What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

starting my new build impact gun?

blackk5350

blackk5350

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Posts
929
Reaction score
0
Location
kentucky
Hey im starting my new k5 build this summer and im in need of some tools. I already have the usual mechanics hand tool set. and i also have a 3 gallon airpump,which i do not beleive is strong enough to power air guns. Anyways i was getting to looking at all the bolts for shocks, lug nuts, spring bolts, spring plates etc. should i invest in a cordless impact gun? if so any suggestions? or should i get a corded one? Im asking because ill be doing an axle and spring swap this summer. Thanks
 
the new 1/2 drive cordless are great but for that much you need to get some tools that require an air hose.
 
My compressor is small like that, and i run an impact on it all the time. Will it spin off 6+ lug nuts without needing a break? not really. But, it does get the job done. Just a bit slower.

Cordless impacts are great, but i look at them as more of a luxury item. Start with a decent quality air impact for 1/2" drive stuff.
 
I'll be the dissenting opinion here. Though spendy, a cordless impact is essential to heavy work. In the last coupla months I've done an axle swap, a whole bunch of brake and cage work, etc, etc. That one tool has been used more than any other, saving time and wear and tear on ME to boot.

I find it's just too much of a PITA to fire up the compressor and run a line and heft the pnuematic impact. The corded impact also means running an extension cord.

OTOH, the cordless is like half the weight, requires zero prep time (other than charge one battery while using the other), and has enough cojones to spin the lug nuts on my dually every time.

I got a Dewalt DC820 and, as you might have clued in, love it. Also, I highly recommend the Lithium ion batteries, as they weigh damn near nothing and run the tool at full strength right up until they need charging.

-- A
 
My Nitrocat is a monster compared to any cordless one out there. It's also lighter and cost less. It's a better tool. That said, I have a 12v Milwaukee impact, and two 18v DeWalts (the 1/4" hex and the 1/2"). I use the cordless tools more, even though I like them less, they're just more convenient. If I had to have just one, I'd probably choose the pneumatic just because it can do more and will last longer.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.
 
I have a mess of dewalt impacts. The 3/8 20v is my go to for everything but wheels. They have paid for themselves for sure.

I'm waiting for the new 1/2" that is sposta be a monster, to replace my aging snappy one.

An air 1/2 along with a 20v 3/8 would be a great home setup
 
Hey THANKS SO MUCH GUYS!!!. i got a huge A$$ air comp. at my parents house to do detail work with but i dont live there so thats a big problem. I do have the tiny pump,i guess just to pump up tires.(step dad gave it to me) so i guess ill go with a cordless option for now as im completly stripping down the k5 and grinding steel(dewalt angle grinder corded) and my (???) impact gun. as long as you guys say it will take off bolts from my leaf springs and wheels ill go with a cordless. any suggestions besides the dewalt? i dont want a harbor freight because i want it to last. i need the top, seats, tailgate, springs, wheels(i can do with a 4way ) etc. i dont expect it to do all that the first use but i want to have the POWER most importantly. Ill be moving in a year and i dont want to run a 120 or 240 volt power wire outside the house to run a bg compressor. thanks guys ANY SUGGESTIONS ON CORDLESS LET ME KNOW!!! i will take pics soon. just pulled a stump out lol
 
I have 250 to spend on a cordless 20 volt impact gun for tires, leaf prings etc. idk if i have to wait for a charge let me know whats the best for the money. so far im leanin towards to 20 volt
 
My $69 Craftsman 1/2" drive w/ lithium batteries, works very well!! (i had the batteries and purchased teh impact seperatly)
 
I don't think you could go wrong with any of the mainstream 18+ volt cordless tools. I even have some newer Ryobi lithiums that are pretty awesome for the price (they aren't as good, but they're half the cost). Any of the 18v tools will do lug nuts and leaf spring bolts and such. You might struggle with a pinion nut, but without good air supply, most pneumatic impacts might struggle with them too.

If you're gonna do cordless, I would shop around for the brand/battery line that has the other tools that you like the most. The DeWalt radio is my favorite cuz it's a charger, so I have a lot of DeWalt tools. I use the 12v Milwaukee line because I have the heated jacket to go with them. I also run the 18v Ryobi stuff because I can afford to have fresh batteries all the time. When I was shingling, I used all 18v Makitas because they were the lightest at the time, and the radio was small. They're all really competitive and I think they all are pretty excellent tools, especially compared to what was available ten years ago.
 
All of the 18v/20v impacts will do a great job supplementing a pneumatic impact and will do the job for 90% of what you need. But if you really want to eliminate the compressor try one of these W7150 from Ingersal-Rand:
http://www.ingersollrandproducts.co...ess-tools/w7150-1-2-20v-high-torque-impactool

If I was starting a truck build and didn't have a compressor it is what I'd splurge on. Yes, it's $400 with charger and 2 batteries, but it's got the power of the IR 2135Ti!

POWER
780 ft-lbs of maximum reverse torque & 1100 ft-lb of nut-busting torque - from cordless impact wrench that weighs only 6.8 lbs.
High-power rare earth magnet (neodymium) motor — offers a long life and high power
DURABILITY
Steel-lined aluminum hammer case — designed to be strong and light-weight for maximum protection of the internal components
All-metal drive train and hammer mechanism — robust, durable, and optimized for maximum power and efficiency
Click to expand...

I tried one out at work the other day and it impressed the hell out of me. If I was starting from scratch I would buy this monster and a new style DeWalt 14v for smaller jobs and tight spaces. If you can't swing that, I'd would go with a new style DeWalt 20v. I have the DW 20v and it works great on everything from my car's lug nuts to big lag bolts. Find one of the kits with two 3.0ah batteries & charger and you can add bare tools for $100 each.

I'll add this- If you have home improvements to do the 20v circular saw works great. It's not just a trim saw like old bat powered ones were 15 years ago. I have not even pulled out my corded circular saw since I bought this one.
 
nothing touches Snappy's cordless impacts.. hand down the best. and priciest... :haha:
 
When I started the crew can build 5 or 6 months ago I spent some tire money on a Milwaukee M18 impact. I bought the bare tool for $160 and the cheapest M18 tool set which is a drill and (2) small 2.0ah batteries for another $160.

It has worked great. The advertise 450ft-lbs don't know how accurate that is as I suspect the power is a little less with the 2.0ah batteries. A couple of times on a really tough fastener I've run a small battery out of juice thought it was a no go but put in a fresh battery and it spins the nut/bolt right off. That's why I suspect the 2.0 battery is a bit lacking for the impact.

So recently I jumped all the way up to a 4.0ah battery. Haven't challenged it yet so it'll be interesting to see how it does.

All that being said I don't regret the purchase one bit. The only down side is when the impact won't fit in the area I need it. Although I've found an impact universal solves that often.

They make things go so much quicker it's easy to take them for granted until set back and think how long that would have taken with the old ratchet.
 
ryoken said:
nothing touches Snappy's cordless impacts.. hand down the best. and priciest... :haha:
Click to expand...

I can't say how they will hold up over time, but the new IR cordless impacts flat out destroy Snap-On's when it comes to power.
 
Try them side by side and get back to me.
Didn't believe it either until I did.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom