Cordless impact wrench?

[PCA4208]

Hello everyone. I'm new here and I'm looking for tools. Specifically a good cordless impact wrench. As a student I really don't have the money for a good snap-on or Mac or any of those truck tools. I'm mainly using it to work on my trucks and other automotive things. I don't want a 3/8's drive as I have some good impact sockets already, need a 1/2" drive.
Thanks.

 

[BlksnshN]

My Matco dealer left the Ingersoll W7150 for me to play with today. Haven't had a chance to test it out yet but I've heard it's at the head of the class for 1/2" cordless impacts.

I used a Snap On CT7850 for a week and was unimpressed. Certainly not worth the $700 price tag.

 

[RTUmark]

I just picked up a milwaukee m18 1/2". Pretty ballsy wrench.

 

[Csmnlm]

If I was going to buy one I would go with the Ingersoll.

 

[619DioFan]

Milwaukee m18 fuel or the ir w7150 ( both around 420.00 ) both rock. next step down probably something in the dewalt line.

 

[PCA4208]

Forgot to mention that my price range is in the 200-300 area. I did find some nice dewalt ones on Craigslist. But I'm worried about used tools other than ratchets and wrenches.

 

[Coach James]

I bought a Kobalt 18V on close out a few weeks ago. So far, has removed everything I needed it to.

Coach

 

[rtole]

I too just picked up the m18 fuel. Its a beast! In a week and a couple days I have not touched my prize ir2135timaxx. I hate to say that price range is going to stick you with a gun that MIGHT do lugnuts, or used. I say save more and get a good one. I have also heard good things about the ir cordless, I went with milwalkee since I had some other m18 stuff. If the ir is better it cant be by much. I work as a mechanic in a tire shop doing mostly front end work. I live and die by my 1/2 gun. If I have not used my air gun in a week that says alot to me.

 

[davesnothere]

Buying a cheap 1/2" cordless impact is a waste. Skip lunch for awhile and get a good one.

And a new one.

Not from Craigslist.

If I were doing it again, I'd buy the Milwaukee fuel.

 

[not-required]

My Milwaukee m18 fuel 1/2" gun has been holding its own taking off bus lug nuts everyday.

 

[woodstockva]

$200 budget, you should stick to a cordless L-ion impact driver (1/4").....I have the Makita one that they sell at Home Depot & it works great for anything 12mm & less.

I have been using the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2763-22 for the last week & it is a BEAST!!!! Funny thing is, Ingersoll-Rand upped the torque ratings of the W7150 after the M18 Fuel was released....they didnt change anything, they just changed the advertised ratings.

I took off 2 different Honda Crank Bolts today with my 2763-22 with ZERO hesitation.

The IR W7150 & 2763-22 have "real world" forward torque of 900 ft lbs.....advertised 700 ft lbs. And nutbusting reverse torque of 1,100 ft lbs.

Watch the test vid here --->

The reason I went with the Milwaukee Fuel, was the extended battery life; the versatility of the battery packs with other products; the LED light on the front; and the dual-mode forward torque (100 & 700 ft lbs).

Here is an unboxing video I did last week --->

You will pay $429 or so for the M18 Fuel 2763-22 w/2 batteries, a charger, and a case.

I would suggest you either save more money to get the M18, or just buy a high-end pneumatic 1/2" impact. The best value on the pneumatics is this ---> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K9388U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Chicago Pneumatic CP7748.....1,200 ft lbs reverse nutbusting torque. Forward torque is way over-rated since you will NEVER need to torque anything more than a couple hundred ft-lbs.

I own the IR 2135qtimax & IR 2135qtimax2....if I didnt, I would buy the CP7748.

 

[dankicksass]

If your max is $300, get the Ryobi or Craftsman. They're identical (don't get hung up on 18 vs 19.2 volt, they're the same) and more powerful than they look. You'll have money left over. I have the Craftsman, and add on drill, radio, vacuum and lights. I even power my snowblower headlight with the Craftsman batteries.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I'm very happy with my Craftsman C3 19.2volt. Use it on the race car all the time. Have lots of other C3 cordless. Very happy with them.

 

[PCA4208]

Thanks guys. I knew that these things aren't cheap, and I really didn't want to get a cheap one and be screwed when I needed it to work.

My dad just filled me in on an abandoned large compressor in one of our rental buildings. If we bring it home then I might just splurge on a good pneumatic rattle gun. But in the meantime seems like I'll have to put aside a roll of cash for that Milwaukee. I love Dewalt tools too. Does anybody have good experience with their impacts?

 

[HMCFab9]

If you have an air compressor, use that.
If you have no air & need portability, the Milwaukee M18 is great.
For under $100 you can get the Craftsman C3 cordless impact. I have one & it's a good impact, but the batteries that come with it aren't the greatest. You can upgrade them though.

 

[PCA4208]

Well I have a compressor, just not a good one. We might be getting a big one soon, but not sure yet. That's why I want a cordless impact.

 

[PDXCummins]

Have the Craftsman and am happy with it for less than 75 bucks out the door.

 

[rockinacummins]

We use Dewalt compact 1/2 impacts at work. The boss man just switched from 18v to 20v brush-less and I liked the 18v a lot, but I really really like the 20v. We use them putting up steel structures, btw

 

[amolaver]

If your max is $300, get the Ryobi or Craftsman. They're identical (don't get hung up on 18 vs 19.2 volt, they're the same) and more powerful than they look. You'll have money left over. I have the Craftsman, and add on drill, radio, vacuum and lights. I even power my snowblower headlight with the Craftsman batteries.

i'd strongly recommend against the ryobi. i have a bunch of the one+ tools and i think the only one that really doesn't cut is the 1/2" impact. the chuck in the drill now has waaay to much runout, but it has seen a LOT of use.

i've had 4 or 5 different 1/2 cordless impacts. my ancient 18v harbor freight was actually a great gun and lasted for years. unfortunately, the handle's plastic that latched that battery in broke (UV exposure made it brittle), so it got retired. i tried a northern 24v - total ****. the ryobi - mega weak sauce. struggled with lug nuts torqued to 80ft/lb, 90 was a lost cause.

the milwaukee (non-fuel) i love. takes off my 1 ton dually's lugs in a blink. trailer wheels 'torqued' to whatever the tire 'technician' could get from his 231 in forward - blip, and they're off. the range of other tools available in the m18 line should be considered as well - i don't think anyone else has anywhere close to the breadth of QUALITY tools in their lineup.

i like my ryobi gear, but if i was starting from scratch, i would go strictly with the milwaukee stuff. it certainly appears to be made to last, and reports to date indicate it will, even with pro use.

ahm

 

[dankicksass]

I've never had trouble with the C3 impact unless I was using the small battery. It's no good with the half size lithium pack. Deafautotech said he pulled a frame with one. I don't use mine at work but at home it's been great.

 

[paulsomlo]

I just picked up a milwaukee m18 1/2". Pretty ballsy wrench.

I'm curious - where's it made?

 

[MN4x4]

If you want the best I believe you want the IR-W7150. I have it and love it.I got it last year when they had the free battery promo.

If you want multiple tool / battery compatibility, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel High-Torque model is pretty close to the IR in real life power. Not identical, but might be close enough to work for you.

FWIW, I have a buttload of Milwaukee M12 tools (including at least one of every impact they make) and almost every M28 tool that they made, so I'm not hatin' on Milwaukee. And I don't own but have tried the M18 Fuel High-Torque 1/2" Impact. I just believe that the IR is a better product in this case.

I agree with the other posters that said buy a good wrench and buy it new. You won't go wrong with either the IR or the Milwaukee.

 

[theknurl]

cordless impact?.....

Curtiss Wright Swench Wrench

1" drive, full set of sockets, extensions, offset adaptors

2,000 lbft of torque, accurate enough to torque aircraft propeller nuts

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swench-1000...432?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338bc42040

I have a 1/2" and 3/4"

the 1 1/2" drive is 7,000 lbft of torque

***** assed battery tools

 

[GSteg]

Either you spend $100 and get a Craftsman C3, or spend the dough to get the high-end guns. A $200-300 gun is only marginally better than the Craftsman. By the time you save $300, $400 is right around the corner, and it's quite a set-up from your typical Dewalt, Ridgid, Kobalt offerings.

 

[Adam.C]

What about the Bosch? Bare tool is $240. Could pick up a charger cheap, maybe a second hand battery until you can afford good new ones?

 

[Vinko]

I was just thinking of cordless impacts today as I picked up one of our IR 231C -- we have several still new in the box that must be 20 years old. Heavy things A cordless impact would be nice.

 

[MattPersman]

As far as dewalt goes you asked about they have an old 18 volt platform gun dw059, it's a turd, the rocker switch no one likes for fwd and rev. The pin for the socket retention is anything but convenient, it may have 120 lbs/ft tops. It would hammered for quite some time trying to remove on our 1500 mile old toyota lug nuts that are 80 lbs/ft it finally got them with a shallow socket. Sad. Sad sad. But it was sitting in my drawer haven't used it in a few years and thought what the hell this should be easy enough for it. Not.

Then the other impact on the 20 volt line is only sold through Mac tools. Well high torque anyways. I think they have a little construction impact for putting lag bolts in wood but not for doing auto/truck repair

The IR is great power wise. I am having my second problem with it. First time my anvil brake stopped working. They sent me a new gun. Well it's starting to do that again. Sigh. It still works but it's not right. Lots of good praise on the Milwaukee gun. I haven't used it. I have the snap on lithium gun too and it doesn't have the power the IR has. And it's away for repair too because the LED wasn't working correctly.

 

[MattPersman]

I was just thinking of cordless impacts today as I picked up one of our IR 231C -- we have several still new in the box that must be 20 years old. Heavy things A cordless impact would be nice.

Cordless impacts are not lightweights. An IR 2135timax is though.

 

[RTUmark]

No idea. Did not look. Will look later today. Brace for china. I'm not one to obsess over country of origin. I'm an overall quality guy regardless of COO

 

[dlcwent]

Nothing beats the power per weight of tool like the IR 235TI . But cordless impacts?? I have a craftsman 20v that the wife bought me for Christmas a couple of years ago. It is very impressive,we use it alot in our shop everyday.

 

[GSteg]

What about the Bosch? Bare tool is $240. Could pick up a charger cheap, maybe a second hand battery until you can afford good new ones?

While the Bosch is nice, it's not as powerful as the Milwaukee/IR. Very good tool, and it's very similar to the Snap On CT6850 gun. But for $240, it's about $30 more than the Milwaukee gun.

 

[GSteg]

The IR is great power wise. I am having my second problem with it. First time my anvil brake stopped working. They sent me a new gun. Well it's starting to do that again. Sigh. It still works but it's not right. Lots of good praise on the Milwaukee gun. I haven't used it.

How often do you use your gun? I have 2 W7150 and neither one has developed this issue. Sometimes I do think the electric brake is too aggressive. Have the Milwaukee and it's quite a gun if you don't mind the extra heft.

 

[PCA4208]

Well seems like its a toss up between the IR and Milwaukee. I'm going to have to save for either of them anyways.

I'm going to talk to my dad today and see if we are actually going to get the big compressor. If we do I'm definitely going to get an air tool. But if not now I know which tools are good out there.

 

[MattPersman]

How often do you use your gun? I have 2 W7150 and neither one has developed this issue. Sometimes I do think the electric brake is too aggressive. Have the Milwaukee and it's quite a gun if you don't mind the extra heft.

All day 5-6 days a week anytime I need a 1/2 impact

 

[Vinko]

Cordless impacts are not lightweights. An IR 2135timax is though.

Well, the ones I’ve picked up are lighter than the old 231c, that’s for sure!

 

[Deception]

I have the Milwaukee M18 1/2" Impact with Friction ring, 450ft lbs tq, got the kit with 2 batteries for $320 shipped from CPO on presidents day sale 2 years ago. The fuel version was not out at that time or I probably would have gotten that, can never have enough torque.

No complaints with it.

 

[SpannerMonkey]

Here you go:

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" kit with charger and 2 4.0ah batteries for $279 inc. shipping:
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...=6&cgid=milwaukee-m18-impact-drivers-wrenches

Then you can go for the high torque 2763 as a bare unit later and use same batteries and charger. You guys get 5 year warranty too which is nice.

EDIT: Note that model for $279 is the pin detent which would bug me so much I'd happily pay extra for another retention system but your preference may vary.

 

[GYPSY400]

Thanks guys. I knew that these things aren't cheap, and I really didn't want to get a cheap one and be screwed when I needed it to work.

I love Dewalt tools too. Does anybody have good experience with their impacts?

I have a dewalt 3/8" 12v LiIon gun.. If I had to pick a favourite tool, that would be it.

 

[BajaBound]

I own the C3 impact it's been awesome but only with lithium.

I now own the Mil M18 fuel and it's a beast. Go milwaukee.

 

[T_Roze]

Milwaukee fuel. Yes I am a fan boy.