FINALLY got my Dewalt DW057K... Some thoughts

[kartracer55]

I FINALLY got the dewalt cordless. Seller shipped it 1 day after the auction, but UPS screwed up, so It made it here in 14 days.

Originated in NC, made it all the way up to NJ, where they did an "auto correction" on the adress. From there, it proceeded to travel alllllllll they way out to kansas, where it could not be delivered because the auto-corrected adress did not exist. I FINALLY recieved it monday.

Anyway, Im pretty impressed with it. The rubbed grip got torn and started peeling, probably from a sharp edge in the case, and it was easilly fixed with crazy glue. Not bad for 130$ off ttw.net price.

As for torque, its pretty good. No problems with what I need, and on an M8 stud, one or two impacts gets it about as tight as I would normally tighten by hand with a regular 3/8 ratchet.

Made in mexico with US and Foreign components. I was actually surprised to see that the needle bearing in the nose was actually made in USA. The anvil has no slop at all, a better fit up than my nitrocat or thundergun. What is also nice is that this thing automatically stops when you let off the trigger, for better control.

Overall, I am impressed with it, but I will let you guys know how it holds up after about a year of use at the track.

Jim

 

[dink]

Eh Id prefer the Milwaukee

 

[stupidjet]

Eh Id prefer the Milwaukee

why? like supporting an asian company?

 

[kartracer55]

Eh Id prefer the Milwaukee

IIRC you dont have ANY cordless impacts....


Milwuakee does not make a "mini" impact like the dw057 either, 300ftlbs is a bit overkill for m8 fastners

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

why? like supporting an asian company?

I don't think those tools are made in asia.. yet

 

[-lecroix-]

Don't worry about it kartracer ... there are some who will never approve of any one else's tool choices.

It must **** to have such a low self esteem that they must belittle other's choices in order to make them selves feel important.

 

[PAToyota]

Feel your pain on the shipping... Just went through FedEx deciding to correct my address from North Front Street to South Front Street and also change the zip codes to accomplish that...

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Don't worry about it kartracer ... there are some who will never approve of any one else's tool choices.

It must **** to have such a low self esteem that they must belittle other's choices in order to make them selves feel important.

Your username *****.

 

[kartracer55]

Your username *****.

Hahaha


I just thought the comment was both un called for and irrelevant to the topic at hand.

One thing I noticed is that the batteries are no longer made in japan, but china now.

Jim

 

[-lecroix-]

It's cool ... your girl enjoys yelling it out on occasion though.

 

[kartracer55]

It's cool ... your girl enjoys yelling it out on occasion though.

OH ****! hahaha

 

[TNToy]

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=6344

Why 1/2"? I like mine being 3/8" because that's what my wobble-sockets are. Cordless impact with a good wobble-socket set means your handtools stay in the drawer more than twice as often... Which means you wrench faster.

I'm guessing that, even though 3/8" is handier, you got it because they don't appear to make a 3/8" with the batteries you said you already had, and the one they do make is 20ish ft/lbs weaker.

Is this gun bigger than the typical 3/8" cordless impacts? It looks like a 3/8-sized tool with a 1/2" anvil slapped into it, which is pretty neat. The downside to most 1/2" cordless s is that they need to be so big to produce 300ish ft/lb of torque that they get so bulky they don't fit much of anywhere... this looks pretty neat.

Anyway, glad you got a good cordless. Tomorrow it will immediately become your favorite tool. I've been without mine from time to time (killed both batteries, left at home, etc)... and that day at work is agonizing...

 

[kartracer55]

Why 1/2"? I like mine being 3/8" because that's what my wobble-sockets are. Cordless impact with a good wobble-socket set means your handtools stay in the drawer more than twice as often... Which means you wrench faster.

Is this gun bigger than the typical 3/8" cordless impacts? It looks like a 3/8-sized tool with a 1/2" anvil slapped into it, which is pretty neat. The downside to most 1/2" cordless s is that they need to be so big to produce 300ish ft/lb of torque that they get so bulky they don't fit much of anywhere... this looks pretty neat.

Anyway, glad you got a good cordless. Tomorrow it will immediately become your favorite tool. I've been without mine from time to time (killed both batteries, left at home, etc)... and that day at work is agonizing...

I got it in 1/2 because I needed 2 18v batteries and buying the kit at this great price basically meant that I was getting the impct for 70$ more than 2 batteries alone. It is the same gun as the 3/8 version they sell for 14.4v batteries. It would have made alot more sense to keep in 3/8, and make the full size impact 1/2, but whatever. Im going to eventually call the service center and ask if the 3/8 anvil will swap into this one.

Jim

 

[KeukaDan]

Great choice, I agree that the my two dewalt cordless impacts have become my favorite tools. I grab them for everything I seem to work on these days. We take ours out into the field all of the time to make life easier. I used my DW059 last night to change out a flat tire for a neighbor that was broke down near the house. It worked slick!

I wouldn't worry about anyone telling you that you didn't make the right decision. Most power tool purchases are made to follow the system that you use. I wouldn't go out and start with a different manufacturer just for one tool. Dewalt has one of the most comprehensive 18V tool selections and therefore it is beneficial to stick with them once you have a tool from that series. They are also cheap on eBay. My whole set, recip, drill, circular saw, 1/4 impact driver, 1/2 DW059 impact and 3 batteries cost me less than most people will pay for a drill/saw set from a different manufacturer at HD or Lowes all because I bought mine new on eBay.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Cool, Kartracer. I'm glad it finally came. Being in Louisiana, with our state abbreviated LA, our packages sometimes go to Los Angeles before they realize that it should have gone to the "other" LA.
I just got the impact DRIVER in 14.4, and I noticed that the batteries are now made in China, too. First it was Mexico, then briefly Japan, and now China. They still charge the same price for them, though.
Anyway, I know you will enjoy the tool, it is almost perfect for what you are doing.

 

[nosrac]

I bought the 14.4 1/2 dewalt - most used tool in my garage. You seem to gain very little additional torque with the 18, but the 14.4 batteries are much more compact - also didnt hurt that I had a 14.4 drill in need of a fresh battery!

I would skip the 3/8's though.. when I hammer on bigger stuff, I didnt want to have to use an adaptor to go up to my 1/2 sockets. I would much rather adapt "down", since most of the things I use 3/8 for are smaller items that dont need the same torque, and you lose a lot of torque anytime you add an adaptor. I keep a 1/2 down to 3/8 adaptor around all the time for the odd situation where I dont have a socket in a 1/2 drive (my metric hex heads are only in 3/8 drive as an example).

great tool - highly recommended.

Carson

 

[TNToy]

I would skip the 3/8's though.. when I hammer on bigger stuff, I didnt want to have to use an adaptor to go up to my 1/2 sockets. I would much rather adapt "down", since most of the things I use 3/8 for are smaller items that dont need the same torque, and you lose a lot of torque anytime you add an adaptor.

Most of us that wrench for a living use a 3/8" cordless. The reason being that the cordless is for all those low-torque things where an airtool isn't nessecary... pulling a dozen M8 bolts to drop an oil pan, zipping hoseclamps off of the intercooler piping for a turbo, hoses, belts, etc.

I like 'em in 3/8s specifically to keep the power down. You have to really try to break a small bolt or overtorque a hose clamp with 30 lb/ft of torque from your impact. The 1/2" ones are overkill on a lot of smaller items.

The big advantage of a cordless is that they're compact. They fit small things where an airtool might not. That's why you see so many of 'em in shops in 3/8 drive... and so few 1/2" ones. The 1/2s definitley have a purpose, though, for people who don't run airtools all day long and don't have a hose dangling right there in front of the car.

 

[kartracer55]

Bought a Matco adapter that is going to live right on the thing. I really wish Dewalt Offered a 3/8 in the 18v line, but Im happy. Its actually pretty quick too, Im impressed

Jim

 

[nosrac]

Most of us that wrench for a living use a 3/8" cordless. The reason being that the cordless is for all those low-torque things where an airtool isn't nessecary... pulling a dozen M8 bolts to drop an oil pan, zipping hoseclamps off of the intercooler piping for a turbo, hoses, belts, etc.

I like 'em in 3/8s specifically to keep the power down. You have to really try to break a small bolt or overtorque a hose clamp with 30 lb/ft of torque from your impact. The 1/2" ones are overkill on a lot of smaller items.

The big advantage of a cordless is that they're compact. They fit small things where an airtool might not. That's why you see so many of 'em in shops in 3/8 drive... and so few 1/2" ones. The 1/2s definitley have a purpose, though, for people who don't run airtools all day long and don't have a hose dangling right there in front of the car.

so if you had a choice between two compact impact wrenches - both the same weight, same torque, but one came with a 1/2 and one with 3/8 you would choose the 3/8?? Most of the "pro's" I have seen have a 3/8, but that is because they all have snap ons which dont give you the choice of size - if you want a 3/8's you get the lower torque.

It is for the very reason you describe why I went with 1/2 - most of my 3/8 stuff is lower in power requirements, therefore I dont mind giving up a little torque to an adaptor.. but I would much rather have the extra torque available when I need it on the 1/2 stuff so I dont have to drag out the air hose.. just me.

great tool regardless.

Carson

 

[TNToy]

so if you had a choice between two compact impact wrenches - both the same weight, same torque, but one came with a 1/2 and one with 3/8 you would choose the 3/8??

Yup. Sockets are smaller in diameter, shorter in length - just generally fit better in tight spaces. Downside is, you need to have 3/8" impact sockets, and many home mechanics don't...

Most of the "pro's" I have seen have a 3/8, but that is because they all have snap ons which dont give you the choice of size - if you want a 3/8's you get the lower torque.

I don't like snap-ons cordless guns, but I'm definitely in the minority there. They are very powerful, but they're longer and bulkier than an airtool in the same size. In my mind, that defeats the prupose. I also dislike 'em because there's no brake. The snout just spins freely when you release the trigger.

It is for the very reason you describe why I went with 1/2 - most of my 3/8 stuff is lower in power requirements, therefore I dont mind giving up a little torque to an adaptor.. but I would much rather have the extra torque available when I need it on the 1/2 stuff so I dont have to drag out the air hose.. just me.

It's all in how you view the tool's purpose. If you want a substitute for an air impact, or something to take to pull-a-part to remove a differential, then a Snap-On 1/2" cordless with 300+ lb/ft of torque is a good choice.

I have no desire for a cordless that'll rotate tires - I view mine as an electric speedwrench, to install and remove lots of small fasteners in tight places quickly without fear of snapping them if I'm not careful. That's why I've got a little 3/8" Makita 12v, not a huge 24V 1/2" drive model.

It's all in how you're looking to use it.

 

[kartracer55]

Im with TNT, I view this thing as a conveneint alternative when working, not a total replacement for air tools. I was just sick or doing quick change overs at the track by hand. We will see how well craftsman chromies hold up to impacting lol. On another note, I ran into a situation today (wheels) where the craftsman short 13mm impact wont fit, but my matco will. And there we have it folks

Jim

 

[wilbilt]

IIRC you dont have ANY cordless impacts....


Milwuakee does not make a "mini" impact like the dw057 either, 300ftlbs is a bit overkill for m8 fastners

Jim

3 models in 14.4V. 1/4" hex, 3/8" square and 1/2" square drive options, with torque in the 100-150ftlbs range.

I'm looking at them because I already have batteries and a charger.

 

[bahamasair]

I just broke my first craftsman chromie on my dewalt impact after over a year of every day use on the job. I even used it with one side broken out for almost 2 weeks lol. I love my Dewalt impacts and use em all day just about every day at work.

 

[TheDesigner]

glad ya'll like it... if you got any questions about it just hit me up...

 

[TNToy]

Top suggestion, Designer-guy...

Make these things with the LED on the front - but make it so that the LED stays on for about 20 seconds when you tap the trigger.

My Makita cordless impact is great, I love the little LED because it's enough light to line the bit up with a fastener in a recessed hole... without being so bright the glare makes it hard to see. But you have to get the trigger in the perfect position to activate the LED without supplying power to the motor. It's very annoying.

Being able to blip the trigger so the light comes on and you don't have to worry about the bit turning... and then engaging a fastener under a dark dashboard and buzzing it off? That would be great.

 

[kartracer55]

glad ya'll like it... if you got any questions about it just hit me up...

Will the 3/8 anvil from the 14.4v line swap into this gun? I REALLY wanted a 3/8 impact but I needed 18v batteries.

Jim

 

[nova65ss]

We use the DeWalt impacts also have been for about 6 or 7 years. I always get the one that has the 1/4" nutdriver head so we can swap out from running lags to using it on repairing openers with nutdrivers, it is also easy to just stick a phillips bit in the end and run some screws while your at it. I am sure there is a reason but I never understood why you would buy the one with the socket head on the end it makes it alot less versatile in my opinion.

When they break we take them to the DeWalt factory store here in town and have them rebuilt for about 80 bucks, comes back good as new. I have also come to find that Batteries Plus carries a knock off battery for them at about 65 bucks and works just as long.

Jimmy

 

[TNToy]

Thanks for the battery tip.

 

[TheDesigner]

Will the 3/8 anvil from the 14.4v line swap into this gun? I REALLY wanted a 3/8 impact but I needed 18v batteries.

Jim

yup... alll the front sections swap out. only thing diffrent off the top of my head is the housing in the battery foot area the motor and "maybe" the switch. should be able to go to a service center and get all the parts you need

as for the LED's ill say something to the new engineer working on impacts. but honestly they might see it as a cheesy feature that will make it to a black and decker tool.

 

[dfox1234]

why? like supporting an asian company?

Is sometning wrong with asian companies?

 

[TNToy]

...As for the LED's ill say something to the new engineer working on impacts. but honestly they might see it as a cheesy feature that will make it to a black and decker tool.

My makita has one, and it's the best feature on it.

I see a light being superfluous on a drill or a circular saw... but on a cordless impact that's often used under dark automobiles? That *******'s plenty useful. Especially if it had some way to activate the light without the motor running, like I outlined. The new LXT- series Makita imapct has something like that, and it's really handy.

There's really only two things keeping me from jumping on a DeWalt cordless impact whenever mine dies: I already have Makita batteries... and the DW doesn't have a light on it.

 

[TheDesigner]

My makita has one, and it's the best feature on it.

I see a light being superfluous on a drill or a circular saw... but on a cordless impact that's often used under dark automobiles? That *******'s plenty useful. Especially if it had some way to activate the light without the motor running, like I outlined. The new LXT- series Makita imapct has something like that, and it's really handy.

There's really only two things keeping me from jumping on a DeWalt cordless impact whenever mine dies: I already have Makita batteries... and the DW doesn't have a light on it.

completly valid point. if i get a chance today ill go ask the engineer if they have that in the plans for the next gen of it!

 

[wilbilt]

Will the 3/8 anvil from the 14.4v line swap into this gun? I REALLY wanted a 3/8 impact but I needed 18v batteries.

I am assuming you bought it for battery compatibility rather than the features you really need. This is an interesting point; both Makita and Milwaukee offer units that would better fit your use, yet you bought the DeWalt.

No judgement here, just an observation (I am currently looking at the 14.4V Milwaukees for exactly the same reason). I wonder how the concept of "universal" batteries would act to level the field in the cordless arena.

If there were cordless tool batteries in standard configurations, like "C" and "D" batteries, how would this affect sales of specific brands and tools overall?

 

[kartracer55]

I am assuming you bought it for battery compatibility rather than the features you really need. This is an interesting point; both Makita and Milwaukee offer units that would better fit your use, yet you bought the DeWalt.

No judgement here, just an observation (I am currently looking at the 14.4V Milwaukees for exactly the same reason). I wonder how the concept of "universal" batteries would act to level the field in the cordless arena.

If there were cordless tool batteries in standard configurations, like "C" and "D" batteries, how would this affect sales of specific brands and tools overall?

That would be great if they could work something Like that out. IR sort of has it now. They Introduced a new cordless line where you buy everything individually, and you can choose between ni-cad and li-ion batteries.

If eventually this could be worked out, I bet we would see an increase in quality from manufacturers. Seeing as how people were no longer locked into a specific brand, it would truly come down to quality... You could pick and choose the best of the best

Jim

 

[wilbilt]

Seeing as how people were no longer locked into a specific brand, it would truly come down to quality... You could pick and choose the best of the best

That's pretty much my point...things like socket drive sizes and saw blades are standardized, why not batteries?
It's difficult to predict what the manufacturers would think, though.

In some cases, they might prefer you to be locked into one brand of tool, but on the other hand, you can already buy Milwaukee blades for your Dewalt reciprocating saw, or DeWalt bits for your Porter-Cable hammer drill.

I know I'm talking about consumables, but batteries are consumables as well. If there was a standardized battery interface, we might see some competition and better prices on batteries. Maybe there would be Duracell and Energizer brands, etc.

 

[eschoendorff]

I'd be willing to bet that we might actually see something like this happening in the future. Maybe the same with cellphone batteries too. Or, perhaps the batteries will become an integral part of the tool, like an iPod. Or like those new lithium mini drivers. Then, unfortunately, the whole tool would be disposable.

 

[TheDesigner]

I am assuming you bought it for battery compatibility rather than the features you really need. This is an interesting point; both Makita and Milwaukee offer units that would better fit your use, yet you bought the DeWalt.

No judgement here, just an observation (I am currently looking at the 14.4V Milwaukees for exactly the same reason). I wonder how the concept of "universal" batteries would act to level the field in the cordless arena.

If there were cordless tool batteries in standard configurations, like "C" and "D" batteries, how would this affect sales of specific brands and tools overall?

not sure about the other brands but you can use all 9.6-14.4 batterys can be interchanged. but the 18v can not be its just to large. but with that being said... its not something you want to do with the impacts. the motor RPM, impact cam path and spring rate are all designed to work together. yes all the mechinisms are the same. BUT the motors are NOT they are wound diffrent to achive the about the same RPM but at a diffrent voltage to allow for more run time.

 

[wilbilt]

not sure about the other brands but you can use all 9.6-14.4 batterys can be interchanged. but the 18v can not be its just to large. but with that being said... its not something you want to do with the impacts. the motor RPM, impact cam path and spring rate are all designed to work together. yes all the mechinisms are the same. BUT the motors are NOT they are wound diffrent to achive the about the same RPM but at a diffrent voltage to allow for more run time.

I'm not talking about changing voltages, but standard interchangeable batteries that fit multiple brands of tools. For example, the "plug-in" type DeWalt batteries also fit B&D tools. I have an old AEG 9.6V drill that uses the same batteries and charger as the 9.6V Milwaukee (because both tools were made by Panasonic).

If there was a standardized battery interface among the different brands, we would see higher quality batteries and better prices due to competition between the battery manufacturers.

Just like car batteries, watch batteries, flashlight batteries, etc.