Milwaukee put a new 1/2-inch impact wrench on its product site this week, and it fills a gap that has been empty for a while. The 3962-20 is not the high torque 2967 and it is not the mid-torque 2962. It lands between them at 800 ft-lbs fastening torque and 950 ft-lbs nut-busting torque, which Milwaukee says is 45% more power than the tool it replaces.
The number that matters most is the weight. Four pounds bare. That is a full pound lighter than the mid-torque 2962, which runs 6 inches and 5.1 lbs.
The new 3962 is 6.1 inches long, so you trade a tenth of an inch for a pound less weight and 250 more ft-lbs of breakaway torque. Anyone who has held a mid-torque overhead under a truck will take that deal.
Verified specs for the 3962-20
Straight off Milwaukee’s own product page. Both models show “Coming Soon” with no price.
| Spec | 3962-20 (bare) | 3962-22 (kit) |
|---|---|---|
| Anvil | 1/2 in friction ring | 1/2 in detent pin |
| Fastening torque | 800 ft-lbs | 800 ft-lbs |
| Nut-busting torque | 950 ft-lbs | 950 ft-lbs |
| Length | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Weight (bare) | 4.0 lb | 4.0 lb |
| Weight with battery | 5.7 lb | 5.7 lb |
| Drive control | 4-mode with Bolt Removal | 4-mode with Bolt Removal |
| Auto shut-off | 50 ft-lbs | 50 ft-lbs |
| Motor | POWERSTATE brushless | POWERSTATE brushless |
| Warranty | 5 year | 5 year |
One oddity in Milwaukee’s own spec sheet: the kit model is listed with a detent pin anvil even though its title says friction ring. Either that is a data entry error on the site or the kit ships with a different anvil than the name suggests. Confirm with Home Depot before ordering the 3962-22.
Where it fits in the M18 lineup
- 2960-20 (3/8 mid-torque): 500 ft-lbs fastening, 600 nut-busting, 6 in, 5.0 lb
- 2962-20 (1/2 mid-torque): 550 ft-lbs fastening, 650 nut-busting, 6 in, 5.1 lb
- 3962-20 (new): 800 ft-lbs fastening, 950 nut-busting, 6.1 in, 4.0 lb
- 2967-20 (high torque): 1,100 ft-lbs fastening, 1,600 nut-busting, 7.6 in, 5.9 lb
The 3962 makes the 2962 hard to justify: 250 more ft-lbs of breakaway torque, a pound lighter, one tenth of an inch longer.
Unless pricing lands far apart, buy the new tool.
Price and availability
No pricing has been published for either model. Milwaukee ships through Home Depot, so that is where the 3962 line appears first.
Check Home Depot’s Milwaukee page for pricing as it lands, and treat any reseller number as unconfirmed until Milwaukee posts one.
If you need an impact wrench now, the high torque 2967-20 is in stock. Our cordless impact wrench roundup covers how to size one.
For automotive work, start with the cordless ratchet roundup. Milwaukee’s next-gen high torque launch has the full 2967 spec sheet.
Sources: Milwaukee Tool 3962-20 product page and Pro Tool Reviews coverage.