Lithium Powered Cordless Impact Guns

[mountainpete]

Lithium Ion Powered Cordless Impact Guns

Hi all,

Lithium Ion powered cordless impact guns are making an "impact" (hee hee) on the marketplace right now. They are light, compact, powerful (often over 300 ft lbs of torque) and hold a charge quite well. They can even be recharged with relatively small inverters.

So... who is considering adding one of these to their arsenal of recovery and repair gear? I would consider it ideal for tire changes or other repairs on the trail. Replaces a lot of air tools...

Let's even take it a stretch further... Does having one of these lessen the need for a constant duty OBA system with a tank? (which is needed to power air tools).

Thoughts? Let's discuss... :jumping:

Pete

 

[eugene]

They are lithium Ion not Lithium, i.e. re-chargeable. I'm not a fan of Lithium Ion, they give a great power to weight ratio but don't last for more than a few years. They will be prefect for the contractor who uses his tools enough to need to replace the batteries once a year as they can get a lighter, more powerful drill. But for having a tool in the truck for if I need it I don't want to have to shell out the $ for a new battery every 3-4 years.

 

[mountainpete]

They are lithium Ion not Lithium, i.e. re-chargeable. .

 

[Beowulf]

I have used the Dewalt 18V Impact gun. It is quite powerful. You can get a car charger. Plus you could carry a full compliment of tools from Grinders to drills plus all the flashlights.

The 18V system is quite nice.

Also, Milwaukee makes one.

Your other choice is OBA and running a standard impact gun.

 

[Mlachica]

I was just thinking about this the other day. If I have the room I'd carry one, not as a necessity but a luxury.

We have a milluake 28v at work and it kicks ass. I've seen tiny dewalt one's - 14.4 I think. Super small, powerful enough and lasts a long time.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I've never quite gotten into the idea of carrying power tools. It's not that I can't see the utility, but where do you pack it? First, I would have a problem not carrying hand tools to do some of the important things, like a breaker bar, some hand files, hack saw, a few welding rods, etc. Things that an impact wrench and grinder would do better, but I'd feel vulnerable if I relied only on power tools. One drop into a creek and you might be done, so I'd back them up with reliable hand tools. So if I'm carrying hand tools anyway, power tools seem redundant from a space and weight standpoint for an overland type of build. Rock crawling...oh yeah, I could see the utility of having specialized tools like this. OK, but if tools were coming along, I think I could see the idea of electric tools over air since I don't have an air tool capable compressor on my truck. I don't have the space on my engine right now for a A/C-converted system (I like having actual A/C) and so from that angle since I plan to someday get a second battery in the system, having an electric based system can make sense.

 

[FortyMileDesert]

99.99% of trail repairs can be done with a couple of screwdrivers, a set of open end and box wrenches, a bit of plumbers tape, a hammer, a few fasteners and some wire. I carry a 12"x12"x24" toolbox stuffed with that and anything else I can fit into it.

Then there is the recovery straps, portable 12v air pump, shovel, axe, hand winch a couple pieces of 2x4, water and food. If something more serious is needed the guy that was driving the broken rig will ride or be towed out with a trail partner. Even in northern Nevada, civilization is usually within about 75 miles.

 

[eugene]

Those DeWalt 18v, 14v, etc are usually NiCad or NiMH powered. I would take those over a Lithium Ion based just because the batteries will last for many years. My makita 9.6v NiCad's lasted 9 years before I replaced them.
My parents own 100arces in WV and we camp out there sometimes. The house is down in a valley on a 1 acre lot then you drive up the side of a mountain and the other 75 is on that side and the other 25 on the other side of the valley. No electricity or running water or anything like that. I bought one of those big wheeled plastic tool Stanley boxes from HomeDepot and put my tool chargers and batteries in the top and tools in the bottom. My plan is eventually to get a couple car chargers and a battery and solar panels and be able to build me a little cabin up there with just those cordless tools.

 

[PhulesAU]

:sport_box You can fill a low tire with a battery?? I use CO2 and carry a 1/2" impact and a small grinder w/cut off assortment.

 

[Mlachica]

I think carrying it on trips that are likely to cause damage (difficult technical trails) would be a good time to have it. Yet make sure you have hand tools as well.

 

[Clay]

I have a mikata Impact for work. They are nice, but I have notice that they are not as durable as the older 12v and 14.4v versions and the chargers for the batteries are junk. You can't even look at them bad and they break. Not exactly expedition material, but great for the job site. I personally go with on board air and air tools, it's a sound system that is proven and is convenient for many uses.

 

[\\'anderer]

In my experience as a mechanic and as a junkyard regular, I found the cordless electric impacts very handy for remote repairs when space allows, but not at all necessary or particularly usefull In many instances, unless you have a large number of bolts to loosen. I find either I need more torque than the electric impact can supply, or it is just to bulky for what I am trying to access. Li Ion is lighter, but I would look at the torque ratings of the impacts over the battery type.

Now if your looking for some torque then a 1/2" air impact is unbeatable for wheel nuts and large suspension bolts, and can save a lot of hand injuries. Air tools are generally 3 times more powerfull that their electric counterparts, the only drawback is you need air!

Summary: If you need torque' use air tools. If you want convenience and you have room, get a cordless impact. I would buy torque rating and tool quality over battery type. With proper attention any battery type will supply the power you need.

Don't forget you can wire up a cordless to your vehicles battery for longer run times if you get something in the 12-14v range.

 

[adventureduo]

Saw the guys on American Chopper use a cordless impact gun last night. Neat stuff. Suprising the power it packs.

For me i just carry a whole assortment of air tools (including impact) and my Dewalt 14.4 cordless drill. In fact, i was in the field using the drill over the weekend.

For the money, i would just go to harbor freight and get a whole air tool set just for the trail. Keep the good tools at home.