Which Impact Tool

[hoagster]

I'm looking at buying a battery powered impact tool for working around the house and carrying with me when I travel with my travel trailer. When traveling, I would use it for lug nuts, when at home I would use it for lug nuts, ball joint removal, hard to remove bolts, etc... I've looked at several and would like to know if one with 750ftlbs removing/450ftlbs tightening or one with 1000ftlbs removing and tightening would be a good all around tool?

My DeWalt 1/4 inch 20v impact driver removed the pinion nut on my rear end without a struggle and I couldn't move by hand even putting the jack extension on the rachet. I have had it for 4 plus years never a hiccup.

 

[TotalyHucked]

A 1/4" impact removed a pinion nut!? Holy stout batman!

 

[hoagster]

A 1/4" impact removed a pinion nut!? Holy stout batman!

Yea I was waiting for the 3/8th adapter to explode and it didn't!

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Don't remember the exact specs on the metabo 1/2 cordless impact gun I have, but it's 18V and can be charged up completely in 30 minutes or less. It takes care of the lug nuts on my 8 lug trucks and I've used it at the wrecking yard too, pulling wheels. The battery detaches and slides onto the charger.
I got it, a battery and the charger for $65 on closeout at Lowe's a few years ago, because they were discontinuing this model. I've been really happy with it, battery life is good too. I kept in behind the rear seat in my CCLB, now it's going in the ccsb in the same location.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I only use Milwaukee because I got some MIlwaukee tools for my wedding and only want one battery lol.

Now I'm locked into this strange brand loyalty that really only centers on outlet space.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I’ve been happy with my Hercules impact. You could probably get the big dog, smaller 1/2” and 3/8” impact for the price of just one of the Milwaukee impacts.

 

[89Suburban]

I bought this 3 years ago and it kicks azz. Very powerful, battery life is very good as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D61NSUS/

 

[Grit dog]

My DeWalt 1/4 inch 20v impact driver removed the pinion nut on my rear end without a struggle and I couldn't move by hand even putting the jack extension on the rachet. I have had it for 4 plus years never a hiccup.

Ha I’ve done some stuf out of the league of a hex impact driver, but not anything like that!
But the little 18v Milwaukee hex driver will snap any socket adapters at will in my experience. They have some snort for sure. Just no good way to let it eat reliably without a stick of adapters.
I could really kinda use an in betweener like a 3/8 stubby impact.

 

[Ricko1966]

I'm 70 and as I get older my strength has diminished along with my age. I mainly looking for one to remove lug nuts and rusty bolts, use on changing the ball joints in my 02 Silverado 4x4 and to be portable while traveling. I haven't looked into whether the batteries are interchangeable between the 3/8" and 1/2" Milwaukee.

If you already have a 18v Milwaukee 3/8 then I'd follow it up with an 18v Milwaukee 1/2 drive. Other than that if you don't have an 18v Milwaukee already. I'd look at a higher tier 18V Ryobi,buy it local take it home,test it,if it works for your needs keep it. Here's the thing about Ryobi. When they changed to Lithium they made their batteries backwards compatible,plug and play. What this means is garage sale,pawn shop etc old Ryobi tools will work with your new Ryobi batteries. Another nice thing about Ryobi. Once a year they have a sale buy 2 batteries get a free tool. I had a DeWalt Kit, I have some Milwaukee,Rigid,Kobalt and Craftsman,even some Snap On. I run most everything on Ryobi batteries now ,and slowly am replacing everything with Ryobi. I made corded batteries,and made adapters,Ryobi has battery management in the battery for compatibility with NiCad tools.Everyone else betrayed me and wanted to force me to buy a new tool to go lithium.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Most of my stuff is Ryobi, I've considered trying their 1/2 impact as well when the time comes. I may do that, buy it at HD and see how I like it and return it if it's not powerful enough

 

[xm20k]

What he said ^^^^^
M18 Fuel. 1000 ft. lb.
Friend has one and it's a beast but not cheap.

M18™ FUEL™ w/ ONE-KEY™ High Torque 1/2” Impact Wrench with Friction Ring | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18™ FUEL™ w/ ONE-KEY™ High Torque 1/2” Impact Wrench with Friction Ring provides the Most Powerful, Most Compact, and the Most Repeatable Impact Wrench in the industry

www.milwaukeetool.com

That's what mine is. It's not the beast that my air Ingersoll is but as a portable it's the best one I've ever used.

EDIT MINES THIS VERTION

M18 FUEL™ 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring Kit | Milwaukee Tool

The MILWAUKEE® M18 FUEL™ ½” High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring Kit includes the most power-dense impact wrench in its class.

www.milwaukeetool.com

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Daron58]

I have a Ridged 1/2” & 3/8 bit driver along with the drill Ridgid warranties the tool forever and if you register the batteries on their website they will warranty them too but you have to register within 90 days of purchase FWIW good luck

 

[custodian]

Lots of good info given, Thanks.

 

[peats]

I've been very impressed with my Earthquake XT 1/2" impact from Hobo Freight. It's done everything I've ever asked it to. Unfortunately they discontinued the battery Earthquake XT line (I got mine on the discontinued/open box table) so once my batteries die, I do plan to get a Milwaukee M18 1/2". All name brand 1/2s are fairly expensive so might as well go with the best

You might be able to get a battery adapter and keep using your impact after the original batteries die.

 

[Ricko1966]

You might be able to get a battery adapter and keep using your impact after the original batteries die.

Keep in mind with the adapters you have to know where the battery management is. Is the battery management in the tool,or Is the battery management in the battery. So you have a tool with no battery management in the tool and you adapt a battery with no management in the battery,now you have no battery management at all. Why does it matter? No control or safety over discharge rate and discharge volts. Outcome,possible ruined batteries or batteries on fire. I have a lot expierience with this, been adapting tool batteries for at least 10 years. Smoked 2 batteries in the learning curve.