Air Impacts - VS - Cordless Impacts

[woodstockva]

Hey everybody

I made a video yesterday highlighting the advantages/disadvantages of pneumatic impact wrenches & cordless impact wrenches. I hope that it will help people (especially new techs), choose the best route when it comes to investing in a tool lineup that will help them make a living.

So many people believe that "air is dead" & that cordless is now the king.....but I do not agree & in this video I go over exactly why I think that.

Also.....I put the top-of-the-line IR pneumatic (2235) VS the top-of-the-line IR cordless (W7150) & you can see for yourself the differences....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NfoTsbfPZpc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Buckgnarly]

Now you have to do an extended anvil vs. normal to see if that 2235 lost anything....

 

[248superduty]

Im sorry but to say IR is top of the line...... I would take an AirCat any day any use over any IR anything. Nice video though.

 

[CobraChevelle]

Any plans on making a video with the new Dewalt impact compared to the IR or Milwaukee?

Like your videos BTW, I like having both cordless and air. With air tools getting smaller you can use those in places cordless wont fit.

 

[General Geoff]

The biggest drawback to air is the compressor and line setup required to reliably feed it. As mentioned in the video, if you're working in a static shop environment with air already there, take advantage of it!

For the environments I usually work in (driveways, parking lots, sometimes a garage with no compressor), the battery powered impact wins for utility.

 

[sberry]

Maybe newer cordless hit different, they are good but don't care for them on car work. Off is fine but they hit fast and I am never sure , over tight is a problem too, air can feather the trigger, adjust the tool and come up slow and accurate.

 

[General Geoff]

Maybe newer cordless hit different, they are good but don't care for them on car work. Off is fine but they hit fast and I am never sure , over tight is a problem too, air can feather the trigger, adjust the tool and come up slow and accurate.

The IR W7150 that I have, has a variable trigger, very easily modulated. I still don't trust myself to fully torque down bolts with an impact so I'll get it snugged up with the impact and torque wrench it to final spec.

I really should get a 140 ft lb torque stick for my old F-250 though, manually torquing 8 lugs per wheel gets tedious really fast!

Speaking of which, I think you should run a torque stick test on that fancy bolt torque reading machine of yours. Would be very beneficial to see what brands and what ratings are most accurate.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Over the past 30 years, the cordless tools have improved. You can't beat cordless tools for field work. However, I've been set up with air tools and corded tools for so long, it wouldn't make sense to go to all cordless, except for the my cordless drill, which I use for field work.

 

[sberry]

I test against a wrench on occasion. I just checked a car, 20 lug nuts, 18 within 5% and 2 within 10, 1 hi and one low. How good is a stick?

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Another consideration not yet discussed, is that with electric tools being the hot thing now, a lot of guys are selling their air tools and air tools are going down in price and becoming more available.

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[BroncoSquid]

I agree, I am Air impacts just because I have a nice compressor, if I were to buy from scratch now.... Probably Cordless.

 

[uglyjacko]

Those m7 are looking very nice, by the way keep up the good work

 

[woody 73]

I have this love affair with both cordless and air and it is killing me! I hate dragging air hose and I hate the cycle time noise in my small man cave; but I love the power when I need it.

On the other hand those fxxxing dead batteries are killing me when I need to buy new ones, but I love not dragging any cords and the noise is something I can live with!

Darn if I do and darn if I don't...

 

[crewchief888]

Over the past 30 years, the cordless tools have improved. You can't beat cordless tools for field work. However, I've been set up with air tools and corded tools for so long, it wouldn't make sense to go to all cordless, except for the my cordless drill, which I use for field work.

i work on const eq as a field mechanic, having a cordless 3/8" dr impact makes quick work of bolts holding access panels in place. much faster/easier than starting a compressor, dragging out an airhose, only to find out you're 2 feet short....

i have most of my airtools in my service truck,
i tend to use mostly electric at home...

 

[bobcatdan]

When in comes to impacts, I always grab cordless first. My 3/8" air is probably rusted tight from.sitting. Only time air comes out is when the cordless can't do it. Funny thing is, is most of the time if my 1/2" cordless can't do it, my 1/2" air can't either and the 3/4" has to get the job done. About the only place my 1/2" gets work is if I'm doing something that is going to require long hammering on. I'd rather use air there then beat the cordless hard, not that it can't do it.

 

[Robbie UK]

I'm all cordless and the only air tools I miss are the blow gun, air hammer and the tiny die grinder.

 

[sqaurelizard]

I have both air and cordless 1/2 cordless only gets used when I have to call out etc , has loads of power its just to heavy and not as nicely balanced as my standard air 1/2 to use all day though I'm starting to use my m7 a lot on suspension and gearbox work.

 

[abvw]

The cordless impacts I have are much louder under load than my pneumatics. It gets deafening once the cordless starts pounding, especially under the car, whereas my air impacts are much more tolerable. Also because of the higher motor speed and hammering actions, air impacts are smoother to operate in my hands. I can't be the only one experiencing this, can anyone else relate?

I prefer the runtime on pneumatic rotary tools (no overheating and keeping up with charging batteries), but electric motors seems to be much harder to stall.

You can't have 'em all, I guess.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

 

[Finky198]

Im sorry but to say IR is top of the line...... I would take an AirCat any day any use over any IR anything. Nice video though.

I laugh at the Fact that you call Aircat ahead game and IR not top of the line

when companies like IR / Atlas Copco (who also owns Quincy), and CP who produce and design the market share of all pneumatic tools around world for consumers like u to 99.9% of the industrial market

Go ahead and hate but if it weren't for IR Paving the way the last 75 years Aircat would not even exist Let alone be in the same league

Ever notice that every company in the air tool industry uses IR as a benchmark there's a reason for it

 

[Adam.C]

I didn't feel the torque test was relevant. Both guns produced more than enough torque for just about any task. We often do the same with wrench tests. Why do we care if Brand X wrench is stronger than Brand Y if both are double the strength of any fastener we can fit them on? With wrenches at least we could say the stronger wrench will wear slower. With impact guns, once you get over 700ftlbs, I think that's more than enough. My gun is 500ftlbs and I think it is enough.

I have no opinion of air vs cordless. Both seem more than adequate. For a part timer, I think cordless is more convenient. You don't have to wait to fill up the air compressor. And the air compressors are often very loud. When my oil-less craftsman 25 gallon kicks in while I'm using my air gun, its REALLY loud. Sometimes it makes me jump, its so loud.

For the average shade tree mechanic, I think a middle of the road cordless impact makes more sense than air. Especially if you can share batteries with other tools (like cordless drills, drivers, sawzalls etc).

For pros, a powerful 1/2" air gun makes sense for heavy duty removals. But pros I know use guns more than ratchets. And most use cordless 3/8" and even 1/4" impact guns. They use the smaller guns for greater access and because they produce less torque so they can be used to install fasteners. Impacts are nicer than air ratchets (IMO) because you don't have to react torque. The hammer does that. Impact is much easier on your wrists.

 

[Finky198]

Very well said. ^^^

I have to agree.

I've said this before but the more diverse your drive tools, sockets, extensions, and adapter equals to 1000s of different combination which each can be used differently to gain better access and have more then one way to complete a job on time. All with respect to OP prior video on "Torque loss" and in reality Tool brands don't make a difference some better than others but knowing how and when to use them is the real mechanical skill the more combination you have can get access into place you've never imagined

Tools air, cordless, corded have there place and will never replace one another

 

[CutterFarms]

I have the IR W7150 and two snap on mg725. I really like them both but I find myself reaching for the cordless first. Although alot of my work is done in the field and away from the shop to be fair.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Being I have a 80 gallon compressor set at 175PSI, which I need for sandblasting, and 3/4" and 1" drive impacts anyway; I will continue to use my air powered 1/2" drive impacts that were paid for long ago.. As for 3/8" drive??? I put a new whip on a new IR107XPA air ratchet yesterday, and have decided on a new IR or CP impact wrench to replace a couple older ones..... I have never had a battery die on an air or corded power tool, and plan on sticking with them for shop use.

I do like the portability of the cordless tools, but upgrading the batteries in an existing SnapOn 3/8 drive cordless impact, or replacing it and my cordless drill with a modern cordless set would be my best plan..

I value my air, corded, AND cordless tools for what I use them for..
That's my story

 

[jrobb316]

The cordless impacts I have are much louder under load than my pneumatics. It gets deafening once the cordless starts pounding, especially under the car, whereas my air impacts are much more tolerable. Also because of the higher motor speed and hammering actions, air impacts are smoother to operate in my hands. I can't be the only one experiencing this, can anyone else relate?

I prefer the runtime on pneumatic rotary tools (no overheating and keeping up with charging batteries), but electric motors seems to be much harder to stall.

You can't have 'em all, I guess.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

Yes I agree. The one thing I didn't like in the video is the free spinning decibel level. I think cordless impacts in operation are louder than pneumatics. The meter while doing the torque test would have been nice to see. Cordless is nice, especially in 3/8 for me, but there is no substitute for air.

 

[bigfunwmu]

Yes I agree. The one thing I didn't like in the video is the free spinning decibel level. I think cordless impacts in operation are louder than pneumatics. The meter while doing the torque test would have been nice to see. Cordless is nice, especially in 3/8 for me, but there is no substitute for air.

I agree. Unloaded decibel test is not useful. Who just spins an impact in the air all day, impacts are for impacting!

Rest of the vid not bad though.

 

[woodstockva]

The reason I put the DBA test in the videos is to show how accurate manufacturer claims are (or arent) with their listed specs. ALL manufacturers make those specs free-spinning only......you can have a magic impact with zero dba & once you start hammering on a fastener it is going to go well over 100db.

 

[bigfunwmu]

The reason I put the DBA test in the videos is to show how accurate manufacturer claims are (or arent) with their listed specs. ALL manufacturers make those specs free-spinning only......you can have a magic impact with zero dba & once you start hammering on a fastener it is going to go well over 100db.

While that is correct, several here have mentioned that cordless impacts seem louder than their air counterparts when under load. It would be interesting to see what the actual numbers are. Honestly, the unloaded dB numbers from OEMs are pretty useless as well.

It is possible that it is a tonal difference that "sounds" louder as opposed to an actual dB difference as over time pitch ranges a person is most exposed to are the ones that suffer the greatest degradation. Air impacts have been in the world much longer than cordless and users may be hearing a difference that isn't there as the cordless tool produces a pitch in the less-damaged range of hearing.

 

[jrobb316]

I think 3/8 air is louder, but 1/2 cordless seems louder to me. It would be interesting to see the results on that one, and agreed, the oems specs on free spinning dB is pretty useless. Of course there are so many brands and models having a definite answer will be impossible.

 

[Finky198]

+1 My cordless 3/8 is much louder then 3/8 and 1/2 air guns

 

[Kent_B]

If I were starting over, I would probably go cordless and save the expense of a compressor. I've had air tools for longer than cordless electrics have been a viable alternative, so I'll use what I have.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

I'm just an average DIY'er, so I don't depend on using my tools all day every day.

I bought a larger compressor a number of years ago and in impact wrench rated at 500 ft-lbs. primarily for changing multiple sets of wheels in the spring and fall and general automotive work. Waiting for the compressor to fill, getting out the hose, and dealing with it getting in the way was a pain in the ****. Half the time the impact didn't have the power necessary to break the lug bolts free. I understand I could have purchased a better, more powerful impact, but I wasn't interested in investing a few hundred more dollars for something that I used so limitedly.

I transitioned into using a breaker bar to break the bolts loose, then an M12 hex impact with an adapter to pull the bolts out and snug them up before torquing them down with a torque wrench. This was a much faster system, no waiting for the compressor to fill initially, no hose, impact is light weight, etc.

Just recently I purchased the newer M18 high torque impact wrench. I already had other M18 tools and batteries, so the investment cost of the bare tool was cheaper than purchasing a more powerful pneumatic impact gun. This thing is ridiculously heavy, but far more powerful. It has zero issue breaking lug bolts free and snugging them up before torquing. The size is a little larger than the pneumatic which might be an issue in certain scenarios, but I honestly can't ever see filling the compressor again to use the impact.

For someone working in a shop environment all day every day I do see the benefits of air tools. For the average DIY guy we're ecstatic that cordless tools have finally caught up. If Milwaukee made a cordless nailer I might have to ditch my compressor all together! I know Ryobi and Ridgid make one, but not investing in more than one 12v and 18v battery line to keep things simple and cheaper.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The dependable 1/2 hp, belt driven 12 gallon air compressor that I bought new in 1969 for $69.99 still works good for airing up tires and blow gun use... The pressure switch is set at 80 psi on and 100 psi off... It rolls easily on it's two wheels, and has been run off a 15 amp outlet with an extension cord countless times... It is a good machine for it's intended use.

Couple an air wrench to that little compressor, and you will get a few mild wraps , and then a tap-dance... Couple that same air wrench to a large compressor set at 175 psi, use the proper size hoses, and you will get a Kick *** instead of the tap-dance..

point being: air tools are of little value without the proper compressor to power them.. For a Do-it-Yourselfer, People living in rental property, service workers on remote locations, and a host of others; The cordless tools are a godsend... and a large, expensive compressor is not a realistic option...

 

[Olafur]

The cordless impacts I have are much louder under load than my pneumatics. It gets deafening once the cordless starts pounding, especially under the car, whereas my air impacts are much more tolerable. Also because of the higher motor speed and hammering actions, air impacts are smoother to operate in my hands. I can't be the only one experiencing this, can anyone else relate?

I prefer the runtime on pneumatic rotary tools (no overheating and keeping up with charging batteries), but electric motors seems to be much harder to stall.

You can't have 'em all, I guess.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

I have limited experience with cordless impacts. But the 1/2" drive Ryobi I got is very loud when hammering, so yes I can relate. Come to think of it I probably shouldn't touch that thing without earmuffs.

 

[abvw]

This is my cordless impact (Milwaukee M18 2763) after 3 months of service in a professional setting (independent garage/workshop):

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/11960260_10203848961058079_3840165005001412552_n.jpg?oh=66e631482a27569a0d32640524407427&oe=5672F1FD

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11227909_10203848961138081_5695867500185152528_n.jpg?oh=cf9e6b0efbd19c93562d7ec38f2382a8&oe=5676650E

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11949478_10203848961098080_1329018989118243073_n.jpg?oh=85df5fdf410a4e6b409fb24606b93ef2&oe=56671BE4


Oil, brake fluid, coolant, tire shines, undercoats, WD40, grease, wax and anything else you touch on the car gets transferred to the rubber grip and they don't come off unless you blast it with brake clean.

I've never seen this happening to my pneumatic tools, the grips will, and do eventually swells and falls off but they're always replaceable, you will need a brand new housing on cordless to fix the grip.

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[Finky198]

^^^I can say that is a pretty sad results I was never really impressed with Milwaukee's build quality seemed to lack something when i picked one up. Ive had my Hilti Cordless stuff for 3-7 years depending on the piece but not one of them are even remotely in that bad of shape with hard daily use in less the optimal conditions.

and to think I was looking at the M12 on sale last week im glad i passed on it

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I use the Milwaukee M12 for tight space lighter torque stuff, and I use my pneumatic guns for larger torque stuff. The M12 is nice because it is tiny and hits relatively hard for what it is. The batteries are always available and there are a lot of other m12 tools out there that you can purchase. The M12 is also great for delicate fasteners. Like the hex/phillips airbox bolts on a lot of hondas. Those things will snap right off if no one has checked the filters in a while.

I like to use pneumatic over battery power because plugging in a battery in a shop and waiting for it to charge is a pain in the rear. If you have a plug near your box then great but I have to run across the shop.

The replacement battery for that IR cordless impact is $125... That's pretty expensive. Especially if you are not paying for compressed air.

 

[Ign]

Not voting 'cause there's no option E:

I use cordless when I can and air when I need reduced tool weight or size.

 

[Ign]

^^^I can say that is a pretty sad results I was never really impressed with Milwaukee's build quality seemed to lack something when i picked one up. Ive had my Hilti Cordless stuff for 3-7 years depending on the piece but not one of them are even remotely in that bad of shape with hard daily use in less the optimal conditions.

and to think I was looking at the M12 on sale last week im glad i passed on it

A wrinkled overmold grip is poor build quality, eh? Ok.

 

[uglyjacko]

I laugh at the Fact that you call Aircat ahead game and IR not top of the line

when companies like IR / Atlas Copco (who also owns Quincy), and CP who produce and design the market share of all pneumatic tools around world for consumers like u to 99.9% of the industrial market

Go ahead and hate but if it weren't for IR Paving the way the last 75 years Aircat would not even exist Let alone be in the same league

Ever notice that every company in the air tool industry uses IR as a benchmark there's a reason for it

I think he took that the wrong way, woodstockva meant IR's top of the line offerings, not IR is top of the line. And yes I agree with you on IR being the benchmark for other impacts.

 

[Finky198]

This is my cordless impact (Milwaukee M18 2763) after 3 months of service in a professional setting (independent garage/workshop)


Oil, brake fluid, coolant, tire shines, undercoats, WD40, grease, wax and anything else you touch on the car gets transferred to the rubber grip and they don't come off unless you blast it with brake clean.

I've never seen this happening to my pneumatic tools, the grips will, and do eventually swells and falls off but they're always replaceable, you will need a brand new housing on cordless to fix the grip.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

^^^I can say that is a pretty sad results I was never really impressed with Milwaukee's build quality seemed to lack something when i picked one up. Ive had my Hilti Cordless stuff for 3-7 years depending on the piece but not one of them are even remotely in that bad of shape with hard daily use in less the optimal conditions.

and to think I was looking at the M12 on sale last week im glad i passed on it

A wrinkled overmold grip is poor build quality, eh? Ok.

Yes that to me is bad build quality if i am buying a tool for that kind of money and it looks like that within 3mo of professional use... Call me Crazy but Id be very Disappointed expect that to be warrantied and I would find another brand. I do not own any Milwaukee tools but I have used a ton of them through the years

As I said above I have Hilti corded and cordless drills, impacts, sawalls grinders with similar grips between 3-7 year with zero wrinkles, separation or any flaws other than a little dirt and They see work 6 days a week in a fabrication and repair shop that my friend is High Build quality