Cordless impact wrenches are valuable to any mechanic, as they offer nut-busting strength, time savings, and portability. Tool technology has grown light years in the past few decades, and battery-powered tools can match and even beat conventional air-powered ones at the same job. But with a cordless tool, you enjoy maneuverability without annoying extension cords and power without a 60-gallon air compressor hogging up your garage space. The best of both worlds.
That’s the main theme for 3/8-inch drive cordless impact wrenches. They toe the line between ample strength and precise power control. Every mechanic should own one, and watch as it quickly becomes the go-to tool. For this list, we asked experts at Car and Driver about which impact they use during their garage endeavors, and the tool gurus at Popular Mechanics lent some recommendations as well. These are the top dogs when it comes to 3/8-inch cordless impact wrenches.
Experts Recommend These 1/2-Inch Drive Cordless Impact Wrenches
It might look a little funny, but the Milwaukee Stubby is incredibly handy. The recessed head of the impact allows you to get into spaces usually reserved for 1/4-inch drive impact wrenches, and this has way more power. Boasting 250 lb-ft of breakaway torque, this is more than capable of handling most automotive jobs. The kit includes the impact, a 4.0AH battery, a 2.0AH battery, charger, and storage bag.
Ryobi makes solid budget-friendly tools, and their 3/8-inch drive impact wrench proves that. With a three-speed selector, you can be more careful to prevent overtightening fasteners on accident. With 150 lb-ft of breakaway torque, it’ll handle its fair share. You will need to pick up some batteries separately, though.
Makita impact wrenches usually match Milwaukee quality, and you’ll save a bit of money with these turquoise tools, too. This 3/8-inch drive impact wrench features a four-pole motor that produces 155 lb-ft of torque and weighs just 3.4 pounds with the battery to save your forearms. You will need to buy a battery separately.
DeWalt’s 20V impact wrench is no joke. It is a compact powerhouse with a 5.5-inch head length and 150 lb-ft of torque. The brushless motor is efficient and can deliver a maximum 2800 rpm. The kit comes with the impact wrench, two batteries, a charger, and a durable carrying bag.
Ingersoll Rand, or IR, is well known for its pneumatic power, building mighty and durable air tools for decades. But don’t sleep on its cordless offerings—they’re good, too. With 100 lb-ft of reverse torque, it’s a bit underpowered, but makes up for it in the durability department. The housing is engineered to withstand all kinds of abuse, so no need to grab your wallet if the impact falls to the floor. This kit includes the impact, two batteries, and a charger.
This is the second Makita impact wrench to make the list, and it’s a good one. The subcompact size allows you to access shy bolts and nuts, and its 130 lb-ft of torque is plenty. Weighing only 2.7 pounds with the battery, it’s unbelievably light. You will need to buy a battery though, and we like this one.
Source: Read Full Article