Is 1/2 impact really that much better than 3/8 with adapter?

[supremekizzle]

I'm buying a Milwaukee impact tomorrow. I have money on Amazon to buy one. However, only the 3/8 m18 is available on Amazon and not the 1/2. I don't intend on doing any heavy suspension work, but if the need ever arises, would I be screwed going with the 3/8 with 1/2 adapter over the 1/2? I know the 1/2 has 10 more ft lbs of torque, but I don't know if the 3/8 would break, or would the tool shut off before that point? Thanks guys, you've been essential in my tool buying.

 

[gdocktor3]

It's not that the tool would break or shut off, it's that torque is lost with every extension or adapter used. I don't know the exact number, but it greatly reduces torque. Do you need a cordless impact or just want one? If you're buying the 3/8" just for size, there are some other options. If you have air you can buy a compact 1/2" impact wrench that will smoke any 3/8" and even some 1/2" and can be had for a little over $100. Plus they're smaller than cordless 3/8" impacts.

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't intend on doing any heavy suspension work

That rules out at least 50% of what an impact wrench is intended for.

 

[nh_yota]

That rules out at least 50% of what an impact wrench is intended for.

Yeah I've been thinking about getting a 1/2" cordless impact for a while now but can't justify the cost. I've found that my Hitachi 1/4" impact drive makes quick work of smaller bolts like 12mm and for larger bolts I have large breaker bars.

 

[nh_yota]

The problem with the larger cordless impacts is the head size of the tool.

 

[Stooge]

do you have an air impact in 3/8, 1/2 already? I would definitely start with a 1/2 gun if it was going to be my first full size impact.
if you can wait until the weekend to buy one, amazon says they will be in stock sunday
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFUA6O4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I don't know if they will sell the battery and charger kits, I just typed in 'm18 impact' and this was the second one listed

 

[cliftonbros89]

One down fall could be fitting in places with the adaptor. Although if you're 3/8" won't fit there's a good chance the 1/2" won't either. Just depends on the size comparison.

I have a 1/2" DeWalt impact, it's the smaller version, I think the body is the same as the 3/8". If I had to put an adaptor on a 3/8" every time I was using a 1/2" socket I probably wouldn't be able to fit it in some places that I use it just from lack of room.

 

[Rich.]

do you have an air impact in 3/8, 1/2 already? I would definitely start with a 1/2 gun if it was going to be my first full size impact.
if you can wait until the weekend to buy one, amazon says they will be in stock sunday
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFUA6O4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I don't know if they will sell the battery and charger kits, I just typed in 'm18 impact' and this was the second one listed

He mentioned in his post that the 1/2" only has 10ft lb more torque than the 3/8, so I'm guessing he's looking at the compact 1/2" and not the high torque one in your link?

Rich

 

[Rockett69]

I have air and battery powered 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. On a battery 3/8, a 1/2 adapter will mostly be for using a 1/2 socket that you can't find in a 3/8. I have lithium snap on electric guns, and while powerful, are no match for air in power or size. They are tough little SOB's though. I agree with Stooge, 1/2" should be the first one to buy. Better to have the extra uumph and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Battery operated impacts are meant for convenience away from an air hose, that could mean a side of a road, hate for it not to work for you when you need it. Best of luck and enjoy the new toy regradless of what you choose!

 

[Rockett69]

He mentioned in his post that the 1/2" only has 10ft lb more torque than the 3/8, so I'm guessing he's looking at the compact 1/2" and not the high torque one in your link?

Rich

The 1/2" he is looking at is likely the 3/8" with a 1/2" anvil. There are true 1/2" impacts available too, its worth the size difference to me at least

 

[gdocktor3]

Are you buying the 3/8" set with batteries and charger? All the sets I've seen are over $300. You can buy a 1/2" and 3/8" pneumatic impact for that much. Or a 1/2" compact impact wrench for around $130. Then buy a compressor from HF or something. The 21 gallon is on sale for $130 and 26 gallon for $200. Slap a coupon on top of that. Now you have a platform that will last forever and work with many different tools.

 

[Voi]

He mentioned in his post that the 1/2" only has 10ft lb more torque than the 3/8, so I'm guessing he's looking at the compact 1/2" and not the high torque one in your link?

Rich

That's my take. Based on this other thread I think he's looking at the 2nd generation Fuel impacts. It does seem like those two tools have a fair amount of overlap so picking the best one for him is probably a good idea.

OP: Might be worth going somewhere and looking at 3/8" and 1/2" impact sockets in the sizes you think you'll use most and determine if the smaller sockets in 1/2" drive will be an issue with the stepped down area. I don't know if stepped down area is right terminology but I mean like this Kobalt impact. 12 mm in 1/2" drive:

Also, if you search this site using Google you can find a lot of discussion about the first generation Milwaukee impacts. Start with [3/8 vs 1/2 Milwaukee] without the brackets and modify terms from there.

 

[Skin]

1/2" anvil in 3/8" impacts are mechanically/electronically identical to their battery or pneumatic counterparts. The added torque is from the bigger anvil and beefier sockets which improves torque transfer.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

The two you're comparing aren't very different, but the high torque 1/2s are a whole different animal. I wouldn't bother with one of the "3/8 with a 1/2 anvil" types.

 

[supremekizzle]

That's my take. Based on this other thread I think he's looking at the 2nd generation Fuel impacts. It does seem like those two tools have a fair amount of overlap so picking the best one for him is probably a good idea.

.

This is correct. Second gen compact impacts. The 2755b and the 2754 are the ones up for grabs. As it stands with the 2754, I do have to buy it piecemeal on Amazon as there are no kits. Not a big deal though as I can find deals on both the battery and the charger. The tools are nearly identical in price, so that's why I don't want to miss out on that 1/2 if it really is a big deal. Im a hobbyist that wouldnt use it too much, that's why I don't think I'd miss it. If I'm losing a negligible amount of torque I wouldn't notice day to day.... Then I I'll just go 3/8. Hell, I still wanna hang on to this m12 impact that I'm returning for the m18. ********, how do you guys do it? I want ALL THE TOOLS. Imma be broke hanging around this forum...

 

[Voi]

This is correct. Second gen compact impacts. The 2755b and the 2754. I'm a hobbyist that wouldnt use it too much, that's why I don't think I'd miss it. If I'm losing a negligible amount of torque I wouldn't notice day to day.... Then I I'll just go 3/8. Hell, I still wanna hang on to this m12 impact that I'm returning for the m18. ********, how do you guys do it? I want ALL THE TOOLS. Imma be broke hanging around this forum...

Lol, I hear you about the monetary effects of hanging out here.

Back to your issue, I say return the M12. As you already know from your other thread, the M12 is actually longer than the two you're considering so I believe the main reason to have it would be ergonomics and light weight. But I assume that doesn't matter to you as much since you said won't use it a whole lot.

Now as far as the 2nd generation compacts, I'm really not sure what to suggest since you and I seem to have different needs for a cordless impact. For me I'd go with the 3/8" cordless and add a compact pneumatic for the times I need more power or to fit in a tighter space.

I still think that's something you should consider. Even with a small compressor you'll have more power and a more compact gun than you'll get with a cordless. And possibly less money invested.

There have been discussions on here about minimum compressor sizes for things like rotating tires with a pneumatic impact. I think one was pretty recent.

 

[supremekizzle]

Lol, I hear you about the monetary effects of hanging out here.

Back to your issue, I say return the M12. As you already know from your other thread, the M12 is actually longer than the two you're considering so I believe the main reason to have it would be ergonomics and light weight. But I assume that doesn't matter to you as much since you said won't use it a whole lot.

Now as far as the 2nd generation compacts, I'm really not sure what to suggest since you and I seem to have different needs for a cordless impact. For me I'd go with the 3/8" cordless and add a compact pneumatic for the times I need more power or to fit in a tighter space.

I still think that's something you should consider. Even with a small compressor you'll have more power and a more compact gun than you'll get with a cordless. And possibly less money invested.

There have been discussions on here about minimum compressor sizes for things like rotating tires with a pneumatic impact. I think one was pretty recent.

Believe me, I'd love to get a full set of pneumatic tools and a compressor, unfortunately, it's not feasible where I'm currently living. I will go with the 3/8. Buying it tonight!

 

[Voi]

I'd love to get a full set of pneumatic tools and a compressor, unfortunately, it's not feasible where I'm currently living.

Say no more. Those days both seem like yesterday yet so long ago for me.

I suppose one more "advantage" of getting the 3/8" is that if you find yourself needing more torque it will probably be a lot more torque and not just the extra 10 foot lbs of the 1/2" compact.

So you could add a 1/2" high torque model in bare tool form and have all of your bases covered. Well, maybe more of your bases covered. I'm sure you'll find yourself longing for a M12 1/4" drive and a M18 ratchet not to mention others before too long, lol.

 

[KWtech90]

My setup at work is a cordless 3/8 mac bwp138 paired with gp duo sockets. This takes care of 90% of the fasteners I run into. For the other 10% I use a pneumatic 1/2 with impact sockets. The convenience of a cordless tool is perfect for the intermediate amount of torque that is generally apllied to 3/8 drive sockets.

A cordless 1/2 would be nice at times, but when you're using sockets that large you generally want to be able to apply the highest amount of torque you have at your disposal.

 

[supremekizzle]

Say no more. Those days both seem like yesterday yet so long ago for me.

I suppose one more "advantage" of getting the 3/8" is that if you find yourself needing more torque it will probably be a lot more torque and not just the extra 10 foot lbs of the 1/2" compact.

So you could add a 1/2" high torque model in bare tool form and have all of your bases covered. Well, maybe more of your bases covered. I'm sure you'll find yourself longing for a M12 1/4" drive and a M18 ratchet not to mention others before too long, lol.

Excellent point. I highly doubt I'll find myself exactly 10lbs shy of any given fastener. And yes, I already find myself longing for multiple tools. Even if I have no particular use for them, I want them. Lol. I'm a gear junkie.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Late to the party ...

IMHO, the M12 3/8" impact is the "best bang for the buck" for homeowners/DIYer. Get an adapter for 1/4" hex.

You can save a ton of money on sockets (check the price difference of Sunex socket on Amazon). Really large sockets (like for axle nuts) are usually purchased only when you need them.

Make sure to get a 3/8" to 1/2" drive adapter for those large sockets. For the really "stuck" fasteners, spend $20 and the the HF Pittsburgh Pro 25" 1/2" drive breaker bar and a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter.