1/2 cordless impact wrench

They had some pretty good sales a while back. I think it was for their launch in Lowe's. Almost pulled the trigger on a little ensemble I saw but I'd have to load up on batteries and I'm Dewalted out

 

I picked up a Ryobi when on sale stupid cheap at HD. It’s been great so far, and has zipped off lugs for about 5 tire rotations

 

My Milwaukee 3/8" Stubby M12 impact takes those Tundra lug nuts off easy peasy. I have a pneumatic 1/2" for bigger jobs but almost never have to use it. The stubby is great for access and light, too.

 

in for later

 

I bought a Dewalt because I already had a cordless drill. It’s been fantastic. I’m not sure why I waited so long to get one.

It’s done a suspension upgrade on the Tundra and I don’t know how many tire rotations, trailer bearing jobs, brakes, etc. Great tool.

 

I'm a full time mechanic and use nothing but milwaukee

I've got Milwaukee's 1/2" Mid Torque impact and works fantastic for lug nuts and suspension related stuff, you don't need a high torque to take off lugs, its quite overkill unless its on like a 18 wheeler or tractor etc

But make sure you do your own research, shoot go to your local home depot and pickup each 1/2" impact, feel them out for yourself, watch videos from the Torque Test Channel on youtube, they pretty much test every name brand impact under the sun, and they rank them.

 

I also have the Milwaukee mid-torque and think it is a good sized tool for most vehicle related work. I very much like the feature where it will slow down after breaking a nut loose and the "finger-tight" torque setting.

 

If your looking at buying an old-stock Milwaukee M18 1/2" impact be careful. The previous gen Milwaukee M18 1/2" impact had a few different versions. One has 640 lb-ft of torque and another has 750 lb-ft. There's also M18 Fuel model with 1400 lb-ft of torque.

I have the 1400 lb-ft model. If it can't break it loose it can certainly break it off. 

 

1400 is insane. Is there a way to tell which version is which?

 

The "tool-only" kit is Milwaukee model # 2767-20.

 

Looks like it's still available. Here it is on their website:
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/Impact-Wrenches/2767-20

And on Ace Hardware's site:
https://www.doitbest.com/shop/power...49669a9ea295359f41c5db&SKU=387953#sku=2767-20

 

I seldom kiss my tools but that one gets a smooch on occasion. Thing is a life-saver.
I named mine ‘Mr. Wiggles’, easier to say than ‘oscillating saw’. Got my husband and dad calling theirs that as well which is funny af hearing them say out loud.

 

Summit has it for a good price but holy crap if you add the charger and extended battery it's like buying two impacts

 

Is there no way to control the torque in the Milwaukee?

 

There are two speed settings and the trigger is a continuously varriable controller rather than an on/off switch. If you only want half power just pull the trigger halfway.

 

I have a 1/2" Makita that's very compact and light. I think it's 240 ft.lb and 430 ft.lb reverse. That thing is so small and light and does the lug nuts easy!
I even bought 1/2" to 1/4" impact adapter and use it for lighter work. It has a good controls like light/med/heavy and different screw modes. It's become my go-to tool for anything because it's so light, compact and powerful but gentle ... I have another 1/4" Makita impact driver that's collecting dust because of this.