Cordless Impact Recommendations

honestly that’s not bad.

I used to have
-m12 stubby 3/8 for little bolts
-m18 mid torque for more, 3/8
-m18 high torque 1/2 for lug bolts and big stuff

Got rid of it. Need to get again.

I see now they have compact 3/8 m18 that I’m looking at. Which I wonder if would suffice to do the jobs of both stubby and mid torque to need less tools. Aka 2 in 1

 

Yeah, I put it off for a long time because I had other priorities but…it’s just time. This a link to the exact one I got: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ith-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2960-20/314484184

 

We started using 46" earth anchors for setting tower guy wires. They are basically large screws, like this:

We use a 1/2" impact driver to set them.

I originally thought that the Milwaukee numbers must be inflated (model 2967, 1600 ft-lb), so I compared it with my Ingersoll-Rand (1200 ft-lb) 1/2" impact driver for one installation. The IR got the anchor within 4" of completion and just couldn't drive it further. The Milwaukee was able to finish the last 4 inches. I was amazed at the power!

The downside of using the 2967 is that it will chew through batteries. It used two 5AH batteries to set one of the anchors.

I no longer use my IR impacts. I have switched to using the Milwaukee (1/2" and 3/8").

 

sounds like you need one of their bigger batteries.

I had IR 2235QTIMAX for what Milwaukee 1/2” couldn’t handle
But it was the old one that may be weaker
plus with 100psi shop air that isn’t always available

 

Yup, switched to carrying 3 12AH batteries for the job.

I was using the

$299 2235TiMAX 1/2"-Drive Air Impact Wrench with Up to 1350 Foot-Pounds Torque Output

2235TiMAX, short (<20') 3/8"ID hose, and a severely inadequate 5HP compressor.
We were constantly waiting for the compressor to catch up.

I found that I was never reaching for the IR anymore, so I sold it.

 

I’d recommend the

$124 Milwaukee M18 Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2" Circular Saw - 2630-20 - ( MILWAUKEE ) - BARE TOOL

Milwaukee M18 impact driver and then get a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 adapter, that way you can use it on any home improvement stuff, as well as on the truck, it’s what I do and I love it. I also got the M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Friction Ring for bigger stuff. I’ve got a handful of M12 tools, grease gun and 3/8 in. Brushless Cordless Ratchet.

 

honestly it’s going to be tough to see if Milwaukee compares for a 1/4 driver.

for professional automotive use I’ve mostly picked Snap On cordless in the past, as it’s very gentle, fast, and easily adjustable to a ton of fine tuning settings

for removing a bunch of little screws holding underbody belly pans, this is inportant
Too much power will strip the fragile inserts they go into, and/or damage and indent the pan (often thin plastic, fabric, etc)

Milwaukee does have a hydraulic one for that, which might even be too strong

 

Milwaukee & done

Though Makita does make some nice stuff.

HILTI is excellent but you're paying >30-50% more for the same specs, to fund their SnapOn-like customer service for giant construction companies who don't buy "a HILTI rotary hammer," they buy a hundred HILTI rotary hammers per quarter or per month. Fleet maintenance for the rotary-hammer market sector.

 

If I was doing professional work I would invest in Milwaukee. That being said...I have been rebuilding a house for over 2 years now with Bauer 20v tools. All are working great! Sometimes I buy an extended warranty. But so far so good.
I have:
Recip saw
Jig saw
Oscillating saw
3/8 impact
Hammer drill
Stapler/brad nailer
Hand held air compressor for tires
2 ea. 1.5 amp hour batteries
1 ea. 3ah battry
1 ea. 5 ah battery
1 charger

 

Sockets arrived

 

Milwaukee all the way.