Cordless or Air Impact?

[neuralsnafu]

So I'm amassing tools for an upcoming project ( gear swap on my K5), and I've decided to treat myself to a new impact (have a 1/2 corded HF special). I Cannot decide if I want to spend the 400$ on a Milwaukee 2763, IR W7150, or Go with the the HF Earthquake XT series, which would involve me buying new hoses and fittings for my (few) air tools.

I'm torn between saving some $$$$ or being portable should I get called out to go change a family members flat. And I guess not having a hose to trip on constantly would be nice too....

I welcome y'alls advice

 

[Kenskip1]

Have you looked at Astro Pneumatic air tools? Something to consider. However will you always have an air source where you are working?However the HF is getting good reviews.
Ken

 

[The Cobbler]

my beef with battery tools is replacement batteries are $$$$
for occasional use I have iar impact. if I was using it all the time, I would consider battery

 

[neuralsnafu]

Have you looked at Astro Pneumatic air tools? Something to consider. However will you always have an air source where you are working?However the HF is getting good reviews.
Ken

I have not looked at Astro, as I've been focusing on the battery powered mostly, I just heard that the HF was decent from a friend and the real tool reviews youtube channel.

I wont always have access to air. In my garage, yes I've got a small 10 gallon compressor, but after that, no air in the K5 or my friends shops that I visit.

 

[Shop Specialties]

I love my IR W7150. I keep it in my work van toolbox and battery life is great.

 

[AA/FC]

Go cordless... The HF Earthquake requires a $1000 compressor to reach it's full potential, and therefore is NOT very portable (if at all). The cordless Milwaukee kicks *** wherever you can carry it with you.

 

[Ign]

So I'm amassing tools for an upcoming project ( gear swap on my K5), and I've decided to treat myself to a new impact (have a 1/2 corded HF special). I Cannot decide if I want to spend the 400$ on a Milwaukee 2763, IR W7150, or Go with the the HF Earthquake XT series, which would involve me buying new hoses and fittings for my (few) air tools.

I'm torn between saving some $$$$ or being portable should I get called out to go change a family members flat. And I guess not having a hose to trip on constantly would be nice too....

I welcome y'alls advice

You nailed it in bold. Unless you must get into compact places go battery cordless

 

[smokey0066]

I picked up a 2763 with the HD $150 deal as a present to myself. I also justified it with being able to take it onsite for more portability.

 

[gdocktor3]

Since buying cordless I've not used an air impact once. It's also more powerful, has a light and easier to handle. I absolutely love my Dewalt dcf899.

 

[Schurkey]

I've got a small 10 gallon compressor, but after that, no air in the K5 or my friends shops that I visit.

You don't have access to air. Buy a non-air-powered tool.

 

[TK-421]

Do you already have a quality compressor and accessories that will allow you to run an air impact? Or do you have to buy those?

I went cordless because I don't have the money for a quality compressor and accessories, nor do I have the space for one, plus the fact that I'm currently renting and can't run a 240v line.

It's hard to find a quality compressor, accessories, and an impact, all for the $250-ish that I have in my Milwaukee 2763, a battery and a charger.

Now, if you already have a quality compressor and all the accessories, and you don't need the portability of a cordless, then I'd look at air impacts.

However, what I'd really do, is go ahead and get both. If you think you'll need portability more, then I'd get electric before I got air. If you don't think you'll need portability before you can buy both, then I'd get air before I got electric. But, in the end, I'd want both.

 

[fordgasm]

So I'm amassing tools for an upcoming project ( gear swap on my K5), and I've decided to treat myself to a new impact (have a 1/2 corded HF special). I Cannot decide if I want to spend the 400$ on a Milwaukee 2763, IR W7150, or Go with the the HF Earthquake XT series, which would involve me buying new hoses and fittings for my (few) air tools.

I'm torn between saving some $$$$ or being portable should I get called out to go change a family members flat. And I guess not having a hose to trip on constantly would be nice too....

I welcome y'alls advice

Go to Home Depot's website. You can buy the 2763-22 kit that gives you two
5ah XC batteries, plus a third one free. Its a good deal for $429. Solves any battery issues that may pop up. That's my next purchase.

 

[bert1913]

yesterday i tried using my ir2130 but it had low power (i didn't know that you have to grease them) since i already own the milwaukee drill/driver and 1/4 hex driver with 3 batteries. i'm gonna order the milwaukee 2763 bare tool. (i won't have to fire up the air compressor and drag hose all over the place)

 

[dnschmidt]

Your making this out to be a tough decision. It's not. Milwaukee, Dewalt or Makita cordless is the answer. Now the next question is: will a 3/8" tool put out enough of ft-lb's to do what it is you want to do with it. The problem with the 1/2" units is that they're heavy. The 3/8" units put out 200 ft-lb's. which will sure as hell take off any car's lug nuts. I have both the Fuel 1/2" and the Fuel 3/8". I find I use the 3/8" 90% of the time.

 

[D-maxin]

Every since I got a Milwaukee 2763 6 months ago, i haven't used my snap on mg725 once. I like them both but my vote goes to the 2763. It stays in my cart and the mg725 stays in my box, no point in dragging air lines around for no reason

 

[WWheeler]

If you do decide on a 1/2 cordless, might want to also consider the Dewalt DCF899 20v. The Dewalt is more powerful than the Milwaukee 2763 and the kit w/ battery and charger can usually be had for $330 and bare tool for $180.

 

[hangfirew8]

Go cordless... The HF Earthquake requires a $1000 compressor to reach it's full potential, and therefore is NOT very portable (if at all). The cordless Milwaukee kicks *** wherever you can carry it with you.

While cordless might be the right answer for the OP, please don't spread misinformation. With hi-flow air fittings you can run any 1/2" impact with a total investment of half your figure, less with good used equipment deals.

 

[Kenskip1]

"" The HF Earthquake requires a $1000 compressor to reach it's full potential""

Are you serious? Can you air up a tire with your cordless?Are you able to clean an air filter with a cordless? Are you able to blow dry parts with a cordless? How abut using a chisel?
As to the quote above, well sir I hate to have to tell you this but my $79 Earthquake in 3/8 drive is now working very well with the 3/8 line that I installed on a 33 gallon Sears compressor. $1000. where did you come up with this figure? Ken

 

[fordgasm]

Your making this out to be a tough decision. It's not. Milwaukee, Dewalt or Makita cordless is the answer. Now the next question is: will a 3/8" tool put out enough of ft-lb's to do what it is you want to do with it. The problem with the 1/2" units is that they're heavy. The 3/8" units put out 200 ft-lb's. which will sure as hell take off any car's lug nuts. I have both the Fuel 1/2" and the Fuel 3/8". I find I use the 3/8" 90% of the time.

The Milwaukee 2755 M18 fuel compact 1/2 impact wrench does both well. Its small/doesn't weigh much and has 220 ft/lbs of torque. I have it and love it.

the 2763 is a beast for sure.

 

[Know Wosad]

BOTH. This is garage journal aint it ? ;-)

 

[bcradio]

BOTH. This is garage journal aint it ? ;-)

 

[DooDooBear1999]

I've got both the 3/8" and 1/2" Milwaukee M18 cordless impacts. I keep the 3/8" in my truck and the 1/2" in my box. I didn't want to commit to air tools and a compressor being that I knew that I'd be relocating within the last few years. Best money I've ever spent and the portability is great.

 

[alien]

I love my IR W7150. I keep it in my work van toolbox and battery life is great.

I have had one of the first ones (was a trial/tester). I even loaned it to a mechanic to use at his shop for 6 months (he loved it but pricey for him, if he could get a deal he would like one in his vehicle).

It has gone from all day use to once every few months. When in constant use the battery lasted all day or close to it. If I put it in the truck tool box with 3 of 4 bars on the battery it will have 3 when I take it out to use it 3-6 months later. I liked it so much I bought the matching cordless drill.

With all that being said I would have no problem with the Milwaukee tools.

 

[94EG8]

10 gallon compressor? You don't have an air source. You might as well go cordless unless you see a major compressor upgrade in your near future.

 

[md21722]

A 2HP 26-30 gallon is all you need for an impact. This is around $349 at Harbor Freight. Their Earthquake XT is for $149 is fine. However since you don't have that size compressor, I'd also suggest the Milwaukee Fuel. I have done gears with smaller compressors and its no good. Particularly if you are doing gears with shims under the carrier bearings or shim on the pinion head.

 

[bcradio]

10 gallon compressor? You don't have an air source. You might as well go cordless unless you see a major compressor upgrade in your near future.

Horrible misinformation here!

10 gallon will run an impact just fine... that's a fact.

 

[md21722]

Pulling bearings off with a clamshell I don't see 10 gallon cutting the mustard. We are not talking lugnuts here.

 

[WWheeler]

I can take the 6 lugnuts on my truck torqued 100 ft lbs up to a year or more ago off in less than 10 seconds with a crappy little $30 generic impact that's 15 yrs old (actually, for $30 got an impact, ratchet, hammer, blow gun, and assorted fittings/accessories) that's seen lots of abuse with a 6 gallon pancake compressor that's even older.

 

[md21722]

Yes but using one of those cheap tool kits it took me 20-30 minutes to pull differential bearings off, waiting for air. With a 2HP & better impact it took longer to setup the clamshell puller than use the impact... People who do this professionally that rave about the Milwaukee Fuel impact, although I use air myself, because I already have a good air system. Cordless is great because you can grow them in the back of the truck to make trail repairs, etc.

 

[WWheeler]

I completely agree that anything more than lugnuts can benefit if not require something better than a crappy impact on a dinky compressor, but to say something "10 gallon compressor? You don't have an air source" is just not true.

That little pancake compressor and bottom-tier impact has been used many times to swap tires, break free spindle & axle nuts, pretty much everything we needed it for. We used it for about a decade of repairs to all of our vehicles only a handful of times it couldn't do something and then we broke out a 3/4 breaker.

I'm glad to say I do now have a better compressor and impacts, both air and cordless, but still, I wouldn't dog on those who don't and need to get a 'more' job done with 'less'. It has been done before.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I use my impact with a 5 gallon compressor all the time when im not at home. Works just fine. It will kick on alot and you will have to wait for it to refill but it works just fine. A oil-less probably wont handle the duty cycle but a oiled pump will no problem.

 

[Elginz]

Makita XWT08
BL Motor delivers 740 ft.lbs. of Max Torque and 1,180 ft.lbs of breakaway torque
3-speed power selection switch (0-900/0-1,000/0-1,800 RPM & 0-1,800/0-2,000/0-2,200 IPM) provides precise fastening control
I have the old one, I love it, but this is on the short list.

 

[DooDooBear1999]

Cordless tools have come to far not to give them serious consideration. I believe there will always be a place for air, I'll be putting in a big compressor when I buy a house within the next year and running air lines throughout the garage, but cordless tools are fast encroaching on what was formerly only the domain of compressor-powered devices.

 

[AA/FC]

LOL at guys defending the use of a small pancake compressor with an impact. Sure, your little pancake compressor has a hose with a quick disconnect that just happens to fit/connect onto your pneumatic impact wrench.... but just because it connects, doesn't mean you have enough pressure AND cfm to operate your impact to it's FULL POTENTIAL. Yes, the socket spins. Yes, it will unscrew a nut or bolt most of the time. But to act like it's performing just like it would with a properly sized COMPRESSOR with large enough HOSE and FITTINGS, it absolutely silly!!! There is a reason why they make large compressors, and it's not always because more than one guy is operating a tool at one time. If your no name impact with pancake compressor spins off your lug nuts, GREAT..... So would an M12 1/4 drive impact driver with socket adapter. It doesn't take much to remove a lug nut that was torqued to 100ft pounds. Lets see your no name impact/pancake compressor spin off the U-bolts that are clamping the rear axle to the leaf springs in a 1975 Chevy pickup, that has lived it's entire life in the rust belt. I'll give you a hint..... it won't do it!

However, if you had the proper air setup with decent pneumatic impact OR a Milwaukee 2763 (for example) with a few batteries, then you MIGHT have a shot a those u-bolts.


.

 

[neuralsnafu]

So i wound up with the IR cordless. And i got to use it today and damn why didnt i buy one of these sooner... tire rotation (one side) took me less than 10 minutes. No hunting for the air hose or extension cords...

Definately hooked... now i need a 3/8 and 1/4 lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[scissorman]

Get the IR W7150 and never look back. I own both an air impact (IR2135QTImax) and cordless and the air impact rarely gets used anymore.

 

[fourjeepin]

BOTH. This is garage journal aint it ? ;-)

Ha! Good answer. I have an ac compressor in my CJ for portable tire changes and just this week got a Ridgid cordless impact. it's not near as powerful as the Milwaukee, but it is also a ton less expensive and weighs a lot less. Oh, and i already have a bunch of lifetime warranty batteries.

 

[bcradio]

So i wound up with the IR cordless. And i got to use it today and damn why didnt i buy one of these sooner... tire rotation (one side) took me less than 10 minutes. No hunting for the air hose or extension cords...

Definately hooked... now i need a 3/8 and 1/4 lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Get the IR W7150 and never look back. I own both an air impact (IR2135QTImax) and cordless and the air impact rarely gets used anymore.

I doubt OP would want the W7150... oh wait....

 

[scissorman]

So i wound up with the IR cordless. And i got to use it today and damn why didnt i buy one of these sooner... tire rotation (one side) took me less than 10 minutes. No hunting for the air hose or extension cords...

Definately hooked... now i need a 3/8 and 1/4 lol

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

I also own the IR 3/8" and the IR 1/4" hex impact and also the IR 1/2" drill. Nothing but quality in every tool.

Did you buy the IR W7150 kit with the 3.0 or 5.0 batteries? When I purchased mine the 3.0 was the largest battery and the 5.0 came very shortly after I bought mine.

 

[amalik]

The answer for every question like this... Whatever gets the job done