Milwaukee has officially announced the new M18 Fuel SURGE brushless oil pulse driver, and you might have even seen a few early reviews of it.
We’ve got a test sample in-hand, and also spent about 40 minutes chatting with Cole Conrad, a group product manager over at Milwaukee Tool. After he brought it up, I remembered our lengthy discussion of the M18 Fuel 2nd generation impact driver that was introduced back in 2015.
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There are quite a few things to share with you about the new M18 Fuel Surge hydraulic driver, and yes a thorough review is also in the works.
1. This Tool is Special
To start, it has a name – the Surge. It’s not often that Milwaukee names their tools, although I’ve noticed they’ve started naming their LED lighting products to help make them all easier to identify.
The Surge is definitely not an impact driver, although it resembles one and does many of the same things.
Instead of a hammer and anvil impact-type mechanism, it works by means of a hydraulic system. It exerts torque as the oil is compressed, in a cycle of compression and relaxation.
Milwaukee is putting a lot of emphasis in educating the media and end users about the intricacies of the Surge, and for good reason. Its on-paper specs aren’t all that impressive, until you remember that it’s not an impact driver and cannot be compared directly.
Milwaukee cautions that, while the Surge is in a lot of ways similar to an impact driver, it’s really in a class of its own. Rather than boost numbers above the modest-sounding 450 in-lbs of torque, they optimized the design so that there wouldn’t be any tradeoffs in power or size. You’ll read my feelings about this in a moment.
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1.5. Milwaukee Competitive Claims
There are currently 3 competing oil impulse drivers on the market that we know of:
- Makita 18V Oil Pulse Driver
- Ridgid 18V Stealth Force Impulse Driver
- Ryobi 18V One+ Quiet Strike Pulse Driver
Here’s what Milwaukee has to say about theirs. The bold emphasis was our doing.
*FLUID-DRIVE™ Hydraulic Powertrain- When paired with the exclusive technologies in M18 FUEL™, the SURGE™ is in a class of its own.
The “oil-impulse” options available today ask the user to choose between some pretty significant trade-offs. Some options focus on speed and torque at the expense of size and weight, while others focus on ergonomics at the expense of performance. With the new M18 FUEL™ SURGE™ ¼” Hex Hydraulic Driver users will experience the best of both worlds- all the holistic benefits of an oil impulse mechanism without the extreme trade-offs.
So not only is this a new product class for Milwaukee, they’re claiming the Surge to be better than competing models.
2. Sustained Torque vs. Peak Torque
The Surge driver is said to deliver 450 in-lbs of sustained torque. So… what’s that?
Standard 18V impact drivers, whether equipped with a brushed or brushless motor, deliver around 1400 in-lbs to 1800 ib-lbs of peak torque. This torque is delivered in a quick and short burst.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge hydraulic pulse driver works differently, and continues to deliver torque for a longer duration.
So what you want to look at is the area beneath the torque curve. When you do that, the total torque delivery turns out to be higher, resulting in greater application speeds.
If it helps, consider tapping a ball with a baseball bat, or hitting it and following through. Or jabbing an opponent in boxing and following through with your punch.
Milwaukee says that, according to their research, 90 to 95% of fasteners are small or medium in diameter, which is what the Surge was designed to handle.
This brings up a side question – how would the Surge hydraulic driver compare to a regular drill/driver, which has near-continuous power output?
Keep in mind that a typical drill is slower, and that peak torque ratings are often for the slower of 2 or 3 speed ranges.
And while in theory an oil pulse driver is not as reactionless as an impact driver, kickback or counter-rotation should still be less severe than when jamming or binding happens with a drill.
3. Benefits: Lower Noise, Less Vibration, As-Fast or Faster Application Speeds
There’s less metal-on-metal contact, resulting in lower noise. In our phone call with Milwaukee, we were told that the noise output is rated at 76 dB, which is below the OSHA requirement that hearing protection be worn in the presence of noise 85 dB and louder.
A standard impact driver is loud in the ~85 to 95 dB range.
Milwaukee’s field testing with contractors resulted in around 1/2 of the users complimenting the tool on being quieter than impact drivers, and the other 1/2 considered the primary benefit to be how much smoother the Surge feels in use.
Indeed, in my own tests so far, I have found that the Surge does not vibrate the work or my hands as much as a traditional impact driver would.
It’s speedy, noisy but less noisy than an impact driver, and even more comfortable to use.
To build upon what I mean by noisy. The Surge is quieter, not quiet. You don’t get anything like the shrill bang-bang-bang as with an impact driver. You might still want to wear hearing protection even if not required to by OSHA.
4. Hands-on: It’s SMALL!
The battery pack is the largest part of the tool. Cover up the battery pack with your hand, and the M18 Surge almost looks like an M12 tool.
I don’t think I have its weight noted anywhere, but I’d say it’s comparable in size and weight to an M18 or M18 Fuel impact driver. Or any premium brushed or brushless impact driver.
5. Cold Weather Performance?
I think someone asked this question. If that person was you, please speak up so I can give you credit!
So how well does the Surge work when the going gets cold?
Milwaukee said that down to -20°C, there’s no performance difference. That’s -4°F
Below -4°F, the tool will feel slow and sluggish in use. So what do you do? Hold the trigger for 5 to 10 seconds. The oil in the sealed hydraulic chamber will heat up, and warm to normal operating temperatures. After that quick warm up, it should work no different from at warmer environmental temperatures/
Milwaukee has tested the Surge to lower temperatures without seeing any performance issues. We’ll have to bug them for an exact number, but I’m told that it was tested to at least -20°F.
6. Tool Longevity?
So… what will happen in a few years?
The Surge’s hydraulic mechanism is fully sealed, with no maintenance required. The brushless motor also requires no maintenance.
Still, time and use can be hard on tools, changing their operating parameters.
Milwaukee is still testing the Surge’s longevity. So far, the Surge has already exceeded their life target of 5 years. They’ve been testing it in a combination of hard and soft fastening applications, and thus far the Surge has endured more than 3 cycles of accelerated testing, meaning it’s lasted longer than 3x longer than 5 years of simulated use. They tests are still underway, and will continue until the point of failure.
While simulated testing isn’t the same as real-world use, it should put you at ease that the tool won’t pop seals or require heavy maintenance after a few years of regular use.
7. Operating Modes
Similar to many premium brushless impact drivers, you get 3 speed and torque settings. There’s also a self tapping screw mode.
8. What’s that Rubbery Business at the Front?
It’s a rubber guard that serves 3 purposes. First, it helps to protect delicate work surfaces. Second, it shields air vents near the nose of the tool. Lastly, it provides some visual differentiation, so that it doesn’t look exactly like an impact driver.
9. Ventilation
There are lots of air vents, surprising me a bit, but it makes sense. Compressing and unloading a fluid can heat it up. And remember what was said about operating the tool in cold environments. Even with no load, the hydraulic fluid will heat up.
10. Is it Worth it? AKA Who Should Buy One?
Milwaukee is targeting certain users and trades who work under certain conditions.
So you often work in occupied spaces? Offices? Homes? Hospitals?
When using an impact driver, you might forget all about the noise, especially if you’re wearing proper hearing protection. Your clients might not be as used to and accepting of the noise.
The Surge is also aimed at commercial tradesmen, where safety and user health are important and sometimes closely monitored.
And really, it’s for anyone who wants a quieter driver.
Keep in mind, though, that the Surge hydraulic pulse driver is intended for small and medium fastening applications. Don’t slap on a socket adapter and think you can remove rusted-on lug nuts. That’s a job for beefier tools.
11. XC Battery Bonus?
As you might be aware, some of Milwaukee’s M18 drills and drivers will see small performance gains when you pair them with a higher capacity battery pack. This is best described as an XC bonus.
Compared to when using the Surge with a compact battery pack, you should see a boost in power of around 5-10% when using it with an XC high capacity battery pack.
12. Specifications
- 1/4″ hex chuck
- 5″ length
- 450 in/lbs of longer sustained torque
- Brushless motor, as this is a Fuel tool
- 3,000 RPM
- 4,000 IPM
- 4-Mode drive control, including a dedicated self-tapping screw mode
Overall
I’m pretty optimistic about the Surge. Thus far it’s been a pleasure to use.
If you want a quieter fastening tool that will get most small and medium driving tasks done just as fast or faster than a traditional impact driver, the Surge is going to make a compelling case.
Do you have any questions I should consider when continuing to test the Surge for review?
Price: $149 for the bare tool, $249 for the (2) 2.0Ah compact battery kit, $349 for the (2) 5.0Ah XC battery kit
ETA: November 2016
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Buy Now(Kits via Home Depot)
Thank you to Milwaukee for supplying a review sample unconditionally.
Noah
I *really* want an M12 version.
Herbert
Okay Stuart, you’ve really started me down a n impact driver rabbit hole. First with the Hitachi, now this.
I only have a PS20 right now. Used it twice over the weekend and it really didn’t cut it. I was going to do the Hitachi, but then realized I wouldn’t get any additional tools.
Was in HD and picked up both the DeWalt compact drill and oscillating tool. Both fit my hand well. The Makita OST handle was huge; couldn’t get my hand around the handle.
Maybe I’m going to go Red…
Jason
I’m a Milwaukee guy but you might want to go Dewalt if you want a cordless OMT. The Milwaukee M18 OMT is average at best to be honest its not bad but its not amazing either. Just putting it out there if an OMT is big on your list of tools.
Herbert
Thanks Jason. Now if DeWalt would release an awesome triple anvil or hydraulic driver, I’d be set. I say this without ever using an impact driver. I’m sure their current one is just fine for me.
Nathan
dewalt’s 3 speed impactor is a fantastic tool. I have the 895 model and I suspect the newer 887 is probably just as good.
Bremon
I have both the 887 and Milwaukee 2753. You can’t go wrong with either one; neither is superior enough to sway me towards one brand.
Stuart
Cordless oscillating tools is a tough category.
https://toolguyd.com/best-cordless-oscillating-multi-tool/
The Bosch is great, and the StarLock tools even better. Dewalt has a fantastic grip, but is only tool-free with a limited range of accessories outside their own.
The Milwaukee is good, with its best trait being its lower price point.
I have only briefly tested the Hitachi Triple Hammer impact driver thus far, but it’s utterly fantastic. https://toolguyd.com/hitachi-18v-triple-anvil-impact-driver/ for those who don’t know what we’re talking about.
Side by side, the Hitachi performs closer to the Surge than a traditional impact driver in ters of vibration control.
Thomas
I would buy an m12 version as well.
Dacan
M12 would be nice as something to do work at night in the house and not wake the wife or kids.
Ben
If I’m not mistaken, such hydraulic impact driver is not that quiet as per say. From what I read about them, you can still hear them quite a bit, but they are not as noisy as a regular impact driver with an anvil and an hammer. Just found online the Makita equivalent press release (http://www.makitauk.com/news/details/327.html) and it says a noise level of 77dBa instead of 96dBa for a regular impact driver. Not sure you can use it while your wife and kids are sleeping…
Bremon
No. They make a disruptive noise, just not deafening like a regular impact. Small drill/driver is probably the best bet for the evening.
Stuart
That’s why I said it’s quieter, but not quiet. You still get motor noise, and pulsing from the hydraulic mechanism.
We had kitchen work done over the summer. Almost everything from cabinet installation to drawer knob attachment was done with an impact – an M18 model – and the sound was harsh from a room or two away.
The Surge is noticeably quieter from up-close let alone a room away.
Phi Nguyen
Stuart, any idea if a One-Key version will be released?
Bremon
I read today that there will be a One Key version.
Jared
Herbert I would have to disagree with jason. If your looking for a “GREAT” OMT Bosch is miles ahead of the rest. It’s not even close.
Herbert
Darnit. 😉
Hadn’t been been thinking about Bosch. Now I have to start investigating the rest of the line.
Or bite the bullet and just buy what I like, batteries be damned.
davida1
Did you mean 3000 rpm
Stuart
Yes, thank you!
Bryant Burkhart
How long before we see a cross brand face off? My company is loyally blue, and I’d love to hear more about the makita impulse driver.
Stuart
I’ll see what I can do!
Mike
Do you still have the sound meter you previously reviewed? Including sound level data (even if it’s not a calibrated measurement) should be a big part of the comparison. Maybe also include some data from standard impact drivers using the same instrument and method for comparison.
Goodnight johnboy
Honestly, what the hell is the point of this tool. Hydraulic battery powered surge driver. That just don’t sound right. This is almost as bad as that onekey bullshit. They just don’t stop with the gimmicks, do they? Its bad enough that the market is over saturated with 12v,18v,20v,etc impact drivers. Now a less than half-assed hydraulic impact driver. What happens if you run out of oil, does it stop working? Do you fill it back up? Will it leak? What’s the compression ratio? What a f__king joke! Its not enough that Milwaukee has the most expensive impact driver along with most of their power tools (except for festool) in stores & online. I’ve used their m18 fuel, I wasn’t impressed enough to spend the money they’re asking. Same with their corded tools. But to come up with crap like this, why?
Stuart
I addressed this in part #6: “The Surge’s hydraulic mechanism is fully sealed, with no maintenance required.”
fred
If it was quiet enough to avoid complaints from clients – that would be a selling point for some folks – justifying a premium price. Having worked on jobs in combined commercial/residential buildings where we were told that we needed to shift the work to a 4 hour window (6PM – after work hours but before 10PM) because of noise – a truly quiet set of tools has appeal. The problem is that impact driving is not the only task that makes noise – and a “quiet demolition job” is still probably an oxymoron.
Mike H
There are two reasons why I’m interested (and invested) in the red tool brand. The first is because they’re built to last, even when used everyday in a work environment. Maybe not every tool is exactly perfect, but they certainly have a top shelf, solid foundation. The second is because they seem genuinely interested in giving trades people solutions to problems. Now, you’re going to pay for those solutions. They are a business, after all. And the problems I have in my trade are not the same problems you might have in yours. Across all those trades are a lot of different tools with a lot of different features. Do I need OneKey? Nope, me neither. I also don’t need a fifteen hundred dollar knockout kit. But it’s never occurred to me to go on to the internets and make an angry rant about how their existence must be some attempt by a big bad corporation to steal my money.
I own three red impacts. Three different sizes. I use them everyday. A lot. Some big stuff. Some little stuff. Mostly medium stuff. By medium, I mean 3/16 – 1/2 inch fasteners. Steel on steel. In what, on some days, sounds like an echo chamber. They’re loud. They’re annoying. The guy working next to me uses the same. He’s loud. And annoying.
The first thing I ask whenever I see a new tool is: can I do the thing that I do faster? If I can do it faster I can make more money. I like money. If I can do it so that it’s easier on my body? That, to me, is worth a certain premium. You know, just in case I want to use that body for something other than work someday. With all that money I made.
I’m looking forward to some more in-depth information on this tool. Some real-world comparisons to “traditional” impacts, some comparisons to competitors. Some more data. Maybe some video. Like some guy once said, “Don’t knock it til you try it”!
Brian
The market is oversaturated? That’s a good thing for us as consumers. I’d rather want a selection of 20 companies trying their hardest to make the best tools possibly than one company saying, “screw it, we’re the only ones making this thing, it’s good enough.”
Joseph
Well as to your comment about the tool being useless, I will give you an unabashed option based on my experience with the driver in question. I have owned the Surge since February, I have used it daily in my trade as an electrician during that time. I will admit that I was a bit dubious as to noise levels found in videos, however speakers and microphones cannot easily reproduce 90+db of sound so take them for what their worth.
The driver is abnormally quite, the only time it gets noisy is driving a fastener into steel sheet metal with out my hand holding it. It drives fasteners as fast as my M18 fuel v2 with a greater degree of success. I.E. I do not strip/brake screws or tapcons due to over torque, something my impact was notorious for (granted I use it to take off lug nuts on my car). That means less redrilling holes or using another anchor, and I am less worried about giving things an extra ‘tap’ to make sure they are tight, I know others who use a screwdriver after to avoid blowing out a screw to get proper tightening. I dislike how power hungry it is compared to my impact, it will drain a battery faster.
Are these things worthy of the additional $30 I paid? Mabey not. BUT WHAT IS WORTHY OF THAT PRICE IS THIS. I do not come home at the end of my day on edge with my two little girls and baby, and get to harping at them to be quiet. I can spend my day working without getting my ears boxed in, leaving me tolerant to the natural noises my family makes. I am calmer and happier and so are my kids.
So my hats off to any tool maker who endeavors make tradesmens lives better.
Sean
You’re an idiot dude Milwaukee has been around a long time and if you’re in the trades you know they’re corded tools are bulletproof so if you like the yellow if you like the blue the green whatever dude stay with what you like but don’t knock Milwaukee because don’t understand a good tool when you see one The Surge will outperform any impact driver you have
Rod
I’ve been using Milwaukee for 5years now and wouldn’t change. I decided to change after going to a demo day. I purchased all new tools and sold all my old yellow and blue power tools. Since purchasing my milwaukee tools I spends less down time charging batteries and when I need to I can charge both my 18v and 12v together.
I have never been let down over the 5years by any of my power tools. They are built to last. If something new comes out and it makes my life easier and my day more productive, then I’m interested.
GREGG HENDERSON
I have owned 4 surges and they have been a sub par tool this far, I use them for steel stud and siding when it’s hot out side I will burn the seals out in about 2 weeks, dont get me wrong it’s a great tool at first but it will not last long they need to put more work into the seals if they can figure it out I will bye again but not tell then
Robert
Because it’s practical, and essential to anyone in construction. If you are truly that daft,keep your uninformed opinion to yourself. We need these reviews,as people in the trade. They are useful.
John
I echo the sentiment that I’d be interested in a M12 version as well. However, I am not totally sold on the stand alone feature that 10 dB quieter. Sure I also get the “sustained torque” feature as well. In the end it is a compromise bc it is for a lower total torque device. Thats a fine tradeoff, but even in your example, if you need more you’re going to need yet another tool. It sounds like they’re really trying hard to oversell what at the end is a lower spec tool thats quieter (thats okay too).
What I would like to see is that same use of technology to fix the over torque issue all of these devices still have. Short of Makita, if I’m not mistaken on *some* of their models, I don’t think any of these have any kind of “smarts” given to figuring out when the screw has met the end and adjust driving at that point to not over torque. I think even Black & Decker had a nifty sense device but unfortunately was on a drill not impact. I would think with this increase in technology for oil impact they could control the impacts at the end, even disengaging it, and setting a torque down setting you provide. Thats what I’m still waiting on.
John
Quick Shift Mode was what Makita has and what I was trying to remember:
https://youtu.be/21sW_yEgTgo
Al
Very excited to pick up, but will it be available with a standard 1/4 or 3/8 drive?
Couldn’t find any info on Milwaukee site…
Stuart
1/4″ hex.
David
I don’t see any mention of the primary reason to adopt this more expensive hydraulic tool instead of regular cordless impact drivers. It’s not just for noise issues! A whole host of fastener and connector companies have disavowed the use of standard impact drivers for their exterior rated fasteners and connectors. Stainless steel connectors are generally cost prohibitive and also not long term durable when exposed to chlorine, chloride salts and moisture in marine and pool environments, so fastener makers have created specialized ceramic epoxy coatings to allow the use of higher strength steel connectors and fasteners in exterior exposed situations and when fastening alkaline copper quat (ACQ) or copper azole (CA-B) treated woods.
These penetrating copper salts are effective at controlling algae and fungal decay of wood but also rapidly corrode all steel fasteners including stainless steels. Copper treated wood will quickly eat through regular zinc galvanized coatings so the newest ceramic coatings were designed to have much longer life and strength ratings for modern ACQ wood treatments. Unfortunately these coatings are a surface treatment and can be worn away by wear and tear and high friction impacts during installation. The fastener head is particularly subject to wear during installation with impact drivers.
Ceramic and epoxy coatings can spall and break off when fastened using impact drivers, both at the fastener head and also along the unseen screw threads. Fastener companies offering heavy exterior coated products DO NOT WARRANTY fastener performance in exterior pressure treated wood when installed with impact tools and the damage to the fastener is plain to see when it is removed for inspection if it fails in use. Everyone from Simpson Strong Tie, USP Fasteners, Fastenmaster, Spax and Grex makes these statements in their install instructions. The choices are low speed corded drills (Milwaukee Hole-Hawgs and related) or these newest hydraulic drivers. The only real question is how big a fastener can these small cordless drivers handle before they will be widely adopted for exterior fastener installs.
Stuart
I did not know that, thank you!
David
And I just learned about a whole new category of cordless hydraulic impulse drivers. I do hope these new tools find a user base so they can continue to evolve. This was a very content rich post, Thanks Stewart.
brett
After not buying but using the dewalt xr, milwaukee m18 fuel, and the ridged stealth force, I have to say I will be purchasing the stealth force hands down. My work involved anything from hanging cubbards to drilling through floors or hardened steel bumpers and chassis . I am very impressed with all of these but the ridged stealth force gave me everything I need with battery life to pure power, and the bonus that is was the most quiet. Just my opinion. None are bad tools at all.
Adam
I just picked one of these up, and I’m really happy with it so far. The quietness really is impressive, and it drives 4″ screws without a hiccup.
Taut
One of the marks of intelligence is being willing to try something new before judging.
And this is new!
I found out about this maybe 4 weeks after buying 1/4” impact driver. Loved the impact driver and still do.
But after getting one of these for a gift, I love the surge even more than the impact driver – it’s quiet(er), has plenty of torque (enough torque to break a couple of #4 lag screws), I feel I have more control with it, and it doesn’t mess up the screw heads nearly as much as a other non-impact drills.
In the end, I reach for the surge first or the impact if I need it, and the regular drill for fasteners basically never…
Brian
I purchased the M18 Surge on October 6, 2018. I very rarely have had a chance to use it. Honestly it’s probably been used 2-3 times a month since then. Loved it so far. SIGNIFICANTLY quieter than the much older 18v DeWalt I replaced it with that was about 10 years old.
I did notice last weekend that it felt like it was not very powerful for some reason. I went to use it again today and felt the same way. I can actually hold a longer drive shaft from spinning with my bare hand now. I inspected the tool and the front actually appears to be leaking oil, which would explain the loss of power.
It doesn’t look like this is a common problem. There is literally only one other case of this I could find online where someone shared a similar issue in this old post on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/953rcn/milwaukee_fuel_surge_leaking_has_this_happen_to/
I wanted to share this information here about the hydraulic leaking in case anyone else had a similar problem. I’ll be taking the tool back to replace with another Surge. It’s under warranty and since I could literally only find one other problem like this, I feel okay about swapping it out.