Cordless Impact Driver

Ed Carpenter · 04-06-2010, 10:06 AM

I'm looking at purchasing a cordless impact driver to use at the track. Looking at Dewalt or Makita 18v. Mainly for removing and installing Jesel stands and things like that. All they list is the max torque. Can you set one of these to say 30,40,50 ft lbs etc or ?????. Appreciate any input. Ed

Brad Plourd · 04-06-2010, 10:09 AM

I love my CP cordless 3/8" impact...Comes with charger and battery. I have never seen one with a torque setting on them...for my Jesel stuff I just snug it and then torque the regular way.

vonzipper396 · 04-06-2010, 12:30 PM

will your cp take off lug nuts?

FED 387 · 04-06-2010, 01:47 PM

Most 18 V impact guns will only have a maximum torque of about 1200-1500 inch pounds of torque---not sure if it will work for your application--Comp 387

novassdude · 04-06-2010, 03:47 PM

I bought I cheap one from Northern tool it is a 1/2 inch with I think 200 foot pounds. Ity is a 24 volt It works great on lugnuts and just about any thing else I have tried. Only around $100. There is no adjustment on the torque though. I have used IR, Dewalt and Snap-on at work none of those could be adjusted.

chris ok · 04-07-2010, 08:29 AM

I have a 3/8 14 volt makita, it's crap. drops all sockets all the time, ring set up on it is junk, same w a friends makita.
I like the look of the dewalt. No info on it tho.

Jim B · 04-07-2010, 01:03 PM

Not that it's a hard and fast rule but generally the higher the battery voltage and amp hours the gun is produced with, the more powerful the driver is. I really haven't seen any brand of cordless that I would trust as a torque wrench. Just pick one of the ones someone has used and recommends. I've seen some pretty inexpensive Northern brand stuff that's surprisingly pretty good.

Dragsinger · 04-07-2010, 02:05 PM

At the shop we have two Snap-On 3/8" battery powered impacts (14.4 volt) They are outstanding and VERY handy.

But I would not recommend any impact wrench, (adjustable or non-adjustable) for smaller, torque sensitive assembly work like you mentioned about rocker stands and such.

BillK · 04-07-2010, 08:34 PM

I will second the Snap On 14.4's I bought one to use for installing and removing flywheels when balancing cranks and have found myself using it for all sorts of thigs. I would never use it for torque sensitive items either, but it is great for running down head bolts and studs etc. I even use it for running a thread chaser through the head bolt holes when torque plate honing blocks. Must be getting smarter ( or lazy) in my old age

Lew Silverman · 04-07-2010, 10:25 PM

If you're looking for a small (3/8" drive) cordless impact, try the Snap-On Model CT561. It's a compact, pistol-style with a maximum of 50 ft/lbs of torque and 2500 rpm's. I've using one for about six months and it's a great all-around tool.

Lew

04-06-2010, 10:06 AM	#1
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Cordless Impact Driver I'm looking at purchasing a cordless impact driver to use at the track. Looking at Dewalt or Makita 18v. Mainly for removing and installing Jesel stands and things like that. All they list is the max torque. Can you set one of these to say 30,40,50 ft lbs etc or ?????. Appreciate any input. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

04-06-2010, 10:09 AM	#2
Brad Plourd Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 196 Likes: 39 Liked 67 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver I love my CP cordless 3/8" impact...Comes with charger and battery. I have never seen one with a torque setting on them...for my Jesel stuff I just snug it and then torque the regular way.

04-06-2010, 12:30 PM	#3
vonzipper396 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Syracuse , New York Posts: 15 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver will your cp take off lug nuts?

04-06-2010, 01:47 PM	#4
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,416 Likes: 522 Liked 330 Times in 178 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver Most 18 V impact guns will only have a maximum torque of about 1200-1500 inch pounds of torque---not sure if it will work for your application--Comp 387

04-06-2010, 03:47 PM	#5
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 752 Likes: 204 Liked 136 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver I bought I cheap one from Northern tool it is a 1/2 inch with I think 200 foot pounds. Ity is a 24 volt It works great on lugnuts and just about any thing else I have tried. Only around $100. There is no adjustment on the torque though. I have used IR, Dewalt and Snap-on at work none of those could be adjusted. Last edited by novassdude; 04-06-2010 at 03:48 PM. Reason: Added voltage

04-07-2010, 08:29 AM	#6
chris ok Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Long Island, New york Posts: 592 Likes: 131 Liked 46 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver I have a 3/8 14 volt makita, it's crap. drops all sockets all the time, ring set up on it is junk, same w a friends makita. I like the look of the dewalt. No info on it tho.

04-07-2010, 01:03 PM	#7
Jim B Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 100 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Cordless Impact Driver Not that it's a hard and fast rule but generally the higher the battery voltage and amp hours the gun is produced with, the more powerful the driver is. I really haven't seen any brand of cordless that I would trust as a torque wrench. Just pick one of the ones someone has used and recommends. I've seen some pretty inexpensive Northern brand stuff that's surprisingly pretty good. Last edited by Jim B; 04-07-2010 at 01:29 PM. Reason: spelling

04-07-2010, 02:05 PM	#8
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver At the shop we have two Snap-On 3/8" battery powered impacts (14.4 volt) They are outstanding and VERY handy. But I would not recommend any impact wrench, (adjustable or non-adjustable) for smaller, torque sensitive assembly work like you mentioned about rocker stands and such. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

04-07-2010, 08:34 PM	#9
BillK Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Waldorf Md Posts: 230 Likes: 12 Liked 30 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver I will second the Snap On 14.4's I bought one to use for installing and removing flywheels when balancing cranks and have found myself using it for all sorts of thigs. I would never use it for torque sensitive items either, but it is great for running down head bolts and studs etc. I even use it for running a thread chaser through the head bolt holes when torque plate honing blocks. Must be getting smarter ( or lazy) in my old age __________________ Bill Koustenis

04-07-2010, 10:25 PM	#10
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Cordless Impact Driver If you're looking for a small (3/8" drive) cordless impact, try the Snap-On Model CT561. It's a compact, pistol-style with a maximum of 50 ft/lbs of torque and 2500 rpm's. I've using one for about six months and it's a great all-around tool. Lew __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA