1/2 or 3/4

[JimHam]

Getting ready to buy a Milwaukee M18 Impact driver and was just wondering if the 3/4 in drive is worth the extra money. You do get a bit more power with the 3/4 M18. I do not own an impact wrench and no impact sockets yet. If you were starting off new would you go with 1/2 in or 3/4 in.? I will be using the tools on my Kubota 8200 and various pieces of farm machinery like 10 ft rotary mower, disk, etc. I'm leaning toward the 3/4 but that makes everything more expensive so is it worth it or would 1/2 work just as well?

Looking at impact socket sets that go up to 2" socket. Will that cover most situations on light farm equipment?

 

[Egon]

Just for the tractor 1/2 in. Would be fine.

For the machinery the 3/4 in. Would do better.

 

[dangier_VA]

Agree with Egon-my 1/2" works well for everyday use. The 3/4" sure came in handy when removing the blade bolts on the brush hog. 1/2" would not touch it. I can count on one hand the times I have used the 3/4". Worth it's weight on gold every time!
David

 

[FredH]

Talking Cordless ??? Buy the 1/2" Kit then just buy the 3/4" Bare Tool . You can buy 1/2" drive impact sockets then get a 3/4" to 1/2" impact adapter to put the 1/2" sockets on the 3/4" driver . Once you get up to a certain size socket , switch to 3/4" sockets , ( Say anything over 1" have in 3/4 drive ) .

Although You may spend extra by having 2 tools , You end up saving by being able to use same sockets on both tools rather than having seperate sets of sockets .

Have never used that brand of cordless , but am not impressed with their Chop saws or their policy of standing behind their warranty on products . I am more into air tools for heavy work loads .

Fred H.

 

[Budweiser John]

I've found a 1/2" impact driver to be adequate for 99% of the maintance and repair work.
Purchase the deep sockets as they are much more useful than the regular impact sockets.
B John

 

[motownbrowne]

I'd buy the 1/2" drive. It'll be handier to use. Then get a cheap set of 3/4" drive sockets and a ratchet and breaker bar. They don't have to be impact sockets. Use the breaker bar to free whatever big nuts you encounter, then put the socket on your impact gun (with an adapter of course) and spin them free. That's just what I'd do, though.

Another alternative would be to get a 3/8 and a 3/4.

 

[Looking4new]

I would go with the 1/2" and a breaker bar for the stubborn stuff. That is what I have.

 

[LD1]

99% of the time the 1/2" will be better. Lighter, fit into smaller areas, etc.

For that 1% of the time, just break it loose with a cheater then use the impact.

 

[TomSeller]

On the breaker bar and sockets used with a cheater pipe, just make sure you buy a brand with free replacements.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

If you are working on a 10 foot brushhog you are going to need a 3/4" something. The castle nuts on mine are torqued to 700ftlbs iirc. You are never going to touch that with a half inch anything. I had to use a 3/4" 34" long ratchet with a 4 foot cheater pipe and it still didn't break free willingly. I'd stop at the half inch unless it's an air tool. Even then a breaker bar can always put a longer piece of pipe on it for something real stubborn or heavy duty.