Personal Experience: Lug nuts cordless impact

[klassenl]

Those of you who use a cordless impact wrench for lug nuts what is your experience. I would like to get rid of my pneumatic wrench in favor of a Makita mid torque. It would serve to change tires twice a year (summer rims to winter rims......) and it would live in my work vehicle for the handful of times I need an impact wrench throughout the year.

What model do you use for tires and what is the rated torque.

 

[gmcgeo]

I have the M18 fuel impact, and i love it. I keep it in the jeep when off rd. Its pricey but does the job very well.
The benefit is i have it anywhere, and i do not have a cord in my way.


also helps i have all the same brand so i have batteries for days.
And i only buy the off brand batteries, so much cheaper and last just as long.

M18 FUEL™ ½” Ext. Anvil Controlled Torque Impact Wrench w/ONE-KEY™ Kit | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ ½” Ext. Anvil Controlled Torque Impact Wrench w/ONE-KEY™ Kit has controlled torque control for faster tire service

www.milwaukeetool.com

eventually ill build this set up to hold mine in the jeep.

 

[bwringer]

Ryobi's new brushless tools are great stuff and a great value when paired with their "High-Performance" batteries. I've had the brushless mid-torque (600 ft-pounds) and HP batteries for about a month, and it's been fantastic for wheels, brakes, and suspension work.

I also have the new brushless compact drill and 1/4" impact set, and they're great as well. Tiny to get into small spaces, but they'll twist your wrist into a knot. I do have some older tools and batteries with brushed motors, and they do the job just fine.

Overall, standardizing all my cordless stuff onto one platform with lots of options has been fantastic and has reduced frustration a lot. If you have already bought into a specific battery religion, try to stick with that.

Most here will of course recommend Milwaukee or DeWalt; they're great tools, and there's a huge lineup of tools easily available.

Pick a well-established battery religion with lots of options and stick with it. That's the best long-term strategy by far, worth a lot more than splitting hairs over a few foot-pounds.

 

[runwhatyabrung]

Stick the the battery echosystem you already have and get something that has at least 300 ft-lbs and you should be good. I had a Dewalt 14.4V and now have upgraded to a Dewalt DCF899H (20v) and it's rated at 700 Ft-lbs. Takes lugnuts off with no effort. The old Dewalt was rated at about 120Ft-lbs and sometimes would labor in removing lugnuts and I had it for about 10 years before getting the new one.

 

[cannuck]

I have a full range of Milwaukee battery tools, and when doing changeovers use a monster 3/4" fuel to knock stuff off in a hurry. Back in the day when compact battery impacts were a new thing and I was doing multi-class ice racing (requiring MANY tire changes in a single day) I bought a Hitachi compact 1/2" that had JUST enough power to give me right wheel torque on a VW. I STILL (20 odd years later) use it for the re-installation as it can't overtorque today's much larger wheel fasteners, then finish off with manual torque wrench. There will come a time when the now ancient batteries can't be recharged and I will probably retire it, but that time has not yet arrived.

 

[BigSteve63]

i have the DeWalt 894 and 899. Both will remove lugnuts with ease.

Steve

 

[mike93lx]

I have the dewalt high torque and it is a beast. If I was buying one today, I'd start with the new compact 20v atomic. I don't do stuff that justifies the high torque, it was just a killer deal

 

[MrPink]

I have had a Ridgid hi-torque 1/2" impact for 6-7yrs now and love it. I have the bigger 4Ah batteries for it, and it works great. I wish they still had the 9Ah batteries, but they fell the way of the dodo. I wish I would have got them when i had the chance.

 

[finn]

I have the Milwaukee high torque. I think it’s the 2767.

It’s great for lug nuts, but too heavy and bulky for general use.

A mid torque would be better for all around use, and should handle most lug nuts.

 

[klassenl]

Thanks for the replies. If I do buy one it will be a Makita.

 

[mike93lx]

A buddy of mine moved to makita recently and loves it. Their impact drivers are very compact.

I find that the placement of the reverse switch is quite bad for me. I end up hitting it a lot.

 

[MINIz guy]

I have a Milwaukee M12 3/8 Stubby 2554 with a homemade 6.0ah battery for lug nuts and carrying around my portable track box. I think that Makita you're looking at will be fine as you don't want/need the biggest baddest impact wrench when leaving it in you car for occasional use.

 

[FredWanaker]

I don't use an impact gun on lug nuts. It either knocks the coating off the nuts, usually chrome, and they rust, or it deforms the wheels so that they never balance right. I've also had to change my share of wheel studs where some gorilla over torqued or cross threaded them.

 

[gmcgeo]

well, there is always a right way and a wrong way to use a tool..... I zip them on with torque sticks then torque them with wrench.

I also do not buy fancy lug nuts.... so im not worried about the marks

 

[engineer2]

I use my Makita 1/4 hex impact driver for lug nuts all the time. I think it's good to 120 ft-lbs. Works fine for my Hondas which are all 80 ft-lbs. If the lug nuts (or bolts on Euro cars) are corroded it wont' have enough power.

I also have the Makita XWT08 affectionately know as The Beast. It will remove anything or split the impact socket trying. It is kind of heavy at 8 lbs.

A Makita mid-torque would be ideal. They make 240 and 520 ft-lb models:

LXT IMPACT WRENCHES | MAKITA

Makita USA: The Leader In Cordless with 18V LXT Lithium-Ion. The best in class for cordless power tool technology. A leader in power tool technology for the professional.

www.makitatools.com

 

[Snapped-off]

I had a 1st gen Kobalt 1/2" impact and it would blow the lugs off my 2500HD.

My new Makita mid torque is more powerful.

 

[dcg9381]

I got the Makita mid-torque, 1/2 drive, brushless.. I carry it in a tool box in my truck and I've used it for all sorts of things. Great tool, multiple torque settings. I ALWAYS tighten lugs by hand - every time - but the tool is a great way to do the other 90% of the job.

 

[Bretny]

I have removed and installed lug nuts on a k3500 plow truck with my m18 3/8 drive impact. Not even the fuel/brushless version.

 

[Skooterj]

well, there is always a right way and a wrong way to use a tool..... I zip them on with torque sticks then torque them with wrench.

I also do not buy fancy lug nuts.... so im not worried about the marks

This is the way

Husky 65-140 ft. lbs. Torque Limiting Impact Extension Bar Set (5-Piece)-H2DTRQEXT5PC - The Home Depot

This set of Husky Torque Limiting Extensions bars is not just your ordinary impact extension set. These 1/2 in. drive extensions are pre-set to a designated torque limit to prevent over tightening and

www.homedepot.com

 

[gmcgeo]

This is the way

Husky 65-140 ft. lbs. Torque Limiting Impact Extension Bar Set (5-Piece)-H2DTRQEXT5PC - The Home Depot

This set of Husky Torque Limiting Extensions bars is not just your ordinary impact extension set. These 1/2 in. drive extensions are pre-set to a designated torque limit to prevent over tightening and

www.homedepot.com

sure to get them close, then i torque with the torque wrench.

 

[gmcgeo]

From the manual for these.... "Always use final tightening with a calibrated torque wrench"

This is the way

 

[pattenp]

Maybe it's me, but if I use my cordless impact with torque sticks it's easy to over torque. If I use air impact it seems to do better torquing to the specs of the torque stick.

 

[Rst277]

Cordless Ridgid Impact made my air impact obsolete immediately. Ridgid has lifetime warranty on the tools and battery so nice support. I always use the impact then finish with the torque wrench - perfect every time!

 

[ptabatcher]

I’ve had great luck with the older, brushed, Ryobi impact. Only 300 ft/lbs but, it’s been more then adequate for my cars. Neither of my vehicles are torqued more than 120 ft/lb though.

 

[firebirdparts]

I use the bosch GDX that takes a screwdriver bit down a hole in the center of a half inch drive. It’s quite capable.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I use a Milwaukee 1/2 Fuel. Very strong and powerful. I have not used a mid torque gun but they seem like they would take off lug nuts. I’m just glad you didn’t say you wanted a team yellow impact because I have not had any luck with those at all lol.

 

[Sumboodie]

I have the M18 fuel impact, and i love it. I keep it in the jeep when off rd. Its pricey but does the job very well.
The benefit is i have it anywhere, and i do not have a cord in my way.


also helps i have all the same brand so i have batteries for days.
And i only buy the off brand batteries, so much cheaper and last just as long.

M18 FUEL™ ½” Ext. Anvil Controlled Torque Impact Wrench w/ONE-KEY™ Kit | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ ½” Ext. Anvil Controlled Torque Impact Wrench w/ONE-KEY™ Kit has controlled torque control for faster tire service

www.milwaukeetool.com

eventually ill build this set up to hold mine in the jeep.

The knock off batteries are junk.

I had 4. 2 didn't even make it a year. Have some real M18 batteries that are 8 years old and still are fine.

 

[RMWilson]

Stick the the battery echosystem you already have and get something that has at least 300 ft-lbs and you should be good. I had a Dewalt 14.4V and now have upgraded to a Dewalt DCF899H (20v) and it's rated at 700 Ft-lbs. Takes lugnuts off with no effort. The old Dewalt was rated at about 120Ft-lbs and sometimes would labor in removing lugnuts and I had it for about 10 years before getting the new one.

I agree on the DCF899H. It’s the best tool purchase I have made. I used to use it to work on industrial equipment at my old job and always did everything I needed. It’s a great tool.
On my vehicle lug nuts I tighten them on the #2 setting. That way I can turn it up to the #3 setting to remove them.

 

[bwringer]

Good points about the handiness of lower torque settings on impacts.

On my Ryobi brushless impact, the #1 setting is just plain perfect for putting the lug nuts back on. Just snug enough so that I can put the vehicle on the ground, and when I come back with a torque wrench there's maybe half a turn to full torque.

It's almost as if (gasp) someone paid attention to how people actually use these things. Shocking...

A lot of newer tools of all brands have sprouted wee LED lights, too, which are a lot more useful than I really ever thought they'd be.

 

[gmcgeo]

The knock off batteries are junk.

I had 4. 2 didn't even make it a year. Have some real M18 batteries that are 8 years old and still are fine.

I have not had issues. actually i have had the m18 battery only last a year and the after market is still going strong 4 years later

 

[runwhatyabrung]

Good points about the handiness of lower torque settings on impacts.

On my Ryobi brushless impact, the #1 setting is just plain perfect for putting the lug nuts back on. Just snug enough so that I can put the vehicle on the ground, and when I come back with a torque wrench there's maybe half a turn to full torque.

It's almost as if (gasp) someone paid attention to how people actually use these things. Shocking...

A lot of newer tools of all brands have sprouted wee LED lights, too, which are a lot more useful than I really ever thought they'd be.

Yep the 700 ft-lb Lion turns into a kitty cat when switched to 1. Perfect for putting the lugs back on and finishing off with torque wrench

 

[Radio Flyer]

I may be to odd man out on this one....

I broke my compressor and brought home my 1/2" snap on cordless to see is I could do without a full size compressor.

Every time I went to use it, the battery needed to be charged in order to remove lug nuts. It for sure did not like being stored in a cold garage, which means going to the basement every time I needed it.

Needless to say, I have a new compressor.

 

[bob15]

Which of the Makita mid-torque's are you guys using? I was looking at the XWT14Z; but also see their XWT13ZB model, but have read some reviews of it not being as stout as their spec show it to be.

 

[CraigStu]

25 yrs ago I was a Lexus tech. We were required to use a TQ wrench on every lugnut. Then the SnapOn dealer walked in w/ torque sticks. We asked him to go talk w/ our service manager. The rule was changed to allow us to use torque sticks. There is a technique. You run the lugs in at a minimum speed until they just barely get snug. Do all lugs. Then go around again and hold that trigger down. I haven't used a TQ wrench for lugs since that day. I am retired now and still have my 21mm TQ stick. But I also have an extension version so I can put the appropriate socket on it.

 

[p_mori7]

Ryobi 18V ONE+ for me. I get them at Home Depot. Kids always seem to find me a cool Ryobi thingy to add to my collection for Xmas. So much easier than airing up the compressor, breaking out the hose, remembering to put a few drops of oil into the impact afterwards. I snug them up with the impact, then always final torque by hand.

 

[infinite97]

I have not had issues. actually i have had the m18 battery only last a year and the after market is still going strong 4 years later

Milwaukee guarantees the batteries for quite a while. I just filled out the paperwork to send back a ~6 month old M18 5.0 pack. 3 year warranty - they'll test it (it's dead) and send me a new one.

 

[infinite97]

I use Milwaukee M18 fuel tools. 2960 3/8" mid torque, 2767 1/2" high torque. The 3/8" gun will do just about anything I need it to do. The 1/2" is really only used for extremely stubborn tasks - it is too strong to use on "normal" fasteners.

 

[infinite97]

Maybe it's me, but if I use my cordless impact with torque sticks it's easy to over torque. If I use air impact it seems to do better torquing to the specs of the torque stick.

I remember reading that the battery impacts hit too fast for the torque sticks to be accurate. Air guns "hit" slower, apparently.

 

[Hooker]

I have a Makita XWT08. On it's lowest power setting it will easily remove lug nuts torqued to 100 ft/lbs. On it's highest power setting it will remove whatever you are trying to remove or break something trying. Highly recommend.

 

[u2slow]

I prefer an 18" breaker bar and any light/small impact gun or drill as a speed wrench.