1/4 drive cordless Impact Wrench

[Kenskip1]

I have been watching the youtube and came across a person using a 1/4 drive cordless impact wrench. Now I own two of the major brands in 3/8 and 1/2 drive.(Dewalt Milwaukee) Has anyone ever used one of these? I have a spot just itching to be filled with one of these in my toolbox. Any experience or words of wisdom on these? It will be used on small engines mostly. Thanks Ken

 

[Negen]

I have not use a 1/4" impact wrench but I do use almost weakly at work a 1/4" impact driver. Both dewalt and Milwaukee. Dewalt model number DC825B and the Milwaukee model number 2653-20. The dewalt is about 5-7 years old and milwaukee is about a year old. The dewalt is much more powerful. These are both 1/4" hex drivers so we use adapters are 1/4" hex to 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2" square for sockets. They also work great for torx or hex bits.

The work that I do is in the casino industry and I have to secure the bases for the slot machines each machine weighs about 200-500lbs plus the bases have large spinning signs on them with 40-60" lcd tvs. So we need to be able to torque the machines and signs down tight so they do not fall on people.

When using 1/4" we use that mostly when we tear down old machines for recycle. The 1/4" hex is quite universal and I would say that they are great for small engine building. I would not use them for professional auto mechanics though.

 

[Sparkyjack]

Are you planning to use it for disassembly only?
I have a Milwaukee hex impact, just for fun I wanted to see if it would loosen lug nuts, hex to 1/2 adaptor with an impact socket, bang bang bang zip off it went, this was a properly torqued nut. Yeah I know such tests are far from perfect but it was impressive.
I sometimes worry about breaking a fastener or worse when disassembling stuff with an impact, at least doing things by hand you can tell when things are going bad. In some cases the broken fastener does not matter as you planned to replace it anyways, in other cases it matters and that's when you should put the power tools and get a real feel for what's happening.

 

[coralnut]

I have the milwauke4e 2653. I think it's sort of a gimmicky device looking to fill a non-existant niche. It definitely will not take the properly torqued lug nuts off of my truck (140 ft-lb).

I have a screw shooter and a variable speed drill that i use a lot for construction fasteners. I have air tools for use on cars. I could live without the 1/4" driver. Seriously, if it disappeared I wouldn't bother to replace it.

 

[21bubba]

I have two. One a snap on and the other a matco. Don't know the model numbers, but I do know they're the **** for working on a automatic transmission.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have a Milwaukee M12 1/4 square drive fuel impact wrench. It makes upper engine work a breeze.
It's small overall size is great for crowded engine compartments and under dash work. the bright led helps when working in dark areas. I wouldn't want to be without mine.

 

[firworks]

I have not use a 1/4" impact wrench but I do use almost weakly at work a 1/4" impact driver.

Maybe hit the gym?

I use my Bosch 1/4" Impact Driver all the time on light wrenching jobs. It really makes working on the Snapper rider a lot easier. I do wish I could get better shorter adaptors for 1/4" and 3/8" square drive though. I have a Hitachi impact adaptor set and it's a bit wobbly since the bits are long.

 

[Kenskip1]

I will use it for removing cylinder heads and most small engine uses.Automatic transmission pan removal. Just something smaller than a 3/8ths.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have a Milwaukee M12 1/4 square drive fuel impact wrench. It makes upper engine work a breeze.
It's small overall size is great for crowded engine compartments and under dash work. the bright led helps when working in dark areas. I wouldn't want to be without mine.

Same here. I started with 3/8 in the impact wrench and ratchet, but often found I was reducing down to 1/4" stuff.....so, I went and bought 1/4 impact and ratchet. They get used A LOT.

FUEL fanboy here.

 

[Rock Hound]

FUEL fanboy here.

While I wouldn't call myself a fanboy, I have been nothing but impressed with my m12 purchases (Fuel in the hex impact driver, drill/driver, and circular saw) and plan to add to my collection in the future.

 

[TomB19]

Are you planning to use it for disassembly only?
I have a Milwaukee hex impact, just for fun I wanted to see if it would loosen lug nuts, hex to 1/2 adaptor with an impact socket, bang bang bang zip off it went, this was a properly torqued nut. Yeah I know such tests are far from perfect but it was impressive.
I sometimes worry about breaking a fastener or worse when disassembling stuff with an impact, at least doing things by hand you can tell when things are going bad. In some cases the broken fastener does not matter as you planned to replace it anyways, in other cases it matters and that's when you should put the power tools and get a real feel for what's happening.

I use a Milwaukee FUEL M18 hex impact with square adapters too, works great, but I worry about twisting the hex to square drive adapters and having it permanently jammed in the collet. I had this happen before with a Mastercraft impact and no-name adapter. The Milwaukee impact has way more torque than the Mastercraft impact so I'm extremely cautious.

Actually, I have no idea why they have three torque settings on that impact. I can't imagine the top setting being useful for anything. It's way too much.

 

[Marlin]

Here is a link to the IR 12 volt line that includes a 1/4" impact. I have not use that tool much but I use the 12 volt ratchet, drill and light all the time and love them (although I may have a little bit of a bias)

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/Iqv-cordless-tools/iqv12series


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[Leoruiz]

Fuel FanMAN here too. Mine is on my belt most all day. Even as I type(coffee break). Great little knocker.

 

[papavolume]

I own a Snap on 3/8 currently as well as a 3/8 Makita but the batteries in that one needs rebuilt. I had a 1/2 HF one for years that I used to bring with me to the track to change into the drag wheel setup years ago but recently sold that.

I have used some friends 1/4 and I don't personally think I need one but I could see how having something small and light weight for simple underhood work could be handy.

 

[joshs74nova]

This is what I bought a few years ago and I've certainly got my money out of it. I just use a simple impact driver and attach the adapter on it. There are dedicated 1/4" wrenches but I don't see the need unless you're a full time mechanic who does need the snap on or ingersoll rand. Then having a truck that can warranty it would certainly be worth the money and understandably so. I've never felt my dewalt didn't have enough power for my needs working on vehicles and around the house projects.

Unlike the other person who commented earlier about it not being able to take off lug nuts, I've never felt the need to try to overuse a 1/4" gun for a 1/2" drive job. That's like grabbing the keys to your Ford Ranger instead of your F-350 to tow a bulldozer.

If you already have a Dewalt setup, Milwaukee or any other brand I say keep expanding on that lineup unless you're not happy. In that case both Dewalt and Milwaukee make fine tools that get the job done.


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[Kenskip1]

The thing is, if my helper grabs a 18/20 volt tool and proceeds to over tighten a head bolt and strips the threads this is not in my plan. I own a Makita 142 impact driver 18 volt but this is not what I want. Am looking for the Milwaukee 1/4 drive. I have 3 other tools in the M12 lineup.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I have a 1/4 matco Impact I use every day. It looks like a makita but the brushes are replaceable

I use it for everything engine related