Cordless Impact tools

[nissannewby]

Agreed mate.

I never use my 18v impact wrench to crack wheel nuts, always by hand first, it can do it but why make it work harder than it has to. The OP never specified what he actually wanted to do with it he could be a chippie like 89gqpatrol4x4 during the week so the 1/4 drive would get used a lot then what the use of a wrench on the weekends and while the bosch unit doesn't quite have the grunt he will still only require 1 tool without the risk of break adaptors as that's very possible when turning 1/2" sockets.

[Cuppa]

I have no experience of cordless impact drivers, only air, & the manual 'nut cracker' (torque multiplier) I use for the larger nuts on our bus.

However I am a bit concerned about folk using these impact drivers to tighten wheel nuts (as opposed to undoing them). My understanding is that using them in this way results in a real risk of over torquing wheel nuts. This can result in the studs stretching which van have two possibly disastrous results. 1. 'Stretched' threads will increase the chances of nuts loosening off & 2. 'Stretched' studs will become weakened & more prone to snapping. Both scenarios represent a serious danger whilst driving.

It may be that these cordless impact drivers have precise torque setting capabilities, but I doubt it. By all means spin the nuts on to just tight with a driver, but finish them off by hand.

Cuppa

[Drew]

Can we have some wrench porn pics posted ?

[threedogs]

A lot of shops [4x4] now use these tools and when I get my wheels rotated I always ask them to use the torque ends.
that way if out wheeling I can undo the wheel nuts myself. But for general use if you can get to the nut or bolt very handy.
For tyres I still use my 12v Kangaroo creek impact wrench, slow but works for me. rotating 4 tyres is 20mins faster

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8pc-1-2-D...item439b829fc3

[sil3nt_dr3ams]

I cant imagine life in the shed without impact drivers, I have no idea how I got by without them. Makita ones are good I got over 4 years out of my last one and it wasn't a very easy 4 years. lol and that's 1/4 hex type then I just use the adpater to get 1/4 3/8 1/2 inch sockets. It does have the torque of a 1/2 cordless rattel gun but its perfect for doing everything front seatbolt nuts to fender bolts everything that doesn't get torqued hard. I will undo pretty much any after your crack it with a bar. They are small and nimble fit anywhere. Great for using things like wire wheel attachments for cleaning steel, as you can see i love my impact driver. Eve tho they are around 400ish with batteries if the same tool cost 2000$ I would hesitate to buy one . They are also great for using hex drill bits in tight spaces, countersinking bits.

[Forced Offroad]

I just upgrade to a full Milwaukee m18 brushless kit. I have the impact diver that will get odd bolt undone, I mainly use it for screwing. BUT, I got the new 1220Nm impact wrench as well. Great bit of gear, cracks wheel nuts with ease and got stuck into a 20year seized lower control bolt that was giving me some grief.

[sil3nt_dr3ams]

I just upgrade to a full Milwaukee m18 brushless kit. I have the impact diver that will get odd bolt undone, I mainly use it for screwing. BUT, I got the new 1220Nm impact wrench as well. Great bit of gear, cracks wheel nuts with ease and got stuck into a 20year seized lower control bolt that was giving me some grief.

Milwaukee and hilti would have to be ontop of the ladder when it come to tools.

[Wizard52]

A lot of shops [4x4] now use these tools and when I get my wheels rotated I always ask them to use the torque ends.
that way if out wheeling I can undo the wheel nuts myself. But for general use if you can get to the nut or bolt very handy.
For tyres I still use my 12v Kangaroo creek impact wrench, slow but works for me. rotating 4 tyres is 20mins faster

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8pc-1-2-D...item439b829fc3

Agree as long as KCI has full 12volts+. Mine looses efficiency when voltage drops a bit.

[90mav]

I use my 18v LIon Makita impact driver with the socket attachments. It's just not quite powerful enough to loosen wheel nuts but crack them with the wheel brace and it's all on. Great for pulling apart bits of the truck when working on it and still useful around the house.
I wouldn't bother with a dedicated rattle gun unless you plan on doing heaps of mechanical work with it.

[sil3nt_dr3ams]

I use my 18v LIon Makita impact driver with the socket attachments. It's just not quite powerful enough to loosen wheel nuts but crack them with the wheel brace and it's all on. Great for pulling apart bits of the truck when working on it and still useful around the house.
I wouldn't bother with a dedicated rattle gun unless you plan on doing heaps of mechanical work with it.

Makita impact drivers are the go, nimble and will do delicate work. Crack the wheel nuts then use the impact driver.