I currently own a Ryobi 18 volt 1/2″ impact tool, and it works quite well for all the things I need.
I also own some M12 tools, and I recently discovered that there is a 1/2″ M12 impact tool, so here I’m writing about comparing them.
The key spec I need is torque; if I can’t break loose the lug nuts on my truck, then it’s no good to me!
First, as we talked about previously, there are several different models of the same tool in each line, so it’s important to know which one(s) you’re comparing.
In this case, I currently own a Ryobi P262 18V ONE+ HP BRUSHLESS 4-MODE 1/2″ IMPACT WRENCH, which delivers up to 600 ft lb of breakaway torque. This is plenty for what I need; my lug nuts get torqued to 165 ft-lbs, and I should only need a little more than that to break them loose when needed. To be sure, I’m looking for at least 200 ft lbs of breakaway torque in any replacement tool.
Next, I look at the Milwaukee M12 1/2″ impact tools; there are two on the website, the 2555-20, and the 2555-22. By comparing the two of them side by side, I see that it’s the same tool, but the -22 comes as a kit, with a battery, a charger, and a case. So now I look at the tool specs, and I see the tool delivers up to 250 Ft-Lbs of torque, which means this tool would be more than suitable to replace the larger 18 volt Ryobi tool in my truck.
As always, numbers do not lie, and now we know!