Cordless Impact Wrenches - help me choose

[AZ89two4Tsx]

So I want to get my dad a cordless impact for his birthday that's coming up and was wondering what you guys use. I don't want to buy any junk, so no harbor freight stuff please.

We already have a couple Craftsman 19.2 volt cordless stuff and they just came out with a 1/2 Impact so I was leaning towards that one because the batteries would be interchangeable. Also, the lithium and alkaline battery packs can be interchanged, which is a MAJOR plus.

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Any other better suggestions? I know I can't go wrong with Snap On, but I don't think we'd be using it enough to justify the cost. Dewalt and Milwaukee seem to be good as well. It's just going to be for normal DIY projects/removing wheels.

[numbnuts240]

dewalt/milwaukke > craftsman

[mdawg4x4]

Makita BTW251
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Too ... x?ID=24029

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I researched the bejesus out of cordless drills, and settled on Makita's 18V LXT offering...great drill.

So I bought Makita's 18V cordless impact. The big b**** (BTW450). It's heavy. But godalmighty, it gets the job done.

I like the battery-matching idea. Unless it turns out that the Craftsman one is total crap (it may be).

[numbnuts240]

craftsman impact drivers aren't bad, but there are better options out there. if you're really concerned about battery swapping, go for the craftsman, it won't disappoint. but me personally, i'd be looking at different brands (i tend to try and get the creme de la creme when i buy power tools. why? because i'm vain like that).

[tmeyer29]

I have has a craftsman 19.2 for about 3 years and I love it. Although that is biased because I have never used anything else.

[flohtingPoint]

I have the Dewalt 300ft/lbs impact and use it constantly. It's my lug nut tool for events so it gets a massive amount of use throughout the year. I've also run this tool over with a car by accident and it still functions. Highly recommend this device.

[nissangirl74]

DEWALT. /thread

[AZhitman]

I loooooove my Dewalt.

Same price as the Craftsman if you buy it refurbished.

I abuse the piss out of it, have had it for 5 years, and it's SO awesome. A charge lasts forEVER.

[gmac708]

I really like the Dewalt stuff, but if you have a bunch of the craftman stuff and extra batteries...I'd say stick with that.
It seems that every year something better or bigger comes along. The older stuff just gets tossed out. I got a bunch of old Makita stuff, drills and lights, but no batteries. They all died. Same with the Dewalt stuff, had 18Volt last couple of years but just got the new 12 volt lithium-Ion that is crazy powerful and compact.

I would say look for the best "bang for the buck" but realize that it's probably going to get tossed in a few years because the cordless batteries don't last, and the newer stuff might not be compatible.

btw. very cool thing to get your dad

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Well, I guess I'll get the craftsman and see how it goes. I'll probably pick up the driver and a lithium battery or two, and the charger that goes with it. It seems the lithium charger also charges the alkaline batteries as well, so that's cool. We just somehow have accumulated Craftsman stuff because it's always on sale on Black Friday...

If it sucks I'll definitely return it and get a Dewalt. I've never had a bad experience with their stuff either. And price isn't a big factor so I wouldn't mind spending a few extra bucks.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Dattebayo]

DeWalts are ok if you don't mind putting alot down for new batteries in a couple months... Makita is better for wear and tear, but the batteries are the same way, I love the hell out of Milwaukees because they have service centers everywhere, but I found the best bang for the buck is Rigid. I can't find a really powerful one tho...

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I always thought of Ridgid of being more as a woodworking and plumbing tool brand. I've never seen much in the way of automotive/metal work.

[PoorManQ45]

I am trying to figure out when you would need a cordless impact gun.

I've never been in a situation where either an electrical outlet or a pneumatic line weren't available.

[PEZi]

i have several craftsman tools that use the interchangeable batteries.... they have done everything i've asked of them so far on the truck project

[PEZi]

I am trying to figure out when you would need a cordless impact gun.

I've never been in a situation where either an electrical outlet or a pneumatic line weren't available.

at the track....

[flohtingPoint]

DeWalts are ok if you don't mind putting alot down for new batteries in a couple months...

3 years I've had mine, same two batteries that came with it and I use the thing a TON. Just about everyone on the grid has a Dewalt. You're quite misinformed.

[poems2beats]

I got a Snap On 1/2 in. cordless impact gun as a grad present . I looooveee it! Pure sex. I know Snap On tools are pricey but I think there worth it.

[Red coupe]

I am trying to figure out when you would need a cordless impact gun.

I've never been in a situation where either an electrical outlet or a pneumatic line weren't available.

at the track....

Yup.

But also nice to pick the thing up, go do work, then put it back... rather then running and coiling cord constantly while attempting to snake it through the shop/garage to where your working.

We actually almost never use the pneumatic impact at the shop. Granted we don't have an amazing compressor... But any compressor is at least a little annoying, and not having the weight, space and routing hassles of a cord/hose ranges from convent to down right nessisary... If nothing else, one less thing to annoy you when that mother f*** piece of s*** transmission wont slip into the god damn flywheel even though you lined everything up perfect because the stupid alignment tool's manufacturing tolerances are s*** compared to the real input shaft and you have been trying to get the f*** thing in for over and hour and you just want to open a beer and call it a night.

[AZhitman]

^ This.

There's rarely air or electricity available in the pits at any NASA / SCCA event I've been to (unless you're parked next to someone with a generator). Same at the dragstrip.

I take mine to the junkyard for quicker stripping of parts. Big Dewalt blows through a car like nothing.

[PoorManQ45]

I take mine to the junkyard for quicker stripping of parts. Big Dewalt blows through a car like nothing.

That's what I was thinking. I usually take my little 18v dewalt impact driver(not gun!) to the junkyard. I'll break thing loose with a hammer and breaker bar then spin them off with the impact driver. Quick enough for me

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Yeah, they're definitely super handy.

Junkyard expeditions are going to be MUCH more fun now. Trying to get old suspension parts off with just a breaker bar can really suck.

[Red coupe]

There's rarely air or electricity available in the pits at any NASA / SCCA event I've been to (unless you're parked next to someone with a generator).

California Speedway has air lines coming out of the wall in the paddock
Which is good, because that god damn track is cursed and you are sure to need some heavy duty air tools.

[Dattebayo]

DeWalts are ok if you don't mind putting alot down for new batteries in a couple months...

3 years I've had mine, same two batteries that came with it and I use the thing a TON. Just about everyone on the grid has a Dewalt. You're quite misinformed.

I wouldn't say that. Maybe you don't use yours a lot or have to push the operation to it's limits much. All I can say is everyone in my line of work agrees with me here...

And you can't deny their batteries are expensive.

[ADDirishboy]

DEWALT. /thread

This.

My dad owns a cabinetry company, and has used Dewalts for years. They are my personal favorite drill manufacturer.

[flohtingPoint]

And you can't deny their batteries are expensive.

Cant tell you, in the three years I've owned my DeWalt I've never had to buy a battery. Maybe you dont treat yours right or leave it in the cold all the time or dont charge it properly or generally mess it up.

[PoorManQ45]

DEWALT. /thread

This.

My dad owns a cabinetry company, and has used Dewalts for years. They are my personal favorite drill manufacturer.

This should be modified slightly. ~<2006 model Dewalts are awesome. Their quality of parts has decreased from what it used to be.

[AZhitman]

There's rarely air or electricity available in the pits at any NASA / SCCA event I've been to (unless you're parked next to someone with a generator).

California Speedway has air lines coming out of the wall in the paddock
Which is good, because that god damn track is cursed and you are sure to need some heavy duty air tools.

You think that's cool, you HAVE to make a trip to Miller. You, of all people, would totally appreciate it.

Seriously. Best racing facility in the US in my opinion. Paddocks are unreal.

[AZhitman]

And you can't deny their batteries are expensive.

Cant tell you, in the three years I've owned my DeWalt I've never had to buy a battery. Maybe you dont treat yours right or leave it in the cold all the time or dont charge it properly or generally mess it up.

Same here - I've had mine for 5 years, one battery, and the damn thing holds a charge ridiculously long.

Like I said, I abuse it like crazy.

[Red coupe]

California Speedway has air lines coming out of the wall in the paddock
Which is good, because that god damn track is cursed and you are sure to need some heavy duty air tools.

You think that's cool, you HAVE to make a trip to Miller. You, of all people, would totally appreciate it.

Seriously. Best racing facility in the US in my opinion. Paddocks are unreal.

I was there for NASA nationals a couple months ago.

Very nice place indeed, all the rented shops in the back of the paddocs are awesome... would be an awesome place to set up a race shop.

But we didn't have a building, just out on the pavement... and someone exploded SOME kinda motor or wireing harness (starter or alternator most likely) where we set up... so we were picking 1/8 to 1/4 inch scraps of small but stiff copper wire out of our backs all week.

I actually put on a jacket I was wearing there a week or two ago and got poked in the neck again. Its like a souvenir, but more painful.