Which 3/8 impact wrench kit for my taco and home use

Now that I think about it a bit, I believe it. Electric motors are torquey as hell and all my other electric tools have surprised me with what they can do. I was not impressed with my 18v makita die grinder the first time I spun it up since it sounds like a toy, but then I actually put a bit in it and did some cutting. Holy moly.

 

@FuzzyTacos ......those tools are made in the same factory, by the same people, parts (bearings, motors, chucks, switches, battery cells, circuit boards.......) are supplied by common vendors.

Do you really think there is a big difference in performance, quality, life???

FWIW, I am in the process of switching all my new cordless tools over to Kobalt or Husky. I get enough to complete any job I am doing, plus I don't spend as many $$$.

I was an employee of the parent company for 12+ years with the last 6 yr in China as an Engineer in the test lab. Trust me......I know.

 

I have an IR one that lives in a toolbox these days, mostly because I just don't have room for a big enough compressor to run it. But even when I did have i on a properly sized compressor, it was just kind of okay. Good enough to drive bolts for sure, but not real great at most of the tasks that you'd think to use an impact for.

 

You've missed my point a couple times now. I understand most devices are all built on common ground. That can be said with everything.

What I've specifically stated a couple times is the line up that is offered by Milwaukee is unlike the other "same" brands. Last I checked, Rigid doesn't offer a weed eater (as an example). I'm not saying you're wrong and never questioned your qualifications.

Milwaukee tools also have the M28 or whatever construction grade crap they dropped. Haven't seen other "same" brands do that outside Hilti or the other larger names.

 

Thats ok......Milwaukee doesn't offer riding or push lawnmowers like Ryobi........

Some product offerings are driven by Corporate to differentiate the multiple brands under the umbrella.

 

They're a cordless tool company, so I'm okay that they don't have a riding lawn mower lmfao. You engineers are dense, in a good way?

 

I'd skip the IR unless they run a common battery. Milwaukee has a great reputation, batteries are easy to get and very common.

I always suggest Ryobi if you aren't already invested in a battery yet. I've used them in 3 different professional settings and they have held up great.

The number of tools the Ryobi line has is unreal, so many options.

 

Picked up a Milwaukee M12 combo kit (small drill, impact, chargers, batteries, carry bag) from home cheapo 5yrs ago on a whim (some type of father's day special offer) and I've been totally impressed with durability and quality. I've since added other Milwaukee tools using the M12 battery, and some specialty tools, like a pex-A expander tool for my home repiping project. When I need a heavy duty tool I borrow my friend's 1/2" drive 120v electric impact, which has the needed torque.

 

Keep in mind, some companies have cordless "IMPACT DRIVERS" and also "IMPACT WRENCHES", and they are different.

Do any of you read reviews?
I find ProToolReviews pretty good. They list torque specs etc of all of the tested tools.
https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-cordless-impact-wrench-reviews/

 

My little 3/8 M12 stubby torques the lugnuts no problem. Definitely a powerful compact impact.

 

So my final picks are:

https://www.ingersollrand.com/en-us/power-tools/impact-wrenches/w5133
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/2854-22
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/Impact-Wrenches/2960-22

 

I'd get the compact for usability in more applications. It'll have more than enough ass for lugnuts regardless, but you'll be able to get it into tighter spaces.

 

Glad you guys kissed and made up.

 

I’ve been very happy with my harbor freight 1/2 drive earth quake impact.

 

I'll go with the IR or the 2960-22

 

It all comes down to what works best in your application .

I can see not having Air changes how you approach buying tools .

If my compressor had a major failure a New one would be on the way .

Myself I will drag 200' of air hose before hunting for my cordless tools

 

I've gone to great lengths and money spent to avoid that exact scenario. Cordless FTW

 

It comes down to what works best for You!!

When I am used to pulling welding cable plus an extension cord plus a air hose just a air hose is a piece of cake

 

As for brands, I honestly don't think it really matters, unless you already have a few tools of a certain brand, then get whatever matches those batteries. Everyone ends up being a brand loyalist, and of course THEIR chosen brand is the best.

I have a few Ryobi drills and a 1/4" driver, and even a couple saws (tho I didn't buy those, my neighbor gave them to me). They work well enough. A decade ago I kept waiting for my first drill to die, so I could have an excuse to "upgrade", eventually I decided it didn't really make sense to spend a bunch more on a "nicer" brand when this one simply won't die. So I ended up getting another drill and a 1/4" driver. I'd probably have a Ryobi 1/2" impact if they made one. The saws kind of suck for anything more than a couple cuts and are kind of under powered, but that's kind of to be expected (especially for what I paid for them: $0 lol).

Since Ryobi doesn't make a 1/2" impact driver, I'll probably eventually convert over to another brand. I've been happy with the Rigid corded tools I have, and they aren't overly expensive. Plus I like orange, so.... Milwaukees are nice, but for ~2x the cost of the Rigid, doesn't seem to be worth it, given that even my cheep-o Ryobi's have lasted far longer than I expected them to.

I have a Husky 1/2" air impact that I've had for well over a decade. Just some cheap dumpy Husky that was part of some kit. That's kind of the beauty of the air tools. They're stupid simple, cheap, work forever, and you aren't tied to a specific brand because of the batteries.

All that said, I'm not a fan of bringing battery powered tools on the trail, or even air powered ones for that matter. Convenient? Yes. But for the number of times I'm fixing something on the trail (rare) that's a lot of junk to take with you that takes up unnecessary space. I prefer hand tools for trail fixes, no busted air lines, no batteries, no chargers.

 

This is a good point here. If your IR battery or charger shits the bed and you need a new one quick, you can’t walk into a Home Depot and grab one off the shelf like you can with a Milwaukee.