I need an impact wrench (electric)

[jd_1138]

I was over helping a friend today. His rear axle assembly on his 2009 Dodge Caravan got bent. Someone backed over a rock or something, and the thing started eating rear tires.

Anyway, the junk yard delivered a rear subframe/axle assembly today, and I went over to help.

All the fasteners on the one they brought were rusted on and the ones on the existing assembly were hard to get off too. I told my friend we should go to Lowe's or HD and pick up an 1/2 inch impact wrench (corded or cordless). But he didn't want to pay the $150 (corded) or $200 for a cordless.

I said "but this would be at least a $1,000 job if you took it to the dealership, so $150 is chump change."

Good thing I brought my 25 inch breaker (I always keep one in my trunk to change tires), or else we wouldn't have been able to do this job.

This Porter-Cable corded one seems like a great deal.

https://www.cpooutlets.com/porter-cable-pce211-7-5-amp-1-2-in--impact-wrench/pcbnpce211,default,pd.html

Though I'm in Ryobi and Makita 18V, so one of those in a cordless might make more sense. Any recommendations?

 

[Philbert]

Go Makita if you are all ready in those ecosystems. Ryobi would be a OK 2nd.
Unless you want to have a collection of chargers. Keep your life simple, and expand on what you all ready have.

Me I'm with Makita, may not be the absolute best-est. Makita works for me.

 

[NFH2740]

Looks like the XWT08Z is a good choice since you have Makita tools.

Your friend is incredibly cheap and naive. He thought the job could be done with a standard size 1/2 ratchet?

 

[619DioFan]

I highly recommend the milwaukee fuel line. I have the 1/2 inch and 3//8 inch impacts. they have never failed to loosen something. mine are not the mid size , mid torque. fuel size and full torque and well worth the investment.

 

[gtsgarage]

I just bought the Milwaukee 3/8”!stubby today. Not on sale but I really wanted it. Gets great reviews here.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Porter Cable is garbage these days and (much to my annoyance) corded impacts have a fraction of the torque of the new cordless units.

If you already have Makita batteries, this is what you want:

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XWT08Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01CA04RH4

 

[mdog892001]

Milwaukee fuel or the azz kicking kobalt 120v corded 1/2” impact. I haven’t found a bolt yet that it won’t take off or break off.


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[PhysicsDude]

The high torque Makita 1/2" gun is a beast. Pricey, but worth it.

Ryobi only makes 1 model of 1/2" impact that I'm aware of. Its rated for 300ft/lbs... but I don't know that it would really be up to busting rusty axle nuts. Maybe someone who owns one could provide more insight. I'm sure its lighter and handier than the Makita and is good for basic car maintenance and rotating tires. The Makita high torque impact is pretty big and heavy.

 

[txvwnut]

If wanna go in on a budget impact I suggest the Harbor Freight earthquake 1/2”. I’ve got one and haven’t found a fastener yet it won’t bust loose.

 

[jgromada]

I think it all comes down to if you have a line of 18v/20v cordless tools. I have DeWalt so that was the logical choice for me. If I had Makita i would have gone that way.

I haven't seen too many electric (plug in) types except for Harbor Freight and i can tell you that one isn't very good. I got that way before I bought my Dewalt.

 

[PhysicsDude]

If wanna go in on a budget impact I suggest the Harbor Freight earthquake 1/2”. I’ve got one and haven’t found a fastener yet it won’t bust loose.

The HF Earthquake impact is indeed a beast, although if you already have a milwaukee, makita, or Dewalt battery system, buying their bare tool impact is cheaper than buying an Earthquake impact + batteries.

 

[emtmark]

If wanna go in on a budget impact I suggest the Harbor Freight earthquake 1/2”. I’ve got one and haven’t found a fastener yet it won’t bust loose.

Got one then another both laying hate for days! Skookum choocher for sure!


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[PartsGuy]

My first corded electric impact was a Snap-on (rebranded Black & Decker Bulldawg, also sold as a Dewalt) around 1995. It held up very, very well around the farm for nearly ten years, but I sold it when I finally got a big compressor and bought 1/2 and 3/4 IR air guns. K-tool International makes a clone of that old Bulldawg gun (KTI pn 81380), and its pretty reasonable.... I bought one when I downsized again in '08, still have it, but my 20V Dewalt is my go-to impact now that I only work on cars and light trucks.

 

[DFB]

I dunno what you really want but in cordless for your general purpose, and economical price range HD has the 3 speed Ryobi kit for $99 right now and since you are already into Ryobi. Comes with a 4.0 battery/charger/storage bag

I can vouch for the HF 3/8 Earthquake whole kit is just $129 with coupon right now, also 4.0 amp battery/charger and hard case. Again decent all around use.

HF also has their own version of a ""Mid Torque" that comes as a tool only for $89 but you also need a charger ($20 I think) and 4.0 battery ($40) so about $150 total. They just did a 15% off offer too, maybe they will repeat it again during the Holidays who knows.

And ya their Beast "High Torque kit is just about the price of a similar Milwaukee bare tool alone

Just to note I have several different cordless Milwaukees for comparison. If you want a recommendation on them I can surely give one

And though the big Makita a very worthy tool, and performed better than the Gen 1 Milwaukee in RTR tests, the bare tool price is as much or maybe more than the comparitive Milwaukee. Small 3/8 Makita cordless impact wrenches are pretty reasonable as a bare tool if you already have the battery platform. And the old 04z would be similar in spec to the Porter Cable you linked up too too.

Speaking of that its a decent priced offer but there are electric ones with VS triggers and much more desirable than that on/off rocker switch

I was selling these Mastercrafts on my flea mkt tool table for just $60. For what they are they work ok. I removed a factory installed ball on brand new tow bar combo with one so I could swap ball sizes for a customer. I was surprised how good it worked Got one left to sell

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-3-5a-impact-wrench-kit-2992330p.html#srp

They are quite similar to the corded electric Kobalt ones Lowes sells

 

[Voi]

OP I know you're already in the Makita and Ryobi systems but if Home Depot has any deals on the Ridgid X5 I understand it is better in break away torque than the Ryobi.

I have both the Makita XWT11z and the Ryobi 1/2". I picked up two of the Ryobis when they were on sale for $80 each with 4.0, charger and soft case. I figured at that price I'd carry one on long winter road trips or on summer four wheeling rides.

Or I thought I'd use them if I found something my Makita XWT11z couldn't remove. So far that hasn't happened so I'm not really sure what they're capable of. However, if you think you'd like one for yourself at the $99 deal a previous poster mentioned I'm sure you'd get some use out of it beyond helping your neighbor.