Recommend an impact power tool thingy

[Jeep Junkie]

Visiting parts stores makes me happy

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[Jeep Junkie]

Guys, am I good? This is the cheapest, good for a starter like me.

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Ok I picked up this, they don't have Bauer gun thingy. Bauer because I have Bauer battery charger that I could use.

 

[Jeep Junkie]

For best performance it says 3.0 Amp hour battery is required, and I got 5

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Guys, Jeeping is expensive. I need to learn how to do things myself.

 

[Fleeclan]

Guys, in YouTube videos, mechanics have this gun and they remove screws and stuff so fast and nice. I want something like that. Something that will work with my air filter housing, and other stuff like my skid plates and stuff. Please recommend a nice thingy. I want to work like a pro now

I have owned several brands and still own my Milwaukee stuff but because Milwaukee has gotten so ridiculous on what they want for the batteries I switched to the Hercules line from Harbor Freight about a year ago. Have been very pleased with them and they are as good as my Milwaukee stuff. I have been a full time mechanic for 30+ years so have spent my fair share of weekly paychecks on Snap-On, Mac and Matco tool trucks spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on tools and tool boxes. Wisdom finally kicked in and I gave up my name brand loyalty and I found that certain tools that off brand companies sold worked just as well. I say certain because there are a few areas that are hard to beat, wrenches being one of them for sure. Snap-On wrenches have been superior to others and busted knuckles can speak for themselves but when Harbor Freight came out with the Icon line that too changed. I have personally put the Icon wrenches up against Snap-On and found them to be the winner due to equal performance and MUCH lower price point. Not to mention that Harbor Freight warranty is super simple should you break a tool and I do from time to time. They literally grab one off the rack or open a set of whatever it is and give it to you and you’re out the door in a few minutes. The entire Icon line is the best value out there on tools.
The Hercules cordless stuff has been great and I use it daily. I have the high torque 1/2” gun, 2 of the high torque 3/8” guns, the 1/2” drill, 2 of the 3/8” ratchets and their grease gun. Good torque and battery life is great. Tools have LED built into them which is very handy too.
Agree with another poster that the impact will strip stuff like plastic air boxes, etc. Not saying you can’t use one to do that but knowing your tool and being able to be gentle with it is necessary. A cordless drill with a socket bit is actually easier to gently tighten screws or small bolts that need low torque rather than the impact gun but both require a “feel” for the amount of torque you’re applying. Get to know your tools, don’t just pull the trigger and go.
By the way, Harbor Freight runs some pretty amazing sales on stuff so watching and waiting and grabbing Icon stuff or Hercules stuff during their sale will save a lot. Problems is, you’ll leave the store with way more stuff than you intended to buy! Lol!

 

[TEAMSLO]

I decided on Ryobi, fits the budget and very dependable so far. Have used their power tools for the past 3 years with no failures. Even the batteries are doing well. If I did this for a living, maybe a different brand such as Milwaukee or others, but for home use, does the job just fine and always easy to find.

I do have a few milwaukee tools now but not ready nor needed to make the full conversion. Jeeps are an addiction with mods, but tools are the same, welcome to your new addiction.

 

[Fleeclan]

Guys, am I good? This is the cheapest, good for a starter like me.

2 things. First, that’s an 1/4” impact and doesn’t require or accept the socket bits in the picture so unless you have the 1/4” impact driver or a drill the adapters will be useless. Second, I’d do the 20V and not fool with the 12V stuff.

 

[hamiamham69]

Pick a brand and stick with it. It’s the cost of the batteries that kill you.

While I love an impact driver as much as the next guy, it’s really geared to very specific applications. Unscrewing a small screw can be done with an electric screwdriver or normal drill

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Guys, I regret not getting the Bauer gun thingy. Another Harbor F location has it so I will exchange it.

 

[Heimkehr]

I have owned several brands and still own my Milwaukee stuff but because Milwaukee has gotten so ridiculous on what they want for the batteries I switched to the Hercules line from Harbor Freight about a year ago.

I've spent a fair amount of $$ on Milwaukee power tools, and have managed the battery cost issue in two ways:

1. Purchasing kits (tool/battery/charger), and only when on sale, usually at Home Depot. I have a literal tool bag full of spare chargers now. I'll also occasionally avail myself of a Free Battery promotion, usually at Ace Hardware.

2. Keeping a blend of OEM and aftermarket batteries on hand. The savings is unignorable, and any observed variances in run time -- factory is always better -- is easily dealt with.

 

[entropy]

Guys, Jeeping is expensive. I need to learn how to do things myself.

Basic maintenance anyone who cares about their jeep should do. Get the good oil and spend your time to do it right. It is super easy and ensures youre properly mantaining your jeep.

Yeah you need to at least do simple stuff like bumpers, sliders, skid plates, winch, etc... Paying labor for this kind of work is crazy unless you are some high profile executive lol.

From then you can learn basic suspension work. Start with shocks, then learn how to replace coil springs and steering components and such. This work I personally do myself but if I am very busy Id consider paying for it.

Past suspension work it does get tricky. I did a lunchbox locker install once didnt need to do any regearing. Thats about as much as I am willing to do myself. At least for now.

 

[WillysMeow]

Lots of good comments, I always try to buy USA made, it's American's jobs, our country's security and prosperity at stake. Occasionally I do buy some HF stuff, Bauer is the lowest I would consider as their other brands are not good IME. HF sells battery adapters for all the major brands, friend has an adapter and he's a Bauer guy. Buy what is in your budget, but buying better quality is usually cheaper in the long run, but also consider how much you will use it.

Always use handtools and torque wrench for final tightening, mostly use impacts for removal and to run the bolt in most of the way.

 

[Pape]

Impact is fun and all but I think you should start with hand tools first so you have some experience of how different fasteners react. I broke and rounded my faire share of fasteners so far and a lot are by hand tools, cannot imagine using a impact on everything.....

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Impact is fun and all but I think you should start with hand tools first so you have some experience of how different fasteners react. I broke and rounded my faire share of fasteners so far and a lot are by hand tools, cannot imagine using a impact on everything.....

For now I will just open things with it.

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