Help me buy a good cordless impact wrench

tpwalsh wrote: In reply to 1988RedT2: Both of which would be completely useless in the OP's situation. Unless you've got a big airtank, or 110v available at all your autocrosses/rallycrosses

Or if you have a gas powered compressor (like I do) then air tools work great at an event. Of course I have an enclosed trailer to carry it in, which makes it easier. It is my only compressor at this time, someday I will get one for the garage and keep the gas one in the trailer.

One thing I have heard on the cordless impacts, get the best you can afford. You will be happier in the long run and performance will be better.

The batteries from my old Makita 3/8 cordless impact finally died after 15 years, so Santa brought me a new DeWalt 3/8 cordless impact. Spec is 1500 in-lb, which is over 120 ft-lb. I am still in the habit of walking the car once to break lugs free by hand and final tighten with a torque wrench. This one did take a wheel off without assistance. A cordless impact is a nifty tool that you will love.

Torque sticks were developed for the tire change places. They are color coded and yield at a given torque when you are too lazy to use a torque wrench. I don't know any enthusiasts that use them.

I have a dewalt 18v......you shouldn't use any impact to torque lugnuts anyway. Get them snug, then use a torque wrench.

Jerry wrote: Also, someone mentioned torque sticks. Any help?

Torque Sticks are extensions that you use on an impact wrench to limit the amount of torque applied. You can get them in different ratings (ft/lb). The idea is to keep you from over tightening a fastener when you use an impact wrench. I have never found them to be that accurate and would always use a torque wrench to do the final torqueing.

Another important point: The ratings on impact wrenches are for removing fasteners. Tightening torque is often significantly less.

Thanks for the help on torque sticks. I plan to keep bring the torque wrench to events, so doesn't sound like I need them.

1988RedT2 wrote: Bah! Batteries suck. You want a serious tool? Get one with a cord or a place to attach an air hose.

doesn't work so well at the track or at an a-x

edit: tpwalsh beat me to it

Jerry wrote: In reply to tpwalsh: Yes, this. (I have an aircompressor at home but doubt even a big air tank would help change 8 wheels.) Also, someone mentioned torque sticks. Any help?

I use torque sticks ... they really don't snug up (every time) to what they're rated ... but they keep me from over torquing the lugs .. and of course I use a torque wrench afterwards

Jerry wrote: In reply to jstein77: Hm. I've never trusted HF for much but if it's still kicking after a couple years of use, perhaps I will look into it. Thanks!

I remembered wrong. I bought it in July 2011 for $122 including tax, so it must have been the same price then as it is now.

my dad has a bosh 18 volt 1/2 drive cordless. that damn thing is a monster. i have yet to find a bolt that it couldnt either snap off or brak free (well, in automotive applications. but this isnt grassroots trains). stripped the entire front suspension of my elcamino, all 4 wheels off my duster, and did a timing belt job 3 times on my brother in laws car before rechargine the battery.

i have to buy one.....

we have the bosch and the dewalt here at work. the dewalt is louder, heavier, eats L-ion batteries faster, but the bosch is lighter, quieter, and MUCH stronger. both are rated for 200ft lbs, but 18v.

i do think the DeWalt is older though...

-J0N

I spent a lot of time researching this exact same situation. I had settled on the 18v Dewalt half inch drive, but I couldn't find it locally. I did, however, find the Kobalt brand from Lowes and I bought it with zero research. I have been very happy with it. It isn't too heavy, and the batteries have had great longevity. It does lug nuts with no problem, and I disassembled a suspension on my E36 with no issue. The only challenge with the cordless impact wrenches is that they are bulky.

Tried the Harbor Freight/Pep Boys one and the batteries dont last very long. I think I got a year out of it, and it was $100 (same price as a Ryobi). I have used the Ryobi Impact for 3 years now swapping multiple sets of wheels a weekend.

As long as your torque value on your lug nuts is not over 100+ (which it shouldnt be on a sports car that isnt jesus nut), it will knock them off immediately no problem. Many of my track friends have the same thing. Get the "big" lithium plus battery and I dont even charge my battery pack the entire weekend. (at least 2 tire/wheel changes a day during a race weekend).

Snap-on is better at getting higher torque, but $100 vs. 3-400 plus pricey batteries when the $100 does lug nuts with ease is fine.

I change my wheels at each autox event, plus at least as many wheel changes in my garage. I've gotten three autocross seasons (12 events each) out of my HF impact wrench. (and torque wrench) I didn't expect it to last this long. I'm not particularly careful about recharging.

Even though it's one of the higher priced models, the Milwaukee M18 1/2" cordless is a great price... if you're not looking for a 'throw-away quality' driver.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-1-2-in-Cordless-High-Torque-Impact-Wrench-2662-22/202043762#.UpOmGuJvZ8E

• Unreal durability, I've seen these take years and years of jobsite abuse with no issues,
• Two lithium batteries included (one batt. did 5 autox events before reaching 1/4 power),
• 450ft/lbs, etc.

Just to clarify the above 'abuse': years of being thrown off trucks onto concrete surfaces, run over by said trucks, partially submerged in grout, drug through silty sand etc.

Milwaukee FTW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZOqhH-RFfA

Good thread to read on the pros and cons of different choices:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222598

Stealth canoe!

slowride wrote: Stealth canoe!

+1

slowride wrote: Stealth canoe!

At least he revived an awesome thread. Making me think about cordless impacts for Christmas!

I have a snap on, a buddy of mine got it off the truck for me, it was used wiht a new batter and charger for $175. Have any buddies with access to the trucks keep an eye out for you, there is always some tech trading in to get the latest and greatest.

Ah yes, torque stick. My wheels are always over torqued by some one using them. Always.