Need help in buying a Cordless Impact-Wrench

[DaMaN]

I am a homeowner / DIY'er that works on my cars as well as family and friends. I want to buy a Cordless Impact-Wrench kit that will give me the best bang for the buck. I'd like a 3/8" & a 1/2" but will start with what ever is the most practical you all suggest. This forum is full of you guys that use tools to earn your salary and appreciate all that you guys do in sharing your experiences.

I found this article and thought it was pretty informative.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/impact-wrench-comparison-seven-electric-models-tested-gearbox

I have a slew of Rigid cordless 18V stuff, but unfortunately, they don't make any 3/8" & a 1/2" impact wrenches.

What do you all suggest?

I'd love to go DeWalt and sell all my Rigid stuff off and buy the new brush-less stuff coming out in the summer / fall but not sure if that is wise.

Any suggestions?

 

[shoturtle]

think for a diy the brushless is really overkill for not using everyday, especially when you factor in the amount it will see on the few occasion. Not to many diy push a brush drill to the limit where you need a new brush it in the fits 10 years.

Also for the price that the new brushless is, you can get a whole kit of good quality cordless power tools with brush motors.

 

[Sh1thead]

Used snap on guns with the adaptors for the litium batteries would be somethin to consider

 

[shoturtle]

PS

Are you going to tear an engine down that much that you will need the 500+lb of torque that the new brushless will produce. It will be close to the point where you really can not hold them safely.

 

[vfr-rider]

Milwaukee makes the best battery powered tools hands down. If Dewalt's batteries would hold up, they would be another good choice. Not only do I sell tools, but I used to work with battery powered tools daily and we had to replace Milwaukee tools/batts less often than anything else we tried.

Sent from my HTC EVO View using Tapatalk.

 

[DaMaN]

PS

Are you going to tear an engine down that much that you will need the 500+lb of torque that the new brushless will produce. It will be close to the point where you really can not hold them safely.

Point taken. Should I look into the current DeWalt line with that have been popping up on sale of late?

 

[DaMaN]

I've actually used the 3/8" Makita and it was awesome.

 

[shoturtle]

Milwaukee makes the best battery powered tools hands down. If Dewalt's batteries would hold up, they would be another good choice. Not only do I sell tools, but I used to work with battery powered tools daily and we had to replace Milwaukee tools/batts less often than anything else we tried.

Sent from my HTC EVO View using Tapatalk.

Milwaukee are good, but I would not say the best, bosch and mikita and hitachi, snap on and hilti are also excellent tools. Next to my office there is a milwuakee service center, they get their fair shear of warranty issues like all the rest. And I have used them, and they are honestly their high grade tools about the same quality as the higher grade tools form all the other brands.

 

[shoturtle]

I've actually used the 3/8" Makita and it was awesome.

Yeah the makita is a nice tool. I like their stuff.

 

[purplezr2]

Love my Milwaukee 3/8 used it to do alot of stuff, tearing down engines for rebuilds and what not. I have a 1/4 snap on that is slick for alot of little stuff. I had a 1/2 inch IR and it sucked in my opinion, still looking for a new 1/2 gun.

 

[ChvyC10]

Milwaukee makes the best battery powered tools hands down. If Dewalt's batteries would hold up, they would be another good choice. Not only do I sell tools, but I used to work with battery powered tools daily and we had to replace Milwaukee tools/batts less often than anything else we tried.

Sent from my HTC EVO View using Tapatalk.

Agreed.

 

[DaMaN]

Isn't Milwaukee the same company as Rigid & Ryobi?

 

[crewchief888]

I am a homeowner / DIY'er that works on my cars as well as family and friends. I want to buy a Cordless Impact-Wrench kit that will give me the best bang for the buck. I'd like a 3/8" & a 1/2" but will start with what ever is the most practical you all suggest. This forum is full of you guys that use tools to earn your salary

I have a slew of Rigid cordless 18V stuff, but unfortunately, they don't make any 3/8" & a 1/2" impact wrenches.

i'm hoping ridgid gets on the bandwagon with some more stuff in the 18v li-ion line.

i really like the ridgid stuff i have.

 

[volpster31]

i have the craftsman lithium and it kicks ***..i dont own a different brand so im not gonna try to compare. i got this set http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917229000P?prdNo=10 for $150 at the last midnight madness sale online ....

 

[GSteg]

The craftsman is really good for the money. Youll need to bring out a breaker bar once in a while, but its much better than nothing. If you want to step it up, then the milwaukee (full size,not compact) is a great choice. Its one of the more powerful cordless gun available today and makes the craftsman look like a childs toy.

 

[Sh1thead]

i have the craftsman lithium and it kicks ***..i dont own a different brand so im not gonna try to compare. i got this set http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917229000P?prdNo=10 for $150 at the last midnight madness sale online ....

As much as i hate sears and the craftsman line that a really great value

 

[dankicksass]

Isn't Milwaukee the same company as Rigid & Ryobi?

Milwaukee and Ryobi are TTI brands.

I own the Craftsman C3 impact wrench, it's a better tool than the reviews would have you believe. In the interest of full disclosure, I received it compliments of Craftsman and Toolguyd.com. I won't blow smoke and tell you it's the greatest, but it's a solid value.

However, I'd recommend the Ryobi twin instead if anyone is considering it. The Ryobi 18v line is much broader than Craftsman C3.

 

[BigAl62]

For the money I say go with the Craftsman 1/2" drive with the lithium batteries and get a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter. They are supposed to have a 3/8" impact available soon, too.

 

[e30bradley]

this is my post from when I asked a few months ago. lots off good info as always on this site: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131470

 

[dailydriven1]

I use a snapon 1/2" impact that is awesome for eveeryday use with lugnuts, get a set of wobbly impacts and its even more versatile! I had to use it on a ball joint press for a set of ford ball joints and it even worked for that. As for a 3/8 I use milwaukee it works great for all the small things like valve covers and oil pans and such.. my only issue with mine is that the ring that holds the sockets on always wears down quick and doesn't hold anymore

 

[gmwelder86]

Makita, used their small 1/2 and 3/8 and their big 1/2 and they all worked great even after being beat to hell day in and out putting together Vic pipe. I mean under water, dropped from 8-10 ft, left in the 100* sun for hours on end. Never had one **** out.

 

[ChrisF250]

I've had my craftsman 1/2 for a couple months now and for the few heavy tasks I've tried it for its let me down. I used it to change out the original shocks on my truck which were torqued to about 75ft/lbs plus 8 years of rust. It zipped the top nuts off but absolutely would not budge the bottom nuts. They claim 200 ft/lbs but its got to be more like 130ish at most. I'm really interested in seeing if it will take of lug nuts torqued to 165 ft/lbs.

 

[Aklass]

well are you looking for a impact that has other tools that share batteries? Milwaukee M18 is winner. Looking for pure torque? IR w7150. Value? Ryobi/ craftsman

 

[6-Speed]

I am happy with the Craftsman C3 19.2V 1/2 drive impact. It's very effective for removing lug nuts that are torqued to 80 lb-ft; I have yet to try it on my other car whose lug nuts are torqued to 100 lb-ft, but I'm confident it will zip those off as well. The Lithium-Ion battery is the one to get; I have the smaller one and it charges quickly and provides plenty of tool-time use. Plus the same battery works for all my other C3 tools ... a drill and drill-driver.

 

[shoturtle]

The other question to ask is do you need the power of the 500+lb of torque of the big guns. They are powerful but do you need that kind of power as a diyer. Also do you want to pay the price tag for membership for the big gun as a diyer. Also are you going to need 1/2 drive. Or will 3/8 work for you, and it makes the setup lighter as well. You will have no problem with a 3/8 impact removing lug nuts on wheels. And it make the impact socket price a little less then the 1/2 ones.

This is a good 3/8 drive impact gun that is compact and good for diy stuff.

http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-iwh18...id=bosch-cordless-impact-drivers-and-wrenches

 

[shoturtle]

PS

Personally I use a bosch impact drill driver, that way I can used it for more then mechanical work on my car and bikes with 3/8 inch impact adapter. I can use it for around the house stuff as well when I do not want to pull out the big hammer drill.

 

[bimmerZ5]

i have a Dewalt 18V DW059 1/2" impact wrench and it works great. can use either the NiCd or Li-Ion batteries. Cost me about $100 (bare tool I already have a large set of Dewalt 18V tools and battery). so far, it's worked great every time i've used it and i've owned it for about 2 yrs now. the only time it didn't work was when I was helping a friend with his BMW and whoever worked on it previously waaay over torqued the lug nuts; i had to use a 25" breaker bar and my entire weight (180lbs) stomping on it to break it loose. I got the Dewalt for two reasons; i was already invested in the 18V dewalt stuff and I had heard from many folks who take their car to the track that they used this at the track and could do about 4 tire changes (4 wheels x 4 times x 5 lugs = 100 uses) on a single full battery without ever an issue.

if someone stole all my Dewalt 18V tools and i had money to throw away for another set of cordless power tools, I think I would consider the Bosch 18V stuff and their 500 ft-lb 1/2" drive impact. if i didn't have the money for the Bosch, i would still get Dewalt.

 

[472scout]

well are you looking for a impact that has other tools that share batteries? Milwaukee M18 is winner. Looking for pure torque? IR w7150. Value? Ryobi/ craftsman

This. Although the W7150 won't be on the market until May and is unproven.

The Milwaukee M18 Impact is actually very affordable if you're buying a bare tool or kit.

 

[SiGmA_X]

I have an IR W150 3/8" drive electric. I love it, but I really wish I had bought the Snap On or Makita, the IR is pretty weak compared to the Makita's and SnapOn 3/8"s that I've used.

I think you should consider what your use will be before buying a 1/2" vs 3/8".

I kind of regret buying a 3/8" first, because it would be super nice to be able to bring a 1/2" with me for wheel swaps and such, but usually that stuff is done at my shop where I have air. I used my coworkers 3/8" all day for a while and decided it was a must have for engine bay work. It really makes valve covers and anything smaller a breeze. Motor mounts, exhaust hangers, etc. However, it can't do lugs if they've been heat cycled, but it can do them at 90ftlb freshly torqued, but that isn't so useful. I use it for all sorts of things tho, especially reassembly to run fasteners down before hand tightening.

Would I buy a 3/8" again? Yes, but a SnapOn.

 

[GSteg]

The milwaukee is a great value. Plenty of torque and fairly compact compared to the Snap On (CT6850/55). You'll need to bring a breaker bar because once because even the almighty Snap On won't break 100% of all bolts. Still, it'll take majority of it off, even axle nuts.

 

[bimmerZ5]

The Milwaukee M18 Impact is actually very affordable if you're buying a bare tool or kit.

what's the best price you've seen? last year, I found the "Milwaukee 2662-22 18-Volt M18 1/2-Inch High-Torque Impact Wrench with Pin Detent" kit for $300 at a parking lot sale at our Dixieline lumbar yard, but that was the best I could find. The Dewalt 18V impact wrench kit with Li-Ion I found at Home Depot clearance for $149. I know the Milwaukee M18 is better than the Dewalt 18V XRP stuff, but i found 2x the cost to be a bit prohibitive when I start to think what other tools I can get with the extra $150... just wondering what are some of the best prices you've seen on M18 stuff? (maybe i'm not shopping right...)

 

[472scout]

what's the best price you've seen? last year, I found the "Milwaukee 2662-22 18-Volt M18 1/2-Inch High-Torque Impact Wrench with Pin Detent" kit for $300 at a parking lot sale at our Dixieline lumbar yard, but that was the best I could find. The Dewalt 18V impact wrench kit with Li-Ion I found at Home Depot clearance for $149. I know the Milwaukee M18 is better than the Dewalt 18V XRP stuff, but i found 2x the cost to be a bit prohibitive when I start to think what other tools I can get with the extra $150... just wondering what are some of the best prices you've seen on M18 stuff? (maybe i'm not shopping right...)

I buy the factory reconditioned tools. I got a super deal on their hammer drill with 2 batteries and charger so now I'm looking at bare tool deals. Check out CPO Milwaukee.

 

[mgoehner]

My new Snap On cordless 1/2" impact. Awesome. Consider buying this one!

 

[Danglerb]

I think C3 is a great home DIY option. I suspect some of the torque issues people have may be battery related, the nicads need some exercising.

I can't see any kind of automotive work at home without a compressor, so a C3 and a HF Earthquake make a cheap solution that should handle most anything.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

the goodyear kit is on sale at pep boys right now

 

[gentz]

My new Snap On cordless 1/2" impact. Awesome. Consider buying this one!

I have one of theses, on my third on within a month. I don't recommend the snap on, the bearing will start making noise and the batteries don't last. Will sell mine and get an ir.

 

[GSteg]

***** to hear the new snap on guns are having problems. I've gone through a lot of impact guns, but my CT6850 w/lithium is the only one I've kept for so long. Then again, Snap On had years to debug it.

 

[cgv69]

I thought about buying a Milwaukee M12 LITHIUM-ION 3/8” Impact Wrench because its is small and handy and I already have an M12 drill\driver so I would have shared batteries but at 1000 in/lbs (which is a little over 83 ft/lbs) it doesn't seem very useful? That's not even enough torque to remove lug nuts with is it?

 

[bimmerZ5]

I thought about buying a Milwaukee M12 LITHIUM-ION 3/8” Impact Wrench because its is small and handy and I already have an M12 drill\driver so I would have shared batteries but at 1000 in/lbs (which is a little over 83 ft/lbs) it doesn't seem very useful? That's not even enough torque to remove lug nuts with is it?

i don't usually expect any 3/8" drive cordless to do lug nuts or anything larger. plus, even if your lug nuts are tightened to 83 ft-lbs, you're usually going to need more than that to break free from the static friction. my rule of thumb is to have something at least rated double and you should be trouble free even if a fastener is over tightened.

for lugs, suspension parts, etc. i go with something more powerful and 1/2" drive.

for 3/8" drive stuff, I don't expect as much torque, but I would consider a right angle impact tool for the ability to get into tight spots.

 

[DaMaN]

PS

Personally I use a bosch impact drill driver, that way I can used it for more then mechanical work on my car and bikes with 3/8 inch impact adapter. I can use it for around the house stuff as well when I do not want to pull out the big hammer drill.

Is this the one your talking about? How is the warranty process for Bosch?

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-24618-01-2-Inch-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion/dp/B0020ML6E0/ref=pd_sim_hi_3