Snap-on CTS561CL
- Thread starter BlkMrkt
- Start date
Your Father
Banned
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- Nov 28, 2011
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- 115
I've had mine for about a year. The reverse switch went out on it a couple of months ago. It has very little power, the power is either on/off, and the battery life *****. I used it for disassembly of lights, lenses, interior parts. Its performance was fair. A nut driver? MAYBE for light bolts and nuts that are already loose. If I had to buy one of their 7.2v guns again, I'd go for the 1/4" impact. A friend has one, and it has more power... enough to break bolts loose that were torqued to around 25ft lbs. On the plus side, it does lock when you're not on the trigger, so you can "manhandle" bolts or screws that are tight, but it always felt like it was going to break.
I'm a Snap On guy, but was disappointed in this little gun. I'd like to find a cordless 1/4" impact or driver that was the same size and weight from another manufacturer. I'd pass on the TS561CL.
I'm a Snap On guy, but was disappointed in this little gun. I'd like to find a cordless 1/4" impact or driver that was the same size and weight from another manufacturer. I'd pass on the TS561CL.
G1GRANDEUR
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- Aug 22, 2009
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- 2,094
Buy real 3/8 impact gun.
It's a screwdriver, not impact gun.
It's a screwdriver, not impact gun.
It wont remove most trans pans. Its best suited to screwdriver work.
For small cordless work I much prefer the Matco 10.8v Infinium 1/4" impact, and the dewalt 12v max cordless impact. A fully charged Dewalt will remove lugs torqued to 95ftlbs.
For small cordless work I much prefer the Matco 10.8v Infinium 1/4" impact, and the dewalt 12v max cordless impact. A fully charged Dewalt will remove lugs torqued to 95ftlbs.
Your Father
Banned
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- Nov 28, 2011
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- 115
Nice.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
I have the 1/4" impact and it works well for what it was designed for. If you are under a dash or in a tight space, it works great. Most of them around here are used by the diesel guys on trim and under dash work. The batteries don't last too long but they do recharge in a hurry.
I am waiting to see if the new lithium batteries for the 661 will fit this impact.
I am waiting to see if the new lithium batteries for the 661 will fit this impact.
defy
Well-known member
First I've heard about this lithium version, where can I find out more?
mrshaun
Well-known member
In two weeks they will be ready. Cts661 and ct661. I have had both for 3 months now and they work great ( prototypes ) variable speed triggers and a battery meter on the side and now they have led lights on the end.
BloodySinner
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- Jul 1, 2011
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- 169
Are they made in China like the previous model?
mrshaun
Well-known member
i know the batteries are from over seas but not sure about the driver. it didnt say on mine.
Octarine
Well-known member
Still 7.2v?
diesel research
Well-known member
Personal experience?
Don't waste your money. Snap on cordless have a reputation for power. These are almost useless. The price isn't terribly much different than the competition, and the 7.2v battery makes it the lightest weight and one of the most comfortable. None the less, a total waste of dollars. Maybe if you worked in some kind of occupation driving wood screws into a banana or styrofoam it might be handy.
Snap on is usually in tune with what auto mechanics need. They REALLY missed the boat here. Ranks very high in least-thought out tool category.
It's true quite a few peop-le have them, and they will last a long time. That's because they will mostly sit unused in the back of your box. Not even suitable for quite a few of the interior panels I have came across, and definitely not suitable for most tin covers.
Don't waste your money. Snap on cordless have a reputation for power. These are almost useless. The price isn't terribly much different than the competition, and the 7.2v battery makes it the lightest weight and one of the most comfortable. None the less, a total waste of dollars. Maybe if you worked in some kind of occupation driving wood screws into a banana or styrofoam it might be handy.
Snap on is usually in tune with what auto mechanics need. They REALLY missed the boat here. Ranks very high in least-thought out tool category.
It's true quite a few peop-le have them, and they will last a long time. That's because they will mostly sit unused in the back of your box. Not even suitable for quite a few of the interior panels I have came across, and definitely not suitable for most tin covers.
mrshaun
Well-known member
when you watch a body guy pull out a full dash with a cts561 and not have to change a battery or pick up a ratchet, it will change your tune. If they sucked so bad then why have i sold so many and had only 2 returns since they came out. and those two were the 3/8 impact. and after 45000 in sales over the years and i sell at least one a week of the cts561cl, how could they be so terrible? I let the numbers do the talking for me.
Octarine
Well-known member
I'll second what mrshaun said. This was the best selling cordless tool in my inventory. I see them in mechanics' toolboxes, beat to hell, dirty and they keep on working.
I've got a green CTS561CL and an older Bosch Lithium driver. I like them both but the S-O gets used more.
The only thing I'd say negatively is avoid the light. I had many problems with those, mostly with the electrical contacts in the light. Anyways, that's what the Stinger is for!
I've got a green CTS561CL and an older Bosch Lithium driver. I like them both but the S-O gets used more.
The only thing I'd say negatively is avoid the light. I had many problems with those, mostly with the electrical contacts in the light. Anyways, that's what the Stinger is for!
mrshaun
Well-known member
octarine the lights were not the best. they had two different ones and the first one was **** and they updtated it, still not bright though. Led stinger is the only light.....
diesel research
Well-known member
Why would it be returned? It's not broken. I've used it long enough to KNOW it will not change my tune. If you used it, your tune would change quickly too.
I let REAL WORLD experience do the talking. In reality, if the screw is easy to turn with a hand screw driver, there is a fair chance the ct561 might turn it. If there is much resistance at all, it's time to go get something better. Due to moisture intrusion in the door panels of your average truck, it's almost always time to go get something else. We are talking about T20 and T25 screws. It DEFINITELY is not the tool for the task the op is asking for. It's 50/50 whether it will drive a hose clamp or not, admittedly some are a little tight.
Put one of those 10.8/12v on your truck, you will probably never sell a ct561 again. If you use one, you probably won't bother to grab the ct ever again either.
You are talking about the CT561 and mrshaun and octarine are talking about the CTS561. Two different tools. The CT561 is an impact, the CTS561 is a screwgun. The CT561 is junk. The CTS561 is an awesome screw gun.
diesel research
Well-known member
No, I made a typo. We are both talking about the S screw gun with hex collet. Maybe I just have more difficult screws than most, I don't know. As mentioned, if its pretty easy to turn by hand, then it has a fair chance. If it's a screw that you would have to grip in tight with a hand driver, forget about it. As it is, there are a fair amount of interior screws in the average truck that require this.
3/35 guys in shop now have 1. None of which use them except in rare situations. "mine" is a shared piece between a coworker. We have both agreed it was not the wisest purchase, but since it is in no means defective, just gotta **** it up.
I already knew the regular non-S wasn't worth my time.
(I do like the fact it locks and can use hand force to tighten or break free, but I shouldn't have to do that with every screw.....)
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I have bothe the screw gun w/clutch and the 1/4 impact, love them both. I use the strictly for interior work and they work great. Lightweight, compact, good battery life and plenty of power to do the jobs they were intended to do.
I dont feel that it's suited for heavier work, even trans pan bolts would be stretching the impacts capabilities and no way would the screw gun would break them. I would suggest a 3/8th's 14.4v for that type of work.
I dont feel that it's suited for heavier work, even trans pan bolts would be stretching the impacts capabilities and no way would the screw gun would break them. I would suggest a 3/8th's 14.4v for that type of work.
chadster1
Well-known member
When I was first selling the CTS561 I would drive screws into a 2 x 4 as a demo. It would drive the screw all the way in past flush with the surface of the wood. For the size of the gun, the power is impressive.
D9H 90V
Well-known member
I have the CTS561CL and the 1/4 impact version I love both of them everyone in the shop would come to me and want to try them out and the next time my dealer showed up everyone bought one or the other or both, and yes they could use a bit more power but for the size they are great, I have no regrets, its been a wile since I have picked up a normal screwdriver
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
I had picked up a 3/8" version of the impact in a trade and think that it is useless in that drive size (heavy duty guys seem to like them though). My dealer ordered a 1/4" anvil and once I put that in the gun, it became very useable for small fasteners. Anything bigger runs a risk of snapping the bolts off if you get the least bit distracted.
defy
Well-known member
Seems snap on are upgrading all their power tools to new designs with a new generation of lithium batteries. 14.4v range must be next.
chadster1
Well-known member
There are 8 torx screws on the side of the gun that hold the two sides of the case together.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
they are bulletproof, dropped in coolant, beat up, dropped from 8 ft up, etc. still works like a charm on original batteries, 5 yrs old. have a new one i got just for fun and its just as good. dont bother with the 3/8 small one. as far as lithium goes, snap on man said there are no plans for the 7.2s yet, havent even released the 14.4s yet.
chadster1
Well-known member
Your dealer must of missed his kickoff meeting. The CTS661 is a 7.2 lithium screw gun patterned after the CTS561.
mrshaun
Well-known member
i have a pile of the new cts661 and ct661 coming in two weeks... preselling them now.
wheats71
Well-known member
love the cts. saves so much arm/wrist work or dragging an airline through someones interior. now the 3/8 ct....i am going to ask my dealer tomorrow about the 1/4 drive anvil
with the part #
thanks guys
with the part #
thanks guys
defy
Well-known member
Are the new lithium batteries compatible in the current gun? or is it a new design?
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
You just asked the million dollar question. All of us are waiting to find that one out but we should know in a week or so.
chadster1
Well-known member
Batteries are not interchangeable
