[boilerdan33]

This might be off-topic, but seeing as I see about 50% of the people who swap tires at the track have cordless impact wrenches, I was looking for a little guidance.

I'm a pretty serious do-it yourselfer at my house. (I rep[laced my own roof, paved my own driveway, and did a complete rehab of the kitchen.) I plan on replacing my 5 year-old ni-cad Dewalt 14.4 tool set with Lithium Ion.

Right now I am leaning heavily toward the Makita LXT 601 6 piece tool kit:

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LXT601-...9308192&sr=1-1

Primarily because they offer this medium grade impact wrench, the BTW251:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Makita-BTW251-Z-...item588444add8

And more importantly this heavy duty impact wrench, the BTW450:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAKITA-18V-18-VO...item3efa37e240

I most often see the Dewalt version, and was wondering if you guys have one, which one, and if you've tried out the competitors. I think Dewalt is way behind the game in Lithium Ion. Which do you like and why?

D

[longodj]

I have the Dewalt 18 Volt 1/2 in impact wrench and it is everything I could ask for. It gets bolts on and off the wheels....what more could you want?

[boilerdan33]

Low cost, light weight, interoperability with my other tools so I don't have to buy multiple charging systems and batteries, and high quality, functional tools in the combo kit, so that I can use those with low cost, light weight, and excellent ergonomics. That is also what I ask for.

[uberschnell]

You'll never regret buying as much tool as you can afford. I don't turn wrenches for a living anymore, but I still own every Snap-On tool I ever bought.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by boilerdan33

Low cost, light weight, interoperability with my other tools so I don't have to buy multiple charging systems and batteries, and high quality, functional tools in the combo kit, so that I can use those with low cost, light weight, and excellent ergonomics. That is also what I ask for.

Well sure As a general rule I like Makita, you can put them through hell, but for some reason I always buy DeWalt. I wouldn't call the DeWalt Impact Wrench light...but it's an Impact Wrench!! I have one charging system for all my tools, they're all 18V. The tools in the dewalt kit are certainly equally as functional as the makita. I mean you're talking about two great brands, I'd say go to a store, pick them both up, and decide which you like better and which you can afford. Reliability wise you shouldn't have a problem with either.

[Chowbow]

I know the Snap-On one is crazy expensive, but it really is the one to get... I've used the 18V Dewalt one and it couldn't break the lugs loose on my wheels. I had to break them loose by hand first, which basically completely defeats the point IMO.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Chowbow

I know the Snap-On one is crazy expensive, but it really is the one to get... I've used the 18V Dewalt one and it couldn't break the lugs loose on my wheels. I had to break them loose by hand first, which basically completely defeats the point IMO.

Second the Snap-On. If I wasn't already blowing my annual bonus on a trip to SE Asia in February AND my daughter's college education, I'd upgrade from my Hitachi to a Sanp-On and be done with it. My friend has an Ingersal Rand 19.2V cordless impact and it's about the ONLY OTHER Cordless I'd buy.

[Sh0cker]

OP, if you're a serious DIY'er around the house too, maybe get a compressor and regular pneumatic impact wrench?

I got a compressor to put in my hardwood floors and now I use it to fill tires, run a framing and finish nailer and of course my impact wrench.

[Chowbow]

Cordless ones are mostly for track use where you won't have a compressor unless you have a seriously awesome trailer! The Snap On one is really really powerful, and my friend uses that more in his shop than his IR air gun. Just less clumsy with a hose trailing around. He says they're strong enough to take off crank bolts off LS1s even.

[Feffman]

Ditto the Dewalt recommendations. My Dewalt removes the single wheel nut on our race car wheels that are torqued to 190 pounds (yes, 190) with no trouble. The kit came with a second battery which is great for a weekend at the track.

Feff

[Brock]

just be careful as even those handheld battery impact wrenches can have enough torgue to twist off bolt heads. My buddies shop has a little blue impact wrench...damn thing will compete with many cheaper air compressor models and even some more expensive.

I have a CO2 tank with an impact wrench I use on trails when camping in my Land Cruiser....use hose to air up tires after wheeling in rocks, sand, etc.....and impact to change out tires if needed. So far only had to use impact for others...