Cordless impact tools

[SciFiJim]

My grown children have asked me what I want for my birthday. I need a cordless impact driver. I am trying to decide between DeWalt, Makita, or another brand like Rigid (Home Depot only). I have a mix of different brands for other cordless tools. I would like to keep it in the near $200 or under range. I will get my own lug sockets for it. It would be for occasional use in and around the house/garage. It needs to be powerful enough to do heavy jobs (like truck and SUV tires), but only occasionally. I would like recommendations on which to select. What have you had good/bad luck with? What would you buy again or never again?

[shell70634]

I bought a Craftsman because I had the drills that use the same batteries. I believe most of the impact drivers are close in quality and would base the decision on the other battery operated tools I have. Just my 2 cents.

Shelly

[dragon813gt]

A heavy job is not lug nuts. My brushless 18V Bosch has no issue w/ any and all lug nuts. But it doesn’t have the brute force that a DeWalt or Milwaukee have. I will never recommend anything Makita. I went w/ Bosch because it’s what all my other tools are and I care about weight because I fly w/ it. If I was going to buy one just for my house it would be SnapOn.

There’s quite a bit of difference between one sold at box big box stores and ones meant for vehicle mechanics. A good friend has a SnapOn and it’s smaller, lighter and more powerful than any sold at the big box stores.

[Moleman-]

I have the Milwaukee 18v stuff so I've got their 1/2" drill, 1/4" and 1/2" (medium torque) drivers. Takes lug nuts off truck rims with ease. It was $230 at HD a while back which is over your budget, but I had the drill and 1/4" impact for a couple years first and have been very happy with them. Check online as you're often able to find them cheaper. I'd lean towards whatever brand you'll end up with the most common batteries with.

[reloader28]

We have 2 Dewalt 1/2" impact wrenches and they have plenty of power

Comparing our Dewalt and Rigid screwguns, the Dewalts have way more torque.

[Finster101]

I use a lot of DeWalt every day as a dealership tech. DeWalt is sold by MAC tools and uses the same battery as the MAC stuff. I have to agree with going with your most common batteries. They tend to cost as much as the tools sometimes.

An edit to my post all of my DeWalt stuff is 20V Lithium Ion.

[tinsnips]

I use mostly Makita cordless tools in my business . Impacts last forever drill no so much. Makita and Dewalt are my favorites had trouble with Ridgit .

[bangerjim]

If it for only OCCASIONAL use, be sure the batteries are LiIon and not the other obsolete kinds. Lithium batteries are light, hold a charge almost forever, and recharge in 1 hour normally.

I have rid myself of all Dewalt, Craftsman, Ryobi, and Milwaukee, and other cordless tools and only use Bosch now in my company.

Check this:

https://www.tylertool.com/bosch-iwbh182b-18v-lithium-ion-brushless-1-2-in.-square-drive-impact-wrench--tool-only-/bshniwbh182b.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=722&zmap=bshniwbh182b&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2O7owdOR6wIVvD6tBh1eoQMkEAQYBSAB EgI5h_D_BwE

Excellent tool But does not include the 18v battery or charger. There are probably deals elsewhere that have all three items in a bundle.

I would never recommend anything but Bosch for day-to-day and occasional use! We can just grab a tool ANYTIME and the battery is good to go. Unlike other tools that are always dead when you need them! Only charge them when they go dead.....and lithium batteries quite stone cold dead. Lithium has no memory so they recharge for years.

Do your research on these battery systems!!!!!!! And avoid DeWalt like the China Virus.......bad tools these days.....especially the battery packs.

[reloader28]

I disagree Bangerjim. We have a trailer load of Dewalt tools and dont have a problem with them

[rcslotcar]

I also use Dewalt tools and keep the same battery platform. I have remodeled three family homes with these tools so far. The tools have preformed up to my expectations without any failures. It's the same old Ford,Chevy,Dodge favorite argument. BUT!!!!! for lug nuts I would get the heavy Milwaukee...

[StuBach]

I’m a Rigid fan. I’ve converted all my cordless tools and their warranty can’t be beat. I have two of their impact drivers and they’re phenomenal. Batteries are covered under warranty too and they are super easy to work with on getting them replaced. Under $200 you can get a drill plus driver combo set with two batteries.

18-Volt Brushless SubCompact Drill Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit with (2) 2.0 Ah Batteries, Charger and Bag

https://www.homedepot.com/p/312396773

[pmer]

My grown children have asked me what I want for my birthday. I need a cordless impact driver. I am trying to decide between DeWalt, Makita, or another brand like Rigid (Home Depot only). I have a mix of different brands for other cordless tools. I would like to keep it in the near $200 or under range. I will get my own lug sockets for it. It would be for occasional use in and around the house/garage. It needs to be powerful enough to do heavy jobs (like truck and SUV tires), but only occasionally. I would like recommendations on which to select. What have you had good/bad luck with? What would you buy again or never again?

If you really want one for lug nuts keep an eye on the torque rating, you'll want a bigger bodied one. That will more closely match the power of an air impact.

[cat-mechanic]

I went with Milwaukee, For a short time I used Porter Cable through Lowes. But I needed a small screwdriver type and it worked to tide me over. Then work offered me a tool allowance, So I spent it on Milwaukee. Find the Jersey Discount Tools App and put it on your phone. He had about the best price and if you have any problems he'll help you get them taken care of.

I have also bought from Ohio Power Tool. They run some decent sales as well. Like free batteries or tools with certain tool groups. So in the end you get more of a value.

I have been happy with Milwaukee so far and won't hesitate to buy them again.

[Mal Paso]

I have the Milwaukee 1400 ftlb one, totally awesome but may be more than you need. It is heavy but beats almost all Air Wrenches for power and No Compressor. Bare tool was $225 at HD, kits are over $400 but I found a 5AH battery for $50 and had a charger.

I also use a 1/4" Makita Impact driver. I tore down the last Subaru engine with it as well as driving construction screws.

[Finster101]

If you really want one for lug nuts keep an eye on the torque rating, you'll want a bigger bodied one. That will more closely match the power of an air impact.

Definitely agree with this. You will also notice improved performance using 4ah batteries on the larger tools as well.

[Conditor22]

Makita pioneered cordless are pioneers in the industry. many of the others will work but for industrial/commercial day-in/day-out I've always gone with Makita.


I'd ask them to buy me an 18 volt set --18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit for everything but lugnuts

and an 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 3-Speed 1/2" Sq. Drive Impact Wrench, Tool Only for lugnuts - this tool is faster than my pneumatic and electric impact drivers

You could say it's kind of like Chevy/Ford/Dodge debate--- they all work, what feels/looks best for you [of course chevy is the best :) )

[Sig]

Makita hands down for me. Been using them for 35 years.

[shooterg]

Are ANY of the above USA made ?

[megasupermagnum]

Are ANY of the above USA made ?

Dewalt is, kinda. I get to use Dewalt and Milwaukee tools on a daily basis, and unfortunately, Milwaukee tools are superior in nearly every instance. The Dewalt tools seem as strong as far as performance goes, but do not hold up to abuse as long. The big let down is the Dewalt batteries are always dead. I don't know what it is, but you can leave a fully charged tool sit on the bench, and it will be dead in the morning. Not every tool does this, but many of them.

Milwaukee on the other hand is 100% Chineese. I say it with guilt that Milwaukee is the superior brand. They are not infallible, they get broken all the time in our shop, but they will hold up to outrageous abuse. I've only smoked one drill myself, and I was drilling a 1" hole. The 1/2" impact is top of the line, no question about it. I bought my own 5 years ago, so things may have changed, but at the time they offered a few models, so keep an eye on the specs. At that time, the ring lock model was the strongest (for some reason the detent version was weaker), something like 1200 ft lb in reverse, and I believe it. This tool is stronger than any 1/2" impact I have ever used before, and that includes Snap on pneumatic. Lug nuts on anything are no problem.

Makita is also Chineese. Their niche seems to be more for construction, carpentry, something like that. Their tools are definitely lighter duty, but they are lighter as well. The guy screwing up sheet rock every day will be better suited to the lighter Makita rather than the heavy Milwaukee.

[bangerjim]

That was our big gripe about DeWalt..................the horrible performance of the battery packs! Total garbage.

Every time one the of my guys went to use one, the darned battery was stone cold dead!!!!!! Every......single......time! And these were not old batteries. Just poor design lousy quality NiMH batteries! There IS a definite difference in rechargeable battery technology, and it goes a lot deeper than just NICad or NiMH or LiIon technology.

I picked up a Bosch 18V drill the other day after not being charged since January 2020 and it took right off with full power and drilled 10ea) 3/4 holes in some 4x4 pine timbers. Still going, but I put it on the charger anyway.

FORD Fix Or Repair Daily or in this case Dewalt.

[45workhorse]

Reading with interest! But would like one made in USA!
I thought FORD, was FIRST ON RACE DAY! :bigsmyl2:

[megasupermagnum]

I should qualify my statement that I'm talking about the 20V Max Dewalt, 18V Milwaukee, and 18V Makita series tools. All three are lithium ion batteries.


Also, the Milwaukee Hackzall just might be the handiest saw that was ever created. It serves great as a two handed hack saw, flip it around for a jig saw, and being able to use it one handed is a boon.

[frkelly74]

I do like my Rigid impact tool. It will drive 5" screws into treated posts until I let up on the trigger. I have not tried it on lug nuts. It is 1/4" hex shaft screw driver bit drive and I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch socket adapters. I have been using it pretty regularly for more than 4 years and it is still going strong on its original batteries, which are lifetime guarantee if you register them. I plan to test that when necessary.

[Jsm180]

I have this one. https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF899HB-Brushless-Torque-Impact/dp/B00WTQW7JA/ref=sr_1_5?crid=39CPT05TD9Q45&dchild=1&keywords=dewalt+20v+impact+driver&qid=1597106327&sprefix=dewalt+20v+im%2Caps%2C299&sr=8-5

If it quit tomorrow, I'd buy another just like it. Also have a 20v 3/8 drive and a 12v 1/4 drive. All my cordless tools are Dewalt, they get used daily but not abused and hold up well.

[AK Caster]

I went with 18V Milwaukee and glad I did. Previously owned a Dewalt electric and it was supposed to loosen the lugs on my truck, but didn't. Then I bought a nice compressor so I could go air. Soon got sick and tired of the noise and hauling hoses around everywhere. Started off with the larger 1/2 in Mil and it would loosen any nut found. Next bought its little brother.
The freedom of hoses is worth it alone. Finally bought a Mil power ratchet.
Pick a brand and stick with it then the batteries will interchange.

[Mal Paso]

It takes a big air compressor to run an air wrench without stopping to wait for the compressor to catch up. That Milwaukee 18v is more powerful than any air wrench I've owned and it hasn't run out of power in the middle of a job yet.

[MT Gianni]

I used one for 12 years for large meter and pipeline flange tear-down. Started with an 18 V Dewalt and went to a 20 V the last upgrade. In use 2-3 hours a day, from May to Oct I went through two tools in 12 years. I bought the 20 V when I upgraded to 20 V drills after 10 years. 6 months later they had a 18 V adapter to use a 20 V. My torque specs rarely exceeded 150 ft lbs, but I had a lot of flanges that had not been worked in decades.
In 10 years I used the three 18 V batteries that came with the tools. They stayed in my truck 12 months a year in temps from -30 to +90. I did loose one battery when I burned up a drill causing me to up to 20 V. The 18 V tool retired with me and still works.

[Conditor22]

Reading with interest! But would like one made in USA!
I thought FORD, was FIRST ON RACE DAY! :bigsmyl2:

or "Found On the Road Dead", or Fix Or Repair Daily [smilie=s:

[bangerjim]

We should really not be bashing FORD. The ratings companies have found that 85% of all fords made since 1999 are still on the road. The other 15% actually made it home!

[Drm50]

My first impact was sears corded 110v and it was as big as the old 1/2 drills. Then got a Makita 18v because my buddy was working at Nava Star ( IH) in dept that fixed glitches after trucks were inspected. They had Makita Impacts. It worked fine till one morning I dropped it off a 3story building onto the side walk, lucky job had to be done on Sunday, no foot traffic. Needed another fast to finish job and I have most all battery tools replaced with Dewalt 20v , so that’s what I bought. Now running all DeWalt 20v batteries.

[mattw]

I have owned Bosch 12 and 18 volt units from day one. Don't have a reason to use anything else and they have been awesome. CPO Outlet has great deals on kits and factory Bosch refurb units. I usually pick up a refurb without batteries as I already have the batteries.

[MaryB]

Have a no name Menards special($79!). I was amazed, it will break the lug nuts loose on a pickup! For my light duty use it is fine. I use it more for driving lag bolts than for mechanic work.