3/8 Cordless impact wrench

[muddyjoe15]

Ive been using one of these the last few days at work, and was thinking about buying one of my own. Does anyone have long term expericance with these? Do they hold up well? Ive only used it on light things like trim and screws.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=24716&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


Thanks in advance!

 

[Stick]

I've had one since they came out. As long as you keep in mind what they are intended for (under dash, and small trim fasteners), they are perfectly serviceable. I like it because it's hard to really overtighten small fasteners with it, like the ones that hold equipment in our consoles for police and fire vehicles.

Other than chewing through the batteries like they are going out of style (I've got 4 batteries and two chargers), I don't have any real complaints.

 

[jjjrmx5]

For the price, and since all the Snappy 7.2 stuff is made in China, we supply folks with either Makita, Bosch or Hitachi powered trim and light to mid-duty tools for various reasons.

For the larger 3/8" and 1/2" impact cordless battery Snappy equipment, all is good. The 7.2v, not so much love on the production floor.

 

[Danglerb]

No point in the Snapon price at 3/8 or 1/4 drive, too many options that are much cheaper and just as effective for lighter duty. I have half a dozen "cordless" screwdriver type things, and prefer different types for different jobs.

 

[LGMechanical]

Id go with Makita here. I love Snap on but they still have some catching up to do when it comes to cordless tools. Though I think the 7.2V cordless screwdriver is good. I use mine for dash work.

 

[archirelic]

Get this instead. You won't be disappointed.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

This guy is my favorite. almost went with SO before i found it.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM1663446901P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM2674200402

 

[Hammer1963]

Run like HELL from that tool. I have had them and they are not going to satisfy you for what you want to do. I have a video on here that shows how good and strong the Matco 10.8 volt Lithium Ion battery 1/4" square drive impact is. It will blow the 7.2 Snap-on away. Trust me on this. These are by far the best on the market for what you are wanting to use this for. I have had one since its inception (over 2 years) and it is used daily for body work applications. Look the video up under my post

 

[Rickster]

Check out the IR 14.4 LIon models. I have their 3/8 ratchet and 3/8 impact. I work in my garage at home and I like their performance.

 

[WRX/Z28]

I bought the snap on 1/4 drive of this, and promptly returned it. It wasn't any stronger than the Nextec craftsman I have. The Nextec is about 1/4 the price if you get it on sale... glowing reviews on it on sears.com too. The right angle one is pretty good, but the complaints about the fwd/reverse switch being too loose are acurate. Doesn't cause me too much grief, but it's definately true.

 

[oilslick]

skip it! I tried one for a couple weeks and said forget it, not enough nuts

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Far as those small Snap-on guns, not worth paying for the name.

 

[regguy1]

Check out the IR 14.4 LIon models. I have their 3/8 ratchet and 3/8 impact. I work in my garage at home and I like their performance.

I have those to, very nice stuff


I bought this kit:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-iqv144k.aspx

Then I bought this to complete the set:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-r380.aspx

 

[Jme128]

I have a refurbished Bosch 14.4 1/4" impact driver. I use 3/8 bit and it works just fine. It wont remove lug nuts from the wheels but it works for me.

 

[hammergodthor]

Forget it, look at the current thread on Bosch.

If they have to give you a list of exactly what bolts to use it on, somethings wrong. Just wait 'til any of those 'approved' bolts are over-tightened or rusted and you'll wish you had bought something else.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

 

[Vinny]

Holy smokes, that battery on the Snap On looks like a magazine.

 

[csargents1546]

I would go with the bosch combo set, better price and easier to find replacement batteries.

 

[muddyjoe15]

Wow gotta say im glad i posted this, i almost bought one today! Im definatly going to check out the boschs! I always loved dewalt cordless tools, ill check theirs out. I never had much luck with craftsman and electrical tools, have they gotten any better over the years?

 

[elevator joe]

18 volt lithium makita works great for me,the charger is pretty fast as well.

 

[Greatbear]

On a whim I picked up a DeWalt DCF813S2 3/8 impact wrench. I had been using my Bosch 12 and 18V impactors (1/4" hex) with various adaptors with success for the most part, but I wanted a dedicated 3/8 tool. Color me impressed. Last project I tackled with the thing was new shocks/struts on my '00 Stratus. The little thing zipped out all the hardware save for the lugnuts. It is able to squeeze into tight areas and the ring of lights around the shaft come in handy. I did not expect it to spin off the 18mm nuts and bolts, but it did so without problems. The thing practically feels like a toy yet is means serious business. It's my cordless/hoseless companion to my Bosch 1/2 incher.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Oh how I want that DeWalt 12V kit.

 

[TheGrooveking]

On a whim I picked up a DeWalt DCF813S2 3/8 impact wrench. I had been using my Bosch 12 and 18V impactors (1/4" hex) with various adaptors with success for the most part, but I wanted a dedicated 3/8 tool. Color me impressed. Last project I tackled with the thing was new shocks/struts on my '00 Stratus. The little thing zipped out all the hardware save for the lugnuts. It is able to squeeze into tight areas and the ring of lights around the shaft come in handy. I did not expect it to spin off the 18mm nuts and bolts, but it did so without problems. The thing practically feels like a toy yet is means serious business. It's my cordless/hoseless companion to my Bosch 1/2 incher.

Make sure you personnally wrap your hand around the grip of one of these before ordering!!! The grip on these are small, I have large hands and I can only wrap three fingers around the grip on this DeWalt 12V models. I have the infrared thermometer and that is where and when I found out. I love the style and capabilitiy but it is no way ergonomic if I can't get my hand on it.

I have both the Bosch 12V series stuff and the Milwaukee stuff and the Milwaukee with the hi-capacity battery allows me to wrap all four fingers around the grip. So if you were XL size gloves, pass over the DeWalt 12V.

TheGrooveking

 

[landbruiser1]

battery dont last long at all.. Even when there "brand new"

 

[Sterff]

X3 for the IR. I have the 3/8 impact, ratchet, die grinder, with two Lithium Ion batteries. I am very impressed with the power/battery charge life.

 

[t100]

I use the 19.2v IR Lithium batteries on 3/8" impact(14.4v), works great and directly plug'n play. so are many people doing the same thing on Snap On 3/8" impact using their 18 batteries.

 

[Sterff]

I use the 19.2v IR Lithium batteries on 3/8" impact(14.4v), works great and directly plug'n play. so are many people doing the same thing on Snap On 3/8" impact using their 18 batteries.

Does the tool work any different with the 19.2 instead of the 14.4?

 

[t100]

sounds and feels the same but definitely more emph...

 

[vgs8606]

That DeWalt is great. If your lug nuts were torqued 80 lb-ft, it will take them off (well not all of them but at least half of them before giving up!). I took it to my mechanic and when I took one of the lug nut of my car after he had tightened it, he was impressed.

 

[demonspeed]

On a whim I picked up a DeWalt DCF813S2 3/8 impact wrench. I had been using my Bosch 12 and 18V impactors (1/4" hex) with various adaptors with success for the most part, but I wanted a dedicated 3/8 tool. Color me impressed. Last project I tackled with the thing was new shocks/struts on my '00 Stratus. The little thing zipped out all the hardware save for the lugnuts. It is able to squeeze into tight areas and the ring of lights around the shaft come in handy. I did not expect it to spin off the 18mm nuts and bolts, but it did so without problems. The thing practically feels like a toy yet is means serious business. It's my cordless/hoseless companion to my Bosch 1/2 incher.

I picked up the 12v dewalt electric screwdriver (similar to this ^ except it has a quick change fitting instead of a 3/8 drive) yesterday. Paid 170 on the mac truck. I absolutely love it so far! Great for trim, bellypans, and small fasteners. Plus, with the quick change driver you can use all types of bits on it including screwdrivers,sockets,torx, etc. It absolutely blows that snap on 7volt screwdriver thing away, and it costs about the same. some other guys in the shop have the snap on ones and they feel like a little kids toy. Although snap-on's 18v 3/8 impact is pretty sweet.

 

[BigJohn20]

I picked up the 12v dewalt electric screwdriver (similar to this ^ except it has a quick change fitting instead of a 3/8 drive) yesterday. Paid 170 on the mac truck. I absolutely love it so far! Great for trim, bellypans, and small fasteners. Plus, with the quick change driver you can use all types of bits on it including screwdrivers,sockets,torx, etc. It absolutely blows that snap on 7volt screwdriver thing away, and it costs about the same. some other guys in the shop have the snap on ones and they feel like a little kids toy. Although snap-on's 18v 3/8 impact is pretty sweet.

Around here, Lowes has the 2-piece combo (Impact + Drill/Driver) for $199 + free 12v battery. Something to consider if you want to expand.

 

[Greatbear]

Make sure you personnally wrap your hand around the grip of one of these before ordering!!! The grip on these are small, I have large hands and I can only wrap three fingers around the grip on this DeWalt 12V models. I have the infrared thermometer and that is where and when I found out. I love the style and capabilitiy but it is no way ergonomic if I can't get my hand on it.

I have both the Bosch 12V series stuff and the Milwaukee stuff and the Milwaukee with the hi-capacity battery allows me to wrap all four fingers around the grip. So if you were XL size gloves, pass over the DeWalt 12V.

TheGrooveking

The handles of the 12V stuff are more than a bit small for my big paws. That's why my preference is for the Bosch/Milwaukee/etc style "barrel" grip with the cells contained in the handle. I wish Bosch would entertain the idea that Milwaukee has with their extended run 12V packs, which is basically a hybrid having three cells in the handle and three more spread on the bottom. Makes for a bigger tool, yes, but double the run time and with a wide base to sit on.

I found the new "20V MAX" tools to be a bit small with the handles, but not quite as bad at the 12V line.

 

[UBLUZIN]

Another one for the dewalt. I have on use it almost everyday...love it!!