Cordless Impact Recommendations

I'm a Milwaukee guy mainly also, but just recently swapped my worn out m12 3/8 stubby for a snap on brushless ct861 3/8. Might wanna check out the snap on if you're going 3/8. They have the trigger patented with the forward/reverse all with one tilt of the button. It comes in handy not having to mess with the forward and reverse button with your thumb, especially when you're in a tight spot.

If you're going 1/2" in the 18v line up, Milwaukee or Dewalt have my vote.

 

I have a 1/4 m12 ratchet, 3/8 m12 impact (cheap one) and the 1/2 m18 mid torque impact. I will say since I got the 4.0 aH m12 battery in use the 3/8 impact an awful lot but doubt it will do lug nuts. IMO if you wrench a lot you’d want all three. If you want to bust lug nuts get an m18 1/2 impact.

 

I went with the DeWalt 1/2 drive impact - and bought the 12v variety. Its reasonably stubby, and the 12v version is readily fitted with a (home-made) adapter that lets it run off the truck battery.

 

Another one for the m12 stubby 3/8!

 

This is what I currently have for home repairs etc:


Now it’s time to beef up the cordless auto repair tools

 

Honestly I use the electric ratchets more for auto repair than anything (except a test light and scanner), impacts come out for lugnuts, exhaust fasteners, brake/suspension/driveline components, crank bolts, etc but ratchets for most everything else.

 

Milwaukee or snap on. I work in a mechanic shop, they are the best.

 

Just picked up a Milwaukee mid-torque two weeks ago. Absolutely love it!

 

I would say Milwaukee, less than 1/2 the cost of Snapon and much better warranty (5 years vs 2 (unless they changed it)).
Our Cornwell dealer alot of the time will replace our Milwaukee stuff when it breaks unless it's a simple fix.

 

I use my 1/4" dewalt impact (meant for driving screws) combined with the heaviest sockets I can find and that works most of the time. If it can't break em loose I switch to a breaker bar then switch back to the impact to rattle it the rest of the way off.

 

Depends which gun. The big

$132 Milwaukee M18 Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2" Circular Saw - 2630-20 - ( MILWAUKEE ) - BARE TOOL

Milwaukee M18 1/2 impact is amazing. Can remove just about anything. Half the cost of equivalent snap on.

Today I ordered a milwaukee M18 3/8 impact. I've used my co-workers, and it's a monster for a 3/8. Rated at 250 ft lb.

My 14.4 snap on 3/8 impact has been great for years, but it's really for light-medium duty while the milwaukee 3/8 is medium-heavy duty.

My snap on 14.4v ratchet 3/8 is really strong and fits in tight spaces. I'll continue to use both brands depending on the fastener and it's location. Snap on ratchet below:

 

I have the M12 3/8" stubby and the M18 mid-torque 1/2" impact wrenches. I went with the 3/8" for the M12 to minimize the tool length as much as possible so that it can fit in tight spaces as much as possible. The mid-torque is also pretty small for the power. They are both great tools if you're already on either battery platform.

 

I have that little Milwaukee impact driver and it's a pretty capable little tool. It won't remove lugs but before I got my 1/2" impact gun I would use it to run down lugs then torque them with a torque wrench and was surprised how close it would get to the 85lbs/ft I was aiming for.

 

I bought the earthquake XT years ago when it was on a sale for less than 200$ and its been an absolute beast. No...it is NOT light. Its also freaking HUGE. But if you are looking to break nearly any bolt loose it will do the job....and it costs a lot less than Milwaukee or DeWalt. For daily use I went with Bosch as I get them through work for a screaming deal. The bosch freak is amazing.

 

I have a modded 1/4" extended reach m12 ratchet with a 3/8" anvil on it so it's got a smaller head than the 3/8" models. Been my absolutely favorite tool since I got it, so handy for everything.

Have the mid torque m12 1/2" impact and I find it underwhelming. Does lug nuts good so wheel work is quicker but anything that I really want an impact for it doesn't seem have the jam to bust loose. Handy at times though.

 

I've had good luck with Skil. Available at Lowe's