Battery powered Impact Wrenches

[lappir]

Not for wheels and tires on the HDT, but for my Jeep. 

I bought some replacement wheels and tires for the Jeep a few weeks ago and tried to find a "Craftsman" 1/2 inch impact at the local Ace Hardware to help me change them. I have a full set of drills, saws and such in a Craftsman box with the 19.2V Battery. The NEW Craftsman tools now have a 20V battery and the attachment is different. 

Just looked on Ebay and find several new and used impacts with the 19.2V battery,  will watch them for a while. Has anyone used them? 

 

Rod

Edited March 20, 2022 by lappir
added Battery size in last sentence.

[Jaydrvr]

1 hour ago, lappir said:

Not for wheels and tires on the HDT, but for my Jeep. 

I bought some replacement wheels and tires for the Jeep a few weeks ago and tried to find a "Craftsman" 1/2 inch impact at the local Ace Hardware to help me change them. I have a full set of drills, saws and such in a Craftsman box with the 19.2V Battery. The NEW Craftsman tools now have a 20V battery and the attachment is different. 

Just looked on Ebay and find several new and used impacts with the 19.2V battery,  will watch them for a while. Has anyone used them? 

 

Rod

For me, this sort of shenanigans is the number one reason to cancel a brand. When the voltages claimed are say, 18, 19, 20 volts, then they're using the same cells, but claiming different nominal voltages. Just change the method of attachment and instantly make the entire previous line obsolete. Porter Cable did that to me, so I'm done with them. Now, I research a company's battery history first before spending hard earned dollars. Okay, rant over. I apologize for hijacking your thread and not answering your question, but this is a sore spot for me. Jay

[lappir]

Jay, 

I feel the same way and it's sort of why I posted the question in addition to knowing if anyone had ever used one of the impacts. It seems the only way for me to buy one is to do it from a remote seller. The closest is 4+hours away from me right now. I may be making a trip through that area in the future, but most likely on a weekend and my luck they won't be open during my pass through. 

Thanks for your reply. 

Rod

[DJohns]

The problem with Craftsman is are they going to be selling the same unit in five years? Probably not hence no service on new batteries.

From being a Snap on tool dealer 25 years ago I learned one thing. If you want a quality tool or power tool go see what the folks in the trade use. Otherwise buy the cheapest you can and realize it is a throwaway.

[Jaydrvr]

I grew up on the farm using mostly Craftsman tools. They were a solid performer with a great warranty. Somewhere maybe in the 80's or 90's they went seriously downhill with the rest of Sears and I haven't used them since. They're just another cheap knockoff, in my opinion. I remember the last thing I bought from a Sears hardware store was a 3/8" breaker bar. When I looked it over and saw how poorly it was made, I returned it. Jay

[lappir]

16 minutes ago, DJohns said:

The problem with Craftsman is are they going to be selling the same unit in five years? Probably not hence no service on new batteries.

From being a Snap on tool dealer 25 years ago I learned one thing. If you want a quality tool or power tool go see what the folks in the trade use. Otherwise buy the cheapest you can and realize it is a throwaway.

I thought when Sears closed, it would be the end of a Craftsman product for the non professional. So far they still seem to be in business. 

The box I bought many years ago has served me well. The most often used drill did give out, but most likely from use in a dusty environment too often. 

I have a Snap on 3/8 drive flex ratchet I bought when I managed a Service Station in the 1970's and it was replaced with the newer model in the 2000's. It's still my go to for almost all wrenching. Not sure if I've ever tried the lifetime warranty on a Craftsman. 

Rod

[rickeieio]

1/2" breaker bar and short extension.  It'll only take a couple minutes longer, and you won't have to fumble with the impact case, search for a charged battery, plug in the charger for the one that was dead.........

I find myself reaching for the manual tools more and more.

[DJohns]

In the old day if you broke a 1/2 " socket you took it back to sears to get a replacement.  No sears stores around so not now.

[Jaydrvr]

8 minutes ago, DJohns said:

In the old day if you broke a 1/2 " socket you took it back to sears to get a replacement.  No sears stores around so not now.

Have you tried returning them to Lowe's? I know they have an extensive Craftsman line. Jay

[gjhunter01]

Any brand is good to have, just don't abuse them. Just by nature of competition, they will all go through upgrades every couple of years making todays models outdated. I use a 20V Dewalt 1/4" impact for all my work, again the key is to use a breaker bar to break loose and for final tightening of bolts.

As noted earlier in this post, ACE Hardware can still replace broken Craftsmen hand tools.

 

Edited March 20, 2022 by gjhunter01

[Jaydrvr]

1 hour ago, lappir said:

I thought when Sears closed, it would be the end of a Craftsman product for the non professional. So far they still seem to be in business. 

The box I bought many years ago has served me well. The most often used drill did give out, but most likely from use in a dusty environment too often. 

I have a Snap on 3/8 drive flex ratchet I bought when I managed a Service Station in the 1970's and it was replaced with the newer model in the 2000's. It's still my go to for almost all wrenching. Not sure if I've ever tried the lifetime warranty on a Craftsman. 

Rod

I'm still using most of my original Craftsman tools, including the set my dad gave me. I also still use my original top of the line Craftsman sabre saw (now called a jigsaw) that is forty-some years old and still working perfectly. The original tools were great and rugged. Jay

Edited March 20, 2022 by Jaydrvr
Typo

[lappir]

18 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

1/2" breaker bar and short extension.  It'll only take a couple minutes longer, and you won't have to fumble with the impact case, search for a charged battery, plug in the charger for the one that was dead.........

I find myself reaching for the manual tools more and more.

That's what I used to change them first, but put a 22mm 3/8 drive socket on my 1/2 inch electric drill to speed it up a bit. Could just do that, but then why do I keep the  full set of 1/2 inch impact sockets? Hoarder I guess. 

Rod

[rickeieio]

51 minutes ago, lappir said:

Could just do that, but then why do I keep the  full set of 1/2 inch impact sockets? Hoarder I guess. 

Tell me about it.  I have full sets of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" in my pick-up, the house, and shop.  Standard, deep well, impact, etc.  I almost never use American size wrenches, now days.  I'm giving tools away like crazy. I have a grandson who's building his tool chest.  Lucky him.

 

 

[rpsinc]

What about using an air wrench since the HDT has air available or with a small compressor off a converter??

I have contemplated your same question and I have alot of cordless powered tools and instead of buying a larger wrench for 1 purpose I have chosen to include into my DROM, a small compressor for misc things and for larger needs use the truck.  I carry a 1/4" hose that is 100' long, not the ideal but I have it and time is available(assumes that filling what ever will take longer than with a larger hose).

[rpsinc]

1 hour ago, gjhunter01 said:

they will all go through upgrades every couple of years making todays models outdated

Keep in mind that some of the tools available at the home centers are many times sold at price point, thus often of lesser quality than pro grade tools for the same job available from contractor stores, either sticks & bricks or online.  I havent bought tools at a home center in over a decade due to this disparity.

[lappir]

48 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

Tell me about it.  I have full sets of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" in my pick-up, the house, and shop.  Standard, deep well, impact, etc.  I almost never use American size wrenches, now days.  I'm giving tools away like crazy. I have a grandson who's building his tool chest.  Lucky him.

 

 

For sure

 

1 minute ago, rpsinc said:

What about using an air wrench since the HDT has air available or with a small compressor off a converter??

I have contemplated your same question and I have alot of cordless powered tools and instead of buying a larger wrench for 1 purpose I have chosen to include into my DROM, a small compressor for misc things and for larger needs use the truck.  I carry a 1/4" hose that is 100' long, not the ideal but I have it and time is available(assumes that filling what ever will take longer than with a larger hose).

Air tools, especially impact wrenches take a LOT of AIR. The truck might be able to keep it running for a bit, but not very long and my small pancake compressor isn't rated for constant use. Of course if I chose to follow Rick's advice and broke them all loose before using they either could do the job. My problem is I only start my truck if I'm going to drive it far enough to warm all the parts up. Starting just to use an Impact wrench isn't something I'm likely to do. Good comment though. 

Rod

[rpsinc]

What about adding a surge tank, like those HF sells for setting tire beads etc.?  Then either could be helped for that initial torque needed to break lugs loose.  I guess after all that, the idea of a "better" quality HF gun might not be a bad idea.  They have stepped up their game in the last 5 years with some "better" quality lines.

[lappir]

9 minutes ago, rpsinc said:

What about adding a surge tank, like those HF sells for setting tire beads etc.?  Then either could be helped for that initial torque needed to break lugs loose.  I guess after all that, the idea of a "better" quality HF gun might not be a bad idea.  They have stepped up their game in the last 5 years with some "better" quality lines.

That is another idea, but it takes air to fill them too. It took me an hour to fill all 4 of the tires I bought that were empty when I went to put them on. I should have waited till the tire shop opened on Monday, but didn't want to so I took the time to air them all up and put them on with the Drill and torque wrench (that for some reason doesn't seem to be working now). 

Rod

[rpsinc]

Its always something!!

[Lance A Lott]

I have an 20 volt Dewalt 1/2" impact as well as several 18 volt Dewalt tools and quite a few Ridged 18 and 20 volt tools. There are adaptors for virtually any combination of brand and battery.  I havent gotten them all yet but I do have a 20 volt to 18 volt Dewalt one and it works great.

[lenp]

FYI, Craftsman is now owned by Stanley Black and Decker.   

After Sears went under a large conglomerate (Danaher) bought the Craftsman brand if I remember correctly and they may well own the Stanley Black and Decker line for all I know.  I used to work for a large electronic equipment manufacture (Tektronix) and it was bought by Danaher.  At that time Danaher also owned Fluke. 

I have never been a Black and Decker fan so Craftsman is definitely not on my radar these days!

Lenp   

[SuiteSuccess]

I have a Kobalt (Lowes) 1/2” battery impact on my truck since I use it only occasionally.  Have had it 7 years and must say I’m pleased with it.  I’m like Rod, when younger had a lot of Craftsman tools and was pleased with them.

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I keep a 1/2" Snap-on battery impact on the truck when traveling and it is good for 600 to 650 lb-ft of torque but if I need more than that, I also have a 3/4" air impact in one toolbox. You do need the right setup for that though as it takes a LOT of air. Our truck has an extra tank and uses the compressor from a HDT wrecker that produces 37 SCFM and can pretty much keep up with that gun

[Vegas Teacher]

My next impact wrench is going to be the Milwaukee 1 inch cordless impact wrench:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-ONE-KEY-Fuel-18V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2867-20/309100998?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-309100998-_-N

I don't have it yet, not on a teachers salary anyway. Saving little by little. I got a jar of money hidden the "D.W." does not know about......

I already have an adapter set, impact rated to go from 1 inch down to 1/2 inch, so I can use the deep well sockets I have already.

Later,

Cory O

 

[Vegas Teacher]

4 minutes ago, Vegas Teacher said:

My next impact wrench is going to be the Milwaukee 1 inch cordless impact wrench:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-ONE-KEY-Fuel-18V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2867-20/309100998?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-309100998-_-N

I don't have it yet, not on a teachers salary anyway. Saving little by little. I got a jar of money hidden the "D.W." does not know about......

I already have an adapter set, impact rated to go from 1 inch down to 1/2 inch, so I can use the deep well sockets I have already.

Later,

Cory O

 

This one is even bigger:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-in-Impact-Wrench-with-D-Handle-Kit-with-Two-12-0-Ah-Batteries-2868-22HD/312628547