Best Cordless Impact Wrenches

[Brandon_Lutz]

I'm in the market for a good Cordless Impact Wrench for use around the apartment, particularly quick tire changes in my Apartment complex.

I also could use it for different uses around the farm when I go back home when the availability of our air compressor is not at hand. Figure I could use it to help dad on various field projects.

What do you guys think of The Milwaukee and Dewalt Cordless 1/2 Impacts? Good quality, or should I go for something like the IR or CP cordless Impact?

 

[alteredpilot]

i demo'd the Milwaukee 18V and i was VERY impressed.

 

[boiler7904]

The Makita LXT line is supposed to be pretty good too.

 

[Vicegrip]

Do not bother with one that is not VSR. VSR lets you use it for many things and far more than busting lugs. Ingersol Rand makes the best one IMO right now. I have a Snap On but my buddies IR is stronger and less expensive

 

[grillmasterp]

I have a Milwaukee 18 Volt Cordless 1/2 " drive impact wrench that I have used for over 4 years. I can rotate all 4 tires on my truck (81 ft *lbs) on a single charged battery. Its a great asset for my offroading trips, swapping tires & trail fixes.

-I actually picked up a 2nd gun so gun #1 can permanently reside in the truck.

I am a Milwaukee fan -
The 18 Volt gun meets all of my needs that I don't feel the need to upgrade to their 28V li-ion version.

Pro's for the Milwaukee
-5 yr warranty
-18 volt impact gunis backward compatible with old 18 V nicad and new 18V li-ion batts.

I have used the Snapon 12V impact wrench- less torque & less weight
Snapon warranty does not apply to the power tools IIRC - It also costs more

The Chicago Pneumatic brand (Not HF's central pneu) is just a rebadged Milwaukee

Get the Milwaukee

 

[anojones]

I have the 18V Dewalt, it works great and will easily bust the lugs on my tractor tires and drive lag bolts when working on fencing away from power. I do wish it had variable speed and the trigger takes a little getting used to. I purchased it as a tool only as I all ready had batteries and a charger.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I will be picking up the Milwaukee 18V hopefully next week.

 

[sunshineFC3s]

I have the Dewalt 18v and I crew for a team that uses the SO unit. They are both fantastic, but for the price, you cannot beat the Dewalt. Its the favorite tool in my collection thus far.
-a

 

[Charlie's68]

of all the tools i own, my snap on 18v cordless impact is my favorite hands down. Deed and honest, it is awesome. It has as much or more power than my 2135 IR titanium. I will probably buy another one just for trail only use. Oh btw it is used in most junk yards here in wv, through the mud, snow, rain, and shine, they last about 3 years of absolute abuse.

search ebay, and you will find a good deal. I got mine new with a nice led light i use frequently with the package for under 400 bucks.

 

[l_bilyk]

I think the IR is best right now. They're all OK. Bosch and makita just came out with some new models. But I think the IR tops them all

 

[grillmasterp]

Figured I'd add to this thread.
My milwaukee cordless impact is my favorite cordless powertool.
I've had the 18V version for over 4-5 years. Its done such a good job that I did not feel the need to upgrade to the 28V version. A a matter of fact, I purchased a 2nd identical cordless impact.

 

[AutoTech]

The Milwaukee wrench is HUGE!!! I Demo'd Milaukee, Dewalt, and Matco when I was looking to buy a cordless Impact. The Milwaukee is just too big and baulky especially when getting into engine compartments, pulling transmissions, etc.! I went with the Snap On 4850 and haven't had one regret! This is hands down the toughest and strongest cordless impact I have ever seen, I rarley use the air impact anymore!

 

[chad s]

The Milwaukee wrench is HUGE!!! I Demo'd Milaukee, Dewalt, and Matco when I was looking to buy a cordless Impact. The Milwaukee is just too big and baulky especially when getting into engine compartments, pulling transmissions, etc.! I went with the Snap On 4850 and haven't had one regret! This is hands down the toughest and strongest cordless impact I have ever seen, I rarley use the air impact anymore!

The Snap On is really nice, tried it on the truck, but it too, is big. I see it as a great impact for tire shops, but its a bit big to stick in an engine bay. Where do you use it besides wheels?

 

[AutoTech]

I use my impact for everything! I pull engines and transmissins all day long! Man I really do everything from struts, shocks, replacing axles, haven't found and axle nut it wouldn't take off yet, Head Gaskets, Dropping fuel tanks for fuel pumps, the jobs are endless for this impact! Everyone has there own opinion but I have demo'd the Milwaukee, Dewlat and Matco and none compare to this impact in my opinion. oh and the battery life is excellent !

 

[Deafautotech]

I use my impact for everything! I pull engines and transmissins all day long! Man I really do everything from struts, shocks, replacing axles, haven't found and axle nut it wouldn't take off yet, Head Gaskets, Dropping fuel tanks for fuel pumps, the jobs are endless for this impact! Everyone has there own opinion but I have demo'd the Milwaukee, Dewlat and Matco and none compare to this impact in my opinion. oh and the battery life is excellent !

wow, you are use cordless impact wrench a lot than air impact wrench as i find most cordless impact wrenches will not work with me as i did borrow Snap on Impact wrench (18V) from other tech and i tried to do the job and sometime it will work and other time it wil not work... even the tech have two batteries and one battery already defective.... no warranty... so the tech keep use air impact wrench... that tech are working in automotive industry for almost 30 years and still working but would like me to help with him on engine or transmission...

 

[Deafautotech]

The Snap On is really nice, tried it on the truck, but it too, is big. I see it as a great impact for tire shops, but its a bit big to stick in an engine bay. Where do you use it besides wheels?

i am consider that snap on impact wrench are best for simple work like tire rotate, brakes, suspension, and basic works... but i am rather use air tools because there is NO end of air supply...

 

[AutoTech]

wow, you are use cordless impact wrench a lot than air impact wrench as i find most cordless impact wrenches will not work with me as i did borrow Snap on Impact wrench (18V) from other tech and i tried to do the job and sometime it will work and other time it wil not work... even the tech have two batteries and one battery already defective.... no warranty... so the tech keep use air impact wrench... that tech are working in automotive industry for almost 30 years and still working but would like me to help with him on engine or transmission...

Yeah I hardly ever pick up a air impact wrench! I first started out with the Snap on 3850 3 years ago and used it hard everyday and the batteries still hold a good charge. I recently purchased the 4850 and it's one tough impact with alot more power than my old impact!

 

[Deafautotech]

Yeah I hardly ever pick up a air impact wrench! I first started out with the Snap on 3850 3 years ago and used it hard everyday and the batteries still hold a good charge. I recently purchased the 4850 and it's one tough impact with alot more power than my old impact!

i am really like cordless impact wrench because i am starting dont like to dragging the air hose even i almost trip from air hose... but the cost of cordless are higher than air impact wrench... so i am rather to have air impact wrench instead cordless impact wrench... i am own Goodyear 24V impact wrench (170 ft lbs) and it is good for pull one tire that was flat outside, even i used it on engines that i just disassembly only...

i am always being told that USE air tools over hand tools!! because of FLat Rate... i am still doing for right job and want to have high percent of FFV (Fixed First Visit) instead have too many damn comeback like other tech did before.. i dont have any comeback....

 

[AutoTech]

i am really like cordless impact wrench because i am starting dont like to dragging the air hose even i almost trip from air hose... but the cost of cordless are higher than air impact wrench... so i am rather to have air impact wrench instead cordless impact wrench... i am own Goodyear 24V impact wrench (170 ft lbs) and it is good for pull one tire that was flat outside, even i used it on engines that i just disassembly only...

i am always being told that USE air tools over hand tools!! because of FLat Rate... i am still doing for right job and want to have high percent of FFV (Fixed First Visit) instead have too many damn comeback like other tech did before.. i dont have any comeback....

dragging and tripping over air hoses is the reason I bought my first cordless impact. I still use my air ratchet alot so I guess I'm still dragging the hose around with me LOL! If you feel more comfortable using hand tools over air tools then don't let the other guys pressure you into using them! For me if I can get a power tool on the bolt thats what I do because time is money.

 

[Rfong]

I'm a complete novice so please excuse me in advance if this is a stupid question.

I ordered a new set of wheels/tires. I have never used a torque wrench to change a flat tire in the past, but I thought I should get a torque wrench to do all 4 wheels properly.

1. What type of torque wrench should I get? I've seen them from $20 - $200?
2. Can a cordless impact wrench do the same job? Does it have a torque setting?

 

[tweety652]

nope they are not the same. i've heard the ones from harbor freight are reliable especially if your only using the ocasionally. impact wrenches will overtorque. torque wrenches are precision instuments and i suggest getting the best you can afford.

 

[malibu101]

I did not see this link mentioned above- http://www.motherofallcordlessimpactwrenches.com/
Go to "see it in action"
Then click "showdown"

 

[Fedwrench]

Unfortunately, you really need two cordless impacts. The first one is the huge Snap on 4850 for removing wheels, suspesion work, and other heavy tasks. The 4850 is heavy at 6.75 pounds with battery and won't fit into small areas. However, it works really well and is probably unequaled in cordless performance.
Your second impact needs to be a smaller 3/8 drive model. This one you can use underhood or under the dash. They're great for light to medium engine work such as intakes, fit almost everwhere, and save time. I like the Makita 14.4 for its battery life, balance, and overall size. It's fast and has decent torque. It's not for removing lugnuts. I've used Dewalts, Blue Point. and Snap on's 3/8 too. You can get a nice set with a light, drill, and impact from Makita for less than $275. That way you only have one type of battery for three tools. Once you start using cordless impacts, you'll wonder why you didn't use them before.