Good impact wrench?

[ncflyer]

What is a good size impact wrench for general mx/mod install? Never had one and many options. Suggestions on accessories or could regular sockets be used?




Thanks all and safe travels.

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[Grayhound]

This aught to be a good thread.

I have a Milwaukee m12 electric wrench that I love.

The impact gun that is the same battery is not a good automotive impact gun.

That leaves me looking at the m18 impact gun, but if I have to buy into a new battery should I just go cheap and effective.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The M12 wont remove lug nuts or suspension bolts. It’s good for small fasteners though. I have a 1/4” M12 impact and it’s great for fasteners up to about 13mm.

A Milwaukee M18 Fuel will do lug nuts and large fasteners with ease. Make sure you get impact rated sockets too. An impact will split regular polished sockets with repeated use, and if you use 12 point sockets with an impact not only will you ruin the socket quickly, you will ruin fasteners too.

 

[Terrymo]

I like Milwaukee. I use Tekton and Milwaukee Impact sockets for my 18 volt impacts but will use good quality regular sockets sometimes with the 12 volt tools. Maybe not the best idea. Some good discussion her just in case you didn’t already see it. Several good brands out there.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/more-powahhhh-impact-wrench-ah-ah-ah-ah.141554/

 

[fczabala]

I considered the 2 Milwaukees on the left of @Terrymo picture but they are

I decided to go with the equivalent ryobi ones and use the leftover money to buy jeep parts lol

ryobi has not disappointed, the compact one can do lug nuts and most suspension with a full battery, the high impact one has done everything I've thrown at it

 

[JKJ]

If you are looking for a deal. Good reviews on HD. First time owning an impact so I can’t compare. I already had the other Ryobi tools so it worked for me. Used it on a bumper and a set of steps with great results. Bought some tekton sockets and Bates adapters and reducers to complete the set.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...h-4-0-Battery-and-Charger-PBLIW01K1/316879157

 

[Roky]

I’ve used a lot of them, Snap on, DEWALT, Ryobi, Milwaukee, etc…. They all will get the job done, but I settled on Milwaukee….. mainly because I have so many of their tools, I only want to carry one charger…..Just be careful with the Mac Daddy ( M18), it’s really powerful on setting 4….If not careful when tightening you’ll end up with the nut or the head of the bolt inside the socket when you pull it away and you won’t feel a thing…..don’t ask me how I know, you all know the answer to that already……

 

[jadmt]

I use a 1/2" Dewalt XR and it is a beast I also have a harbor freight 3/8" air which is much smaller and works for smaller stuff but I rarely use it. years ago I went with the Dewalt because I had the 20V 5 watt batter packs from my weedeater and blower otherwise Milwaukee would have been a great choice.

 

[Pismo61]

Get the one that you plan to extend your tool box with.I started with Ryobi and stuck with that brand.Is it good as Milwaukee,no,but good enough for my uses.

 

[Terrymo]

Get the one that you plan to extend your tool box with.I started with Ryobi and stuck with that brand.Is it good as Milwaukee,no,but good enough for my uses.

Agreed, there are several good brands. Pick a name brand and stick with that battery and charger system

 

[jadmt]

I like Milwaukee. I use Tekton and Milwaukee Impact sockets for my 18 volt impacts but will use good quality regular sockets sometimes with the 12 volt tools. Maybe not the best idea. Some good discussion her just in case you didn’t already see it. Several good brands out there.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/more-powahhhh-impact-wrench-ah-ah-ah-ah.141554/

nice.

 

[failsafe306]

This guy has never let me down

 

[GCMWillys]

I’ve got the larger 1/2” DeWalt as I’m already invested in the batteries. I’d suggest adding a set of torque sticks and a good torque wrench. Nothing worse than over tightening or snapping a bolt or lug nut.

 

[Jtphoto]

I started with the DeWalt XR system so have continued with that.
I have the big impact, a smaller 150ftlb for tire swaps and the 1/2”-3/8” ratchet.

 

[WontonJLUR]

The replies here will boil down to whatever the owner has, but really for DIY use they’ll all do just about the same thing. I used makita for years and have recently blown a lot of money switching to Milwaukee because of how versatile their M12 lineup is. Not a single issue with Makita in over 10 years.

the Gen2 M12 stubby boasts 550ftlbs but the caveat is, that’s after about 30 seconds of hammering with the juicy HO 5.0 battery. The 650ftlb M18 mid torque puts the stubby to shame, but the stubby does fit in some tight spots and has no problem with suspension bolts. There’s also the high torque at 1600ftlbs, but unless you’re working on legitimate heavy machinery, probably overkill.

Do note the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench. Drivers are more versatile and accept any 1/4” hex bit, making them awesome for general home owner use, but they will lack torque required for larger vehicle fasteners.

Purchasing note for Milwaukee products, never buy MSRP. Home Depot runs specials on a daily basis, which roughly once per week will include some Milwaukee products. Google “

also, familiarize yourself with this Reddit post:

involves returns and some extra work, but it’s a legitimate way to get roughly 40% off on Milwaukee shit (also applies to Dewalt but HD seems to package more Milwaukee stuff in a way that you can take advantage of).

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