Cordless impact tools

[precopster]

AND imagine the possibilities if you have one of these in your cigarette lighter socket. You could work on the car while recharging it if it's flat.

Just picked up one of these 12V to 100V AC converters from Amazon through the Mathews link for my car and it works great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YQT6RS

[matthew1]

Bumping topic - any additional opinions on what brand to get?

I'm going to get something within the next 48 hours.

[fazool]

My wife got me

http://www.lowes.com/pd_201409-70-DCK23 ... facetInfo=

I had other matching pieces so now its a bigger set

Its a smaller unit 1170 in-lb but thats almost 100 ft-pounds of torque so for most bolts it's fine.

I love it so far.

[bigdaddylee82]

Julie got me the Dewalt 18V 1/2" 300 ft-lb impact that zhenya posted a link to earlier as a Christmas present last month. One of it's features I din't really expect to like as much as I do is the rocker switch for forward and reverse, instead of a separate switch. She got me the one without a battery/charger (cheaper) since I already had a 18V Dewalt combo kit and 3 batteries. So far it's done everything I've asked it, though admittedly I haven't really had it long enough to ask much of it yet.

So far Volvo-wise I've used it to bust loose those infernal torx bolts (yes I have torx impact bits) on the coolant thermostat neck, and have used it to remove the driver seat mounting bolts and seat belt bolt. Not much to report back at this point. Only negative about it so far are it's physical size, I can see in the future having to invest in some impact rated universal joints for my extensions.

I have a nice Craftsman 1/2" air impact for big/really stuck stuff if I need it, but with the Dewalt I don't have to drag a hose around or listen to the compressor run, both really big pluses to me, especially in they very limited space I have to work in.

- Lee

[wheelsup]

Look into the Craftsman C3 1/2" impact wrench, they offer it in Nicad and Li-ion.

[matthew1]

The Bosch impact wrench kit I was going to get just proved to be too big a hit to my wallet. This Craftsman is a little over half the cost (kits, both of them). Maybe I'll pick it up.

The Bosch is made in the US, and is highly regarded on the 'Net from the research I did.

Also from my research Lithium-ion is the way to go for rechargeable batteries.

[wheelsup]

Ni-cads are good, robust, cheaply replaced batteries. You do get more power with Li-ion but honestly I've had really good luck with my Ni-cads. One new Nicad is $30 @ Sears, what is the Li-ion? If I was looking it up correctly it was $90! One downside with Nicad is they do tend to lose power over time faster than Li-ion, but ANY battery does this, just look at laptop Li-ions.

I've learned in the past with buying tools to "just do it right the first time". Get a compressor and a Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake impact. Cordless impacts are great for guys at the track or AAA operators changing tires or if you live at an apartment complex. My 1/2" Earthquake is more powerful than my IR 2135timax rated at 750 ft-lbs. When I use an impact I use it because I need whatever I am using it on, to be off. Not to putz around with some electric gun. Just sayin'.

I've heard great things about the C3 series impacts, are you using this for a primary gun however? I would really hesitate to spend the money on one just to be able to rotate your tires faster.

Plus it takes my 25 gal compressor 4 mins to charge up from 0 to 150 psi and about 1:30 to go from 120 psi to 150 psi when the tank is low. How long does it take to charge a battery? My impact can be maintained for cheap by taking the hammers out and re-greasing. The anvil can be replaced for a few bucks (typical wear part). Once that C3 impact breaks you're better off buying a new one.

Anyway good luck, I've looked at them, but can't justify it. Harbor Freight does sell one, around $100 total (using 20% off coupon) for the impact, charger, and an extra battery.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-12 ... 67845.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-ni ... 68413.html

Would be neat to use without dragging around the hose but I've installed an overhead hose reel now so it's easily kept out of my way. Plus, with air you can buy some neat toys for cheap, here is a quiet 1/4" air ratchet review. Talk about time and hand saver, I love this tool, and I hate 3/8" air ratchets. They are a waste of time.