Choosing a power tool brand.... (1/2" impact needed)

[Derek1387]

Looking at getting a set of power tools for DIY projects, but mostly automotive work (Again, DIY).

Things I am after-quality 18-20V 1/4 impact driver, and a compact 1/2 impact driver
Home stuff would basically be a drill.

I currently have two Li-Ion 12V Bosche tools, the 1/4" impact and the 3/8 drill. I really really like them.

So, on to my question.
I am looking mainly at Bosch and Dewalt, possibly Porter Cable.

I would like to have a compact 1/2" impact that will put out enough to do lug nuts and things on a car/truck.
DCF880M2 for Dewalt
IWBH182 for Bosch
They are both rated at about 150ft/lbs...that "should" be enough?

Also, how important is it to stick with one brand? And, which brand out of the three that I listed?


I am not a pro, and never plan on being more than a few hours of work at a time, if that, and rarely. But, I dont want to buy the same tool over and over trying to find the one that works the best.

Thanks all!

 

[AA/FC]

Impact drivers and/or impact wrenches might be THE biggest topic on this site. At least one or two new threads per day are started on this topic. I don't want to sound rude but a simple search will result in weeks or months worth of reading.

 

[Voi]

Also, how important is it to stick with one brand? And, which brand out of the three that I listed?

As somebody who has two different brands and voltages and hauls them around a lot I would prefer both the 12V and 18V stuff to be charged on the same charger. I can't recall off the top of my head which companies offer dual voltage chargers. I know Milwaukee does and I feel like they're not the only one. Maybe somebody else can fill that part in. I guess in your case it only matters of Bosch does since you like your 12V stuff.

If I couldn't get a dual voltage charger and already liked the 12V stuff I had then I wouldn't worry about brand as much, other than to try to make sure all the 12V stuff was the same and all of the 18V stuff was the same.

As far as which brand, I'm not sure. Does Porter Cable even offer a 1/2" impact wrench?

Lastly, Bosch makes a hybrid 1/2" impact wrench and driver. I'm not sure how it compares as far as compactness or torque to the ones you're considering.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUCUHMC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Derek1387]

Impact drivers and/or impact wrenches might be THE biggest topic on this site. At least one or two new threads per day are started on this topic. I don't want to sound rude but a simple search will result in weeks or months worth of reading.

Thanks. I did research, and found a few over the last few days. Mainly about the BiG ones. Not the compact versions. I have been researching for about 4 days now.

 

[mrvm]

I would like to have a compact 1/2" impact that will put out enough to do lug nuts and things on a car/truck.
DCF880M2 for Dewalt
IWBH182 for Bosch
They are both rated at about 150ft/lbs...that "should" be enough

Using the compact M18 FUEL 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrench I got last year as an example, they both have 200-210 ft-lbs torque and have little to no problems zipping off lug nuts. For tougher nuts I also picked up the monster M18 2763 and my impact wrench tools should be complete. I'm still keeping the Bosch 10.8-12V power tools PS20-21-40 for the small stuff.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

Using the compact M18 FUEL 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrench I got last year as an example, they both have 200-210 ft-lbs torque and have little to no problems zipping off lug nuts. For tougher nuts I also picked up the monster M18 2763 and my impact wrench tools should be complete. I'm still keeping the Bosch 10.8-12V power tools PS20-21-40 for the small stuff.

ill second this!

i have the fuel 3/8 impact, its great! Now i can remove alot of stuff. i use it for mostly engine bay and brake stuff. Some really rusty corroded festers wont budge. im debating getting the compact 1/2 with 220 ft pds.



If i was in your position i would look into the Milwaukee line. great stuff!

 

[jrobb316]

Looking at getting a set of power tools for DIY projects, but mostly automotive work (Again, DIY).

Things I am after-quality 18-20V 1/4 impact driver, and a compact 1/2 impact driver
Home stuff would basically be a drill.

I currently have two Li-Ion 12V Bosche tools, the 1/4" impact and the 3/8 drill. I really really like them.

So, on to my question.
I am looking mainly at Bosch and Dewalt, possibly Porter Cable.

I would like to have a compact 1/2" impact that will put out enough to do lug nuts and things on a car/truck.
DCF880M2 for Dewalt
IWBH182 for Bosch
They are both rated at about 150ft/lbs...that "should" be enough?

Also, how important is it to stick with one brand? And, which brand out of the three that I listed?


I am not a pro, and never plan on being more than a few hours of work at a time, if that, and rarely. But, I dont want to buy the same tool over and over trying to find the one that works the best.

Thanks all!

It should be but may or may not be. If you're the only one putting the wheels on you'll be fine. If Johnny Impact gets at it if you take them in, then probably not. I have the Makita in that class and it does a good job, but is a little underpowered for wheels. They make a larger one that would definitely get it done though. As far as brand, its preference at this point. I'm a Makita cordless guy, but when it comes to 1/2" stuff i'm using air, and i'm using IR.

 

[liam.fenemore]

DeWalt also has 12/20V chargers.
I have a DeWalt 20V 3/8" impact that probably takes off lug nuts on cars 75% of the time. I think if you only want it to zip lug nuts off, then get one of the big cordless guns, or just live with cracking them loose with a breaker bar
I work in a shop and we have air, so the DeWalt mostly gets used for brakes/ suspension/ engine work, and it works great. I've seen those 3/8" Milwaukee Fuels work though, and I'd say they do have a little more power.

 

[kctyphoon]

your choices should be Milwaukee, Makita, or Dewalt.. but honestly, just get it over with and get Milwaukee.. theres a good reason they have such a big following here.. with the home depot $150 off promo you'd be crazy to not buy the stuff soon if you are in the market. its something youl have and use for another 20 years..

sell the Bosch on eBay. once you use the newer Milwaukee they wont get used anymore anyway..

if you find the fuel stuff too expensive, you can get the brushed models and they will still be great.

 

[TomB19]

I'll point out that if you get a Milwaukee M18 kit, it will come with a dual voltage charger. If you get an M12 kit, it will come with an M12 charger only.

I wouldn't dump on Bosch or DeWalt. Both are generally well respected brands.

 

[Robbie UK]

your choices should be Milwaukee, Makita, or Dewalt.

You are not going to go wrong with any of the above. I went with Makita and have not regretted it. Just make sure that whatever battery system you invest in has the other bare tools available in their range that you are likely to want or need down the line. Having more than one battery system is money and time down the drain.

 

[vartz04]

Choosing a power tool brand.... (1/2" impact needed)

Not that it's most of our ideas to have less tools but consider this Bosch driver

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=idh182-01l

Exactly same torque spec as the one you listed but it does both 1/4" hex and 1/2" square. I have it and like it. I also have the Bosch 12 volt tools. I wish they had a charger that charged two 18v and two 12v batteries but I'm a home user so it's not like I regularly have to travel with my tools/chargers


I have in 12V the vac, radio, hammer drill, and impact driver and in 18V the brushless socket ready impact driver/wrench, the brushless 3/8 drill the flashlight and the circular saw. Love them all

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Derek1387]

Ended up settling on the Milwaukee deal they had at Home Depot. The guy took care of me and was able to answer all of my questions and they had the impact IN Stock so now I'm set!

And they seemed to have more tools that I would actually use, in the line up.

 

[kctyphoon]

Ended up settling on the Milwaukee deal they had at Home Depot. The guy took care of me and was able to answer all of my questions and they had the impact IN Stock so now I'm set!

And they seemed to have more tools that I would actually use, in the line up.

i hope you have read up on HOW to take full advantage of that sale... if you dont, i strongly suggest you visit the thread i started in the hot deals forum about the home depot sale.. you can save ALOT of money now if you play the game.

 

[kctyphoon]

here - valid today ONLY.. someone else posted this.. its a 9 tool (yes NINE) Milwaukee set that comes with the non-fuel 1/2" impact (still rated at 450ftlbs i think)

you wont find a better deal that this.. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...=7ca8fc52913111e5aa40064ecb6cb2190INT&cj=true

today ONLY its $599... thats $400 off the regular online price.

 

[Derek1387]

I actually got everything to keep. Got the $299 kit and the $200 FUEL impact, minus $100.

 

[stg454]

I have the Bosch in 12 volt with drill, impact driver, driver, right angle driver and saw. It's a great setup. I also have the DeWalt 20 volt with hammer drill, impact driver, sawzall, and big impact wrench. It's a great setup as well for the larger jobs. I'm looking at getting the 3/8" impact wrench next. Also toying with changing to the Milwaukee but that's a lot to buy.