Thinking about buying a cordless 3/4" impact wrench

I'm thinking that I MUST have a 3/4" cordless impact wrench.

I tow a boat and fish a whole bunch and having had to change a tire or two, I'm thinking I want a cordless impact wrench.

Couple of comments -

1. I fish in salt water so odds are my lug nuts on my trailer are going to be a bit "stuck".

2. While I'd probably keep the impact wrench charged - odds are when I throw it into the truck to go fishing I'd plug it in to the 110v plug in my trailer bed. So please keep that in mind when you recommend a tool. (I've never used my 110v plug so I have no idea how much amperage it can handle?)

3. I've been looking at Kobalt and Dewalt brands - comments/suggestions?

4. This tool would not be used every day - most likely it would just sit in its bag and, hopefully, never be used unless I was working on my trailer in my drive way.

5. I do not turn wrenches professionally. Yea, I'd love a SnapOn but it is not in the budget.

So - please feel free to chime in. I appreciate the comments.

 

My opinion: Waste of money and time buying a cordless version if an electric plug in will work fine. I'd think it'd work fine off the 400W inverter but haven't tested it yet. (the 400W is printed on the button... also mentioned in the Owners Manual )

Should be possible to look up the amp draw specs for any units you're considering.

EDIT: further info suggests corded would not work, so definitely test in advance if going this way.

That said, having lived plenty of years where road salt is common, I've never had a lug nut that wouldn't come off with a big enough breaker bar. Making sure they come off okay was part of annual maintenance on any wheel, particularly if you weren't doing it already when rotating tires or swapping between winter/summer tires.

$25 Gorilla Automotive 1721 Telescoping Power Wrench - Standard Socket

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Automotive-1721-Telescoping-Wrench/dp/B000CMJ2KU

 

This is an impactful topic.

 

But we can still torque about it, can't we?

 

I tend to agree with @gpb on a corded unit, remember that batteries are consumables after just a few years they'll be shot & you may have never used them. That would suck. If you're using it on the regular (trailer tongue jack?) then maybe the $ spent is worth the amount of use, but just for flat tires I can't get on board... see what I did there?

 

I have a cordless harbor freight unit, i bought it 7 years ago and I think it was among one of the first released units of that brand, anyway be that as it may, it has been great, absolutely zero issues.
I'm not a mechanic by trade, but it is something I love to do, so gun has been extensively used. It's no snap on I'm sure, but for the price I recommend it. It's also on a very small list of things I'd recommend getting at harbor freight for diyers

 

The battery won't last long not using the tool. I had a cordless screwdriver that I loved when it was new but it did not take long for the battery to go bad because I never used it much.

 

OP is driving me nuts with this topic.

I'd go with Dewalt 20v, but I already have much of thier product line

 

I have a Black and Decker cordless impact that I use at least once a week for stuff around the house or on the truck doing stuff. Takes the same 20V battery that my cordless drill uses as well. I have not had any issues with it so far.

 

That's a big deal when talking about cordless tools. They're great if they're used regularly, but get pretty expensive if used twice a year due to batteries degrading.

 

If you have 110 power why not get an electric. Just use a proper gauge extension cord. The lithium batteries now are very good and hold charge. Don't know a bout kobalt but I'm sure they are getting better just. Google some specs and reviews. they are all pretty good.

 

Probably true, I always use my tools just because wrenching is my "release"
I get what you're saying, if op uses it twice a year, it's probably a waste of money

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...-Detent-Pin-Anvil-Tool-Only-DCF899B/206159781
Dewalt is king for price/durability. They are owned by black and decker but are much better quality. I have the upgraded Mac version of the XR cordless and I use it every day without issue. It can take off tundra 39mm axle bolts.

The lithium's last for ever without recharging, I have a 3/8" dewalt that I leave in my garage and havnt charged in a year that can still remove brake components. Lithium doesn't require maitenance like a nickel battery.

A corded impact will blow the fuse in the back of the truck. 100% it's too many watts.

EDIT: You are looking for 1/2" not 3/4" as they do not exist.

 

$84 BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT 1/4 in. Cordless Impact Driver Kit (BDCI20C)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJ3QY9A

That is the one I have and I like it a lot!

 

You guys going on about using a 110v tool: It's a 7 AMP motor. 7 Amps * 120V = 840W

The outlet is rated for 400W.

He's going to blow the fuse on his truck first, and then immediately aftterwards blow a fuse at the stupid advice he received from TW now that he's out in the sticks and can't change a flat.



EDIT: If you're gonna go to the trouble to carry an electric impact wrench - it's going to pay to also carry a can of PB-Blaster. Just sayin'.

 

Why 3/4"? I would get a 1/2" impact. It will be way more than enough to do what you need.

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench with Detent Anvil, Cordless, Tool Only (DCF899B)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF899B-Brushless-Torque-Impact/dp/B00WJA1J68

This is the only one I would get. It's freaking amazing. The battery lasts a pretty long time. Surprisingly, the impact is more efficient that a drill. That hammering effect makes the job easy.

 

Used my uncles this past Sat. It was a little weaker than his air powered one for sure. But it got the job done. Much lighter too.

 

of course, but let's stay on topic and no fish tales.

 

That's a nice tool, but it is for running screws. It won't break a stubborn bolt loose. Just not enough torque.

 

Which one did you use? The DeWalt cordless and some others have 1200 ft-lbs. of torque which is as high as many of the stronger pneumatic impacts.