3/8 in cordless impact usefulness

[hancock1701]

Hi guys,

I've been wanting a 3/8 in. cordless impact. Every time I watch EricTheCarGuy, I want one even more. I'm not a professional mechanic, just a hobbyist. But I do want efficiency when I work on my car. A 3/8 cordless impact seems pretty useful and fast when used around the engine bay and other stuff. I have a Craftsman 1/2 in Heavy Duty for suspension and lug nuts, and have been quite satisfied with that. So I'm looking to get the 3/8 Craftsman C3 version.

For those who have used a 3/8, how useful or how much easier does it make when taking things apart? Is it lighter or easier to handle than a 1/2 in? On the Craftsman website, it says the 3/8 is 3 lbs, and the 1/2 in is only 3.5 lbs, both without battery, even though the 1/2 in with a 4Ah feels pretty heavy.

 

[dalejrfan88]

My buddy bought me the dewalt 12v 3/8 impact a year or 2 ago...and I love it! Its small and lightweight but it does have a hard time breaking some stubborn bolts. Its nice for tearing apart something quickly though. I use it constantly and I don't know where I would be without it. I have thought about picking up Milwaukee's version of it to see if that one is stronger.

 

[bcradio]

I have the M12 Fuel 3/8" and like it ok. I still prefer and use air much more for 3/8 (and 1/2).

 

[Finky198]

I have hilti cordless 3/8 impact I just bought it a few month back yes it's nice for that occasional time that cordless is a must (vs dragging 100ft air line)

but to be completely honest it's louder, larger, and fits in less places then my 3/8 air impact due to it batteries being in the way.

It barley fits in my jeeps engine bay and way has more torque then you should ever need working near, in, or on a motor with the exception of a rebuild.

All in all I really don't understand all the hype about cordless tools... Except for Drills

 

[Kenskip1]

I also enjoy watching his videos.I purchased a Dewalt 825 18 volt 3/8. And I like everything about it. I also employ a Milwaukee 3/8 in the M12 impact wrench.Both have there merits but for sheer muscle the Dewalt wins hands down. Ken

 

[bobcatdan]

My 3/8" cordless is one of my most used tools. If I could brush my teeth with it, I would.

 

[onarant]

I use my Milwaukee 3/8 a lot. Rotated the tires on my Titan using it this past weekend.

 

[allinon72]

My 3/8 Milwaukee m12 FUEL will remove lug nuts all day long. Rarely grab the 1/2 these days.

 

[Negen]

My 3/8" cordless is one of my most used tools. If I could brush my teeth with it, I would.

I think for a hobbyist that a 1/4" impact driver is more useful.

 

[90zcar]

I'll give you my opinion. I myself do about the same as you with my own projects in my garage and the occasional side job on a vehicle I do once a week.
About a year or so ago I thought I "needed" a 3/8 air impact to add to my 1/2" impact I already had. So I spent the money and bought a snap on 3/8" mg325. I really liked it but as time went on I realized..."damn I spent a lot of money on that thing and barely use it"
It started to bug me after awhile and last month I decided to sell it
Now I know you are talking about battery where as I am talking about air but you get the point. If you have money to burn well then by all means get one and if you do I wouldn't get a craftsman and would get a Milwaukee.
If I did this for 8 hours a day well then absolutely. But for a couple hours here and there in my garage I just didn't see the use. I have no problem taking my time working on something using my snap on ratchets which I spent good money on and enjoy using and get out my ingersoll Rand 2135 1/2" impact when the occasion arises.
Not to mention with the cold and got temp differences all the time in my garage....Batteries don't last long for me


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[Antwonizzle]

I use my CT761 more than anything when I'm doing engine work. its small enough to fit in small places and strong enough to remove pretty much any bolt on an engine. I know it isn't cheap but I would highly recommend it.

 

[Ign]

snip....

For those who have used a 3/8, how useful or how much easier does it make when taking things apart? Is it lighter or easier to handle than a 1/2 in? On the Craftsman website, it says the 3/8 is 3 lbs, and the 1/2 in is only 3.5 lbs, both without battery, even though the 1/2 in with a 4Ah feels pretty heavy.

I love my 2654 Milwaukee Fuel. It's WAY, WAY smaller, lighter and more nimble than the monster 2763 1/2" impact. I only pull out the 2763 for stupid stuff, like rusted trailer ball shanks.

As for the Craftsman line specifically, I don't know how the sizes or weights compare.

 

[Ign]

Interestingly enough, Milwaukee and Craftsman cordless tools all made by the same company, albeit different divisions.

Ryobi 18V, Ridged 18V, and Craftsman 19.2V all made at the same factory in China (One World Technologies).

TTBOMK not every Craftsman cordless tool is made by TTI. They tend to shop around a bit and see who can make them what they want, presumably at a price point they want, or maybe just w features or lead times they desire (I don't pretend to know all the reasons).

But yeah, Ford makes the Focus and the F350, so they must be the same. IOW, it really doesn't matter the name of the manufacturer unless they're built to the same standards and using the same internals. Every time Ridgid, Ryobi, Milwaukee or Craftsman comes up someone pipes up about TTI, but it's been discussed on this board more times than Limbaugh screams about immigration.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My son has a DeWalt 18V impact with 1/4" hex coupling. Nothing better for driving/removing screws in wood.


I am waiting and watching for a good deal on a Milwaukee 3/8" M12 Fuel.

 

[alpaca]

I have the m12 fuel 3/8". It's very powerful for a 12v and I use it quite a bit. It will do lug nuts but often struggles and sometimes won't break them loose.

I use my 1/4" impact a ton more than I do my 3/8" though.

Since you have the larger stuff covered with a 1/2" I'd get a 1/4". Or you could get a impact driver and use hex to 1/4" and 3/8" anvil adapters and have both bases covered. The m12 fuel impact driver is rated at 1000in/lbs iirc. Pretty sure teh fuel hex / 1/4" / 3/8" all share the same motor.

 

[CJM8515]

I prefer the 1/4" impact driver as its more useful overall. BUT the 3/8 is very nice when you need a medium duty gun.

 

[MrGiggles]

If you buy one, it'll make you hardly touch your hand tools.

My 3/8 air impact has more power, but is also less convenient because of the hose. I use the cordless a lot more.

1/4" hex is more versatile, but the adapters add length to the tool. Square drive is more compact, and you can get a 3/8 square to 1/4 hex adapter pretty easily.

 

[mark.dziamski]

I agree since I bought my 3/8 cordless impact, my ratchets don't see nearly as much use anymore

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[The Toolest Guy]

1/4" hex is more versatile, but the adapters add length to the tool. Square drive is more compact, and you can get a 3/8 square to 1/4 hex adapter pretty easily.

So why not buy a 1/4" square drive impact wrench? People seem to act like they aren't available.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/Iqv-cordless-tools/iqv12series/w1120

 

[hancock1701]

I'll give you my opinion. I myself do about the same as you with my own projects in my garage and the occasional side job on a vehicle I do once a week.
About a year or so ago I thought I "needed" a 3/8 air impact to add to my 1/2" impact I already had. So I spent the money and bought a snap on 3/8" mg325. I really liked it but as time went on I realized..."damn I spent a lot of money on that thing and barely use it"
It started to bug me after awhile and last month I decided to sell it
Now I know you are talking about battery where as I am talking about air but you get the point. If you have money to burn well then by all means get one and if you do I wouldn't get a craftsman and would get a Milwaukee.
If I did this for 8 hours a day well then absolutely. But for a couple hours here and there in my garage I just didn't see the use. I have no problem taking my time working on something using my snap on ratchets which I spent good money on and enjoy using and get out my ingersoll Rand 2135 1/2" impact when the occasion arises.
Not to mention with the cold and got temp differences all the time in my garage....Batteries don't last long for me


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The Milwaukee and DeWalt ones seem very powerful and compact. But they're a little pricey for me, and for how much I'll use it. That's why the Craftsman seems like a safer bet, because if I end up not using it as much, I didn't spend a ton of money on it either. But from the specs, the 3/8 in. Craftsman C3 Impact is significantly bulkier than Milwaukee and DeWalt.

 

[MrGiggles]

So why not buy a 1/4" square drive impact wrench? People seem to act like they aren't available.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/Iqv-cordless-tools/iqv12series/w1120

You'd still need an adapter to use hex bits, and your socket selection typically ends around 14mm. 3/8 generally covers 8-19mm, not to mention the 1/4 impact is limited in torque capacity.

The Milwaukee and DeWalt ones seem very powerful and compact. But they're a little pricey for me, and for how much I'll use it. That's why the Craftsman seems like a safer bet, because if I end up not using it as much, I didn't spend a ton of money on it either. But from the specs, the 3/8 in. Craftsman C3 Impact is significantly bulkier than Milwaukee and DeWalt.

Look at CPO Milwaukee's reconditioned tools. You lose warranty (5 years vs 1) but it's definitely reflected in the price. The M12 impact is very compact, batteries are cheap, and they last a long time.

 

[jar944]

M18 fuel 3/8. I don't bother to un-coil my air lines much since I got this.



and it works great on small items as well

 

[hautpot]

I like 3/8 if its in compact model and not reused a full size 1/2 gun but the drive is smaller. This means you will have 12Vcompact and full size 18V batteries, but that is the trade off.

Now 1/4 square impact is pretty useless. 1/4 hex impact driver is a must have.

 

[stikman56]

They're smaller and lighter than the 1/2" by a long ways. I use both and like them, they make work much easier.

 

[cgv69]

All I have right now is a Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8" impact it's done everything I've needed/asked of it. Rusty suspension parts might need a little more gun (?) but for everything else on a car, it's great.

By the way, don't be fooled into getting the M12 instead of the M18 version thinking the M12 is more compact and will get into tighter places. The M18's head is actually shorter then the M12's

 

[jrobb316]

I would probably have to stop working if I didn't have access to my 3/8 cordless. I have a makita. Use it all day every day.

 

[kelpaso1]

I prefer the 1/4" impact driver as its more useful overall. BUT the 3/8 is very nice when you need a medium duty gun.

I agree with this^^^
I do small engine repair and use 1/4 drive sockets and screwdriver bits all the time. I can change quickly between them. Also use a 3/8 air impact for the stubborn bolts. I have a Dewalt 20V 1/4 impact driver. I don't know how I can live without it since I got it a couple years ago

 

[hancock1701]

All I have right now is a Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8" impact it's done everything I've needed/asked of it. Rusty suspension parts might need a little more gun (?) but for everything else on a car, it's great.

By the way, don't be fooled into getting the M12 instead of the M18 version thinking the M12 is more compact and will get into tighter places. The M18's head is actually shorter then the M12's

Many say the M18 bigger batteries get in the way quite often compared to the M12. Do you have any experience with that?

 

[cgv69]

Many say the M18 bigger batteries get in the way quite often compared to the M12. Do you have any experience with that?

Its hasn't been an issue for me but I'm not a professional mechanic either. I generally only use mine for times when using a standard ratchet or wrench would **** because of torque or bolt length, repetitiveness, etc..

I also have the M12 Impact Driver but only use that when working on the interior of the car. Its always about getting the right tool for the work you do and how you like to work. When I was a mobile electronics installer, if I could have only had one of these, it would definitely be the M12 impact driver but if I was a mechanic and could only have one, I'd take the M18 Impact wrench.

I'm fortunate enough to not have to choose and went with both. Someday I hope to have the trifecta and get the M18 1/2 high torque impact wrench too!

 

[DodgeMech]

i got a dewalt 20 volt 1/4 inch hex impact, and the new snap on 3/8 drive 14 volt baby impact, both have their uses, as does my mg31 air 3/8 impact...but i do do this stuff for a living