OverlanderJK
Resident Smartass
I still use mostly hand tools. Just what I’m used too. Big bots I’ll use the bog impact but that’s about it.
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What Impact Driver Are You Using?
- Thread starter NME
- Start date
I still use mostly hand tools. Just what I’m used too. Big bots I’ll use the bog impact but that’s about it.
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A.J.
Active Member
I still use air tools a lot because I already owned them before the battery powered stuff was any good. I have a bunch of the cheap Ryobi ones my wife keeps getting me for Christmas. I even have duplicates of some because they were in sets. Still use hand tools for the most part though. Especially when assembling. I just need to feel how tight bolts are for some reason. Power tools for tear down and hand tools for assembly. If I had to start over the Milwaukee stuff seems the best fit battery powered tools. I am jealous of them every time I use someone else’s.
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FFPulley77
Hooked
I can tell I’m headed down the wrong path. I bought Kobalt impacts because they use the same batteries as all my other stuff...
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Appreciate you and all the other WAL's. I decided to just pull the trigger since everyone says it is worth every penny. Plus with everything I need to do on my baby, anything that'll make it easier seems like a good investment. There are some fluff pieces I wanted for the Jeep I can always make up for later. Thanks again.
fiend
Caught the Bug
I have the DeWalt 20v 1/2” high torque model. I originally got it to do crush sleeves after my corded craftsman died. I use it mostly for lug nuts and skid plate bolts now. It has no trouble with those. Like some others in this thread, i still mostly use hand tools because oftentimes there’s no room for anything else. I also hate stripping threads.
Once you’ve bought into one brand’s battery system, you pretty much have to stick with that brand. Now I have a Dewalt cordless drill and a grinder/cutoff. I carry all three tools, with three 5 amp batteries, on the trail.
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Once you’ve bought into one brand’s battery system, you pretty much have to stick with that brand. Now I have a Dewalt cordless drill and a grinder/cutoff. I carry all three tools, with three 5 amp batteries, on the trail.
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Snboarder113
Hooked
Air tools if you’re on a budget. I use a dewalt 20v 1/4 impact driver for most everything on the Jeep (socket adapters) and can still use it around the house with other bits. For the big shit grab the 1/2” air impact. That’s the one complaint I have about the cordless impacts, they’re too damn big and bulky and often can’t fit where I want them air impact is far more compact.
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I have never had any power/air tools so this is all new to me. I just don't have as much time as I used to and I watch Eddie just knocking out upgrades and replacements with those Milwaukee set like nothing.
Yeah I don't mind using them for tear down but I also feel the same about feeling things when I assemble. I mostly wanted to power stuff to make taking apart faster, so I went ahead and bought it this morning. I don't have any power/air tools so I figured if I was going to go in for them I wanted to make sure I started off right. Consensus was Milwaukee, so that is where I went.
Kuboske
Active Member
Me, as well. Started with Dewalt, now locked in. I have everything, up to and including 1", drive, air, as well.
I would like to try Milwaukee stuff, some time to compare.
Wethy
Member
I have multiple milwaukee tools including 1/2" high torque, 1/4" impact and other ones. Its very nice to just be able to put the inpact on and go. Like others have said buy once cry once. When i did the motor swap on mine both of those tools got used extensively. And made my life easier when it came to getting things done efficiently.. especially since i had tl swap the upper oil pan from motor to motor. They are low torque bolts so the 1/4" made quick work loosening all of the bolts off and tightening them(to just hand tight. Both the impacts have torque limit settings this helps a lot when you want to just snug bolts up them torque by hand.
I also use both the high torque and mid torque at work and there's quite a bit of difference between the two in my opinion.
I also use both the high torque and mid torque at work and there's quite a bit of difference between the two in my opinion.
jdofmemi
Active Member
I agree that the 1/2" Milwaukee is big, but I have an assortment of extensions, some with the angled ends, and the better wobble adapters. I was able to reach 90% of bolts on my engine swap that way.
Even the upper bell housing bolts, with about 3' of extension and a couple of wobbles.
With practice and experience, you learn how hard the tool is hitting.
I will hit things with the torque wrench to check, and most times I get less than 1/8 turn to click. If you click before it turns, you ha e overtightened, so practice stopping the impact soon enough to be close.
While not fool proof, it is a real time saver, especially for trail repairs.
Keep in mind, an impact gun, either air or electric, does not make max torque right away. It hits a point, then ramps up the longer you hold the trigger, as more blows make higher torque.
There are some good testing videos on YouTube that graph the torque to the amount of time. When you understand the relationship, you can get the most out of your tools, without twisting every bolt.
The great thing about the 1/4" impact driver, in my opinion, is that it maxes out under 26 ft lbs. You can use it on small bolts without fear of over tightening, but still doing final torque with a torque wrench.
CalSgt
Hooked
I'm in the DeWalt club too... I carry my impact, grinder, drill, and work light and a few 5AH batteries with me on big trips.
I bought a DeWalt 14v drill over 20 years ago & it lasted until about 2016, the drill was still great but the batteries were all shot & it costs almost more for batteries than tools so I changed over to the 20v stuff.
I think Milwaukee battery stuff has greatly improved since my last set, I had a big 18v combo kit from about 2004 or so that was a Christmas bonus from my boss. Everything worked but nothing in the kit worked as well as my DeWalt stuff, most of it didn't feel ergonomic in the hand and the batteries for that kit died before my DeWalt 14v's did.
From working in shops and being a carpenter I can say this, every brand has a few tools they make better than everyone else and a few that are worse. The main reason I get brand loyal to battery powered stuff is only because the added cost of different batteries and chargers makes it not worth while to have multiple brands.
Snboarder113
Hooked
Things are always doable, just extra work, Also- you ever have 5 extensions and a socket accidentally pop off the bolt while you're going full ugga dugga on your back contorted to reach something and get smacked by it? I prefer the simpler solutions, less wrenches get thrown.
zimm
Caught the Bug
I went and looked at mine. I have the brushless 3/8" 2754 which is rated for 210ft/lbs. It really nice, but not ideal for lug nuts and big stuff.
The 1/2" I have is the "mid-torque" brushless 2861 rated for 600ft/lbs.
I use the 3/8 for most everything unless it can't do the job and I grab the 1/2".
I had an older M28 volt 1/2" drive that was so huge it wasn't fun to use- gave that away to family. They're getting away from M28 stuff anyway.
Pass on the M12 stuff, they're weak sauce. Only good for 8 and 10mm little bolts.
The 1/2" I have is the "mid-torque" brushless 2861 rated for 600ft/lbs.
I use the 3/8 for most everything unless it can't do the job and I grab the 1/2".
I had an older M28 volt 1/2" drive that was so huge it wasn't fun to use- gave that away to family. They're getting away from M28 stuff anyway.
Pass on the M12 stuff, they're weak sauce. Only good for 8 and 10mm little bolts.
Last edited:
fiend
Caught the Bug
It has three settings. Try 1 or 2 before going to three...
*
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It has three settings. Try 1 or 2 before going to three...
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The entire time I’ve had this I never noticed the switch... holy moly.