Cordless Impact Gun Recommendation?

[Hoyt-Clagwell]

I need to do the springs and shocks on my car and read that an impact gun will make using the spring compressor alot easier not to mention wheel bolts, shock tower nut, exhaust bolts etc..
I'm curious what you guys think of your cordless impact wrenches and what voltage and other specs I should look for. I'm obviously just a hack mechanic and don't need professional quality/cost.

Thanks.

Dan

[Eugene]

I use an 18 volt DeWalt impact wrench. Works well but may not be heavy enough for some tasks. For heavy duty work, I use 1/2" drive, air powered, impact wrenches and sockets made for impact wrenches.

[Denny Clayton]

I ordered this for myself last December and told Candy that is what she was getting me for Christmas. http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF889HM2- ... act+wrench At that time it was $20 or so cheaper. I wanted something with 300 ft. lbs. of torque. A lot of cordless types don't have near that much power. If you already have a cordless drill with 18 volts or so check for a bare impact wrench that will use your batteries. My drill (Porter Cable) wasn't compatible with any impacts.

It works very well and, like Eugene, I have a 1/2" air impact for the heavier stuff.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Like Eugene, I use Dewalt 18 volt cordless, though after 3 years my batteries are getting shorter lives. I actually 3 of them. My first one was this kit, kind of pricey now, but delivers 300 ft lbs of loosening torque, so they claim, but I question that figure. I also bought a lug socket kit that fits most lug nuts and is real handy
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW059K-2-1 ... act+wrench

Once you get that kit with 2 batteries and charger you can buy bare tools (tool only, no charger or battery) much cheaper. I alos have this one, tightening force is approx 100 pounds which is the right force fr most wheel lugs.
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Bare-Tool- ... act+wrench

plus a small impact driver I uses for removal of most cub bolts. Dewalt sells on Amazon, and has so far had the best prices I have found anywhere. If you have time to browse the tools on amazon and then wait a week or two, it is amazing how often they go on sale. Dewalt now has a line of 20 volt tools out that I assume is intended to replace the 18 volt, or maybe to supplement it with a little more power. It is real handy to have drills, impact tools, saws, etc. that all use the same battery.

When neither of those will do it, I grab this one, but be careful with it, I have broken a 5/8 bolt that was stuck.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-Prof ... MiJ9%0D%0A

Looks like it is on sale at present
http://www.harborfreight.com/

[Hoyt-Clagwell]

Thanks for all the replys and links guys. You all brought up some points I hadn't considered. This gives me a lot to go on. Appreciate it.

[ricky racer]

I have both a 1/2" air impact and a 1/2" 110 volt corded electric impact. Both work well but I use the air impact more due to it's lighter weight. The 110 volt impact is handy where I don't have air available. A cordless one would be nice if it has enough power.

[Rob in NH]

i have a dewalt 18 volt impact gun. its nice for lugnuts and cubstuff and when i go someplace i usually take it along just in case i get a flat
i also have an ir air gun that is good for the stubborn nuts and bolts.

[Buzzard Wing]

My DeWalt DW059B is probably my favorite tool... I have a lot of 18v stuff and like John says the batteries have a lifespan. When it's time for new batteries I buy a 'reman' kit with batteries, case, charger.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I stated earlier that they frequently went on slae, here is the same big wrench I posted earlier, but $50 cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW059K-2-1 ... act+wrench

With the impact wrenches you do need to get a set of impact sockets, I recommend both a set of deep well and standard ones. I have been using the cheapies from Harbor Freight for 35 years, and have yet to break one.

I bought a small canvas tool bag that is just big enough to hold my big Dewalt, 2 batteries, and this socket set which fits most lug nus, which goes along anytime I make a trip of any length.

http://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-Imp ... ug+sockets

As another additional note, I also have a 4 1/2 inch cut-off/grinder, reciprocal saw (including Lennox metal cutting blades as well as standard wood cutting blades), Skil type circular saw, all of which use my same 18 volt battery. I even have one of the small impact drivers with socket adapters that I use for most disassembly (creative grammar ). As I get older arthritis as well as other problems make every movement a pain, so I look for ways to make things easier as much as possible.

[Eugene]

I have pretty much the same listing of DeWalt 18 volt battery powered tools that John does.

Batteries do have a limited life. I wait until the big box store has a sale on 18 volt DeWalt batteries. Can usually pick up a package of 2 batteries, on sale, for a bit more than the store typically prices one battery.

I have 2 remanufactured 18 volt DeWalt batteries. They work ok, but their work time is considerably less than new batteries.

[Pfranck331]

I used a Dwalt 20 volt at work , ( HVAC SERVICE) and at home , when I retired 2 years ago I missed it so I got a Porter cable set from Low's, I am happy with the impact and drill, every bit as good as DWalt imho. Only thing is it's about 3/8 inch longer. Doesn't quite fit into some places as nice.

Like I said I'm retired so I don't use these every day but I do allot of maintaining & repair on my family's stuff.

[Eugene]

I used a Dwalt 20 volt at work , ( HVAC SERVICE) and at home , when I retired 2 years ago I missed it so I got a Porter cable set from Low's, I am happy with the impact and drill, every bit as good as DWalt imho. Only thing is it's about 3/8 inch longer. Doesn't quite fit into some places as nice.

They make 90 degree angled cordless impact drivers. The quality ones are expensive, to expensive in my opinion for a seldom used tool.

Don't have a recommendation as to brand.