Opinions please? looked on Ebay but not much there that is used. Looks like there are a few 1/2 inch ones for $100-$129 but then it's $225 and up.

I have very limited trailer space and don't want a compressor.

Have looked at DeWalt, Snap On, Milwaukee etc....

What's best?

Thanks,

Jon P. Kofod (who is tired of using an electric impact wrench and too cheap to buy a quality air compressor)

 

i got a 18v cordless impact from harbor freight for around $200. i believe it's a chicago.

so far it's worked just fine. i haven't beaten on it, but it's pulled the lugs off a good 20x in the last 3 months. battery recharge is 1hr, lasts about 45 min of continuous duty.

 

i have one that plugs into the lighter spot...works good enough for me,

 

If you are using it just to take on and off wheels just use a cordless drill 18v and get a half inch adapter. all you have to do is break loose the lug nuts and the drill will work fine. I also can tighted on the bolts more than enough to set the car on the ground and then torque them down. also the regular drill is a heck of a lot easier to haldle, those impact ones are heavy and hard to control.

not trying to talk you out of it, just options to think about I was in the same boat last summer.

if you are using it for stuff that needs some high torque ignore the my post

-nate

 

I went from a cordless drill to a cordless impact wrench and there is a huge difference. Never again will I use a drill on my wheels.

It rules jacking up the car and using the cordless impact wrench to break everything loose.

And the one from Harbour Freight (Chicago) isn't all that heavy. Not much more so than a cordless impact.

 

Harbor Freight cordless impact. 19.2V, 220 ft-lbs. $120 on sale.

I love mine, had it for 8 months or so. If it craps out i will buy another one.

 

Do you think that it's strong enought to do suspension work with??? 220 ft/lbs seems impressive to me.

 

Its strong enough for crank bolts and axle nuts

 

Holy crap--then that sounds like a DEAL for $120.

 

I don't know what the 12v and 14.4v Snap-On Cordless Impacts go for these days but I got my 14.4v for somewhere in the high 300s, this was 2 years ago though so they may be cheaper now. I don't have any experience with the Milwuakee or Chicago Electric and they may be very good items - I don't see them at the track that often however. Like I said, mine is just a 14.4v but its good for taking off hub nuts, lugs, etc ... it usually lasts a weekend on one charge IIRC.

 

Did you order it online or pick it up at a store RJ?

I've been shying away from this thing because at $120 I'm concerned about its longevity. But I can't afford a Snap-On (or ask for one for my birthday) so I may just ask mom and dad for the Harbor Freight unit for my upcoming b'day.

No problems so far? None?

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=757293
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=651944

I'm in the market too, so I was just reading these.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you order it online or pick it up at a store RJ?

No problems so far? None?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Picked it up in store, they matched the price online.

No problems at all. I've gotten it dirty. Dropped it. Kicked it. Good battery life and it works They even offer a 1 year "anything breaks" warranty for $12.

 

Thanks.
I may need to go that route. I've been bumming from the OPM guys too much lately.

 

Only problems with the Harbour Freight Chicago:

-no torque settings
-The metal o-ring that holds the socket on has issues with some of my lug sockets.

Otherwise, highly recommended. I've used it for more than just wheels, that's for sure. No, it does not replace a good air tool, but it is great for what it is.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...46701

 

Does anybody know if you can buy a spare battery?
I didn't see a link to this in RJs link.

RJ - Any problems with your sockets as Todd mentioned?

 

I have M4d c0nnect1onz at DeWalt y0
and I plan to pick up their 14v cordless impact. Torque spec is a little low (120 ft/lb IIRC), but if its DeWalt it should still be pretty overbuilt. Will report back after I get it.

ps- sometimes its a little tricky to get sockets on RJs impact. No big deal, and Im sure you get used to it (and probably just the nature of the "hog ring" style attatchment). If you cant handle that then you need to be shopping for kerosene rags instead

 

Spare battery... never asked. Maybe through Chicago? They told me at the store that HF does not stock them.

No problems with sockets. I use a set of Pittsburg brand impact sockets that i bought at HF also for $20 - has everything you'd need from 10 through 32, but strangely no 12mm.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ps- sometimes its a little tricky to get sockets on RJs impact. No big deal, and Im sure you get used to it. If you cant handle that then you need to be shopping for kerosene rags instead </TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha!

 

I have an 18V Craftsman that has been great. I borrowed a Harbor Freight unit once, and though it worked fine, it didn't have variable speed. With mine, it's easy to control the speed, and I'm able to put the nuts (well, bolts last year on the BMW) on without starting them by hand. It makes the whole process very quick.

And, I'll second Todd's thought...I'd never go back to using a drill.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Picked it up in store, they matched the price online.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you have to bring anything into the store as proof, or do they just check the online price. I have gone to my local HF a couple of times to buy stuff I found online only to find it's much more expensive. For example, the aluminum jack that damn near everyone has is on BO, and my local store has several in stock at $199!

Sorry to jack the thread.

 

I paid $269 for my Milwaukee Electric 1/2" hi-torque one. Comes in a nice case with spare battery and charger. Worth the price-you bet. The Harbor Freight one is supposed to be good but does not have the torque capacity. Just my experience with cordless. If you want a corded one the list has several really good choices-Milwaukee included.

 

I printed it out and brought it in. They wont verify it in the store for you.

 

I also have the Milwaukee and find I reach for it more and more often. With a little planning and a few extension bars you'd be surprised how many places you can get to with it. I've bounced it around pretty good over the past year, and haven't had any problems with it.