Cordless Impact Wrench Recomendations

I am looking to get a decent cordless impact wrench for use in the Pick-N-Pull yard and at the track. I am looking to spend no more than $200 for this unless someone gives me a good reason to spend more than that. What would you guys recommend for this, it need to be able to remove lugnuts etc. and I want a unit that will last awhile. Are the Lithium ION batteries worth the extra cost. I am going to the pick-n-pull next weekend to pull an engine for a Hyundai and would like to bring this with me so I will be purchasing this week.

Really cheap ones (Harbor Freight) are worth exactly nothing. That is all I know.

Get this one. It's the only cordless impact I've found that's worth using. The $200 ones are disappointing.

As for the battery type, the lithium batteries will last longer. Whether that's important to you is a question you'll have to answer for yourself. To me, it's important - and the lithium battery in my IQv lasts a ridiculously long period of time.

In reply to pinchvalve:

I agree, that is why my budget is $200. Harbor freight stuff is OK for stuff you don't use often or for disposable stuff but I want something a little better than that. I hate to spend alot of money on cordless stuff because eventually the batteries wear out and you often can't get replacements or the replacements cost as much as a new tool. I have been considering a Crafstman unit that puts out 200 ft/lbs for $100. That would probably be the cheapest one I would consider.

I recently picked up a Milwaukee impact. It's rated to 450ft lbs and has lithium ion batteries. Thing is a tank and works great! I've tried several of the guns and was disappointed in all of them.

I didn't want to spend the huge bucks the Snap On impacts cost, so I gave this one a try. Works awesome!

I use a Northern Tool one and have been happy with it so far. The batteries could last longer, but it will pull and reinstall a set of wheels on a charge without any problems.

I also have the Northern Tool brand 24v gun (typically around $130; often on sale for $99; I snagged mine for $79). It's adequate for R&R'ing wheels in an auto-x paddock (which is what I bought it for). I don't really use it for much other than wheels. It took a few uses to break in and loosen up until it would work. Until then, I was disappointed. That said, I bought it mainly as a stop-gap until I could afford the 18V DeWalt model (only because I already have a bunch of 18V batteries). A mechanic friend has the Snap On model and swears by it.

I like the IR one Keith posted, but you'll notice the $219 price is for the tool only - no battery, no charger.

We have a Snap-On one at the shop. It's nice, but the IR one just feels like a better unit. And yes, it's a $400 tool by the time you're done buying the battery and the charger. Definitely a splurge.

On the flip side, I ran the entire Targa with that gun and never had any concerns about battery life or power. I've used it for transmission and engine pulls happily.

I have a bunch of Milwaukee 18Vcordless, so I was able to buy just the impact wrench, no battery or charger. I'll probably regret that choice when the batteries start to get soft, but I'll deal with that then. I think the impact was under $200, but with 2 batteries and the charger, more like $450cdn. I also didn't shop around, because most of the places you can get deals on tools won't stock or order individual tools- usually just the kits.

I have a Craftsman cheapie that does OK for what I use it for-- wrenching at the track, mostly getting the the wheels on and off. It only does about 50 ft. lbs max, though. Came in a package with 2 batteries and a drill/driver for about $100. Has held up quite well, though see battery comment below.

I also have a Dewalt that was a Xmas gift from the wife. Gotta love the thought, but I think it cost over $200 and it is a POS. Been to warranty repair once and still only works intermittently. It sits on a shelf while I use the Craftsman. I don't buy cordless Dewalt now, though I admit buying some of their corded stuff and being pleased with it.

I strongly recommend the lithium ion batteries. I wish I had them. My father was over during Xmas and wanted to do a small project while I was away. He pulled down all my rechargeable batteries (5 total for various drills and drivers) and they were ALL dead. Hadn't been that long since I had charged them, either. Seems if I let one sit for a week or so it discharges enough that it isn't worthwhile using it. I find myself using my corded driver more often than not because I don't want to wait for the cordless to charge. My father says he has the lithium ion batteries and never has that sort of problem.

Good info guys, keep it coming. Though I like the idea of the Milwaukee the price is higher than I want to pay right now when you factor in the batteries and charger. I don't have any Milwaukee cordless stuff right now I only have Black and Decker. THe Black and Decker stuff was a gift and has been great but would not have been my first choice. This will be used only for track use and pick-n-pull use as I use all pneumatic stuff at home.

a few years ago at the challenge i picked up a "goodyear" impact from pepboys for like $70. it's no IR or milwaukee but for super cheap it works well enough for swapping tires back and forth at events and some misc stuff, but i usually crack the nuts with a breaker bar first. it'll last a while if you dont ask it to break really stubborn stuff.

ive used the milwaukee and it makes a good amount of useful torque rather than just noise like the cheap ones if youre trying to use it like you would a proper air gun.

do you have any cordless tools that you could use the batteries for? if so that's probably the best way to go without spending for an expensive gun.

In reply to WilberM3:

All of my cordless stuff right now is Black and Decker 24 volt. I don't think Black and Decker makes an impact that takes that battery if they make any at all. I haven't even seen any 24V B&D stuff anywhere recently.

i have used one of those goodyear ones also. i use it daily on a tow truck.. never had any issues with it.

I got a Milwaukee 2663-22 at Tool King for like $150 or $200. It was some kind of remanufactured unit or something, but it's fantastic. I wanted one that would break lug nuts loose and it does it no problem. Came with two batteries, so I always have a fresh one.

I just looke it up and it looks like it retails for over $300 (dang, I got a good deal) but you might keep an eye out on the Tool King site for a similar deal.

Looks like there are a couple of DeWalt's on there now.

http://www.toolking.com/reconditioned-tools/reconditioned-cordless-tools

I have used the milwaulkee and like it, but the handle and moment of inertia are such that it vibes the heck out of your hands. It makes it seem like its way more powerful than it is. All it does for me is rock the driver back and forth which misaligns it with the screw or bolt... with bad consequences.

I used a bunch including Makita (looks pretty but so-so performance), Ryobi, (good performance, sketchy reliability), Milwaulkee (see above) and Rigid.

Get the rigid. I have loved every second of mine.

The large 18V DeWalts have a stupid rockered switch that's too easy to turn on and control direction. The detent in the 1/2-inch square drive is dumb, too: sockets are hard to put on/take off. If anyone's thinking about getting one of these, try it first to be sure you don't feel the same way.

I have a smaller DeWalt 18V (~120 ft-lb) that I love and use all the time. I prefer the smaller, lighter tool, but it does take a few seconds to bang lugnuts free.

In reply to procainestart:

Good info and something to consider. I was just about set on the big Dewalt from Amazon for like $230 with batteries and charger before I read your comment. I may want to go with something smaller as you suggested.

barnca wrote: i have used one of those goodyear ones also. i use it daily on a tow truck.. never had any issues with it.

Same. But my battery finally died, I need to rebuild it.

My big DeWalt has been nothing but excellent.

Name brand has a lot of benefits when it comes to batteries later on. Everyone remember when every contractor had the 9.6V Makita stuff? So many pros with them means batteries are still available. Same goes for the DeWalt stuff.

I was going to buy an impact wrench, but decided to try the impact driver (normally used for screws etc) from my 18v Lithium Makita drill/driver set with a 1/2" drive adapter and it worked great for removing lug nuts. As fast as any impact wrench I've used and it also drives screws like a champ. There is an interesting review on amazon for this where the guy compares the impact driver favorably to the impact wrench for removing lug nuts. It's the Makita LXT line.

I have a 6-7 year old Snap-on 18v. It will break free ANYTHING....huge rusty lag bolts on my old deck. Totally seized suspension bolts on my 25-year old Cherokee. Main hub nuts that wouldn't budge with a 4-foot cheaper pipe.... Whatever. I have yet to find anything that it couldn't take off. Lugnuts come off about as fast in Nascar, lol.

Batteries lost their power last year, but got them recored and now its more powerful than ever. Highly suggest....

I've owned a couple other "cheaper" cordless impacts that claim more power 18-24v from various manufacturers....one or two were fine for popping lug nuts and minor jobs. one or two others could hardly take off a lugnut, it was sad and pathetic....

I'm sure there are other good ones out there as noted above, but I swear by my Snap-on. It's the one and only time I really splurged for a high-end power tool and has been well worth the money (btw, I bought it used for $250 about 5 years ago).

Do any cordless impacts allow you to adjust the amount of torque being applied to the fastener? I prefer to break rusted fasteners free by hitting them on a low-torque setting and moving up in steps to max torque. This was taught to me as a way to avoid snapping fasteners - give the hammer action a chance to break the bond before trying to spin the thing too hard.

My HF cordless has zipped off my lug nuts plenty of times and occasionally jiggles the odd suspension bolt loose. No complaints for the investment made.

I've used a Dewalt and it has seen a ton of abuse during our circle track seasons with out issue. It works extremely well, although I agree with the socket detent nubby is extremely annoying on non-impact sockets. The impact sockets we have have a small hole where that goes and its easier to remove those using a small flat head screwdriver to release the detent.

Avoid the one from JEGS. I am unimpressed.