3/8" Cordless impacts...which one to get?

[ATC]

So, I'm selling my four wheeler and as partial payment, my friend is going to buy me one off the tool truck. I am going back and forth between the Dewalt 20V (DCF883L2) and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel.

On paper, the M18 blows the Dewalt out of the water, but it also costs more, and has 2 more years of warranty over the yellow one. But I am known to always have the biggest and best...

So which one? I am a weekend warrior that does a lot of work on my trucks, both old and new. I think my mind is made up...but I don't know what the tool trucks are going to charge for the M18 (Snap-On carries Milwaukee right?). The Dewalt is $299, and any extra bare tool is $100. My buddy is a diesel mechanic and loves his Dewalt.

 

[echerbst]

I have the m12 fuel 3/8 and it rocks for a small too. I have used the M18 3/8 and the ingersoll 3/8. Ingersoll is a little better but if you already have the milwaukee m18 stuff stick with that. You will not be disappointed.

 

[ktmguy23]

Snap On CT4410

 

[TheGrooveking]

+1 on the Snap On, but if you are staying between the DeWalt and the Milwaukee go Milwaukee. The Dewalt 20V is actually 18 volt, you may want to wait for the upcoming release of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8" impact wrench. Tools of the Trade magazine just did a great review of new impact drivers and have some great info on torque. The Milwaukee won the contest, the Dewalt was at best middle of the road, the real interesting part is how the tools really did because according to manufacture specs the DeWalt should of come in second, instead the Panasonic and others who rate their tools at a lower torque came in higher. I've always felt that DeWalt's were weak compared to their torque ratings. If you need to buy right now the Snap On CT4410 that ktmguy23 listed is the way to go.

TheGrooveking

 

[joedodge]

I use a makita 12 volt impact driver with a socket adapter I want the 3/8 drive 12 volt impact though.I use it all day at work no issues in a shop atmosphere

 

[greasemonkey44]

Snap On CT4410

 

[Jonboy1974]

Snap On CT4410

 

[bobcatdan]

A not so secret, jam the 18v battery into the CT4410 and it really comes to life!

 

[wannab20hatch]

I had the snap on 4410 and traded in for the Milwaukee m18. I wish I would've traded sooner. Couple other guys have borrowed my m18 and proceeded to buy one themselves

Im no mechanic I work in a body shop the biggest bolt I remove is probably a 14mm seat belt bolt. I have tried the impact on civic lug nuts and it will remove them.

 

[ATC]

Thanks for the help! Looks like I'll go with the M18.

I will not buy Snap-On. I will not grossly overpay just for the name stamped on the side. I have never and will never buy Snap-On (not new anyways). I am not the lead mechanic in a shop and have to impress everyone else I work with. /rant

I've never owned a cordless tool before. Never could justify the prices on them. But using them at my buddies shop...they are a godsend for 90% of the maintenance and repair work on vehicles.

 

[JKady]

M18 Fuel, but get the quarter inch hex drive then a 3/8 bit, more versatile that way, I regularly use my 1/4" bit and my 3/8" bit on the same job. That and you can use screw/hex/torx driver bits with them as well.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Add another for the SO.

 

[jamesc]

I have been told the m18 fuel 3/8 impact is back ordered until april, I can't wait to buy it. maybe in the states you guys can get them already.

 

[tankd0g]

I have an 18v Dewalt that has spent all of the past 3 years being dropped in the mud and snow, left completely dead in a freezing cold truck for days on end and used as a hammer on more than one occasion and it still works like new. Stick with Nicads and you'll never have to buy new batteries.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Stick with Nicads and you'll never have to buy new batteries.

NiCad = Old *** Technology...aka Junk. I got rid of a perfectly good Makita NiCad drill because the batteries sucked so bad. Over the years I spent more on batteries for it then I did the drill..eventually had enough and parked it. LiOn is the ONLY Way to fly. I know my M18 batteries are nothing but spectacular.

I've got the M18 3/8" Drive Impact AND the 1/4" hex Version...they arent the same...even if you have the adaptor doohickey. Look the same..yup, but the 3/8" Square has more nuts.

 

[wannab20hatch]

I have the 3/8 m18 and the 3/8 m12 but keep a 1/4 reducer on it for smaller stuff. The screwdriver is for any other little bits.

 

[truckdriver]

M18 Fuel, but get the quarter inch hex drive then a 3/8 bit, more versatile that way, I regularly use my 1/4" bit and my 3/8" bit on the same job. That and you can use screw/hex/torx driver bits with them as well.

You would actually be better off with the 3/8 sq drive and a 3/8 to 1/4 hex adapter. You loose torque through the adapter and you need the most with the sq drive.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675085&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/fastening/48-03-4405
BTW, I have the M18 fuel impact and love it. When the M12 fuel comes out I will buy those and give my old M12 impacts and drills/drivers to my dad.

 

[tankd0g]

NiCad = Old *** Technology...aka Junk. I got rid of a perfectly good Makita NiCad drill because the batteries sucked so bad. Over the years I spent more on batteries for it then I did the drill..eventually had enough and parked it. LiOn is the ONLY Way to fly. I know my M18 batteries are nothing but spectacular.

I've got the M18 3/8" Drive Impact AND the 1/4" hex Version...they arent the same...even if you have the adaptor doohickey. Look the same..yup, but the 3/8" Square has more nuts.

I'll think you'll find Makita was the problem, not the battery technology. I have a less than 2 year old 18v LXT hammer drill that BOTH li-ion batteries are bricked on already. I would never buy their **** again. As for NiCad being junk, there's a reason there's 10 year old Priuses on the road with their original battery packs.

 

[GSteg]

As for NiCad being junk, there's a reason there's 10 year old Priuses on the road with their original battery packs.

Those Prius use NiMH, not Nicad.

 

[tankd0g]

Those Prius use NiMH, not Nicad.

I guess it's more like 13-15 years ago now, but the first Priuses and EV Rav4s test beds had NiCad or pBa batteries, and you can still find them for sale in working order on auction sites.

 

[LGMechanical]

Thanks for the help! Looks like I'll go with the M18.

I will not buy Snap-On. I will not grossly overpay just for the name stamped on the side. I have never and will never buy Snap-On (not new anyways). I am not the lead mechanic in a shop and have to impress everyone else I work with. /rant

I've never owned a cordless tool before. Never could justify the prices on them. But using them at my buddies shop...they are a godsend for 90% of the maintenance and repair work on vehicles.

I was in the market for a cordless impact 4 years ago and after some research I decided to go with the Makite 18V LXT lithium and would do it over and over again. The tool works hard almost everyday and it performs like new. Although I love my Snap On, I wouldnt buy their electric power tools. But I do not agree with your views of the brand. They offer some of the best tools a professional mechanic like me can buy.

Staying on topic, If I were to choose between the two it would have to Milwaukee. I've had several bad experiences with Dewalt.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

The new ir 3/8 20v. I love my 1/2" 7150. I'm sure the 3/8 is just as kickass

 

[truckdriver]

NiCad = Old *** Technology...aka Junk. I got rid of a perfectly good Makita NiCad drill because the batteries sucked so bad. Over the years I spent more on batteries for it then I did the drill..eventually had enough and parked it. LiOn is the ONLY Way to fly. I know my M18 batteries are nothing but spectacular.

I've got the M18 3/8" Drive Impact AND the 1/4" hex Version...they arent the same...even if you have the adaptor doohickey. Look the same..yup, but the 3/8" Square has more nuts.

Nicads are not junk. They are easily rebuildable unlike Li-ion and aren't affected by cold weather like most Li-ion. Li-Ion also loses life at the rate of 10% per year from the date they were produced, not when they are putinto service. Lower weight is the main advantage to Li-ion.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/is_lithium_ion_the_ideal_battery

 

[TheGrooveking]

Thanks for the help! Looks like I'll go with the M18.

I will not buy Snap-On. I will not grossly overpay just for the name stamped on the side. I have never and will never buy Snap-On (not new anyways). I am not the lead mechanic in a shop and have to impress everyone else I work with. /rant

I've never owned a cordless tool before. Never could justify the prices on them. But using them at my buddies shop...they are a godsend for 90% of the maintenance and repair work on vehicles.

I'm confused you mention buying a Milwaukee off of a Snap On truck, well I'm sorry to report buying Milwaukee off a Snap On truck you will be paying Snap On prices. I'm very positive Snap On will mark up the M18 much more than buying it probably almost anywhere else.

Being in the search of the best 3/8" cordless impact then taking a bias against Snap On also means potentially leaving the best 3/8" cordless impact out of your hands. Good luck with your search.

TheGrooveking

 

[HMCFab9]

I'd buy the Milwaukee.... but for god sakes... DON'T buy it off the snap-on-truck!
Why would you want to buy a Milwaukee tool (that you can buy Anywhere) off a snappy truck? That makes no sense at all.
Buy it online, at a tool store, at Menards, HD, anywhere but the snappy truck.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Nicads are not junk. They are easily rebuildable unlike Li-ion and aren't affected by cold weather like most Li-ion. Li-Ion also loses life at the rate of 10% per year from the date they were produced, not when they are putinto service. Lower weight is the main advantage to Li-ion.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/is_lithium_ion_the_ideal_battery

Using my personal experience...I still wouldnt buy anything NiCad....the NiCad's in my Makita lost 100% life per year. Not to mention EVERY SINGLE BLEEPING time I went to use that drill all 5 of my batteries would be dead. 3 Genuine Makita, 2 Generic's....using the cordless required 1hr notice. Ended up I used my corded Holeshooter all the time...Enough was enough. Experience with the RedLithiums I own is the opposite, 2 of my batteries are now almost 4 years old...(Purchased on 5/21/09) and they stay charged when not used and work incredibly well in all weather conditions I am in. Even when working in my un-heated garage this winter, excellent performance. my 2 newer batteries are from last year and I cant tell which battery is which perofmance wise.

 

[GSteg]

Nicads are not junk. They are easily rebuildable unlike Li-ion

llithium ion batteries can be rebuilt and they're not difficult to do so. Ive rebuilt many packs in the past. They're just more expensive than nicad but well worth it to me.

 

[truckdriver]

llithium ion batteries can be rebuilt and they're not difficult to do so. Ive rebuilt many packs in the past. They're just more expensive than nicad but well worth it to me.

Things must have changed. Just about 2 yrs ago there wasn't any of the battery rebuilders who would touch Li-Ion.

BTW, I love Li-ion, but saying nicad is junk is just wrong.

 

[GSteg]

There weren't many builders because lithium cells were more expensive. Years ago, I paid almost $10 for a single 18650 2.2ah cell. Now you can get one for less than half that.

 

[ATC]

I'm confused you mention buying a Milwaukee off of a Snap On truck, well I'm sorry to report buying Milwaukee off a Snap On truck you will be paying Snap On prices. I'm very positive Snap On will mark up the M18 much more than buying it probably almost anywhere else.

Being in the search of the best 3/8" cordless impact then taking a bias against Snap On also means potentially leaving the best 3/8" cordless impact out of your hands. Good luck with your search.

TheGrooveking

I'd buy the Milwaukee.... but for god sakes... DON'T buy it off the snap-on-truck!
Why would you want to buy a Milwaukee tool (that you can buy Anywhere) off a snappy truck? That makes no sense at all.
Buy it online, at a tool store, at Menards, HD, anywhere but the snappy truck.

My buddy wants to make payments. This is the best way to do it given our situation. And no, just because it comes off the SO truck doesn't mean I'll be paying their prices. If they want more than $350 I'll go elsewhere (HD has it for $329). He will pricematch sometimes
SO is the only tool truck that carries Milwaukee.

 

[ATC]

Being in the search of the best 3/8" cordless impact then taking a bias against Snap On also means potentially leaving the best 3/8" cordless impact out of your hands. Good luck with your search.

TheGrooveking

Let's see what we've got on paper:

Snap-On -- Milwaukee

14.4V -- 18V
NiCad -- LiIon
230ft-lb -- 200ft-lb
6.4" long -- 5.9" long
Brushes -- Brushless
1 year tool warranty -- 5 year tool warranty
1 year battery warranty -- 3 year battery warranty
$450 -- $329



Why should I pay $120 more for the Snap-On again?

 

[smothers33]

Let's see what we've got on paper:

Snap-On -- Milwaukee

14.4V -- 18V
NiCad -- LiIon
230ft-lb -- 200ft-lb
6.4" long -- 5.9" long
Brushes -- Brushless
1 year tool warranty -- 5 year tool warranty
1 year battery warranty -- 3 year battery warranty
$450 -- $329



Why should I pay $120 more for the Snap-On again?

because my less than 1 month old milwaukee impacts trigger decided to **** out on me. so i thought no big deal ill just take it to a dealer for warranty. looked it up and the closet dealer is a 30 min ride. called and asked they said i needed a receipt which i lost, so i have to go to home depot where i bought it and hope they can/will reprint one. then go to the dealer where they already told me i have minimum of 2 week wait but most likely upward of 3 weeks. luckily the snapon guy showed up as the trigger went out on me while at work and i sprung for the 3/8 impact. to me it feels much more quality and i was told by my dealer if i ever have to warranty hell give me a loaner while mines getting rebuilt. i was really excited about my milwaukee tools but i wont buy anything from them again now that i found out how much of a pain it is to get warrantied and how fast that thing crapped out. IMO its not worth the extra warranty if you have to go out of your way to drop it off and then wait that long only to have to go out of your way to pick it back up. If money is more valuable than time to you than maybe the milwaukee is more suited for you. but i use that impact way to much to have it down that long and have to go out of my way to get repaired

 

[malibutwins]

My Snap on dealer has a couple of cordless loaners that he lets us use when one of our impacts has to get serviced. See if any other brand does that for you.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Let's see what we've got on paper:

Snap-On -- Milwaukee

14.4V -- 18V
NiCad -- LiIon
230ft-lb -- 200ft-lb
6.4" long -- 5.9" long
Brushes -- Brushless
1 year tool warranty -- 5 year tool warranty
1 year battery warranty -- 3 year battery warranty
$450 -- $329



Why should I pay $120 more for the Snap-On again?

Two reasons, one: torque ratings are not to be trusted, the Matco 14.4v LiIon is rated at 165ft.lbs. yet the 150ft.lbs Snap on ***** slaps the Matco. 2. When your Milwaukee needs service is your Snap On man going to take care of you Milwaukee?

TheGrooveking

 

[karrbass4life]

Snap-on.

 

[MattPersman]

I would say snap on for sure. If you are an occasional home user and can wait a few weeks with out one then a lower cost one I am sure would be fine.

 

[wannab20hatch]

Two reasons, one: torque ratings are not to be trusted, the Matco 14.4v LiIon is rated at 165ft.lbs. yet the 150ft.lbs Snap on ***** slaps the Matco. 2. When your Milwaukee needs service is your Snap On man going to take care of you Milwaukee?

TheGrooveking

Mine said he would take care of it if anything ever happened. But hes also one of the best tool guys Ive met. I buy a ton of stuff from him and never miss a payment so maybe that's why.

 

[bobcatdan]

The Milwaukee battery warranty is a joke. I don't know at what point it begins prorate. I had one die at the 2 1/2 year mark and all it was good for was $30 off a new battery. My SO ni cads are to the point they are outlasting the Milwaukee lin ion I had. I have 12 batteries because I have two for each tool and not one has failed.

 

[03protege]

you may want to wait for the upcoming release of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8" impact wrench.

I agree with what was said here.

 

[reptilezs]

anyone have experience with the ac delco impacts? they have this little 8v one but there is not much info about these