Whats the best 1/2" impact wrench/gun?

DirtySCREW

DirtySCREW

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You know...the battery thing to get lug nuts off....or any other bolt or nut that needs removing.
I'd prefer team YELLOW...as I've drank the yellow kool-aid and have quite a bit of 20v dewalt tools and batteries.

But if team RED Milwaukee is truly better, I might invest.

What say ye?

Is my understanding that dewalt XRs are better that the Atomics? I do know that home depot has pretty much went Milwaukee and ryobi...as their dewalt selection is hardly anything anymore.

How much power does one need to remove truck lugs?

DS
 
Bigdave0924 said:
Battery beats pneumatic in the most important category for most people. Convenience
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Battery impact and a tire change step 1 get tools together step 2 jack up car step 3 hunt for another battery or put battery on charger step 4 remove/replace tire. it seems like every time I use a battery tool it dies in the middle of the job which to me is not very convenient just my observation (mine are DeWalt 20 volt)
 
vaskeet said:
Battery impact and a tire change step 1 get tools together step 2 jack up car step 3 hunt for another battery or put battery on charger step 4 remove/replace tire. it seems like every time I use a battery tool it dies in the middle of the job which to me is not very convenient just my observation (mine are DeWalt 20 volt)
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Sounds like your prep sucks
I always have multiple batteries ready to go. It's not hard to throw two on the charger for a few hours and then take them off and put them aside. (I use two because I have, currently, two chargers)
 
I work on forklifts for a living, and had a Dewalt 20V 1/2' impact.

Amazon product ASIN B00WJA1J68It didn't have the torque they advertised, with a fresh 5ah battery it didn't remove some 21mm lugs that I easily broke loose with a 2' breaker bar. My coworkers Milwaukee's definitely had more torque. I gave the Dewalt to my son and bought a Milwaukee.
Then my team lead gave me another Milwaukee 1/2" 2767-20 I've been meaning to post it in the BST.
Dewalt supposedly just released the most powerful 18/20V impact gun
 
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Milwaukee generally wins but check out the Torque Test Channel for comparisons and actual performance tests.

 
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Milwaukee mid torque is plenty for lug nuts and most projects on a car or truck you would not be disappointed at all. i have been well pleased with mine and battery life using the 5ah its impressed several people that were dead set on air tools. Most car or truck lug nuts are in the 100-150lbs so many of the brands can hit that mark easily. I was changing tires with the milwaukee 18v 1/4ā€ impact driver but the adapters wont hold up long term. The high torque is a neat beast but its just to big for most car applications to be practical.
 
DeWalt or Milwaukee 1/2" will easily handle light truck lugs and chassis parts. You do want at least a 5ah battery, very important.

For heavy equipment go Milwaukee, it's stronger. I own a DeWalt, I've used Milwaukee, I primarily use air at work and have a pile of DeWalt batteries or I'd switch.
 
Dewalt mid range would be fine for what you are after. I've had one for a couple years and it is great for working on vehicles. If I was starting over, I might get a milwaukee but I probably have over 10 Dewalt 20v tools at this point. I have all Milwaukee 12v tools including their little stubby 3/8" impact gun. That little thing is pretty surprising with what it can do.
 
I got to test drive one of these for a week when they first came out.
www.homedepot.com

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1 in. Impact Wrench Extended Reach D-Handle Kit w/Two 12.0 Ah Batteries 2869-22HD - The Home Depot

The MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL 1 in. D-Handle Extended Anvil High Torque Impact Wrench w/ ONE-KEY Kit is the world's first cordless 1 in. D-Handle High Torque Impact Wrench. The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers
www.homedepot.com
It performed just as good as my air guns. @Beef15 you should check them out if you get a chance. Iā€™ve got air guns but I prefer my Milwaukee stuff for convenience.
 
HMP said:
Sounds like your prep sucks
I always have multiple batteries ready to go. It's not hard to throw two on the charger for a few hours and then take them off and put them aside. (I use two because I have, currently, two chargers)
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Biggest problem with people and battery operated tools(mainly speaking of my dad but may apply to others), they leave their batteries on the charger until they use them the next time and that is not good for the batteries. Thatā€™s a very good way to kill a battery quick. My dad wonders why he buys new batteries every year and I keep telling him but doesnā€™t listen. Haha.
 
Crankbait said:
Biggest problem with people and battery operated tools(mainly speaking of my dad but may apply to others), they leave their batteries on the charger until they use them the next time and that is not good for the batteries. Thatā€™s a very good way to kill a battery quick. My dad wonders why he buys new batteries every year and I keep telling him but doesnā€™t listen. Haha.
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If theyā€™re DEWALT batteries and less than a year old call 1-800-4-DEWALT and tell them the batteries wonā€™t hold a charge and theyā€™ll send you new ones for free.
 
Crankbait said:
Biggest problem with people and battery operated tools(mainly speaking of my dad but may apply to others), they leave their batteries on the charger until they use them the next time and that is not good for the batteries. Thatā€™s a very good way to kill a battery quick. My dad wonders why he buys new batteries every year and I keep telling him but doesnā€™t listen. Haha.
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Most newer kits that use lithium ion batteries are fine to leave on the charger. Basically the same thing as leaving your phone plugged in for a long time. Chargers are now smart and turn on and off as needed.
 
If you are invested in yellow batteries, I wouldn't switch. Alot of the Milwaukee guys liked to compare gen 2 red vs gen 1 yellow since yellow was released later. Now that both companies are on gen 2 impacts they are pretty much the same.

Dewalt DCF891B mid torque with 600 ft lb fastening and 800 ft lb breakaway torque is all you need for light truck lug nuts. The high torque may be overkill at 1030 ft lb fastening and 1400 ft lb breakaway, unless your working with heavy truck lug nuts.


The Milwaukee high torque 2767 had some problems with a running change that they made in the gearbox, but I have read that they fixed it recently. I would check the serial number before buying one.
 
Bigdave0924 said:
If theyā€™re DEWALT batteries and less than a year old call 1-800-4-DEWALT and tell them the batteries wonā€™t hold a charge and theyā€™ll send you new ones for free.
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So will Milwaukee but heā€™s cheap and buys Ryobi.

Let me rephrase that a little. He likes to buy cheap tools that wonā€™t last BUT if something breaks he doesnā€™t mind going out and buying more cheap stuff
 
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I have the Dewalt XR and it's never let me down - and it's not made in china.
 
I have the DeWalt mid-torque and itā€™s perfect for working on vehicle suspension and lug nuts. My friend has the high-torque and itā€™s overkill. Itā€™s so large that you donā€™t want to use it for long periods and canā€™t get in tighter spots.

Speaking of tight spots, I also have the new subcompact 3/8ā€ DeWalt and itā€™s great! The small size makes it much more versatile and can be used where an impact driver might struggle such as driving a ton of large screws/lag bolts.

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I have the M18 Milwaukee 3/8" and it is fine for here at the house.
If I used it all day, then maybe the mid size would be better.
 
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HMP said:
Sounds like your prep sucks
I always have multiple batteries ready to go. It's not hard to throw two on the charger for a few hours and then take them off and put them aside. (I use two because I have, currently, two chargers)
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my prep for what I do is fine pull car/truck in garage jack up grab air-hose attach impact gun remove lugs replace tire unhook gun from hose and roll up hose /replace gun in box hose is always hooked up to 60 gal compressor
 
Dewalt XR removes my skid steer lugs just fine. After running tracks in soupy mud the lugs get a little sticky and after changing two tires on a 90 degree day with a large four way I decided I needed something different. Iā€™m sure Milwaukee is better but for the three or four times a month I need one the Dewalt has worked well.
 
Ridgid is my go to impacts. Lifetime guarantee if registered. This one should rip threads right off.
www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. HT Impact Wrench Kit with (1) 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger and Protective Boot R86212KN-AC13B02N - The Home Depot

RIDGID introduces the 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. HT Impact Wrench Kit with (1) 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger and Protective Boot. RIDGIDā€™s brushless motor technology delivers maximum performance and longer runtime. This Brushless High-Torque Impact Wrench delivers 1,300 ft./lbs. of breakaway...
www.homedepot.com
You have to be careful with this one. There is nothing I canā€™t do with it. 8ā€ lag screws, no problem.
In the mid range Ridgid outperforms big red.
 
The big Dewalt is currently a better tool than the current Milwaukee....team red cheaped out on some parts that have been failing. If you already have plenty of Dewalt 20v it's a no brainer.
 
vaskeet said:
my prep for what I do is fine pull car/truck in garage jack up grab air-hose attach impact gun remove lugs replace tire unhook gun from hose and roll up hose /replace gun in box hose is always hooked up to 60 gal compressor
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ok lol
 
I bought the kobalt 3/8 and 1/2. They work for me. Got both for 300 bucks. Most of the time the 3/8 does the job. Havenā€™t found anything that the 1/2 struggles with. I use them a lot more than I thought I would.
 
The best is Hilti ā€¦ best battery technology and best warranty BUT you donā€™t just buy them at Lowes or Home Depot. There are Hilti stores in Raleigh and Charlotte or you can order from their website.
 
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