Best manual impact driver

[Exceller8]

Lately I've found the need for a manual impact driver. I would like to find a quality tool but I don't want to break the bank. I would like to stay under $100 for one. What would you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[zkling]

I have the craftsman one. Has served me well over the years. Not positive, but I think it is still USA made, I HOPE. IIRC they are ~$20.

Just my budget minded 2¢

 

[devoncoolman]

Craftsman is my recommendation. For cheap and descent quality. Or lisle.

 

[Exceller8]

I have the craftsman one. Has served me well over the years. Not positive, but I think it is still USA made, I HOPE. IIRC they are ~$20.

Just my budget minded 2¢

I just read a review and they said it was US made as of May 2013. $22 sounds too good to be true though, but if you got good service from yours it might be worth a look.

 

[zkling]

I just read a review and they said it was US made as of May 2013. $22 sounds too good to be true though, but if you got good service from yours it might be worth a look.

Yea, I use it all the time. I tend to only get to work on rusty fasteners so it gets alot of use. The only issue I had with it was the flat head blade broke, but I just reground it back to size and keep using it. I primarily use the Philips bits. If you do much work on drum brakes that have philips screws on them, you will be happy with your purchase the 1st time you use it.

 

[Hiball]

You would be wise to invest in bits versus the driver.. I got by with a buffalo impact driver and snappy bits for along time.

 

[Exceller8]

Yea, I use it all the time. I tend to only get to work on rusty fasteners so it gets alot of use. The only issue I had with it was the flat head blade broke, but I just reground it back to size and keep using it.

Heck, for $22 I'm going for it!

 

[jmm]

I got an old Snap-On driver second hand a while back. Works quite well.

I have to say though, the difference in that one and what I have at work (a Craftsman) is pretty minimal. Even the 5.99 HF one I have under my truck seat works well.

As mentioned -- it pays to have bits that'll stand up to being pounded on.

 

[Frosthy]

Craftsman driver and bits are holding up fine for me.

Big hammer helps. Estwing makes a nice blue/comfort handled Engineer's Hammer (3lb?) that's about $15 and made in the USA (available at Home Depot).

And technique. Grab the impact and put a bit of rotation on it before you wack it with the hammer.

 

[Exceller8]

You would be wise to invest in bits versus the driver.. I got by with a buffalo impact driver and snappy bits for along time.

Thanks! What should I be looking for quality wise? I can add some Snap-On to my next order but what are my other options?

 

[jmm]

And technique. Grab the impact and put a bit of rotation on it before you wack it with the hammer.

Very important. Took me forever to figure this out on my own. Make sure the thing is oriented in the correct direction, and before striking twist it that direction. Not as if you're trying to break it loose; just enough pressure so that, when struck, you help it along and can control the force more effectively.

 

[rusty65]

If you want the best I would buy a used snappy set on eBay they sell for dirt cheap on there. Around 80 dollars with snappy bit sockets and case.


Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.

 

[rsanter]

I have the Cman and it works great
I also have a snap on that I got used for a bargain. That works good too.
Can't really tell the difference in function

Bob

 

[e30bradley]

I have a HF one and the bits are garbage.. It failed the few times I tried to use it.

 

[vssjim]

Lowell Corp. make Porter Ferguson Tools in the US and they still make Impact Drivers both 3/8 and 1/2. They still make port a power stuff here in the US as well.

 

[Trey T]

I like the 3/8" driver better as you can find the bits easier

 

[lbgradwell]

Craftsman is my recommendation. For cheap and descent quality.

"Descent quality" indeed!

 

[ZRX61]

I have a Taiwanese "Talco" that I paid about $8 for 30 years ago. Still works perfectly, but the end is mushroomed over a bit from the hammer blows.

 

[2oolhound]

Beware the cheapo HF and even some of the Koken and likely others don't have the 3/8 or 1/2 square drive so they only take bits and not your sockets etc. That said I did buy the cheapo HF style because it was so thin and small and because it was cheap. I don't regret it, it works great with the small stuff. It's worth having a good variety of em.

 

[TwoInch]

the HF one i have uses the 3/8 drive square, and comes with a 6mm impact socket to fit the bits into.

i have a couple of the hand impacts, all cheap units under $15 or so, and they all have worked flawlessly every time i have need them. i have used the craftsman, its works well. also have used a snap on, which worked well also.

like mentioned above, proper technique is whats important, as well as quality bits. i have twisted off many cheapie bits with a hand impact. put some positive pressure in the direction you want it to go, and smack it.

 

[rshadd]

My vintage H.K. Porter 1/4" impact driver still works great.

 

[arms1970]

Shocker

 

[jmm]

Beware the cheapo HF and even some of the Koken and likely others don't have the 3/8 or 1/2 square drive so they only take bits and not your sockets etc. That said I did buy the cheapo HF style because it was so thin and small and because it was cheap. I don't regret it, it works great with the small stuff. It's worth having a good variety of em.

You have to pull the black cap off the end to use the square drive.

 

[1950mercury]

stanley,proto,mac and matco are all made buy the same company

 

[Monte]

Koken Attack Driver - 1/2" drive with 1/2" to 5/16" bit adaptor.
www.kokenusa.com

 

[cclfn]

stanley,proto,mac and matco are all made buy the same company

I was looking for one of these yesterday and found the Proto driver for $22 bucks and then found a Proto set for about $42 but are their bits worth anything. Are these a higher quality than the Craftsman or would this set be a good one for occasional home use.

Thanks,
Wes

 

[SJShaw672]

I've got a Teng Tools one - it's good quality (not quite snap-on). The bits are strong and it shows no signs of giving up for a long time.

 

[Wakefield]

Wow I looked up a Koken Attack Driver on Frank's Tools and it wanted to charge me about $7000. for Parcel Post Shipping ! Showed a new set with more bits or something

Fooled around with their webstore some more. It appears to be letting me order the set with fewer bits for a more reasonable $10. or so shipping.

 

[AV tinker er]

Some have told me the Mac version doesn't break bits nearly as often as the SO. I don't know the quality of bits being used though. My 2c...

 

[theknurl]

i bought a Cman impact driver in '75 1st hit broke the bit.....
they wouldn't warranty it

went and bought a SnapOn PIT-120 3/8" impact it was $9 and change NEW, and cheaper than the Crapsman

still use it.....i've spent a lot of years working on motorcycles.....its been USED....i hit it with my grandfather's brass hammer, works perfectly

 

[Farmall450]

I have the Lisle/Napa Pro US one. I like it.

 

[Wakefield]

Wow I looked up a Koken Attack Driver on Frank's Tools and it wanted to charge me about $7000. for Parcel Post Shipping ! Showed a new set with more bits or something

Fooled around with their webstore some more. It appears to be letting me order the set with fewer bits for a more reasonable $10. or so shipping.

I just had an e-mail exchange with Frank's Tools. Seem very helpful. They seem to have fixed their webstore and I was able to order the (I think it is AG112H) set with more bits in it.

 

[98sierra]

I have 4. No big names. Some I like because the drivers are good and some I like the bits are good. The best or I've ever used hands down was the snap on. I know you have a budget but the snap on one works amazing. And the bits are AWESOME!!!

 

[Honda 1]

+e is reasonable.1 for the Craftsman version. As stated by other members, it does the job and the pric

 

[Exceller8]

I just got back from Sears and I bought the Craftsman. It's still made in the US, but it no longer comes with a case. It should work just fine until I get the extra money for the Snap-On or other higher end tool.

Thanks for all of you help!

 

[2oolhound]

You have to pull the black cap off the end to use the square drive.

these are the cheapos I was referring to, no adapter to pull off, they just take hex bits but they are nice and thin and only about $6 on sale.

 

[Gert]

Gedore K1900-013

 

[quattrojon]

The Lisle impact drivers are excellent and U.S.A made.

 

[relic7680]

I currently have 2 sets. The first is a Proto 3/8" that I bought new...wouldn't rotate when hit and Proto replaced it free of charge through the mail...still don't like the action very much. My Snap-on 3/8" was sourced used...got a generic socket and bits separately. I use it professionally to remove small #2 Phillips screws corroded into aluminum plate. Went through two of the bits in as many months and then bought the Snap-on socket/bit and one extra bit off the truck for $36. That first bit broke on the second screw...warrantied it the next week. We'll see how the next ones hold up.

 

[98sierra]

The Lisle impact drivers are excellent and U.S.A made.

Drivers are alright and bits **** IMO. I have 2