Proper tools to purchase?

[Vawildjeep]

With the ole 50th coming up this week my girl wants to buy me some tools to work on the Jeep. Being that I have some Roam steps coming soon, which impact should I go with?

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[Boatbuilder88]

I like my Dewalt impact wrench and impact driver.

 

[mikej]

I second the Dewalt recommendation. That said, I went Dewalt mainly because I already had the batteries and chargers from my drill. If you’re just getting started, Dewalt is still solid, but look and see if there are other tools you’d want to buy down the road and get impact to match. It will save you money down the road (for instance I have a Rigid brad nailer and a Milwaukee powered ratchet which means I had to pay for three chargers and three different types of battery).

If I had it to do all over again, I’d strongly consider Milwaukee.

 

[Boatbuilder88]

I second the Dewalt recommendation. That said, I went Dewalt mainly because I already had the batteries and chargers from my drill. If you’re just getting started, Dewalt is still solid, but look and see if there are other tools you’d want to buy down the road and get impact to match. It will save you money down the road (for instance I have a Rigid brad nailer and a Milwaukee powered ratchet which means I had to pay for three chargers and three different types of battery).

If I had it to do all over again, I’d strongly consider Milwaukee.

Agree that staying within one manufacturer's ecosystem will save money. My other cordless tools are Dewalt brand - circular saw and reciprocating saw.

 

[Twistedfab]

I like the Milwaukee impact or Hitachi.

 

[Maverick909]

i am sold on Milwaukee. i am an electrician by day Jeeper by weekend. LOL but I have had my kit well over five years now without an issues. i have the 1/2 18volt fuel impact and the 1/4" everday impact and they are my go to tools for working on my project cars. my 1/4" quick connect impact has taken falls from 10+ feet off ladders and has stayed running for years.. i do not recommend rigid or Ryobi tools they have never lasted more than six months worth of everyday use. This is just my opinion though. Dewalt seems to be a close second for longevity.

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-27...aukee+impact&qid=1551819756&s=gateway&sr=8-14

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-ML...ttery+ratchet&qid=1551819960&s=gateway&sr=8-7

 

[Will]

My vote is for these two right here. Not sure if Dewalt has a lot profile ratchet wrench but it will save the day in tight spaces. The 1/2” impact will change a tire like an air ratchet.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-3-8-in-Ratchet-Kit-with-One-1-5-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-2457-21/202957709?keyword=3/8”+Milwaukee+ratchet+wrench&searchtype=text&semanticToken=212t000000+>++st:{3/8”+milwaukee+ratchet+wrench}:st+cnn:{2:0}+cnr:{8:0}+cnb:{9:0}+oos:{0:1}+br:{milwaukee}:br+pt:{ratchet+wrench}:pt+rt:{3/8”}:rt+dln:{562764}+tgr:{Exact+match}+qu:{3/8”+milwaukee+ratchet+wrench}:qu

And yes that is 1000 ft lb of torque...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2767-20/302654201?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-9_PORTABLE+POWER|NA|LIA|71700000044155732|58700004615424082|92700040564149235&gclid=CjwKCAiA2fjjBRAjEiwAuewS_eBwr-9HVJGvurc-P2XvVtUqUndJhXRthgjLgiIqyqL9K_xkO3KlZRoCP0QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


A good set of ratcheting wrenches is nice as well. Most of your bolts will be metric so go for those before ASE/standard sizes.

 

[Jondrew]

My vote is for these two right here. Not sure if Dewalt has a lot profile ratchet wrench but it will save the day in tight spaces. The 1/2” impact will change a tire like an air ratchet.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-3-8-in-Ratchet-Kit-with-One-1-5-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-2457-21/202957709?keyword=3/8”+Milwaukee+ratchet+wrench&searchtype=text&semanticToken=212t000000+>++st:{3/8”+milwaukee+ratchet+wrench}:st+cnn:{2:0}+cnr:{8:0}+cnb:{9:0}+oos:{0:1}+br:{milwaukee}:br+pt:{ratchet+wrench}:pt+rt:{3/8”}:rt+dln:{562764}+tgr:{Exact+match}+qu:{3/8”+milwaukee+ratchet+wrench}:qu


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2767-20/302654201?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-9_PORTABLE+POWER|NA|LIA|71700000044155732|58700004615424082|92700040564149235&gclid=CjwKCAiA2fjjBRAjEiwAuewS_eBwr-9HVJGvurc-P2XvVtUqUndJhXRthgjLgiIqyqL9K_xkO3KlZRoCP0QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I’m not 100% sure, but I think MIlwaukee is the only one that has a true ratchet drive, which is quite nice. I’m in the Makita 18V eco system and they only make a right angle drive attachment with no ratchet capability. So I use my air impact and ratchet tools when necessary. Of course that only works when my compressor is near by

 

[VA72mlibu]

Ridgid all day. Love mine.

 

[Shenanigans]

Oh since this is now a tool debate, the Milwaukee m18 fuel system is legit. I’ve had it for several years now. The batteries last a ridiculously long time. I primarily use the impact, drill, and sawzall from their line.

 

[1idrod]

I have the 3/8 Milwaukee ratchet mentioned above plus this https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...4-0-and-One-2-0Ah-Batteries-2554-22/305980696 and I love the impact wrench. It's busted anything loose I've needed so far. Work or play.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

So for a guy who has used a pneumatic impact for my whole wrenching life, y’all are saying that I’ve been doing it wrong? I’ve got tons of battery powered tools. I’m a Dewalt guy. I’ve used a pneumatic impact for a long time because there was no battery powered one that was capable of matching it in torque. But I think mine has 900 ft/lbs or so. Do battery powered 1/2” impacts really deliver 1000 ft/lbs?

 

[Will]

So for a guy who has used a pneumatic impact for my whole wrenching life, y’all are saying that I’ve been doing it wrong? I’ve got tons of battery powered tools. I’m a Dewalt guy. I’ve used a pneumatic impact for a long time because there was no battery powered one that was capable of matching it in torque. But I think mine has 900 ft/lbs or so. Do battery powered 1/2” impacts really deliver 1000 ft/lbs?

The battery technology is to a point now where they are comparable to air in power, and they have good longevity too. I don’t own that Milwaukee 1/2” so I can’t speak for the 1000 ft/lbs that they claim, but I’ve seen it break lugs on a big rig so there’s nothing on a Wrangler that it couldn’t do for you, torque-wise. Honestly there’s not much that a 1/2” impact is going to do for you on a vehicle after the lugs, but I would buy one just for that purpose if you change or rotate your own tires.

I’ve got a 1/2” drive Ryobi impact that’s around 4 years old and, surprisingly, it’s been a workhorse.
I installed a lift on my Tacoma this weekend which required breaking/installing all 4 wheels. Also used it on control arm and shock bolts: whenever it would fit. After that I rotated all 5 wheels on the JL and the battery barely noticed (used 1/4 of the battery power based on the 4-light meter). That impact and a few flashlights are all that remains of my old Ryobi set as I have moved on to Milwaukee but I have never found a need to replace that 1/2” impact. Definitely got my money’s worth. It has always gotten the job done. Plenty of torque to change a tire and it’s worth having just for that purpose.

 

[Roky]

With the ole 50th coming up this week my girl wants to buy me some tools to work on the Jeep. Being that I have some Roam steps coming soon, which impact should I go with?

Milwaukee, hands down makes the best battery tools for mechanics, the other brands mentioned are great tools but they’re more trade related, carpentry, electritions, hvac, etc....

 

[VA72mlibu]

Milwaukee, hands down makes the best battery tools for mechanics, the other brands mentioned are great tools but they’re more trade related, carpentry, electritions, hvac, etc....

A fair point. I use my tools more for trade stuff than vehicle stuff, so maybe that’s why I prefer the Ridgid.

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