Snap-on or Koken 3/8" Impact Driver?

[PretendMechanic]

I'm looking at the Snap-on PIT120 and Koken Attack Driver 3112N 3/8" impact drivers.

Am able to get each of them for about the same price.

I know everyone loves the Koken Attack Drivers for their value, but are they superior in performance to the Snap-on?

Supposdely the Koken needs a lot less force to initiate? And has more rotation? Would that always be a good thing though?

Do they both have the design where you don't need to slightly rotate and hold the driver in the direction you want to turn while striking?

The Snap-on design seems pretty old now, but if it aint broke?

 

[seber]

If they are the same price, I'd go with Snap-on. Those impacts have a propensity to give up after some amount of torture. Koken may as well not have a warranty.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'd vote Milwaukee impact driver. Why do people still use these things? If you're going manual go with a Vessel Impacta. That stated I see no reason to go manual.

 

[Wamsutta]

What are you using it for? I can't believe you left that part out. Are you using for brake rotor retention screws?

Geez what a disappointment. The guy doesn't even tell us what he's using it for.

 

[lund]

I'd vote Milwaukee impact driver. Why do people still use these things? If you're going manual go with a Vessel Impacta. That stated I see no reason to go manual.

Vessel Impacta drivers do NOT work as well as this type of hand impact driver. They have too much flex in the longer blade.

 

[Callelle]

I'd vote Milwaukee impact driver. Why do people still use these things? If you're going manual go with a Vessel Impacta. That stated I see no reason to go manual.

Because you don't get the downward force that helps break seized together fasteners that just rotational hammering wont get, or will just strip out. They're a must in the salt belt.

 

[richfinn]

I'd vote Milwaukee impact driver. Why do people still use these things? If you're going manual go with a Vessel Impacta. That stated I see no reason to go manual.

Different tool altogether, (I have both in true GJ style) your cordless impact isn't sending a giant shockwave down the entire length of the fastener at the point of it starting to rotate.

If you ever strip a Japanese motorcycle engine down Attack drivers are absolutely essential.

It's for this reason I would just buy the Ko-ken, they have perfected this ancient technology thanks to millions of Japanese Motorbike engines made from Aluminium held together with JIS screws.

 

[ricleh]

I have several Snapon and Koken manual impact drivers. Either one is an excellent choice.

 

[liveatbirdland]

grab the koken, its amazing

 

[Johnny_opm]

After buying the koken I couldn't imagine using anything else

 

[dchawk81]

I'm a koken-nut.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Different tool altogether, (I have both in true GJ style) your cordless impact isn't sending a giant shockwave down the entire length of the fastener at the point of it starting to rotate.

If you ever strip a Japanese motorcycle engine down Attack drivers are absolutely essential.

It's for this reason I would just buy the Ko-ken, they have perfected this ancient technology thanks to millions of Japanese Motorbike engines made from Aluminium held together with JIS screws.

I'd vote Milwaukee impact driver. Why do people still use these things? If you're going manual go with a Vessel Impacta. That stated I see no reason to go manual.

Location: Phoenix Az

 

[demarpaint]

If they're close in price with the Snap On lifetime warranty, I'd go with that. They'll stand behind it if there are any problems, and it's easy enough to warranty.

 

[Hohn]

I'd vote Milwaukee impact driver. Why do people still use these things? If you're going manual go with a Vessel Impacta. That stated I see no reason to go manual.

I've learned that something can exist that I do not see.

 

[freudianfloyd]

It is interesting that there isn't a pneumatic or electric version of a manual impact that give the action of an air chisel with the rotation of an impact. Seems like it would be a handy tool for sure.

 

[Hohn]

I'm looking at the Snap-on PIT120 and Koken Attack Driver 3112N 3/8" impact drivers.

Am able to get each of them for about the same price.

I know everyone loves the Koken Attack Drivers for their value, but are they superior in performance to the Snap-on?

Supposdely the Koken needs a lot less force to initiate? And has more rotation? Would that always be a good thing though?

Do they both have the design where you don't need to slightly rotate and hold the driver in the direction you want to turn while striking?

The Snap-on design seems pretty old now, but if it aint broke?

I've only ever used the Vessel Impactas because I've only had to do brake rotor screws. They worked just fine for that application.

Is it assumed that these square drive impact drivers will be used with bit sockets or a bit holder?

I assumed it wouldn't be used with a regular 6pt/12pt socket because most sockets aren't broached so shallow that they can transfer much axial impact blow, and the axial impact is the entire purpose of something like this vs an impact gun. That, or only a flange head fastener would receive much of an impact.

 

[Hohn]

It is interesting that there isn't a pneumatic or electric version of a manual impact that give the action of an air chisel with the rotation of an impact. Seems like it would be a handy tool for sure.

Sure could be, I suspect most air hammers would just destroy it through.

 

[KnurledNut]

Vessel offers impact drivers too.
Not sure if they have 3/8. Mine is 1/2.

It is interesting that there isn't a pneumatic or electric version of a manual impact that give the action of an air chisel with the rotation of an impact. Seems like it would be a handy tool for sure.

Not intending to derail the thread but there are attachments for air hammers:

 

[freudianfloyd]

Vessel offers impact drivers too.
Not sure if they have 3/8. Mine is 1/2.


Not intending to derail the thread but there are attachments for air hammers:

I've seen the two at the bottom used for bleeders, but that top one you posted looks interesting. I will have to look into one of those. Thanks

 

[908Jim]

FWIW I've been using the proto JHANDIM set for over a decade without issue. I have past experience with the Snap-On (not the koken) and I couldn't justify the cost difference.

I don't get the fetish with exotic brands you can't really warranty, especially with something like an impact driver. The "appropriate" use of this tool is abusive by nature.

 

[Dave455]

I’ve got the KoKen in 1/2” drive. Good tool. Probably the best impact driver I’ve owned.

I’ve broken an older / generic “Japan” impact driver in the past. It’s worth getting a reasonable one. I say this in respect of any striking tool now.

I’ve got an older Vessel impact driver. It’s o.k. but the KoKen is in a different league.

The Vessel Impacta are superb for some applications (perhaps bikes) but they are only available in Pozidriv and Phillips. Most brake rotor screws I find are Torx or hex. The Impacta doesn’t give enough torque anyway, it’s too light.

For me, the KoKen is considerably cheaper than the Snap On. I’d buy it for value alone. If they were the same price, I might still go KoKen - for me it’s the “known quantity”.

Then again, I might not. I don’t obsess about warranty, but in this case it might be worth having. Tough call.

 

[bcradio]

I've seen the two at the bottom used for bleeders, but that top one you posted looks interesting. I will have to look into one of those. Thanks

The top one is great and is why I'll never use a hand impact driver again unless I have to (no access to air).

 

[Steve_P]

Koken makes a really nice version with a rubber grip; consider that. No need to go to Snap On for this, the Japanese have been using crappy soft slotted and phillips screws for 50+ years; if anyone knows how to properly get them out, they do As others have said, this isn't something you can replace with a cordless (edit - electrically driven) tool- the manual hammer impact drives the bit into the screw; you cannot replicate this downward force with a cordless tool.

 

[Theronswanson]

I've had a Lisle serve me well for several years. No experience with the other brands mentioned

 

[rsanter]

I have the snap on and the craftsman (suspect it's a lisle) impact driver and both work great

 

[Hakeem]

I’ve got the KoKen in 1/2” drive. Good tool. Probably the best impact driver I’ve owned.

I’ve broken an older / generic “Japan” impact driver in the past. It’s worth getting a reasonable one. I say this in respect of any striking tool now.

I’ve got an older Vessel impact driver. It’s o.k. but the KoKen is in a different league.

The Vessel Impacta are superb for some applications (perhaps bikes) but they are only available in Pozidriv and Phillips. Most brake rotor screws I find are Torx or hex. The Impacta doesn’t give enough torque anyway, it’s too light.

For me, the KoKen is considerably cheaper than the Snap On. I’d buy it for value alone. If they were the same price, I might still go KoKen - for me it’s the “known quantity”.

Then again, I might not. I don’t obsess about warranty, but in this case it might be worth having. Tough call.

Yes, I think the Impacta is more intended for the carpenter/tradesman who wouldn’t want the weight of a manual impact driver in their toolbag.

I have the Vessel manual impact driver and it has so far done the trick for my non-professional needs. I feel guilty about hitting it with a metal hammer since the chrome is so nice but even with a rubber mallet it gets the job done. Just yesterday it took these Honda rotor screws off no heat no penetrating oil and those have been through 18 Chicago winters.



Things I dont Like:

-5/16” bits are harder to come by, although 1/2” socket bits can be used
-chrome is a bit much for a striking implement
-no metal case as with the koken

The koken pops up for low prices from time to time, this morning it was $42 on Amazon but whenever I have been looking it’s always $70+. Would love to try one but not for that much.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've seen the two at the bottom used for bleeders, but that top one you posted looks interesting. I will have to look into one of those. Thanks

Another option.

Makita B-59259 Adapter, SDS-PLUS to 1/4" Hex https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3LVXC1?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

no need to buy expensive one, they all do well. what matter is the quality bit.