3/8 Cordless Impact Recomendations

[komobu]

I am looking for a 3/8 Cordless impact for doing Automotive maintenance work. I work as a tech so it will be used daily. I want it to be as light as possible, small as possible and be able to remove alternators, waterpumps, ac compressors etc. I would like it to do this without me having to break torque first.

Currently I use this 10.8 Makita (http://cgi.ebay.com/MAKITA-lct203w-...R-/350447820835?pt=Drills&hash=item5198516023) and I love it. It is only 1/4 drive, and I am now looking for something a little larger in the 3/8s size. I am not looking to remove wheel lugs. I am just looking for something to dismantle the top end of an engine.

I checked out the Snap On 3/8s gun but it is pretty heavy. I want it to be less than three pounds.

The makita 10.8 I have, I can remove just about anything on the vehicle as long as I break torque with my ratchet first. Now I am hoping to remove m8 & m10 bolts without having to break torque manually first.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[shampoop]

I love my 18v lxt makita. Mine is an impact driver with a small quick change chuck, but they make a 3/8 model too. Very light, ergonomic and powerful.

 

[wheats71]

have a look at the new dewalt 12v max 3/8 impact approx 100 ft lbs torque, like 2.3 pounds i love mine i have had it about 2 months and am impressed with it
way more torque than my snap on 7.2 v 3/8 impact and about the same weight

 

[pdizzleinmt]

i have the makita lxt 18v and i love it. one of my most used tools

 

[lynam]

I have a 18V makita impact it is a 1/4" hex chuck and i use a 3/8" adapter with 3/8 impact sockets. It has about 110Footpounds (1330inch pounds), It is used daily and has taking off lug nuts on new vehicles. Its not really a torque monster but it takes off most 8m-12M threaded bolts, on non rusted vehicles. I do want to get the 3/8" version though might even pay out for the snapon.

Here it is on amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DISXWU/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000P9CZJK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=118R6WJ64ZWK40VHBEYE

 

[jesselyons2002]

Had the snap-on 3/8 impact ct4410. Worked really good. Sold it two years ago. Now have makita 3/8 impact. Its light and compact. But doesn't feel like it has as much strength as the snap-on

 

[Aklass]

I hear matco's 3/8 impact is pretty good

 

[whatsitsname]

For your requirements the best bet is the Dewalt 12v Max 3/8 as the other post have said. The other guns recommended here are too big and heavy. Very hard to use it in the confine space to get to alternator/waterpump bolts.

I think you will find most of these smaller guns underpowered to remove alt/starter bolts as these bolts are usually long. The smaller gun's impact mechanism just doesn't move far enough and strong enough as the length of the bolts will negate most of the impact force. They will work fine for nuts and short bolts though.

 

[Dust]

I've had my Dewalt 12v Max 3/8 impact wrench since December, and I love it. I bought it for doing interior trim and seats mainly, and it doesn't have too much trouble with seat bolts. Some times I have to break them loose first, but most of the time it's great. Any bolt with factory loctite on it you'll have to break loose anyway.

For bigger stuff you might want a 14v.

 

[83diesel]

I would go for the 18 volt Lithium Makita 3/8 impact. Light, strong, fairly compact and a lot of tool suppliers carry them and are easy to get replacement parts for if needed. The SO are too expensive and can only get parts from SO dealer.

 

[tyyost]

Just a disclaimer, I am sure the DeWalt 12 Volt are nice, but they area 10.8 volt tool just like the rest of them. Since the Op already has the Makita Set he would be wasting his time for the minimal step up in power to the DeWalt.

I've had my Dewalt 12v Max 3/8 impact wrench since December, and I love it. I bought it for doing interior trim and seats mainly, and it doesn't have too much trouble with seat bolts. Some times I have to break them loose first, but most of the time it's great. Any bolt with factory loctite on it you'll have to break loose anyway.

For bigger stuff you might want a 14v.

For the OP, I would suggest the 18 Volt Makita or Milwaukee unless you have the tool truck budget. As you already know, both have a substantial line of tools, from angle grinders, 1/2" Impacts, Drills, Portabands, etc as you grow your tool collection.

 

[komobu]

I think I am going to order the makita. They make two 3/8 models, the BTD141 and the BTW253. If you recomended the makita, could you please tell me which one you have? Tooltopia.com has some great prices on them and I will probably order one within the next few days.

They sell the BTW253 kit for 333 and the combo kit with a 1/2 drill, flash light and impact for 381.