3/8" impact - air or cordless?

[mrjaw14]

I have a good 1/2" IR232c that works as my 1/2" gun. It doesn't fit everywhere I want it to be, and it has more balls than is needed for a lot of applications.

So I'd like to get a 3/8" impact. For air, I'm considering a HF earthquake 3/8". seems to get favorable reviews. But then I'd have to fight with the air hose.

Have cordless impacts come far enough that a 3/8" impact wrench will be light enough, powerful enough, and durable enough to be useful? Do any of you use a cordless for 3/8"? What models do you recommend? What to stay away from?

 

[rmsg0040]

Milwaukee m12 3/8 cordless is what I would recommend, has rendered some of my ratchets useless.

Crack bolt loose like a regular ratchet, then zip it off. Good for underhood

 

[GSteg]

My Ingersoll W5130 with the compact battery will fit in tight spaces. It has decent power too.

My Snap On CT4410 on the other hand, is huge. It's definitely not as compact, but it still beats using a 1/2" when I don't have it.

In 10 minutes, you're going to have a bunch of old timers talking about how they hate cordless anything.

 

[theoldwizard1]

In 10 minutes, you're going to have a bunch of old timers talking about how they hate cordless anything.

Nah ! I love my DeWalt ¼" hex impact. Best thing around for driving/removing screws. I have used it to run a few nuts up and down, but I would not consider it a real auto shop tool.

 

[rednecklimo85]

You wont regret having both if you can, but if not I would start with a cordless. I have a blue point 3/8" cordless and used it a few times to take off lug nuts. I wouldn't say it enjoyed it, but for that occasional car out in the yard, it would do it(with a fresh battery lol)

I also have a snap on 1/4" bit driver and matching 1/4" impact, get one of those and you will never change tail lights any other way. A small impact works miracles on rusted screws, especially on items that an impact driver is just to brutal...

 

[mrjaw14]

Let me add that I also have a hitachi 12v li-ion hex impact driver I really like for its super small size, and an 18v Ryobi hex impact drivers. I use those for taking screws and small bolts out. I can technically use a 1/4" hex to 3/8" or 1/2" and make either of them a cordless impact wrench.

it just looks like more and more mechanics I see are using cordless power tools and the manufacturers are starting to makes more of them. I didn't want to buy air and have buyers remorse because cordless is "the way of the future!" and "no more air hose!"

I'll probably wait til the 3/8" earthquake is on sale, and then use a 20% coupon just to have a cheap 3/8". I would like a IR 2115Timax, but at just under 300 I can't justify that for a DIY

 

[knobby]

if you already have some 18v dewalt gear the DC823 is a good choice decent power well balanced and small enough to fit into tight places
every time that I use it makes me smile what more can I say

 

[dowmace]

I love my Milwaukee 18v cordless impact. I use it to do anything from put in self tappers to removing an exhaust manifold.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk now Free

 

[shockwave]

I would recommend the ir2115ti it can get into a lot of tight spots that any cordless 3/8 impact can and it's stronger to boot

 

[theknurl]

My Ingersoll W5130 with the compact battery will fit in tight spaces. It has decent power too.

My Snap On CT4410 on the other hand, is huge. It's definitely not as compact, but it still beats using a 1/2" when I don't have it.

In 10 minutes, you're going to have a bunch of old timers talking about how they hate cordless anything.

no GSteg, I don't hate them, I just don't buy them;

my CP air impact weighs 2lb 15oz

its 5 5/8" long
6 5/8" tall
2" wide
including the rubber cover

its ~35 years old

it has required the occasional drops of oil......

if I had kids, they could give it to their kids

Oh, I have battery powered tools.....but not in my workshop

a toothbrush and toys for the girls and their favorite is a corded one

 

[crewchief888]

i recently replaced a bluepoint 14.4 3/8" dr cordless with a ew milwaukee 18v fuel 3/8" dr.

the milwaukee is 100x's what the bluepoint ever thought about being.

i've removed lug nuts torqued to 160 ft/lb with it..