Anyone here use a cordless impact wrench?

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QueBert

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
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I don't need one, but I decided to look into getting one to remove lug nuts. I checked Amazon and a few other places. The most rated ones have reviews all over the place. One will say it sucks for removing lug nuts and you have to use a hand wrench to break it first, the next will say it works perfect. A lot of the tools I'll literally see 20 reviews going each way. I'm not trying to open a shop where I'll be using it a lot, or even every day. I just want a decent 1/2 inch one that's $200 or less where I won't have to break it by hand.
 
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Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
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Raizinman

Raizinman

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Sep 7, 2007
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I don't see a purpose in purchasing a cordless impact for shop use as compressed air is plentiful. On the other hand our techs only use cordless ratchets for interior work.

The first time you drag a dirty air hose into a car.... well, it will only happen once.
 
QueBert

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,991
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Raizinman said:
I don't see a purpose in purchasing a cordless impact for shop use as compressed air is plentiful. On the other hand our techs only use cordless ratchets for interior work.

The first time you drag a dirty air hose into a car.... well, it will only happen once.
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I'm a mobile detailer and don't have any use for a compressor. I could do them by hand but I like using electric tools whenever I can just because lol.
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
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I have a Makita 1/2" impact wrench. Got it because I was getting a Makita cordless drill/saw combo set so I just used the same batteries. It does lug nuts no problem and a lot more than that too. Heavy sucker.

Do you already have a cordless tool set that you plan on using the batteries from? A decent 1/2" impact complete with battery and charger will run more than $200. The Makita by itself was around $180. I would tend to doubt the capability or durability of one that is a complete set for only 200 bucks.
 
QueBert

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,991
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SparkyJJO said:
I have a Makita 1/2" impact wrench. Got it because I was getting a Makita cordless drill/saw combo set so I just used the same batteries. It does lug nuts no problem and a lot more than that too. Heavy sucker.

Do you already have a cordless tool set that you plan on using the batteries from? A decent 1/2" impact complete with battery and charger will run more than $200. The Makita by itself was around $180. I would tend to doubt the capability or durability of one that is a complete set for only 200 bucks.
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Sorry I should have made it clear, $200 for the tool alone, I have access to batteries and chargers for just about any brand.
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
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I haven't played with the HIGHER $$ ones yet. But from what i was told they all work pretty well.

I have the old C3 Craftsman 19.2v, that thing is JUNK. Cant take off stuff torqued to 75 ft/lbs.

Cordless have their place such as the racetrak, auto-x, junkyard but also sometimes bring that airhose around is just annoying. If i was a daily wrench i would look into the Milkwakee M18 FUEL line but thats over your budget. Couple people i've seen with the dewalt guns at the auto-x seem to like them. People on garagejournal either say go with M18 or the w760 from IR.

I'm currently using the smaller m12 for everything in the engine work and for the most part anything around 50 ft/lbs will be taken off. I still use my IR2135 and air compressor for big stuff.
 
Billb2

Billb2

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2005
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I crew chief for two road race teams. We use Dewalt 18v impacts. They will easily strip lug nuts. We only use 55 pounds of torque so removal is never a problem so long as the battery is 50% or so. Just check the torque you need.

And you should really use a torque wrench to prevent rotor warp.
 
Torn Mind

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
12,078
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I can confirm that the Rigid X4 Impact can remove an axle nut on a 1996 Camry. That nut needed a little PB Blaster, but it is spec's to be torqued down to 290 ft-lbs. I used Harbor Freight impact sockets.

But it may not be the best for you since it seems to be sold console-only, meaning you have to get a different set for batteries that have the lifetime service agreement.

I suspect a lot of lug nuts are over-torqued greater than 300ft-lbs, which is the limited for most cordless torque wrenches, or heavily rusted. Sometimes, it could be just a defective unit.
 
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garndawg

Member
Feb 29, 2008
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Jimzz said:
For less than $200 the current craftsman is good. I bought that and it has taken off all the lugs nuts, suspension bolts, etc... with ease.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-c3-1...p-00945195000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

It goes on sale for $160ish every couple months.

Which ever one you get the 2 things I look for are up to 300ft/lbs (or more) and lithium ion battery.
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No, just no. Stay away from Sears...

They're cutting quality and in the retail Death Spiral, so chances are near certain they'll go under in the next year or two. So if you decide you'd like a cordless drill, circular saw or anything else that uses the same batteries, you're toast.

Stick with the namebrands listed above: DeWalt has the market share, Milwakee is pricey and excellent, etc.
 
razel

razel

Platinum Member
May 14, 2002
2,337
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101
Don't bother with cordless impact wrenches. I was interested in them last year. Same as yourself... to save time with lug nuts. Like everyone mentioned, if the lug nut is beyond tight, the majority of the cordless ones won't have enough power. I ended up trying a cheap Hitachi electric corded impact which worked extremely well, but then I ended up returning it.

It really wasn't much better or saving me time or energy much more than a cheap swiveling breaker bar. With that you have all the power your need to break loose stubborn nuts and then swivel it to near straight and speed turn it off with just three fingers. Your other option with the breaker bar is to break the nuts loose, then use a regular cordless drill to speed remove it.
 
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Jimzz

Jimzz

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Oct 23, 2012
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garndawg said:
No, just no. Stay away from Sears...

They're cutting quality and in the retail Death Spiral, so chances are near certain they'll go under in the next year or two. So if you decide you'd like a cordless drill, circular saw or anything else that uses the same batteries, you're toast.

Stick with the namebrands listed above: DeWalt has the market share, Milwakee is pricey and excellent, etc.
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OK then find a dewalt that meets the $200 or less spec's the OP asked for.

Also sears is dying, I agree; but craftsman will be bought out and kept for a long time. To much value in the name. Look at ATT. They have been bought/sold so many times its just a name now for its current company.
 
skyking

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,792
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I was lucky enough to get an 18V dewalt from the job for $50. It is one hard hitting wrench, have not met a lugnut to resist it yet.
 
QueBert

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,991
1,184
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LOL this thread is turning into the Amazon reviews, thank you guys for all the replies. The more I read the more I thought maybe I should stay away from these all together unless I can budget a lot more than I had planned to spend. And even the good ones seem to struggle when the battery gets semi low. Maybe my idea sounded better than it really was once I thought about it lol. So for now I decided to get a Tekton breaker bar, a torque wrench and some wheel protector sockets. Not exactly what I thought I wanted, but was $85 shipped and will work 100% of the time.

I really do appreciate all the feedback here. I probably will end up getting a mid level cordless impact driver and use it after I manually break the nuts.
 
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thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
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I have some random 18v Dewalt and it works great for breaking and removing lug nuts. I have wheels on and off all the time for track/street setups, making suspension adjustments, all-season/summer swaps, etc. Never give it a second thought.
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
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QueBert said:
LOL this thread is turning into the Amazon reviews, thank you guys for all the replies. The more I read the more I thought maybe I should stay away from these all together unless I can budget a lot more than I had planned to spend. And even the good ones seem to struggle when the battery gets semi low. Maybe my idea sounded better than it really was once I thought about it lol. So for now I decided to get a Tekton breaker bar, a torque wrench and some wheel protector sockets. Not exactly what I thought I wanted, but was $85 shipped and will work 100% of the time.

I really do appreciate all the feedback here. I probably will end up getting a mid level cordless impact driver and use it after I manually break the nuts.
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Yea the battery issue is the older batteries. The lithium ion ones do not have that problem.
 
Torn Mind

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
12,078
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The 33 inch Tekton bar I bought, while serviceable, is not the best. There is a bit of slop between the end and the bar on mine.

Anything with over torqued lug nuts will be a real chore.

Torque wrench should already be in your toolbox. Most cars and vans should have the wheels torqued to around 80-100 ft-lbs but idiots with an air impact push it way too far.
 
QueBert

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,991
1,184
126
Torn Mind said:
The 33 inch Tekton bar I bought, while serviceable, is not the best. There is a bit of slop between the end and the bar on mine.

Anything with over torqued lug nuts will be a real chore.

Torque wrench should already be in your toolbox. Most cars and vans should have the wheels torqued to around 80-100 ft-lbs but idiots with an air impact push it way too far.
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I've always used one of those x bar, pretty sure my lbs were way off, The Tekton breaker bar and torque wrench I ordered both get pretty good reviews. I know they're not the best, but they weren't the cheapest or the most expensive.
 
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S

sontakke

Senior member
Aug 8, 2001
895
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Sears still has good warranty. Buy the latest version of C3 and if you find it does not work for you, return it within 30 days. I am happy with my older C3 once I got lithium battery and charger for it.

If you use straight impact socket on it, there is no problem in taking off lug nut at all. If you start using extensions, converters or non-impact rated sockets, then you will have problem getting the full output to the fastener.

This topic comes up every few months here. If you search, you will find few of us have C3 and are happy with it. I also have smaller DeWalt and frankly, I find I use it lot more often than the big C3. Ergonomics play a big role in an impact wrench and DeWalt 12VMax line delivers. It is just phenomenal when working under the hood or under the dash. But the bottom line is, it is pure luxury to have them and definitely not something you need it as a home wrencher. There are probably lot of other tools that you may realize are needed in your toolbag than cordless impact wrench(es). One thing is certain; once you have a good one or two, you would be wondering why didn't I buy it earlier!

Having said that, if I were in the market today for a cordless impact, it would be M18 Fuel High Torque! But that will not fit inside the budget given in the original posting.
 
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C

clemsyn

Senior member
Aug 21, 2005
534
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The latest Craftsman C3 (300 ft lbs torque) impact wrench is a good choice. It's got LED light, good power in removing bolts (so far, the only bolt it didn't remove was my crank bolt on my Sienna). It's light weight for a cordless impact, small size that it can fit on tight spaces and has a good battery life.

If you must have the BEST or THE BEAST, the IR W7150 has incredible power. This is what I use in junkyards and hasn't seen a bolt it can't pull off. The crank bolt on my sienna was pulled of in a split second :)
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
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^also factor in that many company's like craftsman over rate their stats. My c3 was rated for 200ft/lb, lug nuts often laughed at it.
 
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