Moparts

Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun?

Posted By: jbeintherockies

Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 07:53 PM

I'm thinking about buying a cordless impact gun. I was wondering if anyone on here has one, what brand, good/bad, etc. How much torque do I need? The prices are all over the place, with Sears Craftsman starting around $80 and the Milwaukee's up to over $400.

The tool will be used to assemble my front suspension (for starters). So it will need to be powerful enough and small enough to fit in some tight places (torquing the UCA's comes to mind).

Thank you in advance!

Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 08:06 PM

I use a Milwaukee 1/2" battery impact in the shop almost daily. It does a good job and is very handy. Although, in my opinion, it does not make the advertised torque. (there's a surprise)



My guess is that it probably generates about 125-150ft.lbs.
Posted By: jbeintherockies

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 08:16 PM

How often have you needed more torque than it is capable of?
Posted By: skicker

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 08:29 PM

Everything I have is the Dewalt 18 volt stuff.
Is it as good as a Snap-On, probably not but between the 1/2" drive and the smaller 1/4" drive I can do pretty much whatever I need to.
It doesn't hurt that I have about 5 other 18 volt tools so batteries and chargers aren't a problem.
Posted By: Alaskan_TA

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 08:29 PM

Quote:

I use a Milwaukee 1/2" battery impact in the shop almost daily.



Same here. It is awesome for lag bolts into wood, lug nuts etc. It will zip off stubborn lug nuts that my air wrench will not move.
Posted By: CR8CRSHR

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 08:43 PM

Quote:

Everything I have is the Dewalt 18 volt stuff.
Is it as good as a Snap-On, probably not but between the 1/2" drive and the smaller 1/4" drive I can do pretty much whatever I need to.
It doesn't hurt that I have about 5 other 18 volt tools so batteries and chargers aren't a problem.



I have the 1/2" myself and love it. Really a sweet unit Dewalt has....
Posted By: jbeintherockies

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 08:52 PM

How is the Ingersol Rand stuff?
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 09:51 PM

I have been using 3 snap on ones for over 10 years now. They are alright, the batterys suck. They never last long enough for the job at hand. The snap on batterys are a rip off. I am on my 3 rd set of batterys. I hardly use them anymore and just use air so I'm sure that I get the job done without changing batterys. All three of mine are 3/8 drive because my crew used them for my race car for the engine at first when they were new. Don't need 1/2" for the engine.

I also got tired of using a cheap 1/2' air impact that had trouble getting some fasteners loose. So last year I bought this snap on impact, magnesium housing and 900 ft lbs of torque. It's been great to use this past year at work. I keep one cordless at work, it hasn't been out of my drawer in a year. The other 2 I keep at home and use them a little more often, same deal the batterys are always dead or weak when I need it.
I know you don't care about air, but here is the ultimate 1/2" impact wrench IMO.


These are a couple of my cordless wrenches, they have not only been used racing, I used them heavily in a truck repair shop. They get tossed around and have held up great, the batterys just suck, did I mention that?
Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 10:42 PM

Quote:

How often have you needed more torque than it is capable of?



For removing lug nuts, probably 1/2 the time. Of course, many of the shops that put the lugs nuts on use 3/4 air impacts. Which is what I have to use to knock them loose. In other words, the lug nuts are way over-torqued.

Other than that, the Milwaukee probably gets the job done nearly 90% of the time. I'll never be without one again.

My Milwaukee is an 18v, which is quite a bit more powerful than the 12v ones I have seen. And the battery charge does pretty good, too. It is not perfect, there are some things about it I don't like. But overall it has been a handy, dependable tool.
Posted By: shanker

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 11:29 PM

Quote:

How is the Ingersol Rand stuff?



i LOVE mine....and that's an understatement....it has more power than the snappy one and there is ALOT of info about it on Garagejournal.com
Posted By: T2R9

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 11:32 PM

I have the 18v Milwaukee 1/2" and 3/8" along with a drill, saw, and LED light. LOVE them all! The 3/8" is my go to tool more than any other.
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/10/14 11:58 PM

Quote:

Quote:

How often have you needed more torque than it is capable of?



For removing lug nuts, probably 1/2 the time. Of course, many of the shops that put the lugs nuts on use 3/4 air impacts. Which is what I have to use to knock them loose. In other words, the lug nuts are way over-torqued.

Other than that, the Milwaukee probably gets the job done nearly 90% of the time. I'll never be without one again.

My Milwaukee is an 18v, which is quite a bit more powerful than the 12v ones I have seen. And the battery charge does pretty good, too. It is not perfect, there are some things about it I don't like. But overall it has been a handy, dependable tool.



This is why I bought the good 1/2" air impact, so I know I'm going to get the lug nut off right away and not screwing around getting another tool or battery to finish.

I put on lug nuts with my 12V 3/8 drive cordless impact many times. Then checked them with a torque wrench, they were tight enough. But not worth a damn if you are trying to get air impacted nut off, IMO.

And I seriously doubt anyone is using a 3/4" impact to put on reg lug nut's, because it's too heavy to use like that and would snap off the lugs real easy tightening them. I use these all the time for a long time now.
They are using good 1/2" impacts like mine above and then the best 1/2" electric won't touch them, not even the average air one will. NOt saying over torque is good, it's really bad. I used to have to get that heavy 3/4" out every so often too to get some loose, not anymore on light duty vehicles. The new 1/2" is very light and that's good on your body and very powerful.
Posted By: cruzin

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 01:14 AM

I bought a Ryobi (#260, 18V). Only because I had the batteries and charger already. It's light duty and over rated at 200 ft. lbs. More like 100 ft lbs IMO. It's adequate for what I'm using it for which is to speed up the removal and installation of lug nuts and other various nuts / bolts.

I do final tightening by hand or with a torque wrench when necessary. I find myself using my air impact much less since this serves the intended purpose. I know many of the more expensive battery operated guns are stronger and more robust.

Again, I already had the batteries / charger so this was an expensive solution (think mine was $50) and has been a great addition to what I was looking for. Battery life (lithium) has been great. Perhaps if you already have a suitable power tool set, you can do the same and just get the impact gun.
Posted By: jbeintherockies

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 03:41 AM

Wow, thanks guys for the great feedback!

I thought the 1/2" drive would be the better choice over the 3/8" drive; more power was my theory. I'll look a little closer at the 3/8" drives and see if my theory holds true.

I have a very small garage with no room for a compressor. So, an air gun is out for now. Maybe someday I will have a bigger garage.
Posted By: jbeintherockies

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 03:46 AM

Quote:

Quote:

How is the Ingersol Rand stuff?



i LOVE mine....and that's an understatement....it has more power than the snappy one and there is ALOT of info about it on Garagejournal.com



Which model do you have? I was looking at the W360-KL1 model; but it is really expensive. It claims 360 ft-lbs of torque
Posted By: Exit1965

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 03:47 AM

I use a "Goodyear" branded 24 volt that I got at Pep boys a few years back, day after thanksgiving sale. The battery crapped out, but I'm using an 18v Ryobi battery in it, and it's great for the $70 I paid.

There was an article (or forum post) I read online where someone compared the Goodyear to a much more expensive gun, and while the more expensive one put out more torque, it wasn't a blowout if my memory serves.

All I know is I'm happy with mine.. but I never use it for torquing-in parts, just removing them.
Posted By: jbeintherockies

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 03:58 AM

For the money, I may just go with this one:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-189-82...mp;blockType=G1

What do you think?
Posted By: shanker

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 05:55 AM

Quote:

I use a "Goodyear" branded 24 volt that I got at Pep boys a few years back, day after thanksgiving sale. The battery crapped out, but I'm using an 18v Ryobi battery in it, and it's great for the $70 I paid.

There was an article (or forum post) I read online where someone compared the Goodyear to a much more expensive gun, and while the more expensive one put out more torque, it wasn't a blowout if my memory serves.

All I know is I'm happy with mine.. but I never use it for torquing-in parts, just removing them.




I've got the W7150 http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-...orque-impactool

when I got it last year or so...IR was offering a rebate for a free battery, so I've got the tool + three batteries & charger for around 400 iirc...
Posted By: shanker

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 05:57 AM

what I like about the W7150 is the shear power....I just replaced the springs on my R/T...when I was taking the OE u-bolts off, it was nice to be able to have enough power to just break them since they weren't wanting to come off...

the W7150 made short work of just busting them off
Posted By: Stanton

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 06:04 AM

I'd never trust a gun where specific torque is desired. That said, I use a cordless impact gun to get things assembled and use torque wrenches for the final tightening.

The problem with any kind of impact gun is that whether they be air or battery, when the power runs down so does the torque.
Posted By: 70blackfish

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 07:45 AM

I think i paid 170 for my Milwaukee 18.0v but that was tool only, i already had two drill combo pack, i think from lowes or home depot....it works great.
Posted By: nd65

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 03:30 PM

I have a Rockwell from Menards- got free lifetime battery replacement with it.

It will not loosen properly torqued lugnuts etc. I break them loose by hand and then zip em off.

It is 1/4" drive. I have adaptors for 3/8 an 1/2 sockets.
Posted By: feets

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 05:39 PM

Mine is an older Ingersol 3/8 drive. It works for all the normal garage guy stuff I do. When serious torque is needed I break out the air gun or big ratchet and breaker.
Posted By: dart4forte

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 06:49 PM

I have a Harbor Freight gun in my trailer and a Snapon in the garage.
Posted By: sixpacksteve

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/11/14 11:17 PM

have the Snap On. paid Bookoo bucks, works great when battery good. they suck and don't last that long. replacements expensive. suck too!
Posted By: Dan Halen

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/13/14 02:59 AM

Quote:

For the money, I may just go with this one:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-189-82...mp;blockType=G1

What do you think?



I have this one, I like it so far, I'm just a hobby guy so I won't wear it out.
Posted By: AARCONV

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/13/14 08:17 PM

I heard the 1/2 inch Makita one is the most powerful that's the one I am going with..
Posted By: wildman340

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 11/14/14 05:11 AM

KOLBALT This thing is a beast. My son has one and used it to break every rusted suspension bolt and nut from his 78 Ramcharger when we did his lift. He got me one for christmas last year and I ain't found a nut/bolt it wouldn't break loose yet.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_437515-11241-K20...mp;kpid=4759776
Posted By: 375inStroke

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/13/15 11:33 AM

I got a 3/8" and the bigger 1/2" 18v Dewalt impacts. The 1/2" says 300 ft/lbs. Bull. Fine for removing lug nuts torqued to 95 ft/lbs, but it won't remove suspension parts I've torqued to 160 ft/lbs.
Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/13/15 03:38 PM

I had a cordless 1/2 impact for a couple years at home. Found that I didn't use it enough and the batteries went bad. Replacement batteries were damn near the cost of the gun. Purchased a corded electric impact.... problem solved.

I have a 3/8 cordless impact at work and I use it daily (Zenex). Batteries have lasted 3+ years, but I'm swapping them on the charger probably every other day.

....IF you go cordless, be mindfull of where you are charging your batteries. Member Rhinodart lost his garage over a cordless battery charger and that's not the first time I'd heard of this happening.
Posted By: mopars4ever

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/13/15 05:24 PM

I have a Craftsman and I`m not impressed.
Posted By: 2Bad360sfromNC

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/13/15 07:01 PM

Quote:

I use a Milwaukee 1/2" battery impact in the shop almost daily. It does a good job and is very handy. Although, in my opinion, it does not make the advertised torque. (there's a surprise)



My guess is that it probably generates about 125-150ft.lbs.



Is yours the brushed one? The new Milwaukee Fuel Brushless one is unstoppable so far. It does have a lower torque setting, but on the high setting, it's either coming off, or breaking the bolt or stud. I've had it a couple months so far, and it rocks.
Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/13/15 07:16 PM

I think I paid $40 for my Harbor Freight gun. Works great.
Posted By: BrianT

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/14/15 12:58 AM

I got this one for Christmas. Paid around $100 without batteries but I have plenty of 18v batteries and a charger. I checked it Christmas morning and it zipped the lug nuts right off and back on the wife's car. I checked their torque afterwards and they were plenty tight. The reviews on Amazon were good, and most said just make sure that your battery is charged before using. It will be fine for the weekend work that I do.

Posted By: Mattax

Re: Anyone using an electric cordless impact gun? - 01/14/15 05:10 AM

Quote:

I'm thinking about buying a cordless impact gun. I was wondering if anyone on here has one, what brand, good/bad, etc. How much torque do I need? The prices are all over the place, with Sears Craftsman starting around $80 and the Milwaukee's up to over $400.

The tool will be used to assemble my front suspension (for starters). So it will need to be powerful enough and small enough to fit in some tight places (torquing the UCA's comes to mind).

Thank you in advance!





I use one a fair amount. I rarely use it for assembly, although there are times it is handy.

I first had a small Makita to speed up wheel changes at autocross events. That's long ago and outdated. All the lug nuts needed to be broken loose first.

A few years ago I bought a 1/2" Bosch Compact 14.4 volts Ni-Cad.
Pros: It does everything it needs to do, which means lug nuts off without being loosened with a breaker bar. This both the Barracuda and the Jeep (whose lug nuts are at 75 ft-lbs). It also does about 80% of whatever else I want it to do. Sometimes the impact wrench just can't get in there or some rusty bolt is not going to break loose.

Cons: The Ni-cads are not top dog in terms of power to weight.

Pro and Con: To address the battery sitting for weeks at time, I bought a variable speed 3/8 drill and flashlight that use the same battery. They are OK and useful to have around. Good but my cheap Milwalkee 14.4 drill and flashlight were better (except in quality control). Battery life and charge time have all been good.

I use a torque wrench for all critical tightening including wheels. In fact besides running the lug nuts down for a first snug, I rarely use an impact wrench for any assembly. But if you plan on using the impact wrench for torquing stuff, then buy a set of wobble sticks.
© 2024 Moparts Forums