Smallest / Lightest cordless tool for reliably doing tire rotations

[Antwonizzle]

I'm kinda tired of using my 1/2 impact (mg725) for taking lugnuts off when servicing a vehicle. I have to use a pretorque stick so the tightening torque doesnt matter since I have to finish them off with a torque wrench. Most common cars I see are torqued to 80-85Ft.Lbs.... occasionally Ill have to remove nuts from a truck torqued to 145-150ft.lbs.

just looking for input on what you guys are using

 

[Frosthy]

Does it have to be cordless? The 'plastic' 3/8" air guns are about the same weight as 3/8" electric impacts or lighter. I would expect 1/2" electric impacts to weigh more.

Do you have to use torque sticks? I used a 2115TiMax set on "low" and it sets all lug nuts at about 80ft/lbs. But I don't know if you can get 3/8" torque sticks...

Either way, I would suggest a 2115TiMax (or the Snappy equivilant). It's rated for 300ft/lbs and works for 95% of the tire rotations I do. It doesn't like to snap off lug studs (when needed) and it gets hung up on the occasional Euro/Wheel-Bolt car and sometimes on F250/350's with way overtorqued lug nuts. 3/8", weighs like 2.5lbs. Put a double-swivel hose fitting on it and you won't even know your holding it.

 

[MattPersman]

Small king tony 1/2 impact

Cordless in 1/2 are heavy and some 3/8 won't get the job done

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm kinda tired of using my 1/2 impact (mg725) for taking lugnuts off when servicing a vehicle. I have to use a pretorque stick so the tightening torque doesnt matter since I have to finish them off with a torque wrench. Most common cars I see are torqued to 80-85Ft.Lbs.... occasionally Ill have to remove nuts from a truck torqued to 145-150ft.lbs.

And that is where a cordless will fail !

 

[Ign]

And that is where a cordless will fail !

I assume you're just trolling, ie trying to elicit a response. There's no way you can't know about the W7150 and 2763? There are several cordless guns on the market that will handle the numbers you underlined, but I'm guessing not within the OP's weight/size parameters

 

[franzdom]

To get back to the original question, you should be good with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8", I have been more than impressed with it. Of course some things will be overtorqued but this should get 99%.

 

[Dust Devil]

your 725 is the right medicine

 

[panknuckshovel]

Weighs less than a pound before the socket, roughly ten inches long and has a stupid fast re-charge rate.

 

[tdkkart]

I'd sure be impressed if someone showed me a cordless gun that would do a complete tire rotation on an 8-lug 3/4 or 1-ton truck, AND didn't weigh more than a good 1/2" air gun.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have the 3/8 Fuel, and there are times it can't get lugs off. So there goes that if you want it to work every time, but the 2115timax works every time unless someone buggered something up.

IR also has the 2125 (IIRC) with a 1/2" anvil in a 2115 body. You still need an air hose, but at least you could use 1/2" sockets and torque sticks.

 

[Dust Devil]

Weighs less than a pound before the socket, roughly ten inches long and has a stupid fast re-charge rate.

 

[Dust Devil]

cordless 3/8 guns work great for ATV and SXS tires, but for a real car or truck you want a 1/2 air or cordless.

 

[cgv69]

I have the 3/8 Fuel, and there are times it can't get lugs off.

M12 or M18?

I have the M18 3/8" Fuel and haven't found a lug nut it can't remove yet? Granted I'm not a pro nor do I work on big rigs or heavy equipment but the wrench is rated at 200ft/lbs so I don't see how this tool wouldn't be ideal for the OP's purposes?

The other thing I like about this version is the torque range settings. When installing wheels, I set it to the 70ft/lb setting and then finish them off to the correct torque with a torque wrench.

And FYI - the M18 version of their 3/8" impact wrench is actually shorter (head length) then the M12 version.

 

[bcradio]

M12 or M18?

I have the M18 3/8" Fuel and haven't found a lug nut it can't remove yet? Granted I'm not a pro nor do I work on big rigs or heavy equipment but the wrench is rated at 200ft/lbs so I don't see how this tool wouldn't be ideal for the OP's purposes?

The other thing I like about this version is the torque range settings. When installing wheels, I set it to the 70ft/lb setting and then finish them off to the correct torque with a torque wrench.

And FYI - the M18 version of their 3/8" impact wrench is actually shorter (head length) then the M12 version.

But the rest of the M18 is larger for the most part than the M12. The M12 is significantly smaller overall and makes for a very nice compact package.

My M12 3/8" impact can get off most lugs.

 

[GSteg]

A good 3/8" air gun (2215timax, or even the MG325) will do the job. I like cordless but the more powerful ones are heavier than your average 3/8" gun and they are iffy with 150 ft-lbs, especially if those lugs have been on there for a while.

 

[firebox40dash5]

M12 or M18?

I have the M18 3/8" Fuel and haven't found a lug nut it can't remove yet? Granted I'm not a pro nor do I work on big rigs or heavy equipment but the wrench is rated at 200ft/lbs so I don't see how this tool wouldn't be ideal for the OP's purposes?

I have the M18. It works on probably 80% of the lugs I try it on. Anything over a 1/2 ton, it's a real crapshoot. Old stuff with rusty, buggered up (not necessarily crossed) threads, not so much. I thought the same with 200 ft.-lb., but stiction is a ***** I guess.

If you can live with having to bust out something bigger now and then, it's a great tool though. The trigger feathers great for those times you're not sure if the threads are screwed up or the nut is started wrong, so you don't cross it, and if you're following with a torque wrench you don't even really need to turn the power down.

 

[volleyball]

I have the craftsman 19.2v stuff so I bought their 1/2" impact. That thing is way more powerful than my old air gun, and with the bigger lithium battery will do a full truck.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I'd sure be impressed if someone showed me a cordless gun that would do a complete tire rotation on an 8-lug 3/4 or 1-ton truck, AND didn't weigh more than a good 1/2" air gun.

Snap on can.

It's lighter than mg725

 

[Antwonizzle]

I've also been spending some quality time using my mg325 to do the task, and I must admit it is really nice having something that small and light with that much power. I've already told myself I'm going to start building a cordless collection so that is a must. It looks like from your guys' experience it's going to have to be something 1/2 drive and large if I want the "reliable" part. I wonder if the new small body IR 20V 1/2 W5150 will be up to the task

 

[BFHtime]

I have an 18v brushless Makita hex impact driver that will take off properly torqued lug at 92lb/ft. I would think that a 3/8 impact would handle most wheel. If you have to go get another tool occasionally to deal with over torqued bolts then you could use a breaker and run them off with the 3/8 gun. 1/2 is going to have a big torque advantage with the disadvantage of the weight. You will have to make a choice there. Keep I. Mind some impacts guns weigh more than others, also use different materials to cut weight.

Another thing to keep in mind is that lithium batteries are usually quite a bit lighter than ni-cad.

If I had to pick one I would get the tool that I would use more first.

Also maybe look for a deal there maybe a sale where you get your tools, I have a hard time passing up a good deal. Good luck.

 

[bcradio]

I've also been spending some quality time using my mg325 to do the task, and I must admit it is really nice having something that small and light with that much power. I've already told myself I'm going to start building a cordless collection so that is a must. It looks like from your guys' experience it's going to have to be something 1/2 drive and large if I want the "reliable" part. I wonder if the new small body IR 20V 1/2 W5150 will be up to the task

180 ft-lbs, which is less than the M18 Fuel 3/8" impact.

 

[BFHtime]

Snap-on lithium 3/8 18v 325 break away torque. 230 tightening. Measure are in lb/ft.

 

[GSteg]

I much rather work with the 3/8" air MG325 than the cordless CT8810. The CT8810 weighs as much as some of the 1/2" air guns (4.5lbs).

 

[Adam.C]

You guys do know that the torque ratings of impacts are junk science right?

Here's yet another article about it.

 

[Antwonizzle]

Looks like you either get light or cordless... Not both

I am still leaning towards cordless even if it's heavier than I like... Especially for doing work at home without dragging out an air hose

 

[theoldwizard1]

It looks like from your guys' experience it's going to have to be something 1/2 drive and large if I want the "reliable" part. I wonder if the new small body IR 20V 1/2 W5150 will be up to the task

I don't think you will find ANY cordless impact that will "reliably" loosen lug nuts on pickups that are torqued to 150 ft lbs. Some pickups even require 175 ft-lbs.

Buy yourself a "4 way" lug nuts wrench. "Crack" the nuts loose before jacking. Zip them off with whatever from there.

NEVER use a 4 way to tighten lug nuts. Too easy to over torque.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have put a ton of use on my 7850. It's heavey, but works great. It's a big gun so don't expect it to fit in tight places. I too have grown tired of the air lines. My 725 weighs as much as the 7850. The 325 is the perfect gun. It's light, small, and powerful. Only draw back is you need to be tethered to an air line. To each his own I guess. Find what fits you the best and enjoy.

 

[Dust Devil]

I have put a ton of use on my 7850. It's heavey, but works great. It's a big gun so don't expect it to fit in tight places. I too have grown tired of the air lines. My 725 weighs as much as the 7850. The 325 is the perfect gun. It's light, small, and powerful. Only draw back is you need to be tethered to an air line. To each his own I guess. Find what fits you the best and enjoy.

7850 is 2 lbs more weight than the mg725

 

[Hpozzuoli]

7850 is 2 lbs more weight than the mg725

Guess I should have said feels the same. Doesn't surprise me.

 

[GSteg]

I don't think you will find ANY cordless impact that will "reliably" loosen lug nuts on pickups that are torqued to 150 ft lbs. Some pickups even require 175 ft-lbs.

That may be true for 3/8" cordless, but there are a bunch of 1/2" cordless guns that will easily and reliably remove bolts torqued to 150-lbs. My main [cordless] impact gun is an IR W7150 and it'll take off rusted axle bolts, crank bolts, etc. 175 ft-lbs is just a walk in the park.

 

[Rakoprtr]

Snappy got a new 1/2 cordless did a demo on the truck broke away a nut at 253 ft lbs it's pretty small too retail 399

 

[Antwonizzle]

Snappy got a new 1/2 cordless did a demo on the truck broke away a nut at 253 ft lbs it's pretty small too retail 399

You happen to know the model # sounds interesting and too good to be true

 

[Antwonizzle]

Well anyways I got a green 8850 coming in few months I guess I'll just have to wait til then to join the cordless party

 

[volleyball]

I know my craftsman had no problem with my 150lb torqued truck wheels. No impact will remove every bolt. Not every 4 way will either. I remember in my youth turning 4 ways into pretzels.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Well anyways I got a green 8850 coming in few months I guess I'll just have to wait til then to join the cordless party

You have WAY TOO MUCH MONEY in your tool budget !

Seven large !

 

[Rakoprtr]

No I don't but I can get a model and pics on Monday when my dealer comes


Sent from my shop cuz I practically live there

 

[Rakoprtr]

Just talked to my dealer model number is 761 it's a 3/8 but it's pretty stout


Sent from my shop cuz I practically live there

 

[theknurl]

simple a Swench Wrench;

I have Models 500 and 750 .....nuts and bolts beware

 

[Antwonizzle]

You have WAY TOO MUCH MONEY in your tool budget !

Seven large !

Haha! You're right it definitely isn't cheap... I also plan on getting the green 8810 so I can use the same battery

 

[rice rocket]

http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M5d1be82f3dc.0.html

4.2 lbs with battery, 295 ft-lbs.