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Cordless Impact guns --

diesel4me

diesel4me

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Been thinking about buying a Cordless Impact Gun (!/2" drive) for tire changes on the road--my back is getting too weak to be using a 4 way or lug wrench on my 8 lug pickup.I fear someday I wont be able to get a tire off of I had a flat in it..(I'll keep a breaker bar and cheater pipe in the truck just in case though,should the impact not be able to break the lugs free)..I also want to get a better jack,peferably a mini floor jack type,I hate the crank up stock one GM gives you,they suck to use..

My question is this--I know that good cordless impacts like a friends Snap-On one work great,but I dont have 450 bucks to spend on one--I see others at stores like Kawasaki brand,Craftsman,etc,and many others that are under 80 bucks,and claim to have enough power to do lug nuts and other similar things..

But,I have also seen a few very cheap ones for like 30 bucks,that were a frigging joke--if they did get one lug loose,they would lose so much power they failed to loosen the rest,or be able to spin them all off and put them back on tight again..I realize the low price means not so great a tool,but are the ones closer to 100 bucks any better--or just a bigger waste of money?..if they are not worth buying I'd rather not be out that amount of money that could be spent on better things..anyone have any experience with them?..
 
My Dewalt 12V Max 3/8" drive does a decent job for a small gun,20Max would no doubt be better. Not sure about 1/2" drives
 
I know I can find another Milwaukee 1/2" impact at my local swap meet, I've seen a few there each time I go, brand new for about $225-250 with two batteries and charger. I got mine a few months back and it's a beast. So maybe check your local swap meets, Ebay, or CList.

Saturday is the next one, I can pick one up for you and ship it large flatrate. (losing the factory box) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...98Zzv?Nao=48&Ns=P_REP_PRC_MODE|1#.UpjpDCf7F1M
 
Work bought me a dewalt 18v 1/2" drive. Works great only 4 months old. No issues yet. Have used it on all kinds of industrial stuff.
 
x2 on the dewalt 18v 1/2". friggin great gun. will pull 1/2" lugs with ease.

I have absolutely abused this tool. use it at about a 4to1 ratio to my air impact for the same jobs.
 
I'll see what I can get a Dewalt one for locally ,if I decide to buy one,seeing some guys here have good things to report about them..

As a rule I despise cordless tools and batteries,never have much luck with drills or sawsalls without cords...but I guess as time has passed they have improved the batteries some ,and the tools too..

I got a Vermont American "Impact Driver" adapter dewhicky you chuck into an electric drill that has a 3/8" drive on it,that was in a box of stuff a friend gave me that failed to sell at a store he owns--its still in the package,I never did try it out,and kind of forgot about it --found it in my garage recently in a heap of boxes!--they show a guy taking lug nuts off with it on the package,but I'm skeptical it'll be ballsy enough for that kind of work..:rolleyes:..

I'll try it out,if it does happen to work,then all I'd need is a decent cordless drill or use my 110V inverter in the truck with a regular corded AC drill ...
 
Sorry no experience with cheap cordless impacts. They're pricey, but you get what you pay for.

x3.. 4? for the 18v dewalt 1/2 drive, and even 3/8 drive. We abused them, and used them all day, day in and day out when we were deployed. The other half of the equation is battery. After buying a porter cable kit last black friday, the batteries already are worthless, have been so for a few months. Those 18v niCad dewalts last years and years. I would imagine, if you found one used, for a decent price, there's a reason they're selling it. Usually no one gets rid of things that work great. I'd be wary of going that route.

I'd imagine their newer 20v li-ions are nice.
 
Yep, when you find used ones the batteries are almost always shot. If they are still good I'd bet the asking price that its stolen.

And I know that you know, but just a reminder, a drill is not an impact. Also, don't leave your batteries sitting pluged in on the charger for months at a time.
 
Ill put in another vote for the dewalts. I get to use a 20v li-ion at work. Its just 1/4" drive but it will strip an Phillips head screw before you even know its stripping it. Ive even broken several nut driver bits with it that were new. Have a couple friends with the 1/2" impacts that swear by them.

I have a 1/4" hitachi that works pretty dang good and has been heavily abused for the last 5 years but I only use it for duct work and installing a/c systems. I think if I was going to buy one for bigger/heavier use I would go for the dewalt. I know that it will be my next tool for a/c work.

With battery powered tools I always go with you get what you pay for. Seems like the cheap ones always crap out.
 
We've run through them all at work. The Milwaukee brushless ones are way better than the dewalts IMO. Again my personal set is snap on, but for shop supplied ones. The Milwaukee brushless all the way.
 
I run an 18v Dewalt, with the new high dollar batteries.
I loooooooove it....

And, ive beaten the SNOT out of it.... Its never missed a beat.
*ive left it in the rain, dropped it in puddles and mud, and thrown it EVERYWHERE.

In fact, my craftsman pneumatic impact has not left the toolbox, in 2 years.

You really did just miss the boat, tho...
Cuz Amazon had them for $99 on friday.
 
Remember whatever you get brushless motors are inherently better and last longer than standard motors.

We burn the standard ones out steady at work.
 
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