Which Compact Impact Wrench is Best?

[Jim]

Which Compact Impact Wrench is Best? Lets find out! Milwaukee vs DeWalt, Ridgid, Ingersoll Rand
Project Farm

Dec 20, 2020 video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsZSg_aiNUE

[Java]

I use this more than my rechargeable or air tools, it's powerful and you just plug it in. I got it as a gift years ago and thought it would be junk, but it's my go-to. http://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-corded-12-in-impact-wrench-61173.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+Top+SKUs+-+All+%28Branded%29|Shop+Press|61173&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*PLA+-+Top+SKUs+-+All+%28Branded%29&utm_content=Shop+Press&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrbHl6bLi7QIVw_DACh0GIQBBEAYYASAB EgLjFvD_BwE

[Tom]

I use this more than my rechargeable or air tools, it's powerful and you just plug it in. I got it as a gift years ago and thought it would be junk, but it's my go-to. http://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-corded-12-in-impact-wrench-61173.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+Top+SKUs+-+All+%28Branded%29|Shop+Press|61173&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*PLA+-+Top+SKUs+-+All+%28Branded%29&utm_content=Shop+Press&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrbHl6bLi7QIVw_DACh0GIQBBEAYYASAB EgLjFvD_BwE
That’s the one I use too.

[speedkills]

That's kind of the opposite of compact though. I use my Milwaukee compact all day long when I'm in the garage. It's so small and light I end up using it everywhere I would use a ratchet. I can see using a big plug-in one like that for doing wheels though although I usually just use my little Milwaukee for my wheels too just because it's in hand and on full blast makes enough power to handle them. Although I tend to use the bit driver version because it just works for everything, I just use the little adapters for 3/8" and 1/2" sockets.

[Trevor?]

I have a dewalt corded impact like that harbor freight one. It's been slowly leaking some kind of oil for something like 12 years. At this point it seems like it's leaked more than it could possibly fit inside, but it keeps on working.

I do want to get a smaller cordless one at some point.. one with a 3/8ths drive maybe. This is helpful.

[speedkills]

The 3/8ths have gotten so powerful I use my 1/2" a couple of times a year tops. My 1/2" feels like it wants to break my wrist if I'm not careful, has a ton of kick. The 3/8th does what my old pneumatic's did so all of the power I need for nearly everything. I have a feeling the oil you see leaking is the grease in it separating slowly and leaking out, maybe faster if you use it for a bit and get it hot? If so, and you still want to keep it running it might be pretty easy to open it up and top off the grease.

[Trevor?]

You're probably right about the grease, but I was kinda hoping it was just defying the laws of physics... or someone has been playing an elaborate joke on me and sneaks into my garage every few months to pour oil on it.

Maybe I'll just pick up one of those Milwaukees from the video. I already have 3 other M12 tools, so I could probably just get one of the drivers instead of the kit.

Not sure if any of you folks use this site, but www.cpooutlets.com carries a lot of factory refurbished power tools. I picked up a bosch angle grinder for something like $40 not too long ago that was like new. I also picked up a skillsaw a few years ago as well for a good price. They carry Milwaukee stuff as well.

[speedkills]

Just checked that site out, their Milwaukee stuff they do that thing where they list some fake price nobody sells something for, then act like they have a super discount. That always rubs me the wrong way. I just checked their stuff out because I happened to remember they had a ridiculously expensive torque wrench for $600. It's $600 at Home Depot, online, everywhere, figured I'd see what they had it for. "Price to low to list, add to cart to see!". Add to cart. $650. I'll check them out in case they have good prices on other stuff, but I'd shop around before I bought from them.

[Trevor?]

You're right. Their regular prices are not that great. Amazon has a better price on that Milwaukee impact right now.

I haven't found another site that seems to sell the factory refurbished tools like they do here... at least in one spot where you can search by that metric, which is where you can score a deal if you are willing to buy a refurbished tool. But if you're looking for something specific that's a tall order. For instance, they don't have any refurbished brushless impact's quite like the one in the video, but they do have an excellent deal on this cordless grass trimmer:

https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-reconditioned-makita-mu04z-r-12v-max-cxt-lithium-ion-cordless-grass-shear--tool-only-/mktrmu04z-r.html

"The Makita 12V max CXT Lithium-Ion cordless Grass shear (MU04Z) is a portable and convenient for Grass trimming and cutting. Compact and ergonomic.."

Only $45 and you could be crawling around on your lawn for 4 hours with this thing. Very ergonomic.

[Swank1975]

I have 24v Kobalt stuff at home and my 1/4" drive impact with a socket adapter pulls the lugs off of my truck. I'm still planning on getting the Kobalt 24v brushess impact for wrenching and save that 1/4" hex drive impact for woodworking stuff. The brushless jigsaw and circular saw are also great.