Portable Impacts...

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I'm hoping garage season is right around the corner. I'm starting to get the itch, but dont want to work too hard!

I'm thinking a battery powered impact would be really handy at home! They are much better than they were years ago. A few of my guys at the shop have them to take out in the yard with them. Some I've seen have allot morer torque than others. And often times I'm too lazy too run to the yard on weekends for tools. 

Anyone here with any recomendation, or experience with one brand over another.     Thanks

[IMNCARN82]

I use cordless tools everyday. And have for a long time. We use DeWalt.  Maybe get one where you could use the same batteries in other tools down the road? The cordless grinder is my all time favorite!   

[67vertman]

I have an 18 v DeWalt, works great, tons of torque, and the batteries stay charged along time.

Easier that firing up the air compressor.

[Chryco Psycho]

Snap On makes a wicked one but it is pricey
I have a Good Year one & it sucks but it was cheap , the torque is Good but the battery is junk & I cannot find a replacement

[bb71challenger]

In the mine we use them all the time. We had Dewalts but the dust ate them up and they didnt last. Milwaukee are awesome and imo the best battery impact out there. I am assuming you are talking about 1/2" drive impacts.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Yes I'm talking 1/2 inch impacts. I've head great luck with my Makita angle grinders and an old 9v drill thats still used just about everyday... no experience with thier impacts tho. Got a corded Dewalt sawzall, but its a fairly recent purchase , I've got no other Dewalt experience.  One of my guys had Snap-on... way underpowered IMO. One of my guys has an IR, good torque, not too heavy but the transmissions go out pretty quick (been rebuilt 2/3 times already that I'm aware of).  Milwaukee quality has really gone down (IMO sawzalls anyway) own corded and cordless. Now granted, my guys beat the he11 out of every tool in the shop, it have a little easier life here at the house with only ME as the user! Maybe the manufacturer's would like to donate a few at the yard for test purposes!   

I appriciate the imput!!  Keepem' comin' springs only about a month away!!   

[bb71challenger]

I can tell you we use them all the time and both teh Dewalt and the Milwaukee have plenty of power. They usually have plenty of grunt to break big lug nuts on our tractors. We are talking 1 1/2 inch sockets so the studs are probably 7/8's or so. The Milwaukee I have much more time on and they will keep impressive power for long periods of time,  right up until they are out of charge which happens fast. If I were to choose I would go Milwaukee just because I know what they can do. Would be interesting to see what the torque ratings are for each of the prospective brands of 1/2" impact.