Air impact or Milwaukee 1/2 inch

[Kilgore Trout]

I have a Makita compressor that puts out 6.5 CFM (5 gallon tank). I also own the M18 milwaukee screwdriver and impact driver. Looking to grab an impact before I do some brake work this weekend.

So, my question is for my purposes (and with my compressor) what would be better an air impact (thinking 1/2 inch astro nano) or M18 1/2 impact? I am a "fair weather" mechanic. If I can do it in a weekend, I'll do it. If it takes more than that - time is money and I will pay someone else to do it.

Did a search on "The Google" but didn't find any posts past 2012.

Note: Updated with correct compressor CFM.

 

[rayh91]

If you use it all the time, I'd say air but every now and then, probably the M18. It's just more convenient to have the batteries charged up then it is to pull the air hose out and turn on the compressor.

All up to you though, either will get the job done. I would take the air impact and use 12v/18v tools for smaller fasteners. Then again, your tank is pretty small. I've done it before but it just runs all the time and gets annoying.

 

[jlipsky14]

I would go with the high torque m18 fuel, I have on and love it. Only time I would rather have air would be to go with a low profile/nano impact but on your compressor I would go electric.

 

[gdocktor3]

Go with the cordless since you already have the batteries. I bought a Dewalt DCF899 a few months ago and haven't touched my pneumatic impact. It's so nice and easy....

 

[bcradio]

Already have M18 batteries? Go cordless.

Otherwise pneumatic nano 3/8" (not 1/2")

 

[rednotch]

m18, air compressor is on the small side for impact use, it would be running a lot.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

m18 high torque. I hardly ever use my air impact anymore unless I cant fit the Milwaukee in somewhere.

 

[MrGiggles]

Sounds like cordless would work best for you. Your compressor doesn't have enough flow or reserve capacity to really run an impact for any period of time.

If you don't already have the M18 batteries, the Dewalt is 2" shorter with similar torque specs and price.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X52TWA4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

If you're flipping on the small, loud compressor for just the impact when you're wrenching, and already have M18 chargers and batts, then might as well go M18 impact. Just make sure you have impact universal joints or shallow 1/2" impact sockets to make up for some the clearance you're losing.

___________
Chris
Product Manager

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Air for me by far although I do have a 33 gallon compressor. The majority of the time that I need a battery powered tool the batteries aren't charged. When they are, I often use the charge and have to stop in the middle of the job for them to recharge. I've also run into the issue of having to replace the batteries every couple of years for almost as much as the tool itself.

My air impact on the other hand never needs charging, can't run out of charge in the middle of the job, is smaller allowing me to get to bolts in tighter spaces, etc. Here I am almost 10 years later still using the same IR2135 and I've never had to worry about replacing expensive batteries. I absolutely love this thing. I will day that I probably use it 3x a week or more, so I do use it a fair amount more than it sounds like you will, but there is no way I'd get rid of it for a battery powered unit. Having both are nice, but air is the way to go if you're only going to have one imo.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Go cordless. I bought the above mentioned DeWalt 899? And love it. Plenty of torque and its always ready to go, unlike my air tools. In the time it takes me to air up the Compressor, the job is already done. All my cordless tools are Dewalt 18 or 20v and I have the adaptor to run 20s on the 18v tools. Having everything run on the same batteries means there is always a charged battery available.

 

[WhataTool]

If you're flipping on the small, loud compressor for just the impact when you're wrenching, and already have M18 chargers and batts, then might as well go M18 impact. Just make sure you have impact universal joints or shallow 1/2" impact sockets to make up for some the clearance you're losing.

___________
Chris
Product Manager

What? A brand recommending someone not buy their brand, you're doing it wrong

 

[buckwheat_la]

I am curious on the compressor you have?

 

[Dal Bone]

Go cordless. I bought the above mentioned DeWalt 899? And love it. Plenty of torque and its always ready to go, unlike my air tools. In the time it takes me to air up the Compressor, the job is already done. All my cordless tools are Dewalt 18 or 20v and I have the adaptor to run 20s on the 18v tools. Having everything run on the same batteries means there is always a charged battery available.

Did you get the hog ring or detent anvil?

I have my eye on the Dewalt 899 as well but I have not found it on sale yet.

 

[kkroger]

I have a pretty big Air Compressor, 30CFM at 100 PSI... 80 Gallon tank...
I can use several air tools at one time, I recently picked up a Milwaukee Electric Corded impact to use on installs when I don't have air. I never have any luck with my cordless stuff, batteries DIE just before I get done... or batteries are always DEAD...

Oddly I find myself using the electric more than the air. Never thought I would. I have Air why drag out cords and such... but I do. There I said it.... I have also found that the Milwaukee gets stuff the Ingersol Rand won't...

 

[ItsNemo]

Did you get the hog ring or detent anvil?

I have my eye on the Dewalt 899 as well but I have not found it on sale yet.

Get the hog ring...the detent anvil's are annoying to get sockets on and off.

Also, being a weekend guy I'm going on probably 6 or so years on my Dewalt batteries and they're only now starting to last not quite as long. I've done several very large projects with the impact driver too which discharges them a lot quicker than work on the car. That said, I don't use battery powered stuff when a corded/air tool is more appropriate. I'm not sure how people only get 2-3 years unless they're using them all day every day.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I have a Makita MAC5200.

 

[Marlin]

The Milwaukee will give you higher torque but not so good access in tight spaces while the Nano will give you mediocre torque(for a 1/2") with much better accessibility. So it really depends on what you'll be using it for mostly. If your first job will be brakes, the Nano or other mini will probably be good for getting the caliper bolts out.

 

[buckwheat_la]

I have a Makita MAC5200.

Duty cycle on that machine is pretty low isn't it?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

50%. Though in this case, I am certainly not going to be using an impact for long periods at a time (e.g. bust off a caliper bolt or two, then put it down).

It also fills the tank in less than a minute.

 

[ToolGuy89]

Get the Milwaukee!

 

[rustbucket5]

i bought the milwaukee 2763 (the high torque model) because the shop i was working didnt have air. i honestly cant imagine myself going back to air. the batteries last a lot longer than you expect and if you get a couple extra batteries or the combo kits that come with batteries you will never have the problem of not having a battery charged.

 

[oldldh]

The Milwaukee...

You can't beat the convenience...

And...

If you had to...

You could take it with you...

The compressor is a lot heavier than a battery...

 

[buckwheat_la]

50%. Though in this case, I am certainly not going to be using an impact for long periods at a time (e.g. bust off a caliper bolt or two, then put it down).

It also fills the tank in less than a minute.

Yeah, for light spurts it will be fine, believe it or not I actually bought this compressor for my guys and totally forgot that it puts out that much cfm, best in its class for a small compressor. Asked the head of my construction division about it, and he loves it....

 

[Jim Diesel]

For around the home and odd jobs, go cordless. Professionaly both have a place in the workshop.

If you do some big repairs and have the air setup at home to support the drain of impact tools, go pneumatic.