Help recommend me an cordless impact wrench

[Kornilov]

So I've decided I would like to add a cordless impact wrench to my (modest) tool collection. My budget is in the +/- $150 range. The main use for this impact wrench would be home auto maintenance. The following are the most common things fasteners I've been working on lately:

- lug nuts ~ 100 ft/lbs
- shock/strut bolts up to ~150 ft/lbs
- caliper bolts ~80 ft/lbs
- control arm bolts ~125 ft/lbs

The most torqued down bolt Ive ran into so far were strut bolts at 168 ft/lbs. In the last 2 months, I've done shocks, struts, springs, control arms on 2 late model mustangs and really hated myself for not getting an impact wrench earlier.

With my birthday coming up, I figured I'd splurge on myself and get an electric impact wrench. So even though I really would like a Snap-On, the budget doesn't allow it and I'm looking at Milwaukee. The two models Im considering are:

Milwaukee 2651-20 3/8 in electric impact $119.99 at HD

and

Milwaukee 2662-20 1/2 in electric impact $169.99 at HD

The 3/8 in one is rated to 2000 in/lbs of torque (~165 ft/lbs) and the 1/2 in one is rated to 450 ft/lbs. Power wise, it would be no contest, I'd grab the 1/2 in, but I do a lot of work with the car on jackstands (no access to a lift) and space and clearance become very important. The 3/8 in. one weighs less than half the 1/2 in one and is significantly smaller.

So which one do you all feel would work best for me? Are there any other brands/models I should be looking at as well?

Thanks for the input.

 

[Kornilov]

Oooooh. As I was posting my initial post, I saw there was another 3/8 in impact in the Milwaukee lineup:

The 2654-20 - 200 ft/lbs and $159.99

I think this might be my front runner.

 

[itwnexus]

Why not save up for the IR W7150?

 

[rockwithjason]

i have used the 1/2 in drive dewalt impact on many things including parts on my 3/4 ton truck. i have yet to fail to remove the intended component

 

[rsanter]

I have the dewalt 1/2 drive. Havent really used the he'll out of it yet but so far I really like it

Bob

 

[DrkMtnDew]

The Milwaukee 1/2'' would be the best if you already have the battery and charger for it. If not you are looking at spending $379 for it instead of $169. $169 is just for the bare tool, no battery and no charger.

 

[trout]

3/8" fuel

then save up for a few months and get the 1/2" fuel as well when it comes out.

 

[Diesel_Tech_1989]

I have a 12v DeWalt 3/8 that I use daily and I am very pleased with. Its not going to do lug nuts but for small things its great. Also have an old Snap-On Versavolt 1/2" and a new Snap-On 1/2". The Versavolt was a tough one but the new 1/2" Snap-On is badass. Money well spent

 

[Kornilov]

The Milwaukee 1/2'' would be the best if you already have the battery and charger for it. If not you are looking at spending $379 for it instead of $169. $169 is just for the bare tool, no battery and no charger.

Yeah, I understand I will need the battery and charger. Hoping to get a deal o CL or eBay for that.

 

[Kornilov]

3/8" fuel

then save up for a few months and get the 1/2" fuel as well when it comes out.

Im really liking the 3/8 in. Fuel. Can anyone confirm its adequate to take off car & light truck lug nuts?

 

[Kornilov]

Why not save up for the IR W7150?

I dont know what that is - will look it up though.

 

[SchuLace]

I really like my 1/2 dewalt. I have a 3/8 adapter for it so I can take off just about anything. My dad is a diesel mechanic and has the same one and loves it. He used the hell out of it for a few years while he was still on the floor and didn't have any problems with it.

 

[6-Speed]

I use a Craftsman C3 1/2" impact wrench for auto work. It has plenty of torque to tackle strut bolts torqued to 144 lb-ft and it's not too big and bulky to use under a car, especially with the compact Li-Ion battery and it's reasonably priced, even with a Li-Ion battery & charger. I also have a Milwaukee M12 3/8" impact for smaller stuff.

 

[BK13]

I dont know what that is - will look it up though.

Ingersol Rand... A bad *** cordless impact. I will have one, as soon as my cousin pays me back the cash he borrowed from me.

 

[GSteg]

The W7150 is a bad-*** gun, but it's quite big compared to the 3/8" Milwaukee. I wouldn't even bother with the older brushed-motor gun. If you're going with the milwaukee, get the fuel.

 

[sloppy]

3/8" fuel

then save up for a few months and get the 1/2" fuel as well when it comes out.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^

The 3/8's fuel is bad ***. and the 1/2" fuel is in the pipe line and is suspect it will be giving the w7150 a run for its money at a lower cost, and with a more diverse platform of tools..

 

[92integra]

Kornilov I just got the 1/2 and 3/8 in your first post plus a fuel hammer drill 2 batteries and a m12 m18 charger for 500 off ebay last week thats a really good deal in my opinion.

 

[CamarosRus]

I'm a amateur mechanic/homeowner that has the original M-18 drill and M-18 impact driver combo/kit. For as little as I've used them they work great.

I'm interested in having the small M-12 for R&R of fasteners on my misc auto maintenance and restoration work.

I understand that the M-12 FUEL is all the rage, but thinking wouldn't I be better off
just buying the older M-12 Kit at a lower cost ??? at WHAT VENDOR ??

 

[bacarl]

The 3/8's fuel is bad ***. and the 1/2" fuel is in the pipe line and is suspect it will be giving the w7150 a run for its money at a lower cost, and with a more diverse platform of tools..

I did a little digging into the upcoming availability of the 1/2" Fuel "high torque" impact and it looks like it'll be available come November 2013, and cost around $430 for a kit with two batteries. For comparison, the IR W7150 is $425 from the same website with just one battery.

At the risk of straying a bit off topic, does anyone have any insight as to why Milwaukee's pin-detent anvil version is rated at 600/900ft-lb (fastening/loosening), but the friction ring anvil version is rated at 700/1100ft-lb??

 

[crewchief888]

Oooooh. As I was posting my initial post, I saw there was another 3/8 in impact in the Milwaukee lineup:

The 2654-20 - 200 ft/lbs and $159.99

I think this might be my front runner.

thats just the bare tool for $159

i actually ordered the m18 fuel kit with the 2.0 batteries from HD.
HD dicked around for over 48 hours before processing the order.
i canelled the order with them, and found the kit with 4.0 batteries from northern tool for $10 more than what HD was asking for the 2.0 battery.
i ordered it from northern tool.

unfortunately,
the tool died less than a week after i got it.
it's on it's way back to northern tool for replacement

the couple times i did get to use it, i was impressed with the power. it broke loose some lug nuts that i know were torqued to over 160 ft/lbs
i like the 3 power setting feature it has, as well as the battery level indicator built into the pack.

 

[Haukur]

I use the Makita BTW450Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2". It's advertised with a 450Nm capacity (332 foot pounds.). It has served me well.

I use it a lot for big bolts (M30+), break them loose with the 3/4" breakerbar or a slogging wrench and then take them out with the Makita.

It zips smaller bolts off, pretty much any bolt with a smaller head than 32mm has not been a problem.