advice on impact wrenches?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
I just bought a Milwaukie 18V one, its spec'd at 450 lbs of torque, its listed as the High Torque model.....i will try it out when its not so cold, because id like something i could toss in one of the trucks in case i need to change a tire while on the road.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 8
as a strictly backyard guy, i absolutely LOVE my 120v gun from canadian tire, bought on sale for about $120.00, if i remember correctly.
there is no adjustment on it, but it works wonderfully for wheel lug nuts ... no more wheeling the little compressor out of the shed, unravelling the air hose, unwinding the electric cord, oiling the tool, waiting for the compressor to fill up (several times, for 4 wheels).
as we know, tire shops are famous for overtightening lug nuts, and my amateur air set-up often wasn't up to the task. this electric gun hasn't failed yet (but i have only owned it 6 months).
there is no adjustment on it, but it works wonderfully for wheel lug nuts ... no more wheeling the little compressor out of the shed, unravelling the air hose, unwinding the electric cord, oiling the tool, waiting for the compressor to fill up (several times, for 4 wheels).
as we know, tire shops are famous for overtightening lug nuts, and my amateur air set-up often wasn't up to the task. this electric gun hasn't failed yet (but i have only owned it 6 months).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I'm looking into buying a cordless 3/8" or 1/4" small impact/driver in the next few weeks for general shop use. Any recommendations? I've looked at what Matco has to offer, but still not completely sure what I'll get.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Matco and Snap On both offer pretty awesome sounding cordless impacts--at least on paper AND before the price is considered. 
From what I see at shops I visit for work most last a good long while---and they're not babied at all.
Personally I'd look to Milwaukee in the M18 range---in fact depending on what you'll be using it for the M12 Fuel stuff is pretty amazing. I'm using the "older" M12 and its unbelievably great for its purpose. Battery life is just not to be believed.
As much as I detest DeWalt in general they have a few great designs, their XRP batteries also of very long life between charges---a good choice if the budget is a prime factor.
Purchasing either brand is probably most affordable through eBay or Amazon---just make sure whoever's selling them is authorized by Milwaukee/Dewalt otherwise you're SOL on warranty coverage.
HTH
From what I see at shops I visit for work most last a good long while---and they're not babied at all. Personally I'd look to Milwaukee in the M18 range---in fact depending on what you'll be using it for the M12 Fuel stuff is pretty amazing. I'm using the "older" M12 and its unbelievably great for its purpose. Battery life is just not to be believed.
As much as I detest DeWalt in general they have a few great designs, their XRP batteries also of very long life between charges---a good choice if the budget is a prime factor.
Purchasing either brand is probably most affordable through eBay or Amazon---just make sure whoever's selling them is authorized by Milwaukee/Dewalt otherwise you're SOL on warranty coverage.
HTH
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Matco and Snap On both offer pretty awesome sounding cordless impacts--at least on paper AND before the price is considered. From what I see at shops I visit for work most last a good long while---and they're not babied at all.
Personally I'd look to Milwaukee in the M18 range---in fact depending on what you'll be using it for the M12 Fuel stuff is pretty amazing. I'm using the "older" M12 and its unbelievably great for its purpose. Battery life is just not to be believed.
As much as I detest DeWalt in general they have a few great designs, their XRP batteries also of very long life between charges---a good choice if the budget is a prime factor.
Purchasing either brand is probably most affordable through eBay or Amazon---just make sure whoever's selling them is authorized by Milwaukee/Dewalt otherwise you're SOL on warranty coverage.
HTH
From what I see at shops I visit for work most last a good long while---and they're not babied at all. Personally I'd look to Milwaukee in the M18 range---in fact depending on what you'll be using it for the M12 Fuel stuff is pretty amazing. I'm using the "older" M12 and its unbelievably great for its purpose. Battery life is just not to be believed.
As much as I detest DeWalt in general they have a few great designs, their XRP batteries also of very long life between charges---a good choice if the budget is a prime factor.
Purchasing either brand is probably most affordable through eBay or Amazon---just make sure whoever's selling them is authorized by Milwaukee/Dewalt otherwise you're SOL on warranty coverage.
HTH
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Personally I'd look to Milwaukee in the M18 range---in fact depending on what you'll be using it for the M12 Fuel stuff is pretty amazing. I'm using the "older" M12 and its unbelievably great for its purpose. Battery life is just not to be believed.
As much as I detest DeWalt in general they have a few great designs, their XRP batteries also of very long life between charges---a good choice if the budget is a prime factor.
Purchasing either brand is probably most affordable through eBay or Amazon---just make sure whoever's selling them is authorized by Milwaukee/Dewalt otherwise you're SOL on warranty coverage.
As much as I detest DeWalt in general they have a few great designs, their XRP batteries also of very long life between charges---a good choice if the budget is a prime factor.
Purchasing either brand is probably most affordable through eBay or Amazon---just make sure whoever's selling them is authorized by Milwaukee/Dewalt otherwise you're SOL on warranty coverage.
I'll check them out. Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
My old Snap On 3'8 cordless recently died . I am going with Dewalt for a replacement . I did a bit of research before deciding .I love my Snap on , But...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Thanks for the input. I'll have to look at all of my options. Report back with what you buy!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I got a 19.2v craftsman 1/2" impact almost 2 months ago. I think it was about $200. I've been happy with it so far. It's got plenty of power, and also works well with a 3/8" adapter for smaller applications. Oh, and it came with 2 batteries which is a big plus.
New User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Two batteries is a big plus for sure,and for $200 you can't go wrong hope it works good for you for a long time
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Yeah, hope it'll last. Seems pretty good so far. No issue breaking truck lugs loose and stuff, but definitely not as strong as an air gun.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
Well, I went to do some work on the truck yesterday... I recently installed an Ingersoll Rand 60 Gallon compressor in my shop, so it was time to put it to work. I have a cheap set of air tools that have been in my box for years in the hopes I would one day have a compressor capable of powering them.
They're a CH Standard duty. Figured they'd do the job till I could afford something better. When I worked at Ford the guys starting out were running Chicago Pneumatics and the bulk of the seasoned guys were using snap-on. I had hoped to get something along those lines ONE DAY.
Well my piece of crap CH wouldn't even take the lugnuts off, even at the highest setting with the psi cranked over the "recommended" setting. I broke them loose with a breaker bar, and they were right around the 100ft/lb mark...
It will make a good hammer but that's about it... I don't usually cheap out on tools, and this proves YET AGAIN why....
They're a CH Standard duty. Figured they'd do the job till I could afford something better. When I worked at Ford the guys starting out were running Chicago Pneumatics and the bulk of the seasoned guys were using snap-on. I had hoped to get something along those lines ONE DAY.
Well my piece of crap CH wouldn't even take the lugnuts off, even at the highest setting with the psi cranked over the "recommended" setting. I broke them loose with a breaker bar, and they were right around the 100ft/lb mark...
It will make a good hammer but that's about it... I don't usually cheap out on tools, and this proves YET AGAIN why....
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
You can't beat a Ingersoll Rand impact wrench for air tools.I have one that's 20 years old & still works good. I use Milwaukee m12 for my cordless tools great power & battery life. I want a 12 inch m18 impact next
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