clark_nicholas
Well-known member
Ok I looking for a new impact should i buy pneumatic or cordless like the Milwaukee 18volt
pneumatic vs cordless tools
- Thread starter clark_nicholas
- Start date
Also depends on how portable and powerful you need it. If you are changing tires at a track for example, you can't beat electric. If you are constantly changing tires in a shop on large trucks, obviously air is the right solution.
Personally as a DIY home mechanic, I like my cordless. No air to run, no air line hanging off the tool, quick and easy.
Personally as a DIY home mechanic, I like my cordless. No air to run, no air line hanging off the tool, quick and easy.
diesel research
Well-known member
Both.
With today's li-ion batteries, you could almost replace air. I can use my cordless impact all day without interruption because if one battery goes dead, I can swap batteries easily. The dead battery will be fully charged (40 min) way before the other one goes out.
What's kind of environment will you be working in?
I couldn't figure out what I wanted so I bought both air and cordless
Cordless for the convenience, but air for when I really need power, which is rare now since my cordless can take off crank bolts which is more power than I'll ever need.
What's kind of environment will you be working in?
I couldn't figure out what I wanted so I bought both air and cordless
Cordless for the convenience, but air for when I really need power, which is rare now since my cordless can take off crank bolts which is more power than I'll ever need.rlitman
Well-known member
I was having a conversation with the owner of a local garage almost 2 years ago, and by then all of his guys switched over to cordless. They hardly use their air, and feel that the SnapOn 18V were as powerful as you needed for anything.
I myself however rely heavily on pneumatic tools.
My garage isn't heated, and at winter temperatures, cordless just won't work.
In the summer it gets crazy hot in there, and that's just not healthy for your batteries (they'll work, but it eats a chunk out of their lifetime, and I haven't got the money to keep buying batteries).
That, and electric tools (cordless, or plug in) don't last long in the metalworking environment of my shop.
I myself however rely heavily on pneumatic tools.
My garage isn't heated, and at winter temperatures, cordless just won't work.
In the summer it gets crazy hot in there, and that's just not healthy for your batteries (they'll work, but it eats a chunk out of their lifetime, and I haven't got the money to keep buying batteries).
That, and electric tools (cordless, or plug in) don't last long in the metalworking environment of my shop.
juniork5
Well-known member
GSteg what kind of cordless do you have?
well, with a detached garage that's not nicely insulated, my battery-operated tools are kept in the house which makes having to lug them outside every time I need them too much of a hassle. The 60 gallon is always full and ready to go so in my situation, air is much more convenient.
american lockpicker
Banned
Bosch 18V USA assembled FTW. 
I have many, but my to-go impact for heavy torque application is the Snap On CT6855. I has removed so many crank bolts that it makes my air gun do nothing but collect dust. Of course it requires more hammering action than my air guns, but it still takes them off regardless.
Mind you I had all the variants of IR 2135 and the MG725. I go through cordless impact guns like nothing, but the SO sticks around because I like it that much.
Griff93
Well-known member
As others have said, it depends on what you are doing. The newer cordless impacts have really come a long way but they are still pretty expensive. I recently purchased a bosch 3/8 and 1/2 impact. So far I really like both of them. I have a battery pack that seemed very weak from the start. It's getting noticeably worse. I'm going to try to get it warrantied so we'll see how that goes. Other than that, I don't think I could be more pleased with them. I've used them all day long at work. Since I have taken them to work, I haven't used either of my SO pneumatic to take anything off. I took a subframe off with it the other day. I've done suspension work repeatedly with it. I haven't had to take off any crank bolts yet. I usually use my MG31 for that due to it's size.
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
If you've got the air available, an air gun is the better choice.
davesnothere
Well-known member
Agreed.
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
heh both; ive got 1/2 and 3/8 in snap on cordless and a 1/2 klutch compact air and an ir 3/8 air
i also have a 1/4 milwakee driver in cordless
honestly i use the cordless 80% of the time; they are powerful, i got them cheap(300$ for both), and they dont have a dirty stinking hose pulling on it all the time
that said i still use air 3/8 and 1/2; they change tires and the 3/8 ir frees up stuff the 3/8 snapon cant take off
if i did it all again id start the same way i did; air tools followed by cordless, cordless is a luxury
i also have a 1/4 milwakee driver in cordless
honestly i use the cordless 80% of the time; they are powerful, i got them cheap(300$ for both), and they dont have a dirty stinking hose pulling on it all the time
that said i still use air 3/8 and 1/2; they change tires and the 3/8 ir frees up stuff the 3/8 snapon cant take off
if i did it all again id start the same way i did; air tools followed by cordless, cordless is a luxury
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neonnblack
Well-known member
Never really used electric, but a few weeks ago i finally used air tools doing my valve cover gaskets, and holy ****. I was wondering why i never did it before with anything. I love air tools now
MO-Iron
Well-known member
It's a little on the heavy side, but a 28v Milwaukee rides in the farm truck daily. Works great on farm equipment lug bolts and emergency in field repairs.
In the shop, I prefer the lighter weight of the air guns.
MO-Iron
In the shop, I prefer the lighter weight of the air guns.
MO-Iron