I'm looking for a GOOD 1/2" Battery Operated Impact Wrench. I've used my friend's Snap-On CT6850 (I THINK), and that thing is awesome! But...it comes with a price! $500-$600 is a bit rich for me! I don't turn wrenches for a living, but am looking for something to make my life easier since running air really isn't an option as of now.

What impacts do have you guys had good experience with that may be somewhat on par with this one but without the Snap-On pricetag?

 

Snap-On...buy it once and you'll never need to buy another. The 3/8" is pretty badass too!

 

after using a friends Makita LXT modeled impact driver, I thought it was really good. But I've always loved the quality of Snap-On so I bit the bullet and bought the CT6850. Let me tell you, it blew the Makita out of the water! wayyy more torque, and the battery life seemed better also. Go with Snap-On

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5627uNhaeA

nuff said

 

CT6850. Have had mine for 2 years now. (Milwaukee products are VERY good , but I do not know anyone with their 1/2 in cordless for comparison) Price may be much if you are a DIY'er. But you simply waste money on the other products.

 

I have had my Snap On from the day they introduced it, 5-6 years ago.

I autocross my Teg and swap to Yokohama 032R tires for the track, the first day at the track I swapped tires on 6 cars, batt. was good till the last car reinstall of street tires.

Have tried a few other brands but none come close to the Snap On one, pricey but worth every penny.

If you are on a tight budget the Mastercraft 18V Ni Cad is not bad for under $200, it comes with 2 batt. and a claimed 220ft-lbs of torque 94

 

Funny after reading all this I was interested and wanted to try one out. A friend decided to change wheels in a parking lot and what do you know he had this. Works pretty damn good for being electric, it by no means is close to my Ingersoll air impact which is to be expected but it does the job. IDK if I like the $555 price tag with only a 1 year warranty though. Breaker bar is cheaper lol.

 

Northern Tool makes some decent affordable cordless impact wrenches. I have one, bought it for $90 and it zips off my lug nuts with ease. not as powerful as some out there, but can't beat the price. Also comes with 2 batteries, charger and unit.

 

Your IR only has a 1 year warranty too. The tool is good for what it does. I may used my IR once or twice the last 2 years. No more draging around an airline for me. I hardly even use my air ratchet anymore. Cordless is great and IMO makes me faster and more productive.

 

BTW here is the Miluakee impact. Too funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spSfT...yer_detailpage

 

I LOLed!! That was a great one.

I've been looking around, and performance-wise, it looks like the new Matco is the biggest-baddest battery operated impact on the market right now. It's just as pricey as the SO.

After looking around some more, I came upon a tool forum and a thread talking about battery operated impacts. One guy posted on there that he had a Milwaukee M18 1/2" impact (rated at 450 ft-lb) and said he hasn't found anything that the SO would do that the Milwaukee wouldn't do.

Milwaukee has a combo pack of this impact, a 1/4" impact driver, a flashlight, 2 Li-ion battery packs, charger, and bag for like $450. I think I might be leaning toward it, and possibly delving into some of the other Milwaukee M18 tools in the future. It's not nearly as expensive buying these when you already have the batteries.

 

I would go with snap-on too as I have been shopping too. But..... I'm not a fan of the old battery technology that they still use. In our shop somebody is always trying to warrenty a snap-on nicad of some sort. I would consider looking at battery cost as something to also shop for. I've heard the Home depot's brand of Rigid tools use awesome batteries and have a lifetime warrenty.

My bet would prob go to Milwakee but their 1/2 inch is the old style one. I have their 3/8 impact and its the most used tool I own. I use it every day and get atleast 5 weeks out of one charge, its crazy how long the battery holds up.

 

Snappy offers both battery types. Ni-cad and Li-ion. It is your choice, My batteries are both Ni-cad and have been going strong for 2 years now.

 

dewalt 18v impact gun is pretty sweet and affordable.

 

I have the big Dewalt 18v and think it's been great. I wouldn't drop the mad cash on a snap on unless you really needed it at the track.

Totally depends on what you plan on using it for. If you expect it to handle EVERY bolt without the need for a breaker bar, then you might want to consider the more expensive snap on or go for a plug in electric type. I've found that the dewalt is able to handle just about everything though. I've mainly worked on suspension, exhaust, and brakes and only rarely did it have issues where I had to whip out the breaker bar and torch. Havent tried loosening the crank pulley with it though.

I also like the dewalt because the battery works with all my other power tools, hammer drill, recip saw, circular saw etc....

 

Check out a lithium-ion Hitachi. I've got a small one here, it's really meant for driving deck screws and lag bolts, but i've got a 3/8 adapter for it and I have no trouble snapping 1/4 bolts clean off with it. It's way stronger than it should be, proper 1/2 square drive should work a lot better, Hitachi also has a wicked warranty, the one I have is warrantied for 10 years and the batteries are warrantied for 2.

 

this^^

thats what i run.

 

another vote for snap on. and i hate strap on tools

 

Fyi, the dewalt in action. Axle nuts were no problem at all for it.

 

I ended up getting a Milwaukee M18 1/2" Impact. I have yet to try it on an Axle nut. I'm sure that will be the true test, but it has come in really handy. It's rated at 450 ft-lbs.

I wanted to buy the impact an and extra battery, but then I found a combo with a 1/2" & 3/8" impacts, flashlight, 2 batteries, and a charger for about $40 than the 1/2" impact and an extra battery. So, I pulled the trigger. I looked at that 3/8" impact as a "bonus", and I've used it SO much!