Cordless Impact Recommendations

What’s the mid-torque m12 PN? I don’t have one of those yet.

 

I have the

$225 2555-20 M12 FUEL Stubby 1/2 in. Impact Wrench

2555-20 but unsure if it's mid torque. It just seems like it to me cause it doesn't do quite what I'd expect out of an impact.

 

Hilti or Makita. The only two who aren't owned by the conglomerates.

 

Milwaukee 18v

 

Number are not everything. How much do you use your tools? Like someone else mentioned snap on 14.4 tools have their advantages. The electric ratchet heads are extremely compact and have a button instead of the dumb paddle that ends up jamming your hand to things and their 3/8" 14.4 impact is good. The batteries casing are also a lot more durable and easier to disconnect that the Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee warranty is a good marketing ploy. The warranty isn't that good for the batteries. The money is in the batteries. So far I've had a newer m18 6.0 high output completely fall apart while using a m18 drill installing a new sliding door at my house. Also Milwaukee m12 batteries the tabs you have to pinch to disconnect are junk. I've had tabs completely just snap when I try to disconnect the battery from the tool. Snap on drills also have a lot better chuck.

If you're looking at power tools that are solely for automotive I'd look on eBay for a new/used snap on. If you're looking to get into a battery platform that you can also get tools for working around the house I'd stick to Milwaukee or dewalt. I'd almost say just dewalt. I have a lot of Milwaukee tools and entire wall of pack out containers but it seems their quality is going down and price is going up for what you get.

 

Op look up CP tools up on YouTube he gives a lot of unpaid reviews on tools.

 

I use my Milwaukee stuff daily, the 1/4 in ratchets and 1/2 in High torque the most.
I haven't had any issues with any of my Milwaukee stuff aside from breaking a couple 1/4 in ratchet heads but that was my fault not the tool.
My M12 batteries are starting to get tired and I have broke a couple (they still work though) but I have used the hell out of them.
The newer M12 batteries don't seem to break as easily as the older ones.

My coworker used to have Snapon electric ratchets and constantly had issues with them, finally traded them in for Milwaukee and hasn't had near as many issues.

Pretty much everything has gone down in quality and up in price in the past years.

I haven't set foot on the Snapon truck in years, too overpriced for me. Only 2 SnapOn things I own are a Verus Edge I bought used and a pair of pliers.

If a tool works for me I could care less what brand it is, likewise I could care less what others use if it works it works brand doesn't matter.

I got hooked on Milwaukee stuff and that's the only cordless platform I'll use and reccomend as long as it continues to work for me, I have some Dewalt stuff too and never had any issues with any of it either.
I don't think there is one perfect platform out there, they all have their pros and cons. IMO it comes down to budget, preference, and what you need it to do (some platforms have tools others don't).

I still have my first AC Delco electric ratchets I bought years ago when electric ratchets were first starting to become a thing and I couldn't afford any of the better stuff, they are still going strong 10 years later.
They aren't the most powerful things but they still get the job done.
I keep them at home now and leave my Milwaukee ones at work.

 

I have the Mid torque Makita 40V 1/2 inch an love it, I thinks its rated for 800 ft lb but with you already having m18 tools I would recommend staying with that platform

 

I’ll put a vote in for the Dewalt, I found this on a freeway On-ramp here in Phoenix years ago. It worked and still works…

It was free has been trouble free and I’d get another one since it seems pretty tough.

 

I use Makita, so the world should! No really, it’s a great brand for my needs and I use their outdoor equipment too so keeping everything in the same battery family works out. Their impact driver has a 4 speed select so that help too, less ripping the heads of bolts. Buy the batteries on sale then buy “tool only” tools and it’s way cheaper.

 

Makita 40V

 

I’m fully vested in the 18v world, kinda like my Gen 3, not the most modern tech but gets it done.

 

90% of my cordless Makita are 18V or 36V (18Vx2) , just started buying some 40V , have the 7 1/4" and 10" single battery circular saws , will be adding more

 

They look solid. When I break enough I’ll replace them with those. Do your new saws have a brake.

 

yes , they both also have guide rail compatible bases so you can use them with a track saw guide rail

I have these 2 saws

https://www.makita.ca/index2new.php?event=tool&id=3798&catid=2

https://www.makita.ca/index2new.php?event=tool&id=3563&catid=2

 

Nice. I have to be selective what tools I get or I’ll have to finish this never ending project of a house I live in.

 

Agreed, something I really dislike is when it’s time to swap batteries it’s a struggle to pinch just right to get it to release.

This one I pinched and pulled the plastic case off leaving the battery still in. I gave some jb weld a try and it’s holding so far.

 

Yup looks about right lol, Milwaukee really needs to take a look and improve the design. Doubt that happens tho due to all the fanboys. I used to be one of them, but they've swayed away.

If you ever get tired of the JB weld, pretty sure there's guys selling 3D printed casings since its such a common problem.

 

Yeah, I agree.
The M12 batteries can be hard to remove.
But I prefer that setup over the Dewalt 12V setup.
The M12 is more “compact”.

 

Ok, So I just bought this and some sockets.

Hopefully this will suite my needs.
Opinions are welcome