cordless impact

[tacomabob]

Looking to get a cordless 1/2 impact which would be used mainly for tire rotations.
I was looking at the Milwaukee mid-torque (2962-22) or the new Makita compact 1/2 in.(XWT14T). Both in the $400 price range.
Ridgid is offering their gen 5x octane mid torque(R86011ksbn) with one battery and charger for $149.
I know the Ridgid is not the same as the Milwaukee or Makita, but does anyone have the Rigid ? Is it a decent tool?

 

[toolin' around]

Sounds like you don’t have an existing series of cordless tools... my only advise is to widen your research to which brand you would go for when you buy your next tools... which has the best range for the areas of work you might need, balance of price/performance etc.

I started years ago with the cheaper Ryobi stuff and ended up with a decent collection of tools, then moved to Milwaukee and gave the Ryobi stuff to my son, except for the items I was unlikely to replace with Milwaukee in the near term... that included a 1/2 impact wrench. Honestly, the Ryobi is perfectly fine for the occasional wheel rotation, so I think you’d be happy with any one of the three you’re considering.

More important is that you don’t want to be buying different batteries and fiddling with multiple chargers!

I have tended towards Rigid for most of my corded tools, and have a pretty good opinion of them. I am totally happy with every Milwaukee cordless tool I own. But my advice is base your choice on the brand not the single tool.

 

[American Locomotive]

The real question is are you already invested in one of these battery platforms? The modern cordless tools are all near enough the same in terms of performance and quality that you really can't go wrong.

I personally have Makita tools and like them every much, so that's the way I learn - but they are all good.

If you are not invested in any of those platforms - pick your favorite color and go with that. Although I will say, $150 for tool + battery + charger is quite a deal.

 

[dls]

You could buy battery adapters for most brands. All 18 and 20v batteries are actually 18v nominal. I use DeWalt 20V MAX batteries with DeWalt and Ryobi tools. There are adapters out there for Makita and others. Settle on a single battery platform and buy adapters for multiple tool brands. As for tire rotations, my brushless 1/4 DeWalt can easily undo my wheel lugs torqued at 100 ft lbs.
I have not encountered any fasteners I cannot unscrew, break or destroy with my 1/2 brushless DeWalt. My DCF899HB is rated for 1200 ft lbs of breakaway torque.

 

[dogdog]

I just got the Kobalt 24V XTR (their new line onsale right now) the "claimed" torque is excellent.. 1200ft-lb nut-busting and 750 ft-lb tighten.. Haven't tried it yet....

The shape and spec is similiar to the DEWALT DCF899B 20v MAX XR

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-XTR...s-Impact-Wrench-1-Battery-Included/1002274076

https://www.performancetoolcenter.c...n-impact-wrench-with-hog-ring-anvil-tool-only

 

[RKA]

I wouldn’t have any reservations about ridgid cordless tools. Just make sure you register it to get the lifetime warranty and save your proof of purchase in case. And who cares if you’ve got another battery and charger? This isn’t a saw where the battery drains in 15 minutes of cutting. Impact wrenches will do a lot of work before you’ve drained the battery. And this full kit is less than what I paid for my bare tool mid torque!

 

[Fly YX]

I have the old gen 5 mid for years and use it almost everyday and have not had any problems. Got the high torque one when it came out and the 3/8 one and they work great. They had a deal of the day on Direct Tool on the new gen 5 for $65 bt on the factory blemish. The factory blemish tools qualify for the lsa.

 

[M635_Guy]

If you're just doing tire rotations, the M12 Stubby might work. If you can still find a deal on the Gen 1 Mid-Torque (as they move to the even-better Gen2), it's a hell of a nice impact.

There's a great deal @ HD for the Ryobi brushed impact - $99 with a battery/charger. At 300 ft. lb, it should be fine for tire rotations. The RIGID 18v brushless seems very nice for $149 too.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I will also agree with the Ryobi cordless impact for home use. They are more than powerful enough for tire changes and other bolt removal tasks for the average home user.

And, with over 175 different tools currently in their roundup, with more and more coming out all the time, the Ryobi is a great choice. Also, Ryobi is one of the only brands that has not changed the battery attachment shape. This gives you the ability to use new batteries in every one of their cordless tools, even the really old ones from decades ago.

My Ryobi cordless tool collection is growing since Craftsman stopped their C3 line.

Jim

 

[Buckaroo5]

I have been using a 1/2" pneumatic impact wrench for all my nut busting jobs for years, including tire rotations. Recently bought a Milwaukee M12 Stubby impact and have been very impressed. It has easily removed lug nuts from all the cars I've tried it on including my Tundra torqued to 100 ft-lbs. I love how light it is and no need to crank up the compressor or fool with the hose. Plus I will use it in tight spaces in the future. So I am a convert. I also bought the Milwaukee 3/8" ratchet to use instead of my air tool. Love it, too.

 

[DFB]

I would think that moderately priced Ridgid impact wrench would work out ok for routine tire changes. You will probably find some You Tube videos on that current tool (or a previous version) and maybe some comparison testing too. Also using XC style batteries no matter the brand often show to make better performance

I do have the Milwaukee Mid Torque impact among a few others models from that manufacturer, but if I wasn't fully invested on that tool line I would certainly look at alternative especially for a general limited use

 

[Sasquatch912]

I have the Kobalt 24v XTR 1/2 Impact. It is strong and good for the price.

 

[Voi]

I was looking at the Milwaukee mid-torque (2962-22) or the new Makita compact 1/2 in.(XWT14T).

I believe the Makita mid-torque is available. I assume that would be a more direct comparison to the Milwaukee mid-torque. At least one GJ member seems to have one:

https://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8800083&postcount=470

Otherwise, I have both the previous generation Makita compact (XWT11z, I believe) and the previously mentioned Ryobi.

I really like my Makita a lot and I there was only one fastener it failed to loosen. I had salvaged an old mining trailer that had lug bolts and only one of the eight had to be broken via breaker bar.

I can only assume the newer Makita compact is better equipped for your needs but if I were planning on a wheel rotation tool I'd lean towards the mid torque.

I picked up two of the Ryobis at some too good to be true Home Depot sale a couple of years ago. I was thinking it would be good to have a cheaper impact wrench for road trips or off road excursions that I wouldn't cry about as much if left, dropped, ran over, etc.

But the Makita takes up less space in my side by side and matches the batteries in my lights (and also the now available inflator) so the Ryobis sit unused and I can't really comment on them.

 

[tab2]

I would make your decision based on the brand's other tools. They all make everything "good enough" for occasional use. Almost all of them have everything from drills to lawn mowers.

The big 3 are Milwaukee, Makita and DeWalt. I would trust Ryobi, and Ridgid as the next step down. I haven't owned any of the house brands of the big box stores so I can't comment on them, but I would probably use them if I wasn't a tool snob...