Battery operated 1/2 inch Impact

[Shran]

I have a bunch of air tools too including some nice ones by Matco, IR, Cornwell, etc. Still use them a lot, on occasion they are the only thing that will work.

I will pimp Milwaukee all day long but as with anything their "value" tools kinda suck. For example I have no idea why you'd buy a brushed 1/2 impact that makes 400ft/lbs of torque for $200 when you can get a brushless one on sale for literally a few dollars more that makes 1100 ft/lbs. But on the flip side some of their newer tools like the Fuel ratchets are really kinda disappointing for what they cost. And some have weird quirks... I have the M12 chainsaw, for example, which is an amazing tool but even with 6ah batteries you can dead stop it repeatedly without much effort. Same with the M18 grinders, you can't just hog into stuff like other brands, they will shut off to protect themselves.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Yeah... I don't see this impact really replacing any of my air tools. Corded tools either... they will probably never be able to keep up with a good grinder.

Looking at the specs again... I'll hope the M18 Fuel brushless Milwaukee impact goes on sale before fathers day or I need it at the new house. Then just pick up a couple new Dewalt batteries and an adapter to keep my 18V stuff going.

 

[Shran]

The 2767-20 impact is the one you probably want. It is the strongest 1/2 one they make. I would suggest a couple 5ah batteries at minimum with it, or a couple 6's, or one 8ah.

I watch Slickdeals for Milwaukee stuff... Set an alert and it'll email you automatically when a new deal is posted. Home Depot usually has the best deals.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The 2767-20 is the exact model I have my eye on. With two 5ah batteries and charger.

The set is $449 at Home Depot... I really don't wan to pay that.

I've done well with things at my local Rural King and also Blaine's farm and fleet.

I will look at slick deals... I forgot that place even existed.

 

[don4331]

So, I was drawn to the dark side by smoking good deal/fact that the DeWalt 18v crushed my buddy's 12v Ryobi/they had a number of good woodworking tools.

The DeWalt biscuit jointer turned out to be a bit of a disappointment - it needs to be connected to vacuum all the time which seriously reduced its usefulness as a cordless tool.

When using the dust collector bag it would continuously clog.​

And the original heavy 1/2" 18v impact was a boat anchor.

​

But the rest have been worthy tools. I had a terrific 18v 3/8" cordless (it kicked the 18v 1/2" impact's @$$), but I was working under a truck at PnP when someone walked by my cart and decided they wanted it more. Cordless drill had the switch replaced as it was worn out, otherwise I haven't even had to repair any of them. They have replaced 90% of my corded tools.

We were pulling apart a transfer case and could not get the nut off the front output shaft and we had 4' of pipe on the socket. The neighbour came over with his M18 Fuel heavy 1/2" and it came right off. I almost went to Milwaukee.

But I gave the DeWalt heavy 1/2" impact as Home Depot had it on Father's Day sale last year. The heavy 1/2" DeWalt will rattle off a transfer case front nut as well. On the heavy 1/2", my daughters say the 3 setting are: 1. Neighbour setting, for those who borrow but don't know what they are doing & don't want to break anything. 2. Daughter setting - undoes the lug nuts when doing bi annual tire changes like nothing. Tightens to over 100ft lbs before start rattling so they have to be careful reinstalling. 3. Dad setting - Only Dad should use it, because if it is that tight, it might break and Dad will need to fix it.

My complaints about the 20v batteries are: they are running, then they aren't, no warning they are almost out of juice like the old ones did. And they take forever to recharge. I need that charger with every tool for at least the next couple, so I can keep batteries ahead.

The 20V to 18v adapter works pretty good: My 18v batteries are worn down and you can even buy new ones, so adapter was a requirement. My biggest issue is the adapter is always on the wrong tool, and you have to find it before you can start working.

My 2 bits on the subject.

 

[Uncle Gump]

But I gave the DeWalt heavy 1/2" impact as Home Depot had it on Father's Day sale last year. T

A super deal on Dewalt's big 1/2 inch impact might sway me enough to buy it. It would kill two birds because it would supply the batteries to keep my 18V stuff running.

 

[pjtoledo]

Milwaukee impact, had it about 3 years now. works for me.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yeah, with Ryobi anything less than a 4Ah battery is garbage. One of the tools i bought is a 7 1/4" brushless circular saw for $100, and picked up a 6Ah battery with it for $118. Its been working real good up in my staging cutting vinyl siding. The battery lasts a whole day. Ive found a some deals on the 4Ah batteries too, buying a pair for $120. This is in Canadian dollars so you can knock a third off to match US dollars.

 

[bobbywalter]

I would just run 220 to the garage via cord for the compressor ...



But if a battery impact is in the agenda....


Easy. Milwaukee.


I run the DeWalt 3/4 as my main gun. One of the pump hands I was working with regularly had a 1/2 in Milwaukee that embarrassed it...

the dewalt just don't compare to the Milwaukee when it comes to ultimate power and run time.

The costs are par now.

Same guy has a 1 in gun and it's ridiculous.

So ... Next main gun will be a Milwaukee.

I like my M12 stuff ... But the work I use those for is suitable to it.. the bigger batteries are easily damaged....which is a bummer.


I do love my older DeWalt stuff.
But my DeWalt stuff is dying off....much of it ruthlessly abused over 20 years and that is acceptable .....so I was on the adapters as soon as they came out for the 20 volt. I owned 20 v batteries before 20v tools.


Then....after using the 20 v batteries with my 18 v tools....I had no issue buying the new stuff.

Unfortunately.
The 20v DeWalt tools are crap compared to the 18v setup. The way the batteries engage and are retained is not good. My connection is easily interrupted once they get some serious use....

So Milwaukee it will be for my next gun.

Probably 3/4 drive.

 

[Blmpkn]

Yeah, with Ryobi anything less than a 4Ah battery is garbage. One of the tools i bought is a 7 1/4" brushless circular saw for $100, and picked up a 6Ah battery with it for $118. Its been working real good up in my staging cutting vinyl siding. The battery lasts a whole day. Ive found a some deals on the 4Ah batteries too, buying a pair for $120. This is in Canadian dollars so you can knock a third off to match US dollars.

We put up seamless aluminum gutters, our hanger screws are 2 1/4" and they're placed 16 on center. I swear with the new small batteries they'd be dead before you could hang 80 feet.. which isn't a lot. We can do 5-600 feet in a day. Older batteries would last most of the day it seemed, we've been using ryobi for over 10 years.

My other biggest gripe is that the drill/drivers don't have the little magnetic tray anymore.. those were EXTREMELY useful to hold our 1/4" screws we put the mitres and downspouts together with. The magnet tray was a huge part of why we bought ryobi honestly. Really sped things up.

 

[racsan]

local rual king here in ohio has the milwaukee for about $500, Ive thought about but havent pulled the trigger on one. over the years my drills have been skil-(2), dewalt-(2) and my current drill is a blue harbour freight with a lithium battery. suprizinly the h.f. drill aint too bad but when the battery goes its quick, doesnt sliw down just stops and I didnt buy a 2nd battery yet. It does have a battery life indicator (bar graph, push a button) so thats usefull. I have some air stuff but my compressor just aint big enough. Air impact is good for just a few seconds then its a 2 minute wait for the compressor to build the pressure back up.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I had the makita 1/2" big impact, gave it my renter and got the brushless one. Both are awesome. Recently got the Milwaukee die grinders and dremel tool. My air tools are tucked away, will probably end up on ebay.

 

[ryan]

I also have the makita 1/2 brushless and it's excellent for my needs. can take apart my links easily and quickly if i need

if i was going to start over i'd think about milwaukee, but i'm happy with all my makita lxt tools. i'd take either over dewalt personally.

 

[bobbywalter]

The Japanese built black makitas are awesome too.

I like metabo for plug in grinders.

Makita overall I have to agree is all around top quality. Top 3 in just about any catagory.


But starting fresh. Milwaukee today...for half inch or bigger impacts.

 

[Shran]

I like Makita too. Great tools.

@Uncle Gump check out these deals:

Pro Special Buy Of The Week: Find The Deal Of The Week at The Home Depot

Find the deal of the week and save on select Pro items with Home Depot's Pro Special Buy of The Week.

www.homedepot.com

There are a bunch of good ones in there... buy two batteries for 199, get a free tool, buy two bigger batteries for 299, get a better tool or more batteries

Then this for 199:

Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 FUEL 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring

www.toolup.com

$500+/- for a really good start to your collection. Personally I think the two 6ah batteries for 299 + a vacuum, an 8ah battery, the 3/8 impact, Fuel grinder are all great deals. Circular saw, hackzall, lights etc not so much.