IR and Milwaukee cordless impact

[JHZR2]

Hello,

I have a Milwaukee corded impact. I like it, it works well, but the cords are a pain, especially if doing multiple cars. Since I also help my parents with snow tires, etc., it becomes mre of a pain.

Im not sure if it is a $2-300 pain, but thats why Im exploring it more.

My primary question is as follows:
I am sold on he benefits of these systems, on their capability, etc., however I refuse to buy Chinese made tools, especially from major companies like this. Anyone know where these items are made?

Im sure the battery cells are made in China, as well as most of the power electronics. However, id certainly like the gears, motors, related machinery and assembly to be made here in the USA.

Also, can anyone actually explain the difference between standard square drive, and square drive, pin type? The standard square drive seems to have a spring loaded ring on the end of the square. The pin may have a spring loaded ball bearing much like a ratchet. I cannot tell and be definite. Any suggestions? I use what I assume to be standard snap-on/blue point impact sockets.

Thanks,

JMH

 

[Chris142]

The good impact tools are made in Tiawan. My I.R. air impact I got from the Mac truck was made there.

You don't want the pin type of retailer.You can't remove the socket unless you stick something in the hole in the socket and push the pin in.

This becomes a major hassle.

I don't think that you are going to find any USA made impacts battery, corded or air.

 

[1sttruck]

I noticed a number of air impacts made in Japan, but that changes quickly these days. Look carefully on the box, but sometimes it doesn't say.

 

[JHZR2]

Problem is Im trying to do a buy over the net... stupid perhaps, but the prices are decent and Im not aware of who sells these items nearby.

I do have questions in to the manufacturers.

 

[AcuraTech]

Not sure where my IR Titanium 1/2 impact was made, but it works like a champ everyday.

My 1/4 and 3/8 air ratchets (Blue Point and Mac, respectively) were made in Japan.

I'm aware that the name brand good hand tools are US made, not sure about the air/electric/battery tools.

Edit: Did some research, seems that most (non-hand) tools are foreign made. Some still are US made, but most aren't. If you like to order online, go to a store that carries that line and see where most of the products are made.

 

[The Critic]

Are you in the market for a cordless impact? I'm not sure if I'm understanding your question.

From my research so far, my understanding is that the Snap-On Cordless Impact, model # CT4850HO is the best cordless impact that money can buy. I arrived at this conclusion after reading on Garage Journals and from discussion with local mechanics. It's a tad pricey at $529, but it's well worth the money apparently.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...-store&tool=all

 

[JHZR2]

yes, a cordless. I have a corded, but going out and about with it, always needing to drag a cord, etc. is annoying...

That snap-on looks like one heck of a tool. However, it is double the price of the IR kit, and a third or so higher than the Milwaukee kit.

I do 8 sets of tire swaps plus a rotation or removal for other reasons per year. Probably comes to 10 sets of tire changes, so roughly 50 lug nuts per year. Hardly heavy duty, but Ill still buy more tool than is really required... but the snap-on is a bit too rich for me to justify.

The convenience of having a cordless gun is the main point. I have a tool that will do the job, and heck, I also have a 1/2 and 3/4" drive breaker bar to do the job. The impact just makes it nice, simple and clean. Cordless would make it optimal...

Thanks for the lead!

JMH

 

[alreadygone]

Tool power is great, but Dewalt has design problem with battery connections. IR seems to be excellent product, as is Milwaukee. Either will be more than sufficient for your needs (just make double sure they have "floating" battery contacts. SnapOn IS made for continuous, day in day out, use,,,you don't need it!

A suggestion, buy the brand that has the best selection of other cordless tools, using the same battery pack, in case you want to add to your set. Drills, lights, sawzalls, ghetto blasters, caulking guns!!!!


This cordless stuf is addictive!!!!

Bob

 

[tom slick]

careful with your price analysis. most IR cordless tools are sold with no battery or charger, Milwaukee can be purchased that way also.
an IR W360 impact is $170 + $70 (charger) + $115*2 (2 batteries) = $470

 

[JHZR2]

Good point, but Im looking at kits only.

The IR kit is $365 in Liion, $325 for NiCd
The Milwaukee 28V kit is $448

Th IR charger can do 14.4V which is nice for if I want to get a cordless electric ratchet someday...

Thanks,

JMH

 

[The Critic]

I would ask your local Snap-On truck driver if they have any reprocessed CT4850HOs. A lot of Snap-On tools are financed, but if the mechanic fails to make the payments, they reprocess them. I believe the Snap-On truck driver would resell these tools at a significant discount, so I would look into that route. I'd rather buy a CT4850HO in good condition than an IR or Milwaukee.

 

[JHZR2]

I dunno... unwieldy and far more expensive. It is well regarded, but from a practical standpoint for various tasks, it may not be the absolute best. One thing I found over at a maxima site is the following (first citing the Snap-on tool):

Quote:
On our impact test it put out about 350lb-ft of torque. Our impact tester does not replicate bolting though, only tool effort into a fixed tester. Alot of the inflated numbers you see for impacts come from bench testing with bolts, not on an impact tester. What they do is use a lubricated fastener on a hard joint and hammer it for 30 seconds and measure the torque put onto the bolt, this is not always realistic to what the tool can do on a non-lubricated joint or loosening a fastener on a car that is dry or rusty. That is why we measure what we call honest torque. Max effort into an impact tester with 5 seconds of hammering. The numbers can be lower than what the tool could do, but it is very realistic about what to expect during manufacturing assembly.

You see alot of air impacts that say 1000lb-ft of torque in a 1/2" impact. This is very unrealistic. I tested a tool that said that and it put out just shy of 400lb-ft of honest torque.

The snap-on is so freaking big and heavy though it does not fit into manufacturing at all so we did not consider it. I did buy one ingersoll-rand W360, it is rated for 360lb-ft, it put out 275lb-ft in forward and 355lb-ft in reverse, and it is shorter and lighter than the snap-on with better battery technology, built that was for just one odd job. Any of our more important torques have DC electric or transducerized air power anyway. What we needed was small light cordless tools with enough torque to tighten non-critical 10mm and 12mm fasteners (17mm & 19mm socket size). Hitachi fit the bill perfectly and they have been great. Many of them have driven 1000 bolts a day for over a year, while only occasionally needing $5 brushes or batteries.

 

[alreadygone]

Saw today that Makita makes a 18V impact! After buying a new Makita recip. saw (ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!) and drill combo,,,guess what's next on the list?

Bob