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Milwaukee vs Porter Cable impact wrench

Aerose91

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Jul 18, 2018
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Location
Connecticut
I'm not trying to start a brand war here but rather compare just these two tools

I want to get a corded impact wrench for my truck. I'm not a professional mechanic but i do all my own work and am sick of jumping on breaker bars. This will be a weekend warrior tool but needs to handle most bolts on my truck- lugs, hubs, suspension, crank bolts etc.

I have a local guy selling a 3/4" drive Milwaukee wrench but it's a bit beat up. Still works 100% though, has 3 years of warranty left and i can get it for $50. It says 380 ft/lb of torque. Cons are that my sockets are 1/2" drive so I'll need an adapter and the level of wear on the body tells me he used it a LOT.

I just found the Porter Cable impact wrench which i can get for only $70 new and claims to have 450ft/lb of torque. I'm skeptical if this is accurate, though, because that number is high. But the price is so low.

Both tools are about the same size and weight though the Milwaukee is a few ounces lighter. The PC is new but the Milwaukee is a Milwuakee. Ultimately whichever tool will last me and has more operating torque will be my preference.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these tools? I can't find much on them outside of a few Amazon reviews
 
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Holmesx10

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Jan 7, 2018
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55
I would trust porter cables torque number and just splurge on the brand new one if that’s what you have your mind set on. Of course any number of us will recommend you just get a cordless mid torque from Milwaukee or dewalt but you don’t seem to want that. Just my .02
 
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Aerose91

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Jul 18, 2018
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Connecticut
I want to go with corded just because of the price and not having to worry about the battery dying.

Porter Cable tends to have accurate specs then, huh? The Milwaukee new is $250 and the PC is $85. For similar spec.s, that price difference is astounding
 

CJM8515

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Battery doesnt die nearly as fast as you would think. I havent charged my milwaukee stuff in months and they get used every few days. The corded ones are worthless vs the cordless ones. too big, bulky to be useful and way less powerful
 

gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
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I'd buy the Milwaukee and use an adapter before being tied to a corded impact. Actually for the price, just buy both...
 
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Aerose91

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Jul 18, 2018
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Location
Connecticut
I want to go with corded just because of the price and not having to worry about the battery dying.

Porter Cable tends to have accurate specs then, huh? The Milwaukee new is $250 and the PC is $85. For similar spec.s, that price difference is astounding
 
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Aerose91

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Jul 18, 2018
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Connecticut
The Milwaukee is corded as well. Both are.

How is it that battery operated wrenches are lighter yet still pushing more torque than electric?
 
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patchap

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Feb 12, 2015
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Likely because corded isn't very popular, the technology hasn't been continuously developed.
 

Ign

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Butte Peak ND
You're gonna lose some thru the adapter w the 3/4" Milwaukee, but I'd probably still choose that one just 'cause it's cheaper. Minimal risk at $50
 
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Aerose91

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Corded's are def heavy and bulky. It's like holding a cynder block on a stick. I'm OK with it though if it keeps the price down
 

Mr_B

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cordless are heavy and bulky too.
some of those corded ones are half useful .
Best if working in shop is air as power to size is unbeaten plus decent spec compact air impact starts around 90bucks and they last years .
out of your choice I would go 1/2" drive as 3/4 with adaptor will be useless .
Some of the cheaper line battery impacts may do you, worth a good thought on all options and review future needs/tool growth .
If doing all your own work a half decent compressor, a blow nozzle, tyre inflater, cookie disc tool, air hammer and compact air impact worth their weight in gold .
 
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Aerose91

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Jul 18, 2018
Messages
6
Location
Connecticut
Unfortunately im across the country for the next few months at my parents' house so i have to keep anything i buy to enough size to fit back in the truck bed with everyrhing else.

What brands would you consider a cheaper line battery impact?
 

jonesg

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Mar 15, 2010
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northern Maine/
Unfortunately im across the country for the next few months at my parents' house so i have to keep anything i buy to enough size to fit back in the truck bed with everyrhing else.

What brands would you consider a cheaper line battery impact?

Guys are satisfied with ryobi and the dewalts and other cheaper brands at home depot, i have milwaukee.
Great but you pay for that high performance.

Porter cable is now black n decker, its a zombie brand today, good in name only. The older porter was solid.

120v tools..
nope, no power.
If you want to be tetheted go air tools, theyre the only legitimate match to lithiums.
 
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mudflap

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Sep 25, 2011
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Location
cincinnati,ohio
Guys are satisfied with ryobi and the dewalts and other cheaper brands at home depot, i have milwaukee.
Great but you pay for that high performance.

Porter cable is now black n decker, its a zombie brand today, good in name only. The older porter was solid.

120v tools..
nope, no power.
If you want to be tetheted go air tools, theyre the only legitimate match to lithiums.

Checked out the New Craftsman cordless line at Lowes yesterday.. It's Red Porter Cable.. They didnt even try to hide it..just made some Red PC tools and called the Cman.. I guess its all Dewalt...kinda...?...lol
 
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