20 replies to this topic

[CARLOS TEIXEIRA]

Just looking for some advice & what's been working for everyone when working on the Miata. I'm currently looking at a dewalt 300 lb/ft ($200) vs. a Milwaukee 700/100 lb/ft ($300) Impact torque wrench. I'm leaning towards more torque but definitely open to suggestions Thanks in advance for sharing.

[Ron Alan]

Believe it or not the best impact I've used is one of the cheapest...Craftsman! Outstanding for the hobbiest...$100 for 1/2' with battery! I bought the better $70 Lithum ion battery as well...takes off OEM axle nuts with the correct socket!! I picked up the 3/8" drive on sale for $69 as well at the same time...uses the same batteries! My Dewalt you described has been on the shelf for 2 years!  Best I've ever used is Snap On but I will let the pro's who make a living with it pay for those

 

BTW...I hope i'm not confused...impact gun or torque wrench?

[Alberto]

I've been using the Sears one as well.  Works on wheel lugs, hub nuts, subframe nuts/bolts etc.

[Bench Racer]

I've had a 14v Dewalt and a 18v Dewalt for lots of years. If I were to buy another it would be a Hitachi 14v brushless as my friend has and I've used plenty when wrenching his cars. To me doing the axle/sub frame bolts/nuts is of no importance as compared to the lighter weight/less bulky of a 14v unit that's used constantly.

Before you buy the Dewalt 18v expecting 300 ft. lb. usage try it at something torqued to
300 ft. lb. SUPRISE!!!

[Richard Astacio]

Believe it or not the best impact I've used is one of the cheapest...Craftsman! Outstanding for the hobbiest...$100 for 1/2' with battery! I bought the better $70 Lithum ion battery as well...takes off OEM axle nuts with the correct socket!! I picked up the 3/8" drive on sale for $69 as well at the same time...uses the same batteries! My Dewalt you described has been on the shelf for 2 years!  Best I've ever used is Snap On but I will let the pro's who make a living with it pay for those

 

BTW...I hope i'm not confused...impact gun or torque wrench?

 

 

I also use the sears craftman and works great!! 

[Killian]

We use the Craftsman too. One trick to removing lugnuts is to not over torque then in the first place. We use about 75 ft/lbs but Wheeler I think uses as low as 65 without issue. Loosening the lower torqued lugs increases the battery life over the weekend.

[CARLOS TEIXEIRA]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like lighter & less torque work fine for SM. Glad I got your guys input before going out & getting something heavy/over powered. I'll be checking out craftsman & some of the other suggestions!

[Think Racing]

How do the batteries hold up on the Craftsman? I've had inexpensive before as well, but the batteries didn't hold a charge after 1-2 years either.

[CARLOS TEIXEIRA]

How do the batteries hold up on the Craftsman? I've had inexpensive before as well, but the batteries didn't hold a charge after 1-2 years either.

In my experience Nichel-Cd/Mh batteries only last about two yrs, then I've had to replace them. However, most newer tool designs are using Lithium-ion batteries which are suppose to have a longer life span/charge cycles. However, Li-ion batteries are more easily damaged & don't like heat so shouldn't be left in the sun, hot cars, etc. I look for Li-ion batteries in new tools I buy.

[steveracer]

I've been very happy with my Ryobi from Home Depot for $99.

If you pay attention, they put batteries on sale frequently.

[MotoFusi]

I have been using Hitachi cordless screw drivers for about 5 years. I bought the 1/2" brushless Impact this year and I am very happy with the performance.

[tferranti]

I have had Harbor Freight, Snap-On, and Ryobi most recently.  

 

While the Snap-On is nice, I am very happy with the Ryobi.  The batteries are all interchangeable and the $99 price tag is really nice.  Highly recommend the Ryobi! 

[davew]

Inside the plastic case, the batteries are almost all the same. Most battery stores (batteries plus, etc) can rebuild cordless tool batteries. Interstate also has a service for doing it. I have had batteries rebuilt for several different brand of tools by Interstate with great results.

 

Dave

[tferranti]

Dave - Did not know that, thank you very much for the tip!

[Bench Racer]

Or if you have more time than $$$ search, "repair rechargeable battery pack."

[Tom Hampton]

Another solid vote for the Ryobi.  Once I went all-in on the One+ battery system...its a no-brainer.   I've removed wheel nuts, bell-housing bolts (including the ones at the top with long extensions, and a wobble), sub-frames, etc.  I did my entire re-tub using the Ryobi.  I even recently changed the tires on my RV after the roadside-assistance guy burned up his Milwaukee. 

 

Interesting to hear about the Batteries+ deal.  I have some that have gotten old sitting in a drawer to be recycled.  I may have to try having one rebuilt. 

[FTodaro]

Another solid vote for the Ryobi.  Once I went all-in on the One+ battery system...its a no-brainer.   I've removed wheel nuts, bell-housing bolts (including the ones at the top with long extensions, and a wobble), sub-frames, etc.  I did my entire re-tub using the Ryobi.  I even recently changed the tires on my RV after the roadside-assistance guy burned up his Milwaukee. 

 

Interesting to hear about the Batteries+ deal.  I have some that have gotten old sitting in a drawer to be recycled.  I may have to try having one rebuilt. 

Are you talking about the 18 volt unit? 300 ft lbs of tq?

 

Give us some stats on the exact units you guys bought.

[Tom Hampton]

This one :

18v one+ sysyem
$99 without battery.

Model: P261
Internet/Catalog:205885687
Store SKU:327031

The new and improved Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ 3-Speed 1/2 in. Impact Wrench is more compact and more powerful than the previous model. With this new design, it produces 300 ft. lbs. of torque and up to 3,200 impacts per minute.

[Todd Green]

Bought a SnapOn (CT350?) 12v back in 2000 before other brands were on the market.  Battery lasted til 2010 (IIRC) when I sent it off to a rebuilder and had a 14v put in it which is still going strong.  Zips off lug nuts with 80+ ft/lbs all day long.  (I only torque to 75, but my garage mates do more on their cars and constantly use my impact.)  I like it because it torques the lugs to around 70 ft/lbs(*) so it is really fast to do the final snugging with the torque wrench.  With the plethora of options available today, I'd probably get something else, but the thing had been bullet proof.

 

* Edit: If you sit there and let it hammer it'll probably do around 80, but I'm talking about just a quick "brrrap".  Yes that is the technical term for 70 ft/lbs.

[SaulSpeedwell]

Milwaukee M18 Fuel (P/N 2663-20) bought from friendly local Do-It-Best hardware store for less than one crappy Applebee's meal more expensive than online prices.  I have the cordless drill and deck screw driver (1/4" impact) that goes with it.  Wish I had bought them long ago, as I put hours per week on my Milwaukee M18 Fuel tools.  

 

More torque isn't more better if 95% of your use will be lugnuts with 85-ish ft-lb specification.  Axle Nuts are the tough deal on Miatas, and if you plan on doing many of those, you may want to pay for "more torque".  Otherwise, what will you ever be torquing/un-torquing that needs >100 ft-lbs? 

 

I used to have the Chinese private label version (from "American Tool Exchange" on eBay) of what Longacre rebadges and marks up as the 24V "pit gun".  It was fine, it lasted a good while, but I'm glad I bought mine with two batteries for $119 in the color orange instead of the $280 Longacre charged for one colored gray. Batts eventually died, and are too much of a PITA to reload with cells.  Price has gone way up on the private label version, maybe Longacre had an exclusive and pitched a fit at the manufacturer for selling them to someone that was undercutting them by so much.

 

Better than the Chinese Longacre is the Chinese unit that looks like this one, regardless of how it is branded: eBay item number: 152230037400

If you can get that unit for cheap enough, it works great, lasts a long time.  I would have bought another when I bought the non-Longacre version of the Longacre, but they were out of stock at the time.

 

But ....  for the incremental additional price of one flatspotted Hoosier or one steak/beer bender at some restaurant in some town where you are racing, I would just buy the Milwaukee or DeWalt.  If you have an air tool that can do "big torque", go with a gentler impact.  If this is all you'll have in your impact arsenal, then pay for big torque and learn to take it easy on the little stuff.