New tool thread

[Trav]

I'm considering picking up a new Makita 18V 1/2" impact wrench before the next mowing season. I need to replace the blades on the John Deere zero turn, and I really don't want to struggle with a breaker bar and a 2X4 to remove the blade mounting nuts. I could get an impact wrench at Walmart or Harbor Freight for 1/2 the price of the Makita or less, but I would forever tell myself I should have gotten the Makita.

Tangent thought: Would my Makita 1/4" impact driver be able to bust the zero turn blade mounting nuts loose?

Dewalt is arguably making the best impacts today, the older Makita LXT platform is still the way to go if buying Makita the newer XGT platform is 40v requiring different batteries, tools and chargers, they cost substantial more money and don't have much more if any performance depending on the tool.
Two of the best and worth looking IMHO at are the XWT 14Z or 15Z and the XWT 17z or 18z. I have had both for years and never had any problems with them, they have seen some real work.

One of my favorite 1/2 impacts is the tiny Dewalt DCF921, it is a very small tool with some real power, I use it almost everything from axle nuts brakes and struts and all sorts of front end work, it is small enough to get in all kinds of places and is holding up well in real use.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-..._-325721284-_-0-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

With small 1.7A powerstack, they sometimes have a sale with the 5A powerstack for the same price.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...Battery-and-Charger-DCF921BWCBP034C/325721284

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...-with-Detent-Anvil-Tool-Only-XWT15Z/313580802

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...nch-w-Detent-Anvil-Tool-Only-XWT18Z/315172194

 

[wavinwayne]

...Two of the best and worth looking IMHO at are the XWT 14Z or 15Z...

The XWT15Z is the one I will buy if I decide I need to. It appears to be of good enough quality that I can't imagine I would ever use it enough to wear it out.

 

[michaelluscher]

Go big or go home, my annual scan tool purchase
This one comes with 3 years worth of updates, so it'll stick around for a while
I'm pivoting away from Autel, not a big fan of how they treated me with my KM100
I'll probably flip my TS900 for decent resale value, it'll work out significantly cheaper in the long run vs paying for updates
I've never used XTool before, but this unit is big, bright, and FAST

 

[researcher]

Go big or go home, my annual scan tool purchase
This one comes with 3 years worth of updates, so it'll stick around for a while
I'm pivoting away from Autel, not a big fan of how they treated me with my KM100
I'll probably flip my TS900 for decent resale value, it'll work out significantly cheaper in the long run vs paying for updates
I've never used XTool before, but this unit is big, bright, and FAST
View attachment 252190
View attachment 252191

hey what happened with autel? Is there a post you made that explains that story? in case you had one I didn't want you to have to retell the whole story..

that xtool looks awesome!

 

[daniel327]

I just ordered a tungsten scraper from Amazon. It's 32% off:

 

[Hootbro]

Go big or go home, my annual scan tool purchase
This one comes with 3 years worth of updates, so it'll stick around for a while
I'm pivoting away from Autel, not a big fan of how they treated me with my KM100
I'll probably flip my TS900 for decent resale value, it'll work out significantly cheaper in the long run vs paying for updates
I've never used XTool before, but this unit is big, bright, and FAST
View attachment 252190
View attachment 252191

You have to be careful with Xtool. Their scan tools have spotty to sometimes no coverage for some vehicles for 2023-2024 model years and even gaps going back to 2019 or more with no available downloads to update. I had to return a D8W scan tool of theirs for this reason.

 

[michaelluscher]

You have to be careful with Xtool. Their scan tools have spotty to sometimes no coverage for some vehicles for 2023-2024 model years and even gaps going back to 2019 or more with no available downloads to update. I had to return a D8W scan tool of theirs for this reason.

That's unfortunate to hear, I'll have to give it a try on a '24 Cadillac tomorrow
I heard the exact same statement about the TOPDON that I was originally planning on buying
Luckily Amazon's return period is generous, I've got till the end of January

 

[Hootbro]

That's unfortunate to hear, I'll have to give it a try on a '24 Cadillac tomorrow
I heard the exact same statement about the TOPDON that I was originally planning on buying
Luckily Amazon's return period is generous, I've got till the end of January

Would not auto ID or manual ID on my 24 Ford Ranger or my wife's 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. It would sorta work on the Bronco Sport if I selected 2021 Ford Bronco Sport which was the latest profile on the tool. Tried it also on my neighbors 23 Toyota Tundra and ran into similar issues. Reported it to Xtool and the claimed they would get a new profile for my 2024 Ranger but eventually came back and told me to return it. Going through the other vehicle profiles on the tool and got the sense they do not keep it bleeding edge updated unless the new model year going forward is still on the same prior year vehicle generation architecture.

It is a shame as I liked the layout and what did "sorta" work was nice, but it is not something I would recommend anybody working in the auto repair and deals with very late model vehicles. When I researched it, all I found was fluff videos by certain youtube channels that got it for free but never seem to run into this issue or mention it.

 

[michaelluscher]

Would not auto ID or manual ID on my 24 Ford Ranger or my wife's 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. It would sorta work on the Bronco Sport if I selected 2021 Ford Bronco Sport which was the latest profile on the tool. Tried it also on my neighbors 23 Toyota Tundra and ran into similar issues. Reported it to Xtool and the claimed they would get a new profile for my 2024 Ranger but eventually came back and told me to return it. Going through the other vehicle profiles on the tool and got the sense they do not keep it bleeding edge updated unless the new model year going forward is still on the same prior year vehicle generation architecture.

It is a shame as I liked the layout and what did "sorta" work was nice, but it is not something I would recommend anybody working in the auto repair and deals with very late model vehicles. When I researched it, all I found was fluff videos by certain youtube channels that got it for free but never seem to run into this issue or mention it.

I see what you mean, the closest I can find is the '22 Bronco (non Sport)
It's always something
I'll study the TOPDON I was considering a little more closely

What did you wind up settling with?

 

[Hootbro]

I see what you mean, the closest I can find is the '22 Bronco (non Sport)
It's always something
I'll study the TOPDON I was considering a little more closely

What did you wind up settling with?

Hope it works out for you. Did not mean to piss on your parade with bad new but thought you should know.

I eventually went with a LAUNCH CRP919E scan tool and after initial firmware and base software updates, it auto ID for me and downloaded profiles for both my Bronco Sport and Ford Ranger and was in like Flynn.

Edit: Will also add that the new Gearwrench Scan tools use the same base software as the XTool and have the same limitations.

 

[michaelluscher]

Hope it works out for you. Did not mean to piss on your parade with bad new but thought you should know.

I'd rather know now before I'm stuck with the thing

 

[daniel327]

I'd rather know now before I'm stuck with the thing

I've got a Topdon ArtiDiag PRO (2023) and a Topdon AD600S. Based on my experiences with these scanners, I'll never buy another Topdon product.

 

[LDB]

Are Innova any good?

 

[researcher]

I'd rather know now before I'm stuck with the thing

maybe you missed it, was asking you what happened with Autel that turned you off to them?

 

[zrxkawboy]

One of my favorite 1/2 impacts is the tiny Dewalt DCF921, it is a very small tool with some real power, I use it almost everything from axle nuts brakes and struts and all sorts of front end work, it is small enough to get in all kinds of places and is holding up well in real use.

I agree 100%. I have a DCF921, and I love the combination of size & power.

 

[factorytuned2012]

Sktools has a 30% coupon code.

 

[04silverado6.0]

No mini toolbox posts?

 

[wavinwayne]

1. Battery adapter to let me run Makita 18V on my old Craftsman impact wrench. Works like a champ.
2. A new pair of cutting pliers because why not.

 

[factorytuned2012]

1. Battery adapter to let me run Makita 18V on my old Craftsman impact wrench. Works like a champ.
2. A new pair of cutting pliers because why not.
View attachment 252393View attachment 252394

Battery adapter is hideous but functional.

 

[Speedbird001]

(Tired of bouncing between garage/toolbelt/workshop looking for the right screwdriver (These stay in the garage. Period.)

Tekton: Black-Friday + Clearance + a few rewards points = $27 for a 12 pc screwdriver set