Sears impact driver any good?

[White 99]

I have been looking at the Craftsman 1/4" impact driver. The $100 price is fine with the drill combo and I need a drill also. But would I be happy with the impact driver for auto work? Anyone here use one for their lighter duty impact work?

I am not sure about using the coupling, it seems I would have to have a hex to square driver, is that correct?

I am not looking to replace my air drive impact wrenches but a light, quiet, compact, and ready to go cordless impact may be something I would use. I am not a pro just work on my own cars mainly for my enjoyment,quality control and to save a couple of bucks.

Looks like the next step up is the 3/8" drive impact wrenchs for more money of course. Is that where I should be looking?


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...s&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Combo+Kits

 

[Danglerb]

All of these smaller cordless units seem to be designed to put in screws, but the torque is NOT remotely in the useful automotive range. 900 inlbs is about 75 ftlbs, but I see no reason to believe its even close to that powerful.

 

[truckdriver]

I use mine all the time, though my Makita is actually rated at 1300inlbs. My friend who's a diesel mech talked me into getting one and I don't know how I got along without it. When I recored the radiator in my semi I used the Makita to remove the 100+ bolts to remove the tanks. Can't imagine doing all that with a ratchet.

 

[FNFS2000]

You get what you pay for, and there is not much worse than craftsman powertools, Their handtools may still be remotely OK, but their powertools headed for the toilet about 15 years ago. They used to have good companies make them for them... Now I don't think there is a decent power tool maker left that will relabel their tools for crapsman.

 

[wreckercologist]

I've got that exact kit, White 99. I've had it for over two years I think, and I use it every day at work. While I will certainly agree with others about there being much higher quality cordless tools out there, this one, for the money, ain't that bad.

The drill does OK. It could use a better chuck. The one that's on it won't grip very tight, even when you use drills with flatted shanks. It's biggest drawback is the battery. They don't last long enough for me, and after two years of daily use, they're starting to die. The run time keeps getting shorter. Lately, I've noticed that the guts are starting to move around. What I mean is, if you grab the chuck and push up on it, you can see the insides moving. I guess something is either worn out or broken.

The impact driver has it's place, but it's no powerhouse. I use it for fasteners 1/4" and smaller. I don't remember the torque specs but it ain't no 75 foot pounds. It's started to develope a touchy trigger where sometimes it will feather and sometimes it just acts like an on/off switch. The contacts are probably dirty. Again, same battery issues as the drill.

Overall, I'm pleased with the value and performance of the two. I didn't expect top notch quality for what I paid, but I do feel like I've got my money out of them. I'm looking to upgrade to either a Makita 18 volt or the Snap-on 14.4.

I do recommend getting the extended warranty. When I bought mine, it was something like $20 extra to get two years unconditional replacement (thats for the drill and impact only, not batteries or chargers). I don't think these would bounce very well off of concrete.

Here's what I use to adapt over to 1/4" square drive:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=1460&group_ID=176

I haven't looked but I bet you could find one at HD or Lowes.

 

[truckdriver]

Pay the money for the SO bit adapter. I broke several from HW stores and Sears. I've had the SO for 3yrs now.

 

[jshillin]

I have a Hitachi driver and it works very well and use it for everything. I paid around $100 for it on sale at Lowe's.

 

[krehmkej]

I have the Milwaukee 12V driver and use it all the time. Light duty, but great for jobs like transmission pans with dozens of 6mm bolts. Wish I could find a good set of metric sockets that load (and lock) into the hex. I like this tool so much I'm considering getting its 12V 3/8" drive impact wrench.

 

[Mike83]

It is a fine tool for the price. My experience is that the Craftsman impact driver is nice for removal and install of many bolts, but it won't break much loose.

I got the M18 Milwaukee impact driver and actually twisted several of those hex to square drive adaptors. The craftsman would never do that.

 

[Here2Learn]

Craftsman recently added a 1/2" drive impact wrench to the C3 line.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917090000P?keyword=17090

It is $89.99 in the new November 29 - January 2 Craftsman Club flier.

Someone on here posted in another thread his Youtube video removing lug nuts from a truck. You may want to search for that thread for info on it.

 

[White 99]

Thank you for the replys.

From what I read it might work for light duty, repetitious work. That is about what I am was expecting. If I need to break tight things loose I probably won't be grabbing this. If I am going to rotate the tires I would still be getting the air impact wrench out.

The thing seems to go on and off sale every week so I probably still have time to look. I should really look at the others also.

Thanks all for the input.

 

[Mugen AP1]

I was going to post this (because it's the best i have ever used-never given me problems) :

But then i read every other post and saw you guys were talking electric

 

[Lhorn]

I've got that same set. I have nothing bad to say about it. I'm using it as a homeowner. If I had to make my living with it, it's worth getting a pricier brand. For a hundred bucks with a pretty nice drill, 1 hour charger and 2 batteries, I think it's a no brainer if you have reasonable expectations and are on a budget.
It's definitely not for changing tires. It's great for driving screws and lag bolts. We recently put it a huge wood play stucture. Predrilling with a rather undersized drill bit, I put in 3 inch lag screws all day and the batteries held up well. It could have easily been done with a ratchet, but using the impact driver cut the time to install a lagscrew tremendously. I think the torque for driving lagscrews is pretty good. A couple of times I didn't get off the trigger fast enough of twisted the head off the lagscrew.

 

[ossaguy]

I'm on my 3rd one now,and for lightweight stuff it works great,I use it ever day with a dedicated 8mm 1/4 inch socket,and another with a 10mm,since that's what I mostly would use it for.
Like the others have said,go with the no hassle exchange warranty that's like $10.00,then save the original box and paperwork in a safe place.Write yourself a note where you wont miss it,to return it like a day before 2 years even if it's ok,and they give you a complete new unit no questions asked.That way you get new batteries with it,and if the tool has been upgraded,you get that.I've done that twice,and worked great.Sears even told me to do that,so I didn't feel guilty doing it.

Steve

 

[MAD]

I don't know about the C3 impact driver, but the 20 volt professional driver as quite powerful. If you are not already invested in the other battery system(or if you just want a better tool) you may want to consider this one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00928128000P?vName=Gifts&cName=Father'sDay&sName=Fix-it%20Father&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a#reviewsWrap

The Craftsman 20 volt 1/2" drive impact wrench that is also available is rated at 300 foot pounds which is 100 more than the C3.

 

[White 99]

The 1/2" drive one looks to be too big and would overlap with the air tools I already have.

The 20 volt 1/4" one looks pretty close to the other one. I should go and check both and compare.

Thanks.

Good information all.

 

[tpolley]

i've had my c3 1/4 inch impact for 2 years. it's fine for driving screws. it's a little under powered for bolts but i think it'll handle most bolts you can fasten or remove with 1/4 drive sockets unless they're stubborn (wich is partly why we reach for power tools anyway). if you decide to go with the craftsman 1/4 inch make sure you get the new one. it's supposed to have 1,500 inchlbs vs the old style that has 900. i think the half inch and 1/4 inch are comparible in size. the body is a little shorter and a little longer than my ir2135. plus you have a big-a$$ battery at the base of the handle vs an air hose.

thread on the half inch impact. pictures are half way down page 4.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40475

video of removing 140ftlb lugs on an f250 with the c3 1/2 inch impact. i still havent tested the endurance yet.

 

[Here2Learn]

Craftsman recently added a 1/2" drive impact wrench to the C3 line.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917090000P?keyword=17090

It is $89.99 in the new November 29 - January 2 Craftsman Club flier.

Someone on here posted in another thread his Youtube video removing lug nuts from a truck. You may want to search for that thread for info on it.

Here's a link to the video:

They also have an electric, corded, 1/2" impact driver.

 

[Danglerb]

Here's a link to the video:

They also have an electric, corded, 1/2" impact driver.

I would sure love to put a torque wrench on those lugs to see just how tight they are.

 

[FNFS2000]

I would sure love to put a torque wrench on those lugs to see just how tight they are.

yeah, it sounds quite weak! I think my metabo quarter drive hammers harder than that.

 

[ProGun3400]

Kids bought me this one (Dewalt) year for Christmas. Expensive? Yes, but worth it.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...le+Power+Tools&sName=All+Cordless+Power+Tools