1/2" or 3/8" Cordless Impact

[Matt Behnke]

Hi,

I am looking at buying a cordless impact, and since I am enrolled in an automotive program I get 50% snap-on. I plan on going with snap on, because it would be cheaper than one of the Milwaukie ones with the discount, and is made in the USA. However, I am uncertain if I should go with 3/8" or 1/2" drive for it. I will be using it mainly for my truck and jeep, but also to do general work on my family member's cars such as brakes. I would also like to use it in my on the road bag, to aid in case my truck or jeep brakes down or if somebody else needs assistance. I am concerned that the 1/2" may be too overpowered for some lighter stuff, but that the 3/8" may be underpowered for certain things. I saw Milwaukee's mid-torque half inch which has the torque limiter too, but it's not made in the USA so that is really holding me back. Which drive would you guys recommend for a cordless impact for the things I would use it for? Thanks

 

[Ign]

1/2" for what you describe. Your needs are broad.

 

[AviationTech]

I just picked up a Milwaukee mid torque kit 2861-22 last week. I really enjoy using it. It runs all day and fits into many tight spots. I also purchased the protective boot. While replacing many front end components, there was not a single bolt it couldn't handle with ease. The impact has three mode settings to control power during reassembly. Snap on makes a good product too, but I don't have access to a driver at the airport so I went with Milwaukee because of availability. Im not sure what prices are available to you from them, but Tyler tool sold the Milwaukee kit for 349 shipped. Comes down to personal preference and ones importance on coo I suppose. My personal opinion is Milwaukee hit a home run with this mid torque model because it appears it would handle a wide variety of automotive and light truck jobs, only needing a large impact for select work. If you do find find yourself needing more power later on the high torque (1400ftlbs model) bare tool can be picked up for around 230. 5 year tool and 3 year battery warranty is also quite nice. Let us know what you decide

 

[bcradio]

Snap on cordless is not made in the USA either

 

[Matt Behnke]

Thanks for the help. Like I said, I really like the Milwaukie mid torque, as it seems to be a perfect fit for what I need to do. Also, it has a much better warranty than the snap-on. The only thing holding me back is the country of origin.

About the cordless snap-on not being American, the website says that it is under specifications in the "country of origin" section: https://store.snapon.com/Cordless-I...ess-MonsterLithium-Impact-Wrench-P819277.aspx


Thanks

 

[kythri]

Snap on cordless is not made in the USA either

According to their website, a lot of the Monster line is.

Example: https://store.snapon.com/CT8815A-Se...erLithium-Cordless-Impact-Wrench-P805838.aspx

Country Of Origin USA

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I would also say go with the Milwaukee mid-torque 1/2", you'll never wish you bought smaller with an impact wrench. It should do everything you need. Don't worry about where the tool is made.

 

[AngryBeaver]

buying the bare tools thru Milwaukee is way cheaper than buying snap on.. Home Depot offers some pretty awesome deals as far as bare tools and battery freebies. After having both snap on and now Milwaukee, I do not recommend the snap ons.

none of the cordless tools are made in the US FWIW...

now, all the other snap on tools you can get with the discount.. do it.

 

[Matt Behnke]

I hate decisions! If I were to get the half inch snap-on, what should I not use it for to prevent stripping or breaking? Will it be too powerful for things such as brakes, if it can fit? I like the half inch how it can do heavier work and work well for on the farm. But I am not sure if I would need the half inch enough to sacrifice the compactness of the 3/8.

 

[Matt Behnke]

Don't worry about where the tool is made.

Why?

 

[txvwnut]

This is the Garage Journal, you must buy both.


There is really not a one size fits all, you can have a 3/8 that will hang with a 1/2 in most cases but not for all jobs. Then there's the size issue, a 1/2 is a large frame tool and won't fit where a small frame tool will go.

The best answer to the question is what jobs will be mainly used for, tires and suspension work. Then the 1/2 is the way to go followed up by a 3/8 of the same battery platform later on.

I have a 12 volt Milwaukee fuel 3/8 impact that does 99% of the work I do. When I need a bigger impact I just grab my 1/2 air.

 

[Matt Behnke]

Very good help, thanks!

 

[bcradio]

Thanks for the help. Like I said, I really like the Milwaukie mid torque, as it seems to be a perfect fit for what I need to do. Also, it has a much better warranty than the snap-on. The only thing holding me back is the country of origin.

About the cordless snap-on not being American, the website says that it is under specifications in the "country of origin" section: https://store.snapon.com/Cordless-I...ess-MonsterLithium-Impact-Wrench-P819277.aspx


Thanks

According to their website, a lot of the Monster line is.

Example: https://store.snapon.com/CT8815A-Se...erLithium-Cordless-Impact-Wrench-P805838.aspx

Country Of Origin USA

Interesting.

I wonder if this is similar to dewalt where it is assembled here from global components or if they build them here from start to finish.

 

[ocloc24]

No power tool is made in the US anymore. Even Dewalt says assembled in US with global parts. Your discount might make the price a little better right now, but what about when you no longer have that discount, and you want to get another impact or a grease gun or a saw? You're stuck paying triple what any Milwaukee costs.

Also the snap on 1/2" is MASSIVE... You won't be able to fit it anywhere on a car other then lugs. The Milwaukee Mid Torque is half the size and almost the same torque output. And if you ever need more torque than that there's the Milwaukee high torque which absolutely crushes the snap on.

I'm a snap on fan boy, I own almost nothing but snap on hand tools, but their power tools are mostly junk. They have a few nice tools in their 14.4V line but the 18V or 20V line is 100% way over priced. Look at the prices of Milwaukee tools that might look appealing on EBay. You can get a Mid Torque for $167 right now and for another $80 2 batteries and a charger. All brand new.

Save the discount for hand tools. Don't run your balance sky high buying one or 2 power tools. Just my opinion.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Matt Behnke]

I am curious as to what we learn from this. In my eyes, made in the USA is still providing us with jobs despite it being just assembled here.

 

[Yarpo]

I am curious as to what we learn from this. In my eyes, made in the USA is still providing us with jobs despite it being just assembled here.

You shouldn't be guilted into buying USA products at higher prices when they are inferior and may or may not even be American made.

I understand wanting to support American jobs, but as stated once your discount runs out those tools double in cost. Even at the discount if you shop eBay or find deals at home Depot you will pay less. The large snap on gun is so big I'm almost never able to use the one my boss has, it literally fits nowhere as others stated ;(

 

[Matt Behnke]

No power tool is made in the US anymore. Even Dewalt says assembled in US with global parts. Your discount might make the price a little better right now, but what about when you no longer have that discount, and you want to get another impact or a grease gun or a saw? You're stuck paying triple what any Milwaukee costs.

Also the snap on 1/2" is MASSIVE... You won't be able to fit it anywhere on a car other then lugs. The Milwaukee Mid Torque is half the size and almost the same torque output. And if you ever need more torque than that there's the Milwaukee high torque which absolutely crushes the snap on.

I'm a snap on fan boy, I own almost nothing but snap on hand tools, but their power tools are mostly junk. They have a few nice tools in their 14.4V line but the 18V or 20V line is 100% way over priced. Look at the prices of Milwaukee tools that might look appealing on EBay. You can get a Mid Torque for $167 right now and for another $80 2 batteries and a charger. All brand new.

Save the discount for hand tools. Don't run your balance sky high buying one or 2 power tools. Just my opinion.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

What you said is very true. Thanks for that! I think I'm going to go with the Milwaukie mid torque.

 

[Matt Behnke]

You shouldn't be guilted into buying USA products at higher prices when they are inferior and may or may not even be American made.

I understand wanting to support American jobs, but as stated once your discount runs out those tools double in cost. Even at the discount if you shop eBay or find deals at home Depot you will pay less. The large snap on gun is so big I'm almost never able to use the one my boss has, it literally fits nowhere as others stated ;(

Yep very true, I never looked at it like that. Im going with the milwaulkie just because I know deep down it's better and well suited tool for me. I appreciate the help everyone!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Snap-on only has a 2 year warranty on power tools and a (comparably) pretty limited lineup of tools in their platform. That said, I do have a Snap-on 7.2V screwgun (China made) that is one of my favorite power tools, period. Everything else I switched to Milwaukee when working at a truck shop, and now on Gensets.

You can't really go wrong with Milwaukee/Dewalt/Makita, etc. nowadays, price is what puts Snappy in a different place, but with the SEP discount it won't hurt as bad.

I've ended up using 3/8" cordless more often than 1/2", but I'm not rotating tires daily or doing suspension work daily (any more). In a shop, 1/2" air was pretty standard, 3/8" cordless (12v) for engine work or wrestling all the smaller fasteners off of the top of a truck transmission to pull it (when an air hose is the enemy).

 

[Matt Behnke]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I might go with the Milwaukie mid torque, to start with and then I can always get the bare 1/2 or 3/8 one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've ended up using 3/8" cordless more often than 1/2", but I'm not rotating tires daily or doing suspension work daily (any more). In a shop, 1/2" air was pretty standard, 3/8" cordless (12v) for engine work or wrestling all the smaller fasteners off of the top of a truck transmission to pull it (when an air hose is the enemy).

CONCUR !

A pro will eventually get both, but I think a good 3/8" drive battery impact is a good place to start.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I might go with the Milwaukie mid torque, to start with and then I can always get the bare 1/2 or 3/8 one.

That's a damn good plan.

The Mid Torque kicks all kinds of ***. I picked one up after wrestling the cumbersome high torque around on the ground doing a 4runner clutch. Basically the big boy sits at home now, might just sell it. Definitely look into the M18 or M12 3/8" impact and the cordless ratchet when you start branching out.