impact wrench cordless???

[Deafautotech]

Is it worth??? or Worthless???

I am not looking for best but just make easier for me to do inside of vehicles like pull seat out or dash out for problems as a/c evaporator sensor go bad required to pulled whole dash down to access top of HVAC housing.. i just dont want drag the air hose inside while the hose keep get dirty as diesel tech use it...

I still do use air tools for anything outside of vehicles but when work inside, i had to clean and make sure i dont make a dirty inside or i have to clean it up... most of time i will use 3/8drive not 1/2drive sockets unless i need to do... New ford vehicles are use small hardwares which like 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 15mm inside.....

craftsman 19.2V diehard impact wrench 1/2dr as on sale for 149 dollars with two batteries and charging system.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917339000P?mv=rr#reviewsWrap

i did went to sears, i saw it on sale, i did play around with it, it feel nice and kind of smaller size than what i had with goodyears 24Volts that i had abuse it few years ago but batteries worn out and wont accept charging which bum me out...

OR start over with new goodyears impact wrench with 24 volts as it kind of bigger than what sears sell...

Pepboys sell it 99.99 but with mail in rebate which come down to 79.99 dollars (reg price is 119.99 dollars)....

So what is your opinions???? I am not in rush for buy one... i just want see what it is worth or worthless??? i still do use my black&Deck driver cordless (it is smaller) to take screws out inside...

 

[Danglerb]

1/2 cordless are huge, won't something in 3/8 or 1/4 drive have plenty of torque for interior work?

Maybe something with a locking button so you can break a fastener loose manually, then spin off?

 

[Deafautotech]

1/2 cordless are huge, won't something in 3/8 or 1/4 drive have plenty of torque for interior work?

Maybe something with a locking button so you can break a fastener loose manually, then spin off?

if i want use 1/4drive, no brands sell 1/4drive impact wrench unless i would go for impact driver that need use bit go on... also it only do up to 1,200 inches pounds.. which only 100 ft lbs... so if go for 1/2drive impact wrench from sears, it is 200 ft lbs but it feel like smaller impact wrench than what i had goodyears impact wrench cordless few years ago...

 

[rich6490]

I have the craftsman it has some balls, to much torque for basically everything interior haha.

 

[4x4gearhead]

1/2 cordless are huge, won't something in 3/8 or 1/4 drive have plenty of torque for interior work?

Maybe something with a locking button so you can break a fastener loose manually, then spin off?

As he mentioned though, taking seats out sometimes can be a huge pain as they are most times loctite'd in so unless you bought an expensive one i dont see a 3/8 covering the needs, Northern tool has an inexpensive 1/2" cordless impact for like $99 Ive seen in their catalog never used one though.

 

[diesel research]

if i want use 1/4drive, no brands sell 1/4drive impact wrench unless i would go for impact driver that need use bit go on... also it only do up to 1,200 inches pounds.. which only 100 ft lbs... so if go for 1/2drive impact wrench from sears, it is 200 ft lbs but it feel like smaller impact wrench than what i had goodyears impact wrench cordless few years ago...

There are a significant number of interior bolts that do NOT require even 100ft-lbs of torque to remove. Often easily removed with hand tools, but a small driver makes the job quicker.

The smaller ones like the milwaukee m12 are also much lighter and more maneuverable in tight spaces. (upside down under a dash with a palm sized driver compared to a large lug nut rated impact )

The fact that many have a 1/4 hex drive is no issue at all. A hex to square drive adapter usually cost less than $3. Add a variety of bits or even locking sockets and you have a good piece for interior and trim work, so long as the bolts are ~10mm or so. 12 is pushing it usually.

 

[crewchief888]

a forklift tech friend of mine uses the CM impact driver with a hex to sq adapter for a LOT of bolts.
i have a bluepoint 3/8" dr impact that i use on construction eq to remove 1/2" cab bolts, 3/8" bolts for access panels.
a 1/4" impact driver would probably you're best bet.

even if you break the bolt loose with a wrench or ratchet/socket, then zip it out with the driver.

i use mine a lot, it saves climbing into the back of my service truck to start the compressor, then dragging a hose out to remove 4 or 5 bolts.

 

[Fedwrench]

You'll still need the air hose for those seat rail fasteners. However, my latest toy for light engine and trim work is the new Dewalt 12Vmax 3/8 square drive impact wrench. It is reasonaly powerful (it won't do lug nuts), light duty, small profile, and lightweight. Its leds are handy under the dash.
Runs about $159.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043XX89A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A 24 volt cordless is too cumbersome and bulky for trim work. Whatever you get, DO NOT let anyone talk you into that POS Snap on CT561 3/8 drive mini impact. My cordless screwdriver has more power. You'll be sorry as I am for buying that garbage. It's a disgrace to have Snap on on the side of that tool but, that's just my opinion. Good luck in your quest.

 

[SS5150]

I recently got a Milwaukee M12 3/8 impact and there's no way it's pulling out seat track bolts.....I'm a little disappointed in it really. I've been using it for pulling down splash shields etc. but not much else. The little M12 light is pretty nice and I like the drill too, I just thought the impact would have a little more.

 

[shampoop]

This http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=26269

or this http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=24056

Only difference is the 1st one has an actual 3/8" drive, and a large battery, and the second one is a driver/drill, so it uses a quick change hex drive and has a half size battery.

I wanted mine mainly for smaller fasteners 14mm and under, and to use as a cordless drill, which is why i got mine. Even with the half size battery, the charge lasts forever weeks and weeks at a time, and it comes with 2 batteries. And they charge nearly instantly. I can tell the thin quick change hex head limits the torque but it is very powerful. With the standard 3/8" head you can even do 18mm subframe bolts. I could just barely barely loosen them with mine, but could tighten them easily. I love it. It's great for stuff like spark plugs as well. It is extremely controllable with a very nice trigger.

It is a little bigger than what some guys use, but the size never seems to interfere at all. And it's totally worth it considering how much more versatile it is with the extra power over what the tiny 12v stuff has.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P9CZJK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$195 for the kit i got.

 

[Deafautotech]

You'll still need the air hose for those seat rail fasteners. However, my latest toy for light engine and trim work is the new Dewalt 12Vmax 3/8 square drive impact wrench. It is reasonaly powerful (it won't do lug nuts), light duty, small profile, and lightweight. Its leds are handy under the dash.
Runs about $159.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043XX89A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A 24 volt cordless is too cumbersome and bulky for trim work. Whatever you get, DO NOT let anyone talk you into that POS Snap on CT561 3/8 drive mini impact. My cordless screwdriver has more power. You'll be sorry as I am for buying that garbage. It's a disgrace to have Snap on on the side of that tool but, that's just my opinion. Good luck in your quest.

I did saw snap on mini impact and I don't like it!!! Even I won't buy any electric power tools from snap on!!! Well I am either like craftsman impact driver or 1/2 impact wrench cordless... I like powerful as it would go longer than wornout the light duty power tool...

 

[bbriggs]

+1 on the dewalt 12v max. It's $ off at Amazon right now and includes (for the moment) an impact tool kit with hex to 3/8 square adapter and a handful of deep sockets, among other useful things. I love the balance and feel of these little guys. The DC827 impact has been my favorite cordless tool to date at around 111 ft pounds, enough I've found for a wide range of bolts and screws around the farm. The new little guy is MUCH cheaper and at around 80 ft pounds I think its the new go-to driver for odd jobs - feels just as comfortable but significantly less bulky. One notch up for me is the DC820 and then it goes to the air impact.

 

[metal1313]

the milwaukee m18 hex drive impact is small, pretty light, and very strong. something like 117ftlbs. i love mine, use it mainly for construction work, but it is great for the light auto work i use it for. trim bolts, access panels that sorta thing. i ususally break most things loose first. but it spins them off fast and most things it can do on its own

 

[yogitech]

I see you have been doing some Fusion dash's lately...! Those are pretty common. I have the Makita 14.4v set used daily with no issues. Its 3/8" drive so you can also use a reducer. Work really well.

 

[jkeyser14]

We have the 1/4" Craftsman 19.2V at work and it's great for speeding up any interior work on vehicles where we otherwise would have been using hand tools. It's got enough torque to drive 1/4" bolts with nylon patches in with no trouble.

 

[shampoop]

the milwaukee m18 hex drive impact is small, pretty light, and very strong. something like 117ftlbs. i love mine, use it mainly for construction work, but it is great for the light auto work i use it for. trim bolts, access panels that sorta thing. i ususally break most things loose first. but it spins them off fast and most things it can do on its own

+1 The m18's seemed very nice also. It was a really tough choice for me between milwaukee and makita. Both have great reputations for quality and durability, and they both have huge lineups of other tools and accessories that all use the same batteries.

 

[Danglerb]

Stop by Home Depot, many of them have a long demo table out right now with all the drill drivers and impacts ready to try and a big chunk of wood to drive screws in and out of.

My seat rails are I think M10 allen head bolts, a bear to get some loose, but not all that hard to snap, so I break them loose manually. No access for a power tool on half of them anyway.

 

[dankicksass]

I have the Craftsman 19.2V 1/2dr impact wrench from the lithium-ion combo kit I won in a toolguyd giveaway. (Thanks Stuey!) It's reasonably powerful, I won't blow smoke up its *** and tell you it's the best impact wrench on the market but it's done every job I've asked of it so far. I haven't had to pick up an air impact since I've had it. I don't like to run my compressor when I don't have to, I work alone and it is fine for the Jeeps, Volkswagens and old Chevys I usually see. The runtime is decent with the Li-ion battery, I don't have any NiCd power cells to compare. The kit the OP linked to is NiCd. The 1/4dr hex impact from the C3 line is a little pricey, I thought about grabbing one for add-on but I'll likely go for a Milwaukee M12 kit so I can grab their power luber grease gun.

 

[littlekillertoad]

I've got the c3 impact and it's got some balls. I don't know how it'd do on interior work, but it does alright elsewhere. It's not the strongest thing out there, but it's treated me pretty well.

I've just got the NiCd batteries for mine (because I'm freakin' cheap). The batteries hold up enough to pull all four tires off and put them back on again. If you'll be doing much more than that at a time, you should probably spring for Li-ion.

 

[Sterff]

I have the 1/4" Craftsman impact driver and it does a nice job for smaller bolts. I use it almost every day and the battery stays charged pretty long. For bigger bolts I just break them loose with a ratchet first.

 

[Deafautotech]

I see you have been doing some Fusion dash's lately...! Those are pretty common. I have the Makita 14.4v set used daily with no issues. Its 3/8" drive so you can also use a reducer. Work really well.

my work have many makita power tools... but problems is they dont let anyone loan...

fusions are easy to work on as i can do pull dash down but dont need pull whole out unless need to do core replacement...

 

[Deafautotech]

maybe i need stop by sears's service and repair store as i know they has rebuilt power tools there...

 

[dankicksass]

maybe i need stop by sears's service and repair store as i know they has rebuilt power tools there...

Online rebuilt C3 tools are a pretty good deal for the most part, but no free shipping coupons ever work on those. I hate shipping charges.

 

[Deafautotech]

Online rebuilt C3 tools are a pretty good deal for the most part, but no free shipping coupons ever work on those. I hate shipping charges.

YEP! i always hate shipping charges.. that why i want go stores to see if have one in stock that sell cheaper price...

 

[littletoes]

Just used a Milwaukee 3/8" anvil version to take the sides and keepers off of a Bryon boiler, so we could pull the tubes, and install new ones.

Nothing was high torq, so it worked great for that. 144 = 3/8" nuts on the inside, only had to "split" one nut to get it off. Has about 12 nuts holding the side on also.

For that type of application, it worked perfect. Just got to know the limits of your tools.

 

[jay50]

For hard to reach areas, you can't beat the 10.8v Bosch impactor.
I've had it for about 4 years and it has saved my bacon on many hard to reach areas.
Has plenty of balls for its size.

 

[baubau]

if this tool has warranty on batteries for 2 years and if you can get it cheaper for extra $30, just buy it ..

i have never regretted buying any of my cordless impact wrenches....i just hate dragging that air hose around inside and outside the car....my 12 volt Bosch lithium impactor and 18 volt Bosch impactor 1/4 chuck are my most used tools for R and I of body panels...and i find use for these tools everywhere else......plus i have two 18 volts 1/2 cordless impacts for stronger bolts....priceless.....these things pay for themselves quickly....

 

[littletoes]

My only drawback would be their lifespan. Cost vs Lifespan

How many folks have had them wear out what they would call prematurely?

 

[amolaver]

we use cordless impacts at the track non-stop. i've knocked a corner off the car and replaced it / realigned it using almost nothing other than my cordless impact, swivel sockets and combo wrenches to lock down the adjusters. believe it or not, the 19.2v HF was near legendary - cheap, worked all weekend on one battery charge and tough. mine finally broke the plastic housing after 5 years of rough usage, many times outside and in the rain. i initially replaced it with the northern tool $99 one - comes with 2 batts, charger, 4 useless sockets and a decent plastic case. it is definately stronger than the HF but is significantly heavier. enough heavier that it i like it much less than the HF. i have a bunch of the ryobi one+ tools w/LiIon batts and am extremely happy with them. they just released a 1/2" impact (P260) and i picked it up today in HD (online says backordered). i'm impressed - with the LiIon batts it is way lighter than the northern and feels almost as powerful. i'll weigh them and see what the delta actually is. ryobi also sells a smaller impact more geared for the kind of work you're talking about (P230). you can see them here http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/18v_oneplus#/overview. full pop retail, the impact drivers are $99, but its much better deal to get the sets - $250 for drill/circ saw/sawzall/flashlight/2 big batts/charger i believe. HD must have an exclusive with them because they seem to be the only one who carries the line.

ahm

 

[Toolhorder]

I'd stay away from HF or Craftsman cordless tools. In fact for the OP I'd recommend Matco's 1/4 or 3/8 impacts. They are all lith-ion and have brushes that can be replaced by removing a small access panel of the sides of the tool so your cost/lifespan is way better than what other brands have to offer.
The most used cordless for me is the 1/4 cordless ratchet which is a 10.8V lith-ion. Thing is the BEST for dash work, t-belt covers, etc..
The 3/8 gun is better than the SO's 3/8 version and I think it's more powerful. Use that for interior work too. Just my opinion.

 

[Dust]

I have not yet used the Dewalt 12vMAX 3/8 gun on seat retaining bolts, but it'll zip off most other interior bolts. I use it a lot on dash work and shifter unit recalls.

 

[MattT]

For interior work you want a 12v or smaller impact driver first. I'd prefer they were available with a 1/4" square anvil but like someone else mentioned the hex to square adaptors aren't expensive. Biggest downside is they add to the tools length.

The larger cordless impacts are handy but I wouldn't buy one just to bust seat anchor bolts loose. For that a dedicated 10' to 15' long hose extension would work.

 

[Red Green]

Could you take the batteries that you have to somepalce like Batteries Plus and have them refurbished?

I have a Dewalt 18v Hex Impact driver and Have been happy with it. Not too big and has enough tourqe for most interior bolts. Probably not seat bolts that are with loctite or seatbelt bolts.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

my snap on guy will loan me stuff like that for a week to see if I like it

 

[Deafautotech]

my snap on guy will loan me stuff like that for a week to see if I like it

i would but for price... no thanks.

 

[Deafautotech]

Could you take the batteries that you have to somepalce like Batteries Plus and have them refurbished?

I have a Dewalt 18v Hex Impact driver and Have been happy with it. Not too big and has enough tourqe for most interior bolts. Probably not seat bolts that are with loctite or seatbelt bolts.

i could but i just feel like it is time for new one...

 

[wellstig1]

Ive been using the hell out of this one and the drill for 6 + months at work and have no complaints whatsoever. Power for the size is really good, battery life is excellent and has survived more than a few drops onto the concrete.

 

[Danglerb]

Could you take the batteries that you have to somepalce like Batteries Plus and have them refurbished?

i could but i just feel like it is time for new one...

New fresh batteries can wake up and old tool, and sometimes its very cheap to have a pack rebuilt, like $1 to $2 per volt.

Right now I am keeping my eye out for some dead battery tools to show up that I am too cheap to buy outright. Some C3 stuff is on that list, impactor and inflator.