Milwaukee has announced a major advancement in cordless power tools, introducing the M18 Fuel 3/4-inch High Torque Impact Wrench (model 2964) at its annual Milwaukee Pipeline event. This fourth-generation model marks a significant shift in the market, as it is the first 3/4-inch impact wrench from the brand positioned to fully replace pneumatic alternatives. For professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts, this development carries real implications about power, flexibility, and tool choice.

Raw Power That Rivals Air Tools

The M18 Fuel 2964 delivers impressive specifications. It generates up to 1800 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 2000 foot-pounds of breakaway torque, with a maximum no-load speed of 2000 RPM. Milwaukee claims up to 40 percent faster removal speeds compared to cordless and pneumatic competitors. To put this in perspective, Ingersoll Rand’s pneumatic 2146Q1MAX, a top performer in its class, delivers 2000 foot-pounds of breakaway torque but only 1300 foot-pounds of fastening torque, falling short on the metric that matters for most fastening applications.

This performance advantage means users can accomplish heavy-duty fastening tasks without compromising output. The cordless design eliminates the restriction of an air hose, offering genuine mobility for commercial tire servicing, equipment maintenance, and utility work.

Battery Runtime and Runtime Modes

professional tire changing lug nuts
Photo by Tekton

Milwaukee estimates the standard model can handle approximately 120 bolts measuring 1 1/4 inches using a single 8.0Ah Forge battery. The kit includes two batteries, enabling all-day work sessions with one battery in use while the other charges. The tool features four power and speed modes, with the fourth mode offering an Auto-Stop feature that limits fastening torque to 75 foot-pounds and reduces reverse speed to 750 RPM for controlled bolt removal.

An extended-reach variant (model 2969) offers identical torque and speed but includes a 6-inch anvil. This design is particularly useful for tire servicing work, where it can handle up to 10 tires (100 lug nuts) per charge. Its fourth mode, Lug Nut Snug Mode, caps fastening torque at 450 foot-pounds to prevent over-torquing heavy fasteners.

How It Compares to the Competition

When measured against similar cordless models from competitors, the Milwaukee tool holds its ground. Makita’s GWT01 delivers 1510 foot-pounds of breakaway and 1330 foot-pounds of fastening torque. DeWalt’s DCF964 reaches 1900 foot-pounds of breakaway but only 1420 foot-pounds of fastening torque. Ingersoll Rand’s W8171 matches Milwaukee at 2000 foot-pounds of breakaway but lacks published fastening torque specifications. The Milwaukee unit weighs 8.1 pounds and operates at 2100 impacts per minute, making it both powerful and manageable.

For those shopping among the best impact wrenches available today, the Milwaukee offering stands out for its fastening torque specification and range of specialized modes.

Pricing and What Changed

heavy equipment bolt fastening
Photo by Edge2Edge Media

The bare tool costs $499, while the kit with two 8.0Ah batteries and rapid charger runs $849. The extended-reach model is priced at $599 bare or $949 as a kit. This represents approximately $70 more than Milwaukee’s previous M18 Fuel iteration, the 2864 model. Milwaukee discontinued its two oldest 3/4-inch models (the 2664 and 2764), consolidating its lineup around the new generation.

The $499 price point places it higher than some competitors: DeWalt’s DCF964 starts at $399 bare, and Ingersoll Rand’s W8171 at $427. However, buyers are paying for superior fastening torque, which translates to more reliable fastening in demanding applications.

Who Should Consider This Tool

This impact wrench targets professionals working on commercial vehicles, heavy equipment maintenance, and large utility projects. Anyone currently using Milwaukee’s M18 Forge battery ecosystem has a meaningful upgrade path if they regularly push tool limits. The extended-reach model appeals specifically to tire shops and technicians needing access to hard-to-reach fasteners.

For existing owners of the 2864 model, the upgrade makes sense only if they need maximum performance or the extended-reach design. Casual users or those with lighter-duty applications may find the previous generation adequate. Milwaukee backs both models with a three-year warranty, and protective boots are available for $49 each.

The announcement demonstrates that cordless technology has matured enough to challenge air-powered dominance in heavy fastening applications. For shoppers evaluating cordless versus pneumatic tools, this release signals that tether-free mobility no longer requires power compromises at the professional level.