Which battery powered impact wrench should I buy

[def38]

I'm going to buy an battery impact wrench, likely a 1/2" drive model for use on the tractor (most everything else is wrenchable with 3/8" drive tools). However, I am not certain what to buy so, I need your help. Here are my guidelines;

1- I wrench only ocassionally so, I don't need a commercial grade tool.
2- I'm an old guy so, I would like a lightweight model.
3- I would like to be able to get into tight places.
4- I have a bunch of B&D 12VDC battery paks used on their yard tools.
5- Max torque in the mid range (200 lb. ft. is adequate).

So, what do you advise? Thank you in advance.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Dewalt brand seems to be choice for light duty for homeowners and a few professionals that use them to drive lag bolts etc. I dont own any battery powered impacts other than 1/4 nut driver stuff. I use 110v and pneumatic plus the little 20V Craftsman impact nut driver which does all the small stuff that I have.

 

[kevinj]

I have Milwaukee M18 fuel tools but you said light.

Battery tools are heavier than air tools.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have Makita cordless tools including the 1/2" impact wrench. With a 3 amp-hour battery it is light. I regularly use it for lug nuts on vehicles, trailers.

 

[4570Man]

I have the all the Dewalt impacts, the 1/4 bit driver, the 3/8 drive impact, the medium size 1/2 impact and the 1/2 full size one. The 3/8 is my most used one but it fall short of 200 FP of toque. The medium one is rated for like 350 FP but that might be pretty generous. It falls short of breaking loose bolts pretty often. The full size 1/2 breaks loose most bolts and when it can’t I can’t do any better with a 24” breaker bar. The Dewalt 1/2 is as good as most electric impacts. The big Milwaukee ones are the only ones that beat it. I keep a 3/4 socket set with a breaker bar and 4’ pipe in my vehicle for the tough bolts.

 

[woody]

I have Milwaukee M18 fuel tools but you said light.

Battery tools are heavier than air tools.

I also have the Milwaukee and it is adjustable so as not to put things back together to tight. Was using a craftsman 1/2 in drive 19.2 volt and found some lug nuts to be just to much for it so I switched to the Milwaukee and keep it in my truck. stopped just the other day and help someone change a tire. I believe the craftsman is 300 lb ft.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I've used them all and the Milwaukee M18 is the best

 

[RickB]

I've used them all and the Milwaukee M18 is the best

And yet Dewalt, Snap On and many other brands still sell.

 

[Darryle]

Milwaukee and Ryobi are under the same corporate umbrella.

I have a complete set of Porter Cable cordless tools, impacts and hammer drills too, they work

 

[MickeyDBC]

I have a machine shop and we use a lot of battery impact guns for fixturing parts and have found that Makita batteries last MUCH longer than any other ones that I have tried. Finally trashed the ones that came with a couple of impact guns that I bought in 2008 (impact guns look like **** but still work) and the new batteries seem to be even higher quality. Bought a couple of Dewalt guns and extra batteries on a Christmas special and they did not last much over a year. Dewalt corded tools are great but their batteries suck.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I'm in the Ridgid camp. Lifetime warranty on both tools and batteries. I have their impact gun and it has loosened every bolt I have thrown at it, axle nuts etc.

 

[chim]

I've used them all and the Milwaukee M18 is the best

Actually, it was tied with the DeWalt 899. Here's a thread from last year. Skip to post# 74 for a real life side by side.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/408301-snapon-brand-question-vs-others-8.html

 

[Roadworthy]

If weight is an issue I respectfully suggest an electric cord powered impact wrench or an air tool. If going battery powered you should probably get an eighteen or twenty volt unit. I like DeWalt power tools but I think Ridgid brand offers a lifetime warranty on their batteries.

 

[oosik]

I have a DeWalt 1/2" corded impact driver. Also - Makita cordless impact driver. I use the Makita for all my various wood screws.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a contractor and I use my cordless tools every day. When not on a job, I'm doing something on the farm, so it's a rare day that I don't use a tool for something. I started out as a big fan of DeWalt, and Milwaukee, but they didn't hold up very well and DeWalt kept changing their batteries. The good thing about DeWalt is that everyone carries them, so you can go to any Ace Hardware out in the country and find DeWalt tools. I still buy them when I'm desperate to do a job and willing to buy anything that's available.

Most of the time I'm on jobs by myself, but sometimes there are other contractors there doing something. Most of them have DeWalt. Easily the most popular brand out there. 100% of the guys that I've let use one of my Makita tools when they had an issue, have commented on how much nicer they are. I also think that you can "feel" the difference when using them.

My Dad is 84 years old and the last couple of years he has lost a lot of strength. He still wants to go out into the woods and cut firewood, but he's just not able to start a chainsaw anymore. So when it's cool enough outside, he takes the Mule out to fallen trees and limbs them for me using a Milwaukee M12 Sawzall that is super lightweight and easy to handle. He has a couple of pruning blades and just the one battery. It lasts as long as he can, and when the battery is dead, he calls it a day.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-Batteries-Charger-Tool-Bag-2420-21/202311908

Makita doesn't make anything lightweight like the M12, which was a big factor in buying it. The battery is a bit challenging for him to get out, but he's figured it out with a pair of channel lock pliers. For his limited use, it's proven to be a very useful tool.

Home Depot sells both Makita and Milwaukee. I would suggest going there and putting hands on both brands.

One thing that I have run into recently is empty shelves for tools. I needed another router for some doors that I was building and my local Home Depot and Lowes where both sold out. Closest Home Depot with one was 100 miles away, and closes Lowes with one was 60 miles away.

 

[WranglerX]

For me, I try to stay withing a "battery system" I already own.... Heavily into DeWalt 18 volt XRP batteries.... IF I change a "battery systems" it means about $800 - $1000 worth of tools that become dinosaurs... And probably cost me about $1500 to step up to replace all my old system batteries and tools to go with new LION batteries.... Just a random thought but mix and try to match batteries to different tools is a nightmare when focus is on trying to get something running and not having to worry of batteries for tool "X" is charged or not.... Most likely if you have a "odd" tool and you need it, it will be the one with a "dead" battery...

Yeah I know the arguments again older DeWalt tools but they all work for me as I am a low end user..... But have been greatly surprised with my DeWalt 1/4 impact driver (DC825) as it has successfully work well with badly rusted bolts and nuts up to 1/2 inch... And amazingly enough this socket driver set has been wonderful addition to the 1/4 inch driver...

Hex Shank Socket Driver Set, 3 Pc.

Its also amazing to watch the "car shows" on the tube and how many shops are using the 1/4 inch impact drivers...

Dale

 

[dantaylor]

I am 73 years old and use the Milwaukee Fuel M16 Battery Impact, the weight is no problem. For me the battery lasts a long while. I have it in my truck in order to possibly change a flat tire. I have an Milwaukee electric Impact that is heavy but will loosen anything that I have come across. In the past and now I try to buy something that will do the job and that will hopefully last my lifetime.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Got to comparing weights. The Makita 1/2" cordless impact wrench I use for 95% of my needs weighs 3 1/4 lbs no battery. The Ingersoll Rand 800 ft/lb air impact I use for the other 5% weighs about 4 lbs. The m18 Milwaukee cordless weighs 5.9lbs no battery.

Around here DeWalt cordless tools are what almost all the trades use. But our town home development in Sacramento recently did a million dollar upgrade on siding and trim. The contractor was using exclusively Makita cordless except for a cordless DeWalt framing nailer. Not an extension cord or air compressor to be seen.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just got a battery pack back from Ridged Lifetime warranty. Internal documentation suggests a limited warranty. 90 Day and 3 year limited warranty. What gives? Are they renegging on the lifetime warranty?

 

[chim]

Had a host of DeWalt 18V tools and when they brought out the 20V Max, our company ran a great trade-in program. I didn't trade a few of the lesser-used 18V tools. I did get an adapter to use 20V batteries in the 18V tools. The adapter doesn't work in the small WOD vacuum because of the hatch. It does work in the circular saw but prevents cutting to full depth. Replaced that saw with a 7-1/4" 20V. The company sells selected tools at a loss to anyone who works here. As long as you're employed here all tools and batteries are replaced for free.