoogen
This tool is already old before it was released. Compared to the other Compact 1/2″ wrenches on the market ( Led my Makita and Milwaukee ) it’s heavier, bulkier, biggers, lacks power, lacks rpm and lacks any control / torque settings.
If you’re on the bosch platform it’s the best they can offer but for anyone else, not even worth a look unfortunately.
Chris
I bought this from CPO last year so it’s been out a while here in the states. I hear a lot of people not to thrilled with this but for me this has been perfect for breaking lugs on my Hyundai accent and Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s fairly compact but also has a solid feel to it. You can really feel it hit when you use the variable trigger, feels much different then other impacts I’ve tried from bosch. This may not have all the bells in whistles but I only wish to break nuts and last all day if needed.
Stuart
Are you sure it’s the same model?
I haven’t seen this model before, Bosch had a noticeable hole in their brushless impact lineup, and the press release first came out yesterday.
Chris
I just double checked although I thought it was last year it was the beginning of January but I think I was eyeing it for about a month. Then CPO had the deal where you get a free battery starter kit with a bare tool and I grabbed it. Below is from my order information.
18V Cordless Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Square Drive Brushless Impact Wrench (Bare Tool)
Model : BSHNIWMH182B
Stuart
You’re right, that seems to be the same exact tool. Very strange.
Mike
It looks like the IWMH182 model was released last year and this new one is designated IWMH182B. Specs on the first are 1600 in.-lbs. of torque versus the 2200 on this one.
Stuart
They wouldn’t just reuse the model number like that.
The press release originally said 1600 in-lbs, but I asked for confirmation, and that’s when they said it’s really 2213 in-lbs, and I then saw 185 ft-lbs.
The B just indicates it’s a bare tool.
Mike
It is not the first time I’ve been wrong about something.
Matt J
I have to ask a question that’s been plaguing me for a while. Bosch is generally regarded as being one of the big boys in power tools but it seems like they’re just really expensive and have power that’s sometimes exceeded by even Ridgid or Hitachi, so what’s the attraction?
Chris
I would say one of the things I know Bosch for and that is it’s durability when working in all kinds of conditions. I believe their target for power tools primarily is building construction and this shows with the tools they have available. They are expensive if you don’t buy them on sale that’s for sure. Bosch is a huge company from car parts, tools, appliances, and now even electric bikes so power tools is far from the only thing they produce. I only care for is function so that’s why I like my Bosch tools. I don’t need the latest and greatest. I have their 18V 500 ft ibs torque wrench and this compact torque wrench at 185 ft ibs. That’s all I need to pretty much do everything you can do on the cars that I have. So I’m happy with that.
Michael
Yawn. Seriously Bosch.
Pete
Ive been using my ryobi 1/2″ impact for a month now and its been amazing! It has done everything i have asked of it. 300ft/lbs has been more than enough. I am thinking i want the m12 fuel 3/8 drive impact but havent decided yet.