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Impact Wrench

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St3v3

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Nov 19, 2021
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18
I'm looking into purchasing a cordless impact wrench most likely 1/2 inch, and 18 volts I think should be enough. I don't want to break the bank but I would like to keep it under $200. I am mainly going to be using it for removing lug nuts and some suspension work on my Silverado.

What is the difference between brushless and with brushes? I almost bought a Ryobi 1/2 inch impact it came with the Battery and Charger for $99 on sale but I read more about it and it said it wasn't brushless so I wasn't sure figured I should wait until I find out some more about them.

Any ideas?
 
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garfunkle24

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Mar 18, 2008
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Saskatoon, Canada
A brushed tool has "brushes" which do the switching and power delivery to the motor. They are wearing parts that physically ride against the spinning commutator of the tool, which of course also wears the commutator.

In a brushless tool the switching etc is done electronically, with no real wearing parts besides the bearings.

IN GENERAL, brushless tools will have more power, longevity and battery life.

Pros of all trades did just fine with brushed tools until the brushless revolution but brushless is nice if within budget.
 
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richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
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Leeds, Yorkshire, England
St3v3 said:
I'm looking into purchasing a cordless impact wrench most likely 1/2 inch, and 18 volts I think should be enough. I don't want to break the bank but I would like to keep it under $200. I am mainly going to be using it for removing lug nuts and some suspension work on my Silverado.

What is the difference between brushless and with brushes? I almost bought a Ryobi 1/2 inch impact it came with the Battery and Charger for $99 on sale but I read more about it and it said it wasn't brushless so I wasn't sure figured I should wait until I find out some more about them.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I bought the current generation Milwaukee fuel 1/2" 'mid torque' kit for around £250, I think stretching your budget a little and looking for a good deal might be prudent.

I went with Red simply because they were readily available and very compact, no particular loyalty (I don't get too caught up in the specs, I generally look at what other guys on GJ have bought/used/reviewed)

I would say this is a 90% gun in as far as it will cope very well with most jobs in a nice small package on regular passenger cars, (you might find you want a high torque on bigger trucks though)

It works for me as a Roadside Rescue Tech (I have a 3/4" breaker bar for stuff it can't do), the size/weight/power is perfect for crawling around under cars and changing wheels (way more manageable than my old Ingersoll Rand Cordless).

The compact dimensions of these tools are at least as important as ultimate power in my opinion (probably more important)!!!
 
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pbon

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May 14, 2017
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There is a good Ryobi and a cheap Ryobi. The good one will remove most car lug nuts. They cheap one might not. I live in New England where there is corrosion and sometimes the lug nut torqued to 88 lbs or 105 lbs will not come off after a few seconds with my 250 lb impact or my 450 lb impact and I have to pull out my big heavy 1100 lb impact (I have Milwaukee). Anyway, I’d buy the better Ryobi and if it does not come with a battery, wait for a sale on batteries — maybe 2 of the 4AH for $79.
 
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finn

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From your description of your expected use, brushed technology would be fine. Brand probably isn’t all that important, either.

If you find, after a couple of years, you’re using it more than expected, then that’s the time to upgrade.

That’s probably not the advice you’re going to get from the addicts, though. Just remember that it’s easy to spend someone else’s money.

Get a long breaker bar for backup. Harbor Freight has some inexpensive bars. I would stick with a house brand impact, like Ryobi, Craftsman, Kobalt, etc.
 
9

908Jim

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Aug 1, 2013
Messages
556
Brushed tools work perfectly fine and it's what most of use used for years through the early 2000's until brushless tools came around. With that said, brushless DC motors became much more affordable and made their way into power tools to our benefit. Brushless tools are typically more powerful and efficient because of hall-effect commutation in the motors. Digital programming allows for some pretty slick PWM schemes. Brushed tools are fine, but brushless are better.

Just remember that these monster 1/2 cordless guns everyone is impressed by are just comically large 3/4 drive guns with 1/2 inch anvils. I would buy a mid torque gun if you're only doing lugs.
 
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jayemm

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up high down low
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jayemm

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jsaw said:
I have a Dewalt DCF 891 Mid torque. Very seldom that I come across a fastener that It will not remove.
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And if I was in the market for a new impact wrench, that DCF 891 would be the one I'd buy. I handled one at HD and it didn't feel too bulky. Felt decent and looked good. It put out some sweet torque numbers in the Torque Test Channel test video on youtube. The Ridgid I listed above would be a second choice at a lower price point than the Dewalt. Home Depot had it for ~$179 a few months ago. Either would easily satisfy my occasional DIY needs.
 
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M635_Guy

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I'd happily vouch for and recommend the Gen2 Mid torque. It kicks ****, has a great warranty and gets in nearly all the spaces my M12 Stubby does: (this is on the caliper carriers on the family Mazda)
VrpoAW.jpg

The combination of size and power is pretty great, and the M18 platform has LOTS of options.
 
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bonneyman

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Apr 22, 2010
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Desert SW
M635_Guy said:
I'd happily vouch for and recommend the Gen2 Mid torque. It kicks ****, has a great warranty and gets in nearly all the spaces my M12 Stubby does: (this is on the caliper carriers on the family Mazda)
VrpoAW.jpg

The combination of size and power is pretty great, and the M18 platform has LOTS of options.
Click to expand...
I don't have an impact wrench, but - from what I've seen on my newer vehicles - access seems to be the number one feature I'd consider. I think 1/2" on a gun could make all the difference, especially considering how they jam **** in there.

JMHO from someone with no skin in the game.
 
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F-22

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Jan 23, 2022
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I've got a genuine makita dtw701z. Pricey but high end. I really like it.


However I also got a 40€ knock off from Aliexpress. It's a smaller impact driver. It works okay for what I need it for. I took it apart when I got it, and it actually is brushless inside. Bearings and all rubbing surfaces were dry, I lubed it all and it works much quieter. Takes the same batteries as my genuine makita stuff, which is why I got this knockoff over some no-name-brand from Lidl or Aldi (and even then, those would certainly be brushed tools instead).

Depending on what you need - if you do the final torque by hand, I'd just get the knock off makita and then you are already using the same batteries as real makitas if you ever want better tools.
 
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Hakeem

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Jan 22, 2024
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Chicago
908Jim said:
Just remember that these monster 1/2 cordless guns everyone is impressed by are just comically large 3/4 drive guns with 1/2 inch anvils. I would buy a mid torque gun if you're only doing lugs.
Click to expand...
Right, I see people on Reddit recommending the 1000ftlbs ultra torque guns as the default. Totally serviceable options like the mid-torques or compact guns are waved off as too weak .. “umm excuse me, have you ever heard of the freaking RUST BELT? Yeah try getting a lug nut off a car that’s been through a michigan winter and get back to me”

Makes you wonder how people ever managed to get a fastener free with mere hand tools.
 
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dchawk81

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Hakeem said:
Right, I see people on Reddit recommending the 1000ftlbs ultra torque guns as the default. Totally serviceable options like the mid-torques or compact guns are waved off as too weak .. “umm excuse me, have you ever heard of the freaking RUST BELT? Yeah try getting a lug nut off a car that’s been through a michigan winter and get back to me”

Makes you wonder how people ever managed to get a fastener free with mere hand tools.
Click to expand...
Hernias and Hisnias.
 
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jskicet

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Apr 26, 2020
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216
Location
Western NC Mtns
Ryobi 1/2 inch impact has served me well for over 10 years. I used it a lot at the track for wheel swaps as well at home. Lots of other folks would borrow it from me being theirs was to weak to break them loose. It's pretty stout for the money. It will easily bust lug nuts torqued to 90 ft lbs.
 
S

ShiroCarpentry

New member
Joined
Mar 24, 2024
Messages
3
St3v3 said:
I'm looking into purchasing a cordless impact wrench most likely 1/2 inch, and 18 volts I think should be enough. I don't want to break the bank but I would like to keep it under $200. I am mainly going to be using it for removing lug nuts and some suspension work on my Silverado.

What is the difference between brushless and with brushes? I almost bought a Ryobi 1/2 inch impact it came with the Battery and Charger for $99 on sale but I read more about it and it said it wasn't brushless so I wasn't sure figured I should wait until I find out some more about them.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
maybe the 1/2" DeWalt Atomic 20v? ( 20v is really just 18v after it goes under 100%)
EDIT: it's only under 200 as a bare tool (least on amazon) sidenote I hate this janky phones keyboard had to edit half a dozen times
 
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