One aspect I am wondering about is that the Porter-Cable cordless impact driver I am interested in says it is 1/4". I think of my small socket set when I think of 1/4" so is a 1/4" impact driver capable of average garage projects like removing tires, bolts on project tractors and go-karts, etc?
I find my older 18V Hitachi impact driver to be very handy for basic socket work. I have a handful of 1/4" hex to 1/4" and 3/8" square socket adapters and now that my house remodel is done I find myself using my driver for socket work as much as I do driving.
However, it is not something I consider for lug nuts, although it was able to loosen a few of the lugs on my 2010 Toyota Sequoia.
If you need a cordless impact primarily for mechanic type work like what is in
bold in the quoted area above then you might consider a wrench over a driver. A few points about this.
1) You can get a square to hex adapter if you need it for occasionally driving screws with 1/4" hex bits. I'd hate to build a deck with some of the bulkier, high-torque wrenches out there but it could be done, especially if you have one with multiple settings. Some posters here use the compact 3/8" Milwaukee wrench with an adapter for driver use and seem to suggest it's not much of a compromise.
2) Even a smaller wrench will have greater loosening torque than a driver with similar torque specs. This is due to the torque loss when using a hex to square adapter and because the wrenches supposedly have greater break away torque then tightening torque whereas drivers have greater driving force. I've never seen tests to support this but it makes sense.
3) If you'll be disappointed with a wrench that does not loosen lug nuts do your research carefully as many of the compact units seem to be on the edge of being up to the task. But the higher torque models can be a lot larger and tougher to fit in tight spaces.
