CORDLESS impact wrench

[Wil Ferch]

Guys:
Did a search and didn't find anything conclusive.
Also.. ( rules)...let's assume I DON'T need or want air in this application, and further asssume CORDLESS.

Anticipated work: mostly wheel lug nuts for DE events or on the road...some smaller fasteners or shock work in the garage where I don't want cords or air sources....

Questions:

- I see 9.6 V, 12V, 14.4V, 18V, 24V. I assume the higher voltage give more torque and/or more run time. I can find 12V for approx 90-100 ft lbs, which would serve my needs for wheel bolts, etc. Correct on voltage advantage? Mostly a run time issue?

- 1/2" drive would seem practical as wheel lug nut sockets would be 1/2". Any benefit if this is ( instead) like a 1/4 or 3/8" chuck that takes adaptors ?

- for 12V...if run time is a concern...can we rig up a receptacle that works off of the car's 12V system...hmmm?

---Wil

[john_colasante]

I recommend this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46701

It is so good that pro mechanics see it at the track and ask me where can they get one.

[Bill Verburg]

How appropriate, I have 9.6 v, 14v and 18v cordless. The difference is torque and weight.

I am in the market for a cordless impact as well.

John, how do you adjust the torque setting on that sucker.

[RickM]

Wil, Not sure if you saw these two threads:

Impact wrench opinions please.

electric cordless impact wrenches - are they worthwhile??

Some good info to consider.

[Rot 911]

I second the Harbor Freight one. Just wish it came with a 2nd battery.

Originally posted by john_colasante
I recommend this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46701

It is so good that pro mechanics see it at the track and ask me where can they get one.

I have this one and it broke in less than year with very light use. When it works, it works very well. But the weak point is the pinion. They have a one yr. parts warranty, so they sent me a new pinion. Still, it just is not strong anymore and there's no other warranty on this thing. I'm very dissatisfied. Snap-On's ain't cheap, but they don't break either.

[Zeke]

Or, if you want the best, Milwaukee. The battery turns around so you ought to able to get it into most wheels w/o an extension.

[Wil Ferch]

Guys:
I'm looking somewhere between "cheap" and "Expensive".

Some possible hits: All include 2 batteries/charger

- Dewalt DW053K-2, 12V, 1/2", 1400 in-lb....about $179-$200
-Dewalt DW055K-2, 14.4V, 1/2", 1550 in-lb, about $219
Various Makita's ( fairly small at about 6-7" long / 3.5-4.5 lbs with batt):
- 6911HDWA ( actually an impact driver...not impact wrench), 12V, 1041 in-lb, 1/2", 1 battery/charger....$185
- 6918 DWDE, 12V, 1064 in-lb, 1/2", 1064 in-lb, $249
- 6934 FDWDE, 1/2", 14.4V, .........., $269
- Pansonic, EY6535NQKW, 15.6V, 1100 in-lb, 1/3" drive ( ?), $259, NiMH batt;s

Still, questions on voltage....coupling to car's electric's....chuck type, etc....from first post.

RickM...yep...saw those posts, good read, but not all questions answered...thanx

--Wil

PS--- wonder what Petter Sollberg uses !!! ( It's blue...Bosch?...Makita?)

[Wil Ferch]

I saw the Milwaukee 9079-22, 18V, 240 ft-lb, 1/2" drive, but it's HUGE and heavy.... $289

--Wil

[KobaltBlau]

A friend of mine swears by his Snap-on cordless impact, mostly for lug nuts. Just another data point.

[Wil Ferch]

Any specs or prices for Snap-On? I would expect "premium" over the units listed....

---Wil

[john_colasante]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
how do you adjust the torque setting on that sucker.

It doesn't adjust. I just use it to remove lugnutz and other fasteners. It's pretty powerful.

[Bill Verburg]

It doesn't adjust

Is that normal? All my regular drills adjust I use that little feature constantly.

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
Any specs or prices for Snap-On? I would expect "premium" over the units listed....

---Wil

More expensive than I realized. I think this is the one my friend has. The 14.4 isn't much cheaper anyhow...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det.asp?tool=power&item_ID=64144&group_ID=16217&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

($470)

[vash]

wil, i just got done using a friend's milwalkee. it was soooo heavy, and the batteries didnt last for crap. i dont know much about the other units, but i would scratch out the milwalkee. plus, didnt like how the battery slides on, petty, but it got difficult with tired hands. i like the dewalt products. at least my 18v drill rocks.

if you already had a corded impact, would a small honda generator work?

[KobaltBlau]

old batteries aren't as good, could be a factor with vash's friend's (who knows). My friend's snap on does 4 all-round swaps on 1 charge (2 cars street->track tires, then track->street tires) iirc.

[vash]

i am not making this up, my buddy brought 12 batteries and we smoked them all. i think every cordless tool he has used the same one. and this man is a tool freak.

for the record, his cordless circular saw is a damn paperweight. worthless POS. i got faster doing it the Amish way! (spelling?)

[Zeke]

A little OT, but I make my living with hand and power tools and have been evaluating, buying and using for over 40 years. I, too, have no use for a cordless circular saw. As far as heavy, you get what you pay for and the weight helps absorb the impacts rather than your hands.

Your friend needs a course on how to properly charge nicad batteries. He sounds like the guy who leaves them in the charger when not in use.

[Randy Webb]

Generally look for NiMH batteries in these tools. And as Zeke hints, distinguish worthwhile cordless from not so.

Someday we are gong to have small fuel cells powering these suckers - then the promise will be realized. Look for fule cell powered computer and telephony equip. within 1 year. For elec. motors... who knows.

[Wil Ferch]

bump...OK......

-what about the 12V question? If I can find a suitable unit that gives the torque I want in a 12V configuration...is there a way to bypass / supplement the battery to use the car's electrical system..maybe alligator clips to the battery ??? Would help in the DE or roadside wheel change scenario...

It looks like Makita and Dewalt on my short(er) list...small and compact, with design features to help avoid shock transmission to the hand. Being able to use car's ( large) 12V source would be a plus...but I don't see this kind of capability offered.

---Wil