3/8" impact taking over car, light truck, etc work...

[jonjon1]

I have noticed that I hardly ever use 1/2" any more, where I was always using my 1/2" guns, now the only time I ever reach for them is on the rare occasion my 3/8 gun wont do the job or I need a size over 24mm, which is rare.

I have 2- 3/8" impacts I use the most, both IR first is my trusty 2115timax and the other which I love to use is my 216b butterfly {I seem to be much faster with the butterfly style for things like ripping off an intake or where ever there are a bunch of bolts...

The 2115 has enough power to remove pretty much everything I ask it to do, its tiny, light, fast, and strong. I even started buying 3/8 impact sockets where before I was using the 1/2 x 3/8 adapters.. I recently picked up a set of 3/8 matco swivels {deep and shallow} and a set of snap-on semi deep 3/8 impacts {sae and mm}. I was worried at first the smaller impact would lose too much when spinning extensions and swivel sockets, but it still does the job..


So has anyone else been switching over all switched all together..

 

[Wizzard]

I've switched over to 3/8" on the cordless side (Milwaukee Fuel). I find the current 1/2" cordless guns to be obscenely heavy for regular work...I'll simply whip out my much lighter 2135Ti Max if I need 1/2" power.

 

[efb16acrx]

I suppose if you live outside the rust belt and only work on cars, this might be viable most of the time, but not for me.

 

[devoncoolman]

I use my 3/8 stuff all day. Its lighter and faster then 1/2.

 

[kctyphoon]

With the small, light and powerful compact guns like those in the M7 line-up, i wouldnt be suprised to read more of this... even though thats the 1/2" model, the 3/8" is the same size i believe. i would have alot of M7 stuff if i were an auto tech..

 

[RedneckWelder]

I use my Cornwell 3/8 impact a lot- generally if it's inside the machine's compartments, I'll use the 3/8 impact while 1/2 gets used for undercarriage and exterior work.

 

[blacK20]

I agree the current crop of 3/8" impacts are becoming incredibly capable and is slowly creeping into 1/2" power territory. However it does not replace my 1/2". If you did any serious driveline/suspension/steering work, you'll need the 1/2" gun.

 

[DodgeMech]

mg31/325...the king of flat rate...if there were a 3/8 drive electric impact with the size, weight, and power of one of those, i could easily see shops starting to get built w/o a compressor at all...at least pure automotive shops, anyway

 

[MadTinkerer]

mg31/325...the king of flat rate...if there were a 3/8 drive electric impact with the size, weight, and power of one of those, i could easily see shops starting to get built w/o a compressor at all...at least pure automotive shops, anyway

How would you do tires or adjust tire pressure without a compressor. You would be hard pressed to ditch the compressor

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Re: 3/8" impact taking over car, light truck, etc work...

....

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I agree the current crop of 3/8" impacts are becoming incredibly capable and is slowly creeping into 1/2" power territory. However it does not replace my 1/2". If you did any serious driveline/suspension/steering work, you'll need the 1/2" gun.

This.

 

[dsimatt]

I agree the current crop of 3/8" impacts are becoming incredibly capable and is slowly creeping into 1/2" power territory. However it does not replace my 1/2". If you did any serious driveline/suspension/steering work, you'll need the 1/2" gun.

I agree the new 3/8s are animals but its nice to have the bigger guns sitting there if you need them.

 

[SASORacing]

x2 on the fuel with a 3/8 anvil. I like the 1/2 setting for high and low power which is VERY handy.

I always got my blue MAC 1/2 air impact for lugnuts and bigger bolts.

 

[ADSR]

With the small, light and powerful compact guns like those in the M7 line-up, i wouldnt be suprised to read more of this... even though thats the 1/2" model, the 3/8" is the same size i believe. i would have alot of M7 stuff if i were an auto tech..

what's the torque on the mini m7?

 

[ckblum]

I just started in heavy duty. I come from being a helicopter mechanic so mostly 1/4 drive. For me I started with 3/8 stuff and found it has lots of power for most jobs, why lug around a big impact when I don't have to.

I find the 3/8 has enough power for most things, if not then I usually skip the 1/2 and go straight to a 3/4 or 1" drive for big jobs.

 

[Mastermind]

I hate my 1/2. Most of the time it's the little guy doin the work. Even lug nuts. And I'm in the rust belt.

 

[jonjon1]

How would you do tires or adjust tire pressure without a compressor. You would be hard pressed to ditch the compressor

Nitrogen, works much better in tires than compressed air, but I agree with you the compressors are here to stay, I don't see electric tools taking over any time soon.

My 3/8 has taken off any lug nut I ever put it on, and fast...


I do restorations so get a lot of stubborn bolts, I got a complete 1971 challenger down to the frame using the 3/8 gun, although I helped a friend of mine with his c10 build, and the 1/2" gun was needed much more, it got to the point where I just used the 1/2" gun for everything on it...

But for the most part and I would imagine in late model maintenance and repairs, I think modern day mechanics would have the smaller gun for most everything..

 

[WhiffySpark]

With the small, light and powerful compact guns like those in the M7 line-up, i wouldnt be suprised to read more of this... even though thats the 1/2" model, the 3/8" is the same size i believe. i would have alot of M7 stuff if i were an auto tech..

Do you work for them or something?

 

[CobraChevelle]

My 1/2 guns are my fist choice if they fit. I love the power. I try to use my milwaukee M18 1/2 cordless, but too big for alot of work. My nitrocat in 3/8 works nice too, but I am running into places where that doesn't fit either. I now have that M7 mini in a 1/2 drive.. If i cud do it over again I would buy the MINI and forget the 3/8 guns.

Edit: Another thing I run into and maybe it is just me, but I find myself also using air tools if there is alot of greese or fluid involved. Droping a ******/oil pan can get messy or rear diff work.

 

[Zeke]

I'm not a pro mechanic but I turn wrenches plenty enough. Still using sockets by hand as I want to feel the nut or bolt all the way. There are times of exceptions. Now for carpentry work, I wouldn't think of driving a screw by hand or driving a nail with a hammer. That's strange, I know.

 

[Bessy]

As a hobbyist, I bought the DCF 880 (1/2" drive) bare tool just before for lug nuts and stuff. It's got plenty of power for such a light tool, though I didn't have the 3/8 drive in my hand to compare. The 880 has the same basic dimensions as my 1/4 impact driver (885 I think). I had the 885 running with a 1/4 hex to 3/8 drive adapter as well as the 880 running my larger 1/2" sockets when I removed the transmission and rear half of the frame on my tractor restoration project. from my perspective they both had lots of power to remove bolts that haven't been out in the 45 year lifespan of the tractor.

I'd be interested to see the two up against each other in some sort of review video.