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Shopping for an impact, cordless tool question

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Trail Runnah, Nov 20, 2022.

  1. Nov 20, 2022 at 7:18 AM
    #1
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    Finally decided to finally shell out the cash for some cordless tools. I've been wanting an impact for years, finally pulled the trigger on one. I ended up buying a Rigid mid torque 1/2 drive. 650 ft lb breakaway torque, 500 foot pounds tightening. Should be plenty for my uses. This kit was 169 with 1 x 4amp hour battery and storage bag.

    My question is, I've since seen another kit with the same impact, as well as a 3/8 inch drive ratchet with 2 x 2 amp hour batteries and bag for 279.

    How often do people use a 3/8 cordless ratchet? Not sure how useful it is. I'm really tempted to return this kit and pick up the two-piece kit. I haven't opened it yet, literally the day after I ordered it I saw that this two-piece kit was back in stock.

    Just not sure if it's worth 110 more for a tool that might not be that useful?

    Here's the link to the two-piece kit:
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...-Ah-Batteries-and-Charger-R92012SBN/320556348
     
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  2. Nov 20, 2022 at 6:41 PM
    #2
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    My rationale… I will seldom (if ever) see 3/8”. So I don’t need my impact to be 3/8”. If I do encounter a 3/8”, I’ll find another solution easy enough. I’d also rather have the 4amp battery.

    I asked myself the same question when I got mine.
     
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  3. Nov 20, 2022 at 7:19 PM
    #3
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Those things are dangerous. I use a corded Dewalt But it’s low torque. My neighbors Milwaukee 1/2 will do some damage.
     
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  4. Nov 20, 2022 at 7:32 PM
    #4
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I know a few people who have the (Milwaukee) cordless ratchets and love them. Even if they don't have much power, you can use them to remove and install bolts in places that an impact won't fit. Since Milwaukee, Rigid, and Ryobi are owned by the same company, I'd expect the Rigid ratchet to be pretty much just as nice.

    If you're planning on doing a bunch of work on your 4Runner, I'd definitely go for it. But, then again, it's my duty as a fellow forum member to help you get rid of your extra money. So, I might be biased. :D
     
  5. Nov 20, 2022 at 9:57 PM
    #5
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    Just checked mine and looks like I have the most basic one with 1.5Ah battery. My only reason to buy Dewalt is my friends having tools with the brand. So we can just run to their house and borrow a tool if needed. Some of my friends are really serious on tools some even having mounted wood cutting tools with big round blade from Dewalt.

    20221120_214826.jpg
     
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  6. Nov 20, 2022 at 10:50 PM
    #6
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    If there is any chance you’ll be getting more tools over the years, get one of the bigger brands to avoid getting left high and dry.

    Personally I love Milwaukee. Bought a drill at least 15 years ago, and have added various other tools over the years, including a 3/8 and 1/2 drive (they can get you into trouble as fast as they’ll get you out).

    Milwaukee has been good at not messing with their battery eco system in a way that causes obsolescence. All my batteries work with all my oldest tools. They have a good repair network and fix tools quickly while under warranty.
     
  7. Nov 21, 2022 at 5:32 AM
    #7
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    Good to know. My friends are kind of scattered with what they use, I have some with DeWalt some who swear by Milwaukee, some with Ryobi.

    I actually have an old DeWalt drill, I'll have to check and see if the batteries are compatible. This rigid just seemed like the best value, because it came with a decent size battery and wasn't a tool only. I believe it's also lifetime warranty.

    At first I wanted a Milwaukee, but their line up is confusing and there's so many options that get expensive quickly. I watched some torque test channel videos, and this Rigid performed nearly identical to a more expensive Milwaukee.

    It's funny, I was talking to a co-worker who's been shopping one too, and he's in the same boat, not really married to any particular brand or battery style yet. We were like it's a big choice, once you choose now you're committed to that brand lol.

    I'm really only going to use this a few times a year, I mainly bought it just to do tire rotations and things like that. I don't work in a shop, and I bought a Toyota so I WOULDN'T have to work on it very often haha. When I was a kid I used to enjoy wrenching, now it's just a hassle.
     
  8. Nov 21, 2022 at 5:58 AM
    #8
    Fisch

    Fisch New Member

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    All of my cordless tools with the exception of my cordless ratchet are Ridgid.

    Went that way because of the free replacement warranty. No issues with any of my tools or batteries in 6 years.

    I got the extended reach 3/8” Hercules brand cordless ratchet from harbor freight and have had no issues with it. Ridgid ratchets weren’t available yet when I was looking/purchased.

    I really don’t use it as much as I thought I would… same with my Ridgid impact wrench gun. The impact gun is mainly used for lug removal/install.

    My Ridgid impact driver (similar to the DeWalt pic) is my most used cordless tool.

    Also I would recommend a good set of ratcheting box end wrenches.
     
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  9. Nov 21, 2022 at 6:11 AM
    #9
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Makes sense. If you were a kid getting started in the trades, it kinda is like getting married haha. But at least the options are good! It seems like the major companies keep each other sharp in terms of tool R&D and service. It’s amazing the amount of specialized tools they are coming out with, and how long they last.

    I’ve only had one tool break on me, a 4 1/2 in grinder. I got a lot of use out of it, before the gearbox went. I didn't have a receipt, and it was a couple years old and not sure I was in warranty. Almost bought a new one to avoid a huge warranty hassle, but even the cheap grinders arent exactly cheap, so I decided to be responsible and just bite the bullet and call Milwaukee up. They took care of me quick, gave me a location to drop it off, and I had it back in about a week, free of charge.

    By the way, you’re gonna love the impact. It’s not for every occasion, and you have to recognize their power of destruction :D, but they make tire rotations a pleasure!

    The little ratchets are nice, but they seems to be geared more for the well practiced mechanic on the clock, to save time on disassembly/assembly tasks.
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2022
  10. Nov 21, 2022 at 6:39 AM
    #10
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I'm in love with ratcheting box end wrenches. I first used them in high school auto shop (makes me sad when I realize how long ago that was lol), and I've been a huge fan ever since. I have multiple sets of them, first standard, and then I had to buy all metric stuff when I got newer vehicles. I think I got my first set for Christmas when I was 15, my friends made fun of me for wanting tools. I haven't talked to those losers in years, lol.

    So the impact driver is a good suggestion, I hadn't thought of that one. My dad and I bought a compressor and air tools years ago when I was still living at home, and come to think of it I never actually used the 3/8 ratchet very much.

    It IS a good deal to buy the kit with both of them, but maybe I'll save the $110 difference and purchase an impact driver instead.
     
  11. Nov 21, 2022 at 6:46 AM
    #11
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    That's some excellent service from Milwaukee! It's great when a company stands behind their products. I actually had a good experience with harbor freight recently, I had a ratchet that I bought from them years ago, and the socket release broke. I brought it in and exchanged it, no questions asked. When I was a kid Sears used to be good like that, then they started trying to fix it, or give you a refurbished one. The woman I spoke to at HF told me to just grab the one I needed off the shelf.

    Good point about the ratchet being used for technicians on the clock. Somebody else mentioned that an impact driver is their most used tool, I may look into purchasing one of those instead of the ratchet.

    I mainly bought the impact for lug nuts. I figure it's something I can just take it with me on the trail, and maybe now I'll actually do tire rotations since it'll be much easier.
     
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  12. Nov 21, 2022 at 6:50 AM
    #12
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    So the Rigid has this neat auto stop feature. As soon as the bolt is snug it cuts torque, and if loosening, as soon as the resistance is gone, it stops. So no more spinning lug nuts across the driveway, or doing one too many ugga duggas and snapping bolts.

    I've used air impacts before, I just want something more convenient and portable. All my air tools and compressor are buried in my parents garage. I live in apartment, so I don't have space for any of that stuff.
     
  13. Nov 21, 2022 at 6:55 AM
    #13
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    Dude.... If I weren't so cheap, and saving for a house (probably an exercise in futility), I would have spent soooo much money from being on this forum, haha.
     
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  14. Nov 21, 2022 at 7:12 AM
    #14
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Lol! This place is like a support group for poor financial decisions! :rofl:

    It takes real self control to hang out here. :D
     
  15. Nov 21, 2022 at 7:41 AM
    #15
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    It's true! It's a good thing 18-year-old me didn't have Instagram and groups like this to influence my purchasing decisions, lol. I probably STILL be paying off the credit cards.

    I just live vicariously through other people's modding and adventures. Where I am in Rhode Island, I really don't have the need for it, and don't often have the time to drive 4 plus hours north to hit actual trails.

    We have great mountain biking here though, so two months ago rather than spending 3k on a lift and hidden winch setup, I spent it on a new mountain bike

    I still want to do the lift and hidden winch setup, though in the back of my mind there's a voice telling me I should sell this thing while the frame is still in good condition and it's still worth something. Been seeing too many posts recently about people finding frame rot. Freaking New England, we can't have anything nice.

    Oh, it was just looking up impact drivers. This seems like a good one, and I think these batteries will work in my DeWalt drill as well. I'm not really finding anything compelling on 1/2" impact offerings from them though.

    https://m.northerntool.com/shop/too...piRiDuDHJKF2HMkeC4waAjMpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
     
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  16. Nov 22, 2022 at 12:10 PM
    #16
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Apparently I have none...
    upload_2022-11-22_13-10-17.jpg
     
  17. Nov 22, 2022 at 12:19 PM
    #17
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    I have a shit ton cordless Makita 18V.

    3/8 Impact, Drill, Hammer Drill, Circular Saw, Bandsaw, Grinder, Oscillating, Sawzall, Radio, Flashlight

    But I found my self buy corded shit recently Orbital Sander, Router. Maybe I'm just tired of keeping track of the damn batteries.

    I do have a Milwaukee 1/2" impact and that shit will over tighten shit in a heartbeat.
     
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  18. Nov 22, 2022 at 12:52 PM
    #18
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I have a bit of a Milwaukee addiction myself. :anonymous:

    PXL_20221110_220740492.jpg
     
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  19. Nov 22, 2022 at 12:53 PM
    #19
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    images_b4a2f5dadad39bc86eacbf086ec07dc46526a363.jpg
     
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  20. Nov 22, 2022 at 2:30 PM
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    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    If I had a garage, or even a driveway, I probably would buy mostly corded stuff. I used a corded drill when I polished the headlights on my Volvo, the cordless I was using kept killing the batteries before I was done.When I sanded down the rough spots on my frame, I wished I would have had a corded one at that point, because I had to stop every once in a while to charge batteries.
     
  21. Nov 22, 2022 at 2:36 PM
    #21
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    I just recently used the Milwaukee 1/2 battery impact. To remove the antitheft lugnuts off of the RS. Because the mechanic lost my 30 year old socket. Might as change the all your sockets over to impact grade.
    I snapped off an extension changing the trans fluid on the Z28.
     
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  22. Nov 25, 2022 at 4:40 AM
    #22
    AuSeeker

    AuSeeker New Member

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    When using your new impact to rotate your tires, use it only to remove and lightly tighten down the lug nuts, then use a torque wrench to do the final tightening of the lug nuts, using the impact will many times over tighten the lug nuts or sometime not tighten them enough, you don't want the studs to break off or the lug nuts to come loose driving down the road, always use a torque wrench on lug nuts!!
     
  23. Nov 25, 2022 at 5:15 AM
    #23
    Cowboy59

    Cowboy59 Enjoy the Adventure

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    I have a kobslt 1/2 impact. Regarding rotating tires, I use the impact to remove the lid. But in always tighten using a torque wrench, to ensure they are never over tightened.
     
  24. Nov 25, 2022 at 5:22 AM
    #24
    Bgdv1

    Bgdv1 New Member

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    I use Milwaukee, I have the newest 1/2" impact, hammer drill, angle grinder and hedge trimmer. My 1/4" impact is still my old Kobalt 20vt that works perfectly fine for all the more it gets used (oil changes on both vehicles taking off skids) The 1/2" impact is a beast and as stated above don't use it to tighten lugs because it is a torque monster and if not careful bad things MAY happen.
    '"
     
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  25. Nov 25, 2022 at 7:34 AM
    #25
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    Great advice, thanks for posting.

    I actually had a wheel off the other day, and used the exact process you described. Another recent purchase was a torque wrench, so I was happy to try that out too.
     
  26. Nov 26, 2022 at 4:53 AM
    #26
    Burnt Taco

    Burnt Taco "Like that's just your opinion, man".

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    What brand torque wrench did you get?
     
  27. Nov 26, 2022 at 6:03 AM
    #27
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    I got a 1/2" drive click type from Harbor Freight. I had seen some comparison videos in the past, the HF one was just as accurate as Snap-on, MAC, SK, etc

    This should be great for occasional use
     
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  28. Nov 26, 2022 at 7:57 AM
    #28
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Good choice! I have the same one. It's perfect for suspension, lugnuts, etc. I wouldn't bother spending more $$ unless I were building an engine.
     
  29. Nov 26, 2022 at 8:15 AM
    #29
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah [OP] New Member

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    I used it on lug nuts the other day, I had forgotten how satisfying a click torque wrench is to use, haha.
     
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  30. Dec 18, 2022 at 7:45 AM
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    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    WOW!!!! Nice collection.:hattip:
     
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