Impact Wrench Recommendations: apples vs. oranges

[nc-grayson]

Greetings,

Looking to add some umph to my weekend wrenching and save some time over trusty hand tools and leverage. I've narrowed my decision to two candidates. Now, I will be the first to say that I'm asking for opinions/recommendations/real world advice on two completely different tools. Literally most likely the only thing they have in common are the words "impact" and "1/2 drive". So yes, basically apples vs. oranges.

Opt. 1 - Kobalt 8-Amp Corded Impact Wrench - $129
Opt. 2 - Dewalt 20-Volt 1/2-in Cordless Impact Wrench - $299

https://www.lowes.com/LowesProductC...www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=impact+wrench

Again....apples to oranges. IMO they both clearly have their advantages and they both clearly have disadvantages. In a perfect world, both would make sense to have in the toolbox, but this isn't the perfect world and I'm not ballin..yet.

Aside from the obvious differences, (corded vs. cordless, price, max torque, variable speed, etc), anyone care to throw in their $.02?

Again, this is strictly for DIY 4Runner maintenance....tire rotations, suspension work, etc. I've done pretty much most of anything I'd ever come across as far as DIY maintenance will take me on my 3rd gen strictly with hand tools, short of my own timing belt job or anything rack and pinion related. So either of these would be a very welcome addition.

My biggest potential future obstacle would likely be the crank bolt on the timing belt job, but likely I'd outsource that job anyways. So the necessity to purchase a tool today that may or may not be needed for a potential job in the future is negotiable.

Part of me leans towards the Kobalt because:
1. Price
2. I think it'll do most anything I'd need to use it for
3. It's corded....no need to worry about batteries

And then part of me leans towards the Dewalt because:
1. because tools.
2. It'll do anything I could ever need it to do that I may not have considered yet.
3. It's cordless....makes usage in remote locations possible
4. Long known words of advice, "Budget buyers buy twice"

again, two completely different animals here.....so which....and why?

 

[Ralphman]

Dewalt all day, mac tools is owned by Stanley black and decker and so is dewalt i believe mac sells that dewalt in mac clothing, ive worked with people that have had the mac version and it does very well for what it is. I have used some of dewalts other 20v tools and i was very impressed. I perfer corded tools most the time but if your buying a electric impact do your self a favor and go battery powered, very nice to be able to use it anywhere, think of that cord as a airhose, your limited to a certain distance you can go from your power source. Another thing to think about is the manufactur, kobalt is an alright brand but doesn't have anything on dewalt.



Tool Brands: Who Owns What? A Guide to Corporate Affiliations

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd say if you have enough coin then go for this one:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...impact-i-have-seen-able-remove-crankbolt.html

But if just between those two then the Dewalt all day. The Kobalt 1/2" cordless is not bad so I have heard.

 

[IanB]

Corded tools suffer the same issues as air tools, in that there's a cord/hose to worry about. But they don't run out of battery power, so that's a plus. I find cordless stuff is often less bulky, easier to get into tight spots. It's a bit beyond the price point you're looking at, but the Milwaukee M18 Fuel stuff is very nice, and has big power for getting things like crank pulley bolts off.

In the comparison chart in your link, it doesn't specify if the torque rating is tightening or loosening, worth looking into further.

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-27.../B00GFUA7FC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

 

[Ralphman]

One of my favorite purchases and one of the most useful tools you can own, i still perfer my pneumatic impacts but if your somewhere you dont have air or wall to plug into or if it's something that it would take longer to set up then to just grab the impact and get done what needs to be done. Also the specs on most all the corded impacts are really not that impressive compared to the 18-20v cordless impacrs out there.

I highly recommend inersoll rand, been useing them for years and love them, this electric impact i got has been problems free the past 4 years used mostly all on construction equipment, taken falls off 10' ladders on concrete a few time and still kicks ass to this day also IR has alot of other cool tools that use the same battery like many other do.

If you are dead set on those two only dewalt, it will run circles around that kobalt and doing it with out triping on a cord

 

[MN4runnerman]

One of my favorite purchases and one of the most useful tools you can own, i still perfer my pneumatic impacts but if your somewhere you dont have air or wall to plug into or if it's something that it would take longer to set up then to just grab the impact and get done what needs to be done. Also the specs on most all the corded impacts are really not that impressive compared to the 18-20v cordless impacrs out there.

I highly recommend inersoll rand, been useing them for years and love them, this electric impact i got has been problems free the past 4 years used mostly all on construction equipment, taken falls off 10' ladders on concrete a few time and still kicks ass to this day also IR has alot of other cool tools that use the same battery like many others do.

The IR 20v Right angle 1/2" impact wrench is one of the most handiest things I've ever bought. I've got mostly dewalt tools and they are good but I needed a lot of power in a very tight space so I got that IR tool so worth it.

 

[Ralphman]

Thats on my wish list along with everything thing that battery will work with, very solid brand! I have a corded rear trigger angel grinder and the strongest corded sawzall in the catalog of debt the mac guy had and im very pleased with them and have used dewalts ordless tools and i still perfer the IR