cordless vs. air impact wrench
- Thread starter hosz
- Start date
I've found that a good strong cordless 1/2" will do most of what you need to do. I have a Snap-On CT4850HO, same gun as the CT6850, same torque ....it's really strong. I only need the super strong 1/2" pneumatic impacts on occasion.
livinloud11
Well-known member
Does anyone have any updates to this thread? In need of a new 1/2 impact but unsure if I should just get a 1/2 earthquake from HF or go with the dewalt dcf899 and claim that as my main powerhouse.
39CAMC
Well-known member
FWIW, I am a mechanic and switched to cordless (with that DeWalt) a few years back and have not used an air powered impact since.
DaveW
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Specific models will be different. Right now I believe the "best" battery powered 1/2" impact is from Milwaukee. I have an older DeWalt myself and it does fine for most things, but in general the modern battery powered tools are excellent, and probably more than good enough until you get to some big equipment.
Bigblockyeti
Banned
Have you considered sleeping with the boss? It might put you in a position to get a house within a reasonable distance to work, then you could have a compressor to run your air tools and leave them wherever knowing they're secure.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Milwaukee M18 brushless. I don’t even think about my old air impact anymore. Plus I can carry it around in the truck and have it ready to change tires on the fly.
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
I got the dewalt 899 1/2in high impact cordless impact wrench and it has a ton of power. I rarely use an air impact. Rated at 1200ft lbs. had it about 10 months and the only thing it wouldn’t loosen was a rust exhaust bolt when i had about 2-3ft non impact extension on it. Had the craftsman c3 impact that’s pretty much the same as the ryobi and that would do 75-80% of what I asked it to do but it struggled
rct
Well-known member
For ease of use with tire rotations and brakes, get the 18v Milwaukee. Love mine, no getting hoses out and put away. If you already have shop air and a good sized compressor, air has some advantages but a modern cordless 1/2 impact has plenty of power.
visionguru
Well-known member
IMO, the "best" has always been Ingersoll Rand.
IR W7150 (1100 ftlb nut busting/700 ft-lb real) had been the top dog for years before DeWalt and Milwaukee caught up in specs.
Then, IR W7152 (1500 ft-lb busting/1000 ft-lb real), and D & M released something with similar specs about 2 years later.
The workmanship/construction of IR seems a level above D & M, with features that an automotive mechanics would want/need.
There ya go. Given the sheer convenience of the I don't see a reason for any DIY'er to have air-powered stuff any more (other than cost), especially since so many pros have switched.
He might have in 2012 when he posted that...
I have the Makita 1/2" cordless impact. I think these are great for general auto/mechanic work and other DIY projects. Faster than firing up the compressor and waiting for it to fill up.
One think I'll add is that these are very useful/convenient if you do a lot of RVing or trailering. It's compact, doesn't take up a lot of space and super quick and safe and if you have to change wheels/tires from a flat while on the road. Take it while you go on vacation too, just in case you get a flat too. Be a hero and help someone on the road as they struggle with that silly lug wrench....(oh, don't forget to carry a set of impact sockets!)
One think I'll add is that these are very useful/convenient if you do a lot of RVing or trailering. It's compact, doesn't take up a lot of space and super quick and safe and if you have to change wheels/tires from a flat while on the road. Take it while you go on vacation too, just in case you get a flat too. Be a hero and help someone on the road as they struggle with that silly lug wrench....(oh, don't forget to carry a set of impact sockets!)
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
IMO, the "best" has always been Ingersoll Rand.
IR W7150 (1100 ftlb nut busting/700 ft-lb real) had been the top dog for years before DeWalt and Milwaukee caught up in specs.
Then, IR W7152 (1500 ft-lb busting/1000 ft-lb real), and D & M released something with similar specs about 2 years later.
The workmanship/construction of IR seems a level above D & M, with features that an automotive mechanics would want/need.
I am sure the Ingersoll Rand is a heck of a tool. My only problem is that the battery platform is not as versatile for a non-mechanic as the Milwaukee or the DeWalt etc.
visionguru
Well-known member
If shopping carefully, the cost of IR is actually very similar to DeWalt and Milwaukee.
I bought my IR 7152 with 2x 5.0Ah batteries for about $450. Milwaukee and DeWalt combos with 2x 5.0Ah batteries are about the same.
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
Home Depot has the 899 for $200 in there Black Friday add that starts shortly I believe. Im sure they have the Milwaukee to
39CAMC
Well-known member
I don't know what other tools IR has on their battery platform, but with my DeWalt system, I use a ton of their other tools on a daily basis. I have the big impact mentioned, the 894 medium one which I use for most tires. I have the 1/4" drive one that I use all the time for small bolts. Then I also have the 4 inch grinder which is perfect for cutting bolts, etc.
I also have the die grinder which is the only one not terribly useful as it is just too big.
Oh, also the cordless non hammer drill.
I keep a MAC tools version of the 894 impact, an oscillating tool (we use to get Other People's Rubber buildup off slicks) and the air inflator in the race trailer
The only air tools I have used in 3 years are an air hammer and the air die grinder.
Milwaukee has an even better selection of stuff.
I have been slowly converting my Dad over to cordless as stuff comes on sale.
So, I am a big fan of the modern cordless stuff, and IMO a big fan of a broad selection of tools from D or M brands.
DaveW
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Just FYI, guys, Milwaukee's 18V 1/2" cordless impact KILLS Snap On. Better warranty (4 yeasr vs 1. 2 year battery vs 0), lower price (almost 50% less), more torque (almost 2x), much better reliability.
Pretty sure the smaller stuff has similar comparisons.
Tommy
Pretty sure the smaller stuff has similar comparisons.
Tommy
anndel
Well-known member
I have and use the Milwaukee 2767-20 and Makita XWT11. THe Milwaukee rips through rusted suspension and subframe bolts like nothing compared to my Snap-on CT8850 which IMHO a POS.
FWIW: My "daily driver" 1/2" impact is still an air powered Air-cat 1150. The poor thing is beat to hell and just starting to get a little tired. Honestly, still works fine. Fixing cars is my day job. I have owned a MAC (dewalt) top of their line 1/2 cordless impact for years now. I took it home and use it here mostly. Its great! Its also expensive. I can't drag it across the often wet cement floor. Generally i just don't expect it to take the extreme abuse I put the air impact through... Work 1/2 stays air for now. I do admit 3/8" impact duties are now almost 100% battery powered, using snap-on. Older Milwaulkee cordless became semi-retired and i use at home.
livinloud11
Well-known member
I ended up buying the DCF899 Dewalt 1/2 cordless impact. Came with a free 5.0 ah battery as well, figured since the rest of my cordless are dewalt this is a good fit. That ingersoll rand was definitely on my list though, that thing is a beast. Air tools slowly becoming a thing of my past.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
If you are already in the Dewalt battery platform then you absolutely made the right choice.