Impact Gun Recommendations

So I am not die hard one brand. Have used them all and not too picky. However, I have made the switch from DeWalt to Milwaukee and feel it is better made and just feels better in my hand. Seems like Milwaukee has a really extensive lineup. Their m12 line is the absolute stuff. I have bought about 13 different m18 tools and have about 10 different m12 tools and 10 or so batteries.

Even though Milwaukee is 18v and DeWalt 20v, I feel like the Milwaukee is stronger. Also smoother in my feel.

There are several different models of 1/2" impacts so you got to be careful to compare. However, the Milwaukee will loosen and rip nuts off the DeWalt won't. All our mechanics in the shop much prefer Milwaukee now also.

It really is a Ford, Chevy, Dodge thing.......

 

All Makita here.

 

I have a Makita 18v 1/2” impact. My buddy has a Milwaukee 18v 1/2” impact. I like them both a lot. Both impacts have loosened the large nuts on the ends of CV axles. I’m not sure which one is more powerful. I’ve used them both many times, but not on the same vehicle on the same day. I do like the ergonomics of the Milwaukee a little bit better. It’s also more compact and lighter weight than my Makita.

 

Milwaukee for life.


Milwaukee is also the official cordless tool brand of tundras.com.

 

Milwaukee is pretty much the gold standard, especially for anyone that uses power tools to make their living. Their fuel line is pretty nice.

There are plenty of good brands out there Dewalt, Metabo, Makita, Snap-On, etc. That make a reliable tool that will get the job done. (Some have more 'bang for the buck' than others)

There are lots of cheap house brands out there, some of them are getting better and might be passable for a DIYer. I'm just not super on top of what's decent and what's crap.

Really the question is what battery ecosystem do you want to buy into? And does that ecosystem support the other types of power tools you may want to get at a price point you can live with.

 

Do you already have batteries in one line of power tools yet or not?

If yes and the typical answer is get tools in that line up. Any of the newer mid or high torques should do the job unless you're in the rust belt.


If no, then go check out the ergonomics and look at the tool line up to see if one brand has what you need/like/want over the other. Make sure to go brushless.


I started with the early ryobi cordless (00 or so) which quickly went bad. I then went to dewalt and was happy with their compact 20v 1/2" impact for years (120-150lbs) for lugs and light use at the track.

Now I'm in the red line up as they have an extensive line of tools and I've got quite a few now.

 

Team Makita here!

 

I have DeWalt XR 20v for home use, but for the price point, I'm a bit surprised to not be hearing anyone mention Bauer 20v yet.

Yes, from HF, but they offer a full line of good tools at very reasonable pricing. Batteries are cheap and have held up well in the truck and RV, and I find myself using them for 75% of my needs since they are so easily accessible. Have not had a single failure on any component.

Their latest 1/2" impact now comes with three settings (my original.was only a single setting set at about 95 ft/lbs) and supposedly goes up to 700ft/ lbs IIRC

 

I finally started my cordless collection with a Dewalt DCF921 compact 1/2 hog ring impact. Changed brakes on wife’s suburban last week and no problem removing lugs. Speed 1 torques to 150 and Speed 2 to 300. Breakaway torque is 450 ft lbs. even better it was on a good sale at Ace recently.

 

I’ve always been curious on how electric tool manufacturers measure the torque ratings on their tools. Or are the power and torque ratings a bit skewed...just like in the automotive engine industry

 

Check out the Torque Test channel on YT.

 

This.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r-r2uRFeub4


I have been in the Ingersol Rand air impact camp for a long, long time. After watching a dozen of these videos I went bought the Milwaukee. Wow. This thing is pretty great. It’s quiet as well. No more zing zing zing air noises while removing the wheels.

 

Well in the automotive world, HP/TQ is tested to a standard. Meaning all of them are essentially tested the same way. While it's not exactly what you put down to the wheels because of drivetrain and accessory losses. It's at least a standardized way of measuring which makes comparing between different cars relatively easy.

I don't think there is anything like that for the impact world yet. So I'm sure there are lots of tricks and intentional skewing going on so they can put the biggest torque number on the box as possible. But the Torque Test Channel on youtube is doing some ok testing to give you comparable results for impacts.

There are associations that do this sort of stuff, For example, PWMA and PGMA are associations that provide a standardized way to test pressure washer and portable generator performance. So if you see their emblem on a pressure washer or generator box you at least know they aren't completely lying about the performance. I wonder if something like that will ever come to the power tools industry.

 

I am moving towards Makita 18v for all of my cordless tools. I recently picked up a Makita 1/2” impact wrench. Not a lot of use yet but so far done everything asked of it without an issue. In my opinion all brands have their pluses and minuses so it’s all a matter of picking one and moving forward.

 

I picked up a ryobi impact for a steal, it has not let me done yet. I have used Milwaukee at work and was planning to get on, but then I found the deal on the ryobi. My choice would be Milwaukee unless you find a great deal.

 

Project Farm video! Compact Impacts but still.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsZSg_aiNUE&pp=ygUacHJvamVjdCBmYXJtIGltcGFjdCB3cmVuY2g=

 

That Ridgid is pretty compelling when you consider the price tag.

 

I gave my smaller Makita XWT02Z 1/2 impact to my pops when I got him some Makita 18v tools. I have a heavy duty 1/2 Makita XWT08Z for when shit gets real. I also purchased a generic impact that handles most of my jobs. Its an Enegitech and uses my Makita batteries. Works great and was like 50 bucks. I also then grabbed the 1/4 and 3/8 Makita impact wrench.

 

This one.

Enegitech 18V Cordless Impact Wrench Brushless, 4 Rev 1/2" Automatic Power Tool for Car Tyre, Work ETB1830B or 18V Lithium-Ion Battery(Tool Only)

https://www.amazon.com/Enegitech-Brushless-Automatic-Compatible-Lithium-Ion/dp/B07HB3MKXC?ie=UTF8

 

I have just about every ryokan cordless tool and lawn equipment that the average homeowner needs and have never wanted more. They work great and are durable.
That said, I went with the rigid impact driver about three years ago and the thing is a beast. I think I got it for $129 and it has never failed - have used it to install running boards, Seay bars and a ton of things on the wrangler.

 

Ridgid 18V Impact on sale!
https://slickdeals.net/f/17039368-r...ction-ring-89-50-home-depot?src=category_page

 

Exactly why I want one.

 

It’s $100 off and comes with a 4.0ah battery

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-4-0-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-R86012K/319962264

or you can buy the batteries for $179 and get the impact gun for free.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...e-Impact-Wrench-AC840060SB1-R86012B/326784054

 

Looks oddly like my Bosch….

“DEAL HAS EXPIRED”, else at that price I’d have bought myself a gift for this month

 

IMO Ridgid is a great power tool for DIYers. I have their subcompact drill and 1/4" impact driver set, mid-torque impact, portable tire inflator, and (4) 2AH batteries. All bought on sale. Way cheaper than going with big red, and good enough performance for what I do. Like someone else mentioned you can get their lifetime warranty on the tools and batteries. But you have to make sure to register them to get this. Also they only offer lifetime warranty on batteries that are included with a tool. Not batteries that are sold individually.

Portable tire inflators are amazing by the way. Highly recommend getting one for whatever battery system you are in.

I really want to fill out my impact line up and get their 3/8" subcompact impact and their 1/2" high torque. And maybe 2 of their high output 4AH batteries.

 

Bought 2/6/19



Crank bolts are no problem.


Lug nuts done easy.


Steering wheel work.


Axle nut? Pffff. Not even a challenge.

 

That thing looks like it really helped you bust a lot of nuts, bud!

 

And many more to come.

 

Check your model Numbers before you buy the Milwaukee FYI:

https://toolguyd.com/milwaukees-m18-fuel-2767-impact-wrench-probems/


The latest model doesn’t have these issues and is more powerful.