Impact Wrenches .... battery powered

[CitadelBlue]

I d like to get a battery powered impact wrench for use on general nuts, bolts, and tire lug nuts. What's everyone using ..... 1/4 , 3/8, or 1/2 inch drives? Whats a good brand and source without spending my kids Inheritance?

 

[hh76]

In my opinion, when dealing with battery tools, the best idea is to stick with one brand/style.

Do you have other battery tools?

 

[Snapped-off]

While I'm a Milwaukee fanboy, I went with the Kobalts (1/2 and 3/8) since I'm not making money with them. Honestly quite surprised with their performance.

The 1/2" blows the lugs off my 2500HD so I'm happy with it.

 

[mrborohachi]

From your sig I see you have 2 Toyotas (76 ft/lbs lug torque) and a Honda 2000 (80ft/lbs)
As Snapped off already said if your serious and are looking to get into a Brand's link I would go with Milwaukee. They fairly recently released a mid-torque 1/2" drive impact that my friend/fellow GJ'er loves.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2860-22

 

[CitadelBlue]

I m not tied go any one brand.... but what volts?

 

[619DioFan]

I spent the money on the milwaukee fuel 1/2 and 3/8 drive impacts. 3 years now and could not be happier. rarely use my air impacts.

 

[nikerret]

General nuts and bolts I use the DeWalt DCF887, 1/4" brushless impact, from their 20V Max line:. rated at 1,825 ft/lbs max torque (152 ft/lbs) AWESOME tool. I have other tools in the line and am always on the lookout for another deal. On the short list is their DCF899, 1/2" brushless impact, from their 20V Max line: rated at 1,200 ft/lbs max reverse torque.

Milwaukee has equivalent, though rated slightly less tools. Though rated slightly less, on paper, I doubt you will ever find an application where one failed where the other comparable tool excelled.

Those are the top two brands, for bang-for-buck. Milwaukee has a longer warranty. DeWalt is starting to bring plants back to the USA, and still has a vey good warranty. The DeWalt stuff tends to go one sale more often and for lower prices than the Milwaukee stuff. Retail, the prices are similar.

 

[CJM8515]

Milwaukee or bust. Ive had snap on and tried kobalt at a previous job. Milwaukee is way better. If your doing 1/2 for general purpose id get the midtorque model and also the 3/8 gun for general use or you can get the hex impact driver and buy the socket adapters, but they generally have less than 120 ft-lbs which wont do much.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I m not tied go any one brand.... but what volts?

For general homeowner stuff go with a big name brand 12V, just make sure it has lithium batteries and a brushless motor.

I got a Milwaukee M12 Fuel (brushless) 3/8" impact for Christmas and I am loving it. I specifically asked for the 3/8" square drive, instead of 1/4" hex, because of the power lost in the hex to square adapters. I have add a locking 1/4" hex adapter and a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter.

It will remove SOME wheel lug nuts, but not all. On my truck, I crack them loose while the tire is still on the ground, then jack the truck up and spin the lug nuts off.

 

[928'er]

If you're intending to use it mainly for lugs, I'd go with a ½" drive.

Any of the commercially available impacts will meet your needs, but, as I've said before, you are buying into a battery "system," rather than just buying one tool.

So, figure out what other tools you may want and what is available from whichever manufacturer you choose - unless you don't mind having a bunch of different brands with different chargers and non-interchangeable batteries.

I went with Ryobi about 10-15 years ago. The new Li-Ion batteries are forwards and backwards compatible and fit all my tools.

I've used my impact pretty hard, including dismantling a couple of cars that were being parted out. The Ryobi has done everything I've asked of it and none of my tools have failed me.

But, as I said, any of the commercially available brands should work for you. Pick your poison.

 

[Codejack]

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-12-in-cordless-variable-speed-impact-wrench-62658.html

That will be on sale for $99 the weekend of August 18.

Unless you are pulling axle nuts off of big trucks, that should do you.

 

[Yarpo]

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-12-in-cordless-variable-speed-impact-wrench-62658.html

That will be on sale for $99 the weekend of August 18.

Unless you are pulling axle nuts off of big trucks, that should do you.

That thing look like it was built in a kids toy store. The picture alone screams junk to me

Its also still using NiCad batteries, weighs twice that of the Milwaukee Mid torque, and is significantly longer. A large handful of the reviews also say it has nowhere near 330 ft pounds, take that for what you will but I would pass on that thing.

If hes looking at Harbor freight, he may as well check out there "good" battery powered tools, the 3/8th drive model has more torque at this point.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-m...html?utm_source=hpnewpr&utm_campaign=63536hpb

 

[tarmy]

I have both the M18 Fuel (1/4, 3/8 & 1/2) and they friggin great...I have the DeWalt 18 v as well and it too, work great...

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I m not tied go any one brand.... but what volts?

As previously posted, what brand/voltage of cordless tools do you own already? If that line/voltage has an impact wrench, I would seriously look at that.

I have all Craftsman, C3 19.2 volt cordless tools; except for two or three small Nextec Craftsman tools that I hardly use. Why? One size battery. One charger. I'd rather eat bees than screw around with more than one size/type of battery and charger.

I wouldn't consider anything other than a 1/2" drive. The 19.2 volts is more than enough. I use it primary to loosen and tighten the lug nuts on my NASCAR stock cars. I torque to 90# and rarely after tightening with the 19.2 volt impact does the torque wrench move the lug nut.

I started with Ni-Cad batteries in 2006 and as I've bought new tools I've acquired Li-Ion. I have the original Craftsman C3 1/2" impact that came out some time ago. I think the newer version has a stronger motor and a slightly higher torque rating.

 

[CitadelBlue]

I decided to try the Kobalt 24 volt 3/8" impact wrench on sale at Lowes for $89 less my 10% military discount. It's light yet looks beefy enough to tavkle what I encounter. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[jonesg]

I decided to try the Kobalt 24 volt 3/8" impact wrench on sale at Lowes for $89 less my 10% military discount. It's light yet looks beefy enough to tavkle what I encounter. Thanks for your suggestions.

Now you can do a review.

 

[jonesg]

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-12-in-cordless-variable-speed-impact-wrench-62658.html

That will be on sale for $99 the weekend of August 18.

Unless you are pulling axle nuts off of big trucks, that should do you.

A drill that knocks.

 

[jfranci3]

You asked about volts earlier... it doesn't really matter too much for light duty work. Generally though, you'll find the 12v the weakest, 12v Brushless tools, then 18v, 18v brushless, and on and on. The 12v brushless stuff gets you 90% of the way to the 18v power. On an impact wrench, you're looking at gearing and the hammer to get your torque numbers too.
i tested a 12v brushless Milwaukee impact and a general Bosch 18v impact, both said they'd do about 125ftlb, but I only got them to take a 90ftlb lug off. For the work you're trying to do, I'd get something that can bust 175+ ft lbs of tq without going crazy. I wouldn't get something crazy powerful, because you'll over tq your lugs and they'll break or wear out - on a track car, I recommend replacing the whole hub when you spin a lug. (your car is on lug studs right?)

 

[fourjeepin]

I have the Ridgid, but like was suggested previously, I had already invested in the Ridgid line. I tried the Ryobi and liked the 3 speed and reasonable price tag. The Milwaukee was pricey and insanely heavy, but also has a lot more torque. This would be helpful at times, but not for the majority of what I do.

 

[nut_buster2017]

I bought one from Canadian Tire for basic use around home.

I did take it to work for a while just to put it through its paces.

It worked surprisingly well, but of course over time the batteries became weak and they no longer make that tool line.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I started with Ni-Cad batteries in 2006 and as I've bought new tools I've acquired Li-Ion.

I have a couple of Black and Decker VersaPak NiCad tools from early 2000s. The 3/8" drill used 2 - 3.6V "sticks" for a whopping 7.2V. 2 speeds, slow and slower. Okay for drilling in wood or aluminum. They did have a very good electric screwdriver and there was a Craftsman "dust buster" that used the same batteries.

I am glad I waited until the current "generation" of Li-Ion batteries in combination with brushless technology came along. Hope to get some more M12 Fuel tools this Christmas (the kids always complain I am hard to buy for).