What do you use your cordless Impact for?

[243]

I don't care if it's work, home or the shop but I am curious what ya'll use a cordless impact for; it's not a comparison question but 1/4" or 3/8". I am interested in a cordless impact but wonder if it will be a limited use tool.

 

[silviaboy89]

Anything with nuts and bolts. I pretty much replaced my ratchets unless its at a weird angle and only a ratchet will do.

 

[crewchief888]

I don't care if it's work, home or the shop but I am curious what ya'll use a cordless impact for; it's not a comparison question but 1/4" or 3/8". I am interested in a cordless impact but wonder if it will be a limited use tool.

i'm a field mechanic at a const eq dealership, i use mine for removing bolts from access panels, saves me from having to start my air compressor to remove a 1/2 dozen bolts.

when i replaced my garage door, it drove a lot of new lag bolts for the track brackets.

i have an older bluepoint 14.4v

 

[Abeo]

I have a 18V impact driver with a 3/8" attachment, and use it for zinging out little bolts (1/4" to 7/16"), along with snugging up larger suspension bolts before doing a final tighten (kind of what you'd use an air ratchet on). I have a 24V 1/2" impact that I use for lug nuts and heavier bolts... it's ok but no air impact. Both my cordless impacts are no-names.

I did encounter one junkyard axle nut that broke both my 18" and 36" breaker bars, that a borrowed (brand name) cordless impact broke free with little effort. That sold me on them

 

[reptilezs]

bicycles

 

[diesel research]

torx, hex, phillips, rare robertson, bolts/nuts under 14mm or 9/16. its only a 12v subcompact.

i try to avoid using screwdrivers it at all possible. "if it fits, it zips" is kind of the motto.

i dont use larger ones mainly because i no longer have larger ones, and had hundreds of cfm at my disposal. 3/8 18v fuel is definitely next on the list.

if you are a "stuck in their ways" traditionalist, dont bother. If you are willing to give it a fair shot on everything it will fit, it may be of some use.

Aside from certain rusted screws, it rarely did anything i couldnt do before, but it just did all of those tasks more efficiently. In the case of rusty screws, it did remove hundreds that would have otherwise cammed out, even using my snap-on ACR phillips drivers. Same for many trim piece type torx screws in the t20/t25 size. I could have done it by "hand" but that would likely involve grinder/chisel and vice grips. Ive broken/rounded plenty by hand before that.

 

[wannab20hatch]

Anything with nuts and bolts. I pretty much replaced my ratchets unless its at a weird angle and only a ratchet will do.

pretty much the same for me. Except when I need a ratchet I grab the Milwaukee m12 ratchet

 

[bobcatdan]

Everything. My 1/2" air gets used maybe twice a week. Most of the time the bolts are so thigh I have to grab my 3/4". My 3/8 impact and air ratchets haven't been used in so long they are probably rusted tight.

 

[ken w.]

I have a Craftsman C-3 19.2 volt mini impact with interchangable tips.I can use 1/4 3/8 and I have a 1/2 bit for it. I use the 1/4 " drive the most. It works well for anything I need to take off. I know better than to try to get stupid with it.I wouldn't even think to take this to the junk yard with me. It's a handy tool.

 

[NIDDLE]

I use makita 18v LiIon 1/4" impact drivers day in day out at work (construction site use). Use it for everything from zipping screws of all shapes and sizes in and out to tightening/loosening nuts and bolts. Got a Dewalt 18v 1/4" impact driver for personal use around the house and side jobs. Use it for everything, most used tool in my collection.

Lately I've been looking at the Milwaukee M18 fuels 3/8" and 1/2" impacts to take on my automotive needs, something dedicated to driving sockets only.

 

[Engineer61]

I use my M18 Fuel 1/4" hex impact driver mostly for driving screws into wood. I have 1800 3/4" screws to drive putting my radiant heat plates onto the bottom of the sub-flooring. Sure wish I had had it building the deck for my sister. The M18 1/2" is mostly used for the lug nuts on my truck

 

[richfinn]

I use my 1/2" for wheel bolts, and my 1/4 hex impact for under trays and light engine work and stubborn stuff that's gonna shear off.

 

[joedodge]

Diesel cac tubes, engine compartment bolts, valve covers, oil pans, ****** pan bolts, pretty much anything under a 13 or 15 mm head my Makita 12v 3/8 impact will handle its getting tired though the impact driver is used on screws and such on interior and trim

 

[[email protected]]

Everything

 

[Piles]

Everything

pretty much this.

I have a little dewalt 12v, 3/8 drive and its awesome. Any small fasteners there is nothing better.

I am a big air tool supporter and I always reach for the Dewalt before my CP. Lighter, no cord, and the built in LED's are actually helpful.

I also have one of those 18v impact drivers, made by Rigid, and that would be my first buy before the dewalt. More power and more accessories if you are like me and do a bit of everything. A little bigger though and when you add a couple inches here and there for the different bits it doesn't fit as well. You can get a 3/8 adapter to fit sockets, even drill bits with the hex shank. Versatile.

 

[lilscorpion]

Anything with nuts and bolts. I pretty much replaced my ratchets unless its at a weird angle and only a ratchet will do.

Yep, yep...I now have a Dewalt 1/4-inch hex (with just about every attachment I can buy) impact, the 1/2-inch, and the 3/8-inch impact all in 18volt. They get used all the time. Between them they've replaced screwdrivers, drills, and ratchets...you name it. I bought the lighter 12v 3/8-inch one for carrying around with me..oh and I have it by my side Christmas morning for quick toy assembly. With all of the available attachments, any one of the impacts can use any of the other impacts attachments. I don't know how you could have one and not use the $hit out of it.

 

[Jawn]

Makita 12v 1/4" hex...

Handy for about anything. Wood screws, small lag bolts, regular nuts/bolts, etc. Zips out rusty screws that won't budge otherwise.

 

[Rezeppa]

Love them all

 

[jfcasey]

Everything. I have a 3/8 Milwaukee, and use it with swivel sockets on anything it fits on. I hate dragging an air hose around and also use it to do quick jobs like installing up sold parts in the parking lot if don't have room in my bay. Makes installing a battery or some filters a 2 min job.

 

[ryanhelton2000]

I raced lag bolts with one of my General Contractors with his 1/2 air ratchet and my 18v 1/4 Ridgid while we were building a pool deck and I had time to have lunch before he caught up. Ive found you should Never EVER use them to save time on sheet steel roofs as they are fast but have way to much power and cause dents. But if I need to break a bolt loose Ill drag out a compressor or a big bar electric guns dont have the umph... there are exceptions but why pay insane prices when there are better options available if you work in a junk yard and really need a cordless impact tell your boss its his ticket an amazing tool even at an amazing price that has a battery will pound you in the **** when you least expect it or can afford a $100 battery but damn I wish I had one now.

 

[HTGTS350]

I use my cordless impacts for everything, only time I use my pneumatics is truck wheel nuts and then I use my 1" CP. I wish I have cordless impacts and screwdrivers years ago then maybe my hands,wrists, elbows etc, would be in better shape.

 

[gsingh]

Most of the time i use my mg725 inside the shop, but when i gotta work out side that is when i use my cordless impacts for, other than that I use em when doing intake manifolds.

 

[243]

I am surprised they are good for rusted screws, I would have thought they would strip the heads easier than hand tools.

I have a 6 year old DeWalt 18v XRP and a really old Craftsman 9.8 drill and I use those all the time. Since I don't have any other cordless tools my options are wide open for an impact as well as additional tools.

Most of my work would be automotive with other home projects second.

 

[Piles]

I am surprised they are good for rusted screws, I would have thought they would strip the heads easier than hand tools.

I have a 6 year old DeWalt 18v XRP and a really old Craftsman 9.8 drill and I use those all the time. Since I don't have any other cordless tools my options are wide open for an impact as well as additional tools.

Most of my work would be automotive with other home projects second.

I find they do not work well on extremely rusted screws. They do strip out. But that may be the old bits I am using, I plan on picking a good set up and seeing how they work compared to hand tools.

 

[lilscorpion]

I find they do not work well on extremely rusted screws. They do strip out. But that may be the old bits I am using, I plan on picking a good set up and seeing how they work compared to hand tools.

Bosch Phillips tips (t2602) have a grip to them that seem to hold onto screws best in my experience. They're my favorite.

 

[Piles]

Bosch Phillips tips (t2602) have a grip to them that seem to hold onto screws best in my experience. They're my favorite.

Nice, I will look into those some more. I want some that have the impact driver detent (or w/e that notch is called) so I can cut the length down. How well do they last? I know that Wera has a screwdriver that has that same pattern and guys say it wears out after about a dozen uses, is this the same? Not that bits are gonna break the bank, just curious.

 

[HTGTS350]

Ive just got onto the Milwaukee #2 Phillips impact bits and they seem to do a really good job.

 

[diesel research]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=hand&Group_ID=675105&store=snapon-store

 

[dtt454]

i work on heavy equipment, mine is just a dewalt 1/2" impact its good for anything under 1/2" bolts usually. i use it alot just had the battery packs rebuilt a month or two ago.

i understand the high end ones are better as far as torque. but i like the dewalt, ive dropped it numerous times and its lived so far. thing i like most about the dewalt is being able to use the same batteries in the sawzall. its an 18v i bet ive had it for 6 or 7 years

 

[Danglerb]

Most of the time if I can use a power tool, I will, exceptions being tasks where I need the control of a manual tool or a lot of umph.

 

[softailgarage]

3/8 Milwaukee M12 Impact when I'm restoring machinery, working on bike or truck, etc.
For 1/4" and screws, Milwaukee M12 screw gun. I have easily a dozen Milwaukee M12 cordless tools, one of my best investments ever.

 

[slowtwitch]

I use my impact gun on my cnc mill for tool changes...

 

[KEH]

To remove for sharpening or replace blades on large lawn mower. Also to change tires on equipment away from shop.

KEH

 

[F-Bobby]

Pretty much anything I can get it to work with. Stuff that I'm not afraid to round off. Engine bolts are a great one, Oil pans, trans pans, rear diff covers, you name it I've used it.

 

[Jeeper]

I recently bought the M12 fuel impact driver. I have a bit that can hold a 3/8" socket and I find I use it to spin bolts. Yesterday I changed the oil in the riding mower and i used the impact to remove one of side cup holder/storage bins.

I probably lose some power by using a bit over having the impact with the 3/8 anvil, but it works for most things you run into around the house without dragging around air lines. Also used it to change a battery in the wife's car. Makes things go fast.

 

[tjmonsen5]

1/2 ct6850 mainly for lug nuts and suspension work. i just picked up a ct4410 3/8 impact that i plan to use in the engine bay and on my jetskis.

 

[6-Speed]

I use my CM C3 1/2" impact wrench mostly for removing and installing lug nuts and suspension work (shocks, struts). They zip on lugs nuts so quickly; two or three hammers later they are loose enough that I can still use a torque wrench to further tighten the lug nuts their 80 lb-ft torque spec.

 

[jredmond1107]

I use my Makita 12v impact driver for small stuff, like someone said buzzing in an up sell in the parking lot, wouldn't recommend it for trans pans bc seems like ****** fluid melts the grip. I want the 12v Makita 3/8 impact next. Never really used a dewalt product, to me they just seem kind of crappy, although a few other techs have them, im not going to buy into it until I do some more research. I have a 3/8 matco 14.4v cordless, still trying to find a decent use for it, used it on batteries and some other engine stuff, but maybe I was just disappointed because I was expecting comparable performance to my IR 3/8 titanium air impact. is any 3/8 cordless impact on the market currently comparable in torque to the IR 3/8 titanium air impact? I have the Ingersoll W7150 use it mainly for lug nuts/axle nuts and some suspension bolts where it fits. anybody have experience w the Ingersoll w5130? I want it, but my tool guy tells me its not that impressive vs my Matco cordless 3/8. Maybe i'm being unrealistic. I want a cordless 3/8 w some nuts behind it, specifically w the capability to loosen most brake caliper mounting bracket/"saddle" bolts the way my IR 3/8 air gun does, with little difficulty. Any advice on THAT? not trying to hi-jack the thread just wondering

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Picked up a Dewalt 18v 1/4" hex impact around Black Friday for $99. Used it everyday working on equipment with my 1/4" & 3/8" impacts.
It's now out on warranty after the clutch bit the dust pulling a ton of 3/4" bolts out of a Case tractor. I may have overworked it a bit.

 

[kevinz]

I have Matco's 3/8 cordless impact, 1/4 cordless impact, and 1/2 cordless impact. All from the Infinium line and all are awesome. I always say this, DO NOT base your opinion on these guns on the first Infinium 3/8 cordless, it *****. I have the newer HO version and it's a lot better. Also have the 12v infinium screwdriver and both 1/4 and 3/8 cordless infinium ratchets.