Cordless Impact Wrench - Help/Advice/Opinions!

[ashloys]

Hey guys,

 

I just bought a new cordless Makita drill for Xmas, the Makita DHP456SP1R, which I'm very pleased with (still haven't used it yet though!). It occurred to me that I've always wanted a cordless impact gun and could use the battery/charger and buy a 'body only' impact wrench from makita for pretty cheap.

 

Here's the drill I have:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]207640[/ATTACH]

 

The 2 options for the Makita are:

The DTW281Z, which is rated to 280NM of torque. It costs £145. It has 3 different speeds/torque settings/good electric brake and a battery gauge.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]207641[/ATTACH]

 

The DTW450Z, which is rated to 440NM of torque and costs £180. It doesn't have any variable speeds and no battery gauge.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]207642[/ATTACH]

 

What I was thinking of doing, is just returning the Makita and getting the DeWalt equivalent drill so I can get the better impact gun for cheaper. But it's so much hassle and the Makita is my favourite colour (silly reason to influence my decision.. I know. lol). I'll just be using it for general mechanical work on my car and friends, wheel nuts etc. Tbh if it was just for wheel nuts the cheap Makita DTW281Z would be ok, but I just wouldn't want to be in a situation where I need to get a hub bolt out, suspension bolt out etc that was seized solid and it just didn't have the guts. So does anyone have any experience with the Makita guns before I make a decision?

 

Here's the DeWalt equivalent btw:

 

The DCF899. It's rated to 950NM torque fastening and 1650NM 'breakaway' which is incredible for the price of £155. It also has 3 torque settings/speeds and battery gauge.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]207643[/ATTACH]

[Konrad]

Somehow i doubt DeWalt will really have 950NM torque. As far as impact wrench goes, SnapOn is probably the best choice altough it is also more expensive. Makita supposed to be good quality, if you are choosing between DeWalt and Makita, go for DTW450Z.

Forgot to add - it is always compromise between power and size, so try to balance it, otherwise you might end up with massive wrench you can only use for wheels as it won't fit anywhere else

[ashloys]

Somehow i doubt DeWalt will really have 950NM torque. As far as impact wrench goes, SnapOn is probably the best choice altough it is also more expensive. Makita supposed to be good quality, if you are choosing between DeWalt and Makita, go for DTW450Z.

Forgot to add - it is always compromise between power and size, so try to balance it, otherwise you might end up with massive wrench you can only use for wheels as it won't fit anywhere else

 

I looked at a few reviews there and the DeWalt has been tested and they are true figures surprisingly!! The only thing I don't like is the Makita doesn't have variable speeds and a battery gauge. The DeWalt you can whack on speed 1 and not worry about over tightening wheel nuts and the Makita would just be all or nothing.

 

And that's very true about size, that's what was swaying me towards the 281Z, it seems to be the perfect size wise. I haven't checked dimensions but the 450Z and the DeWalt look pretty similar in size.

[Chris Bailey]

Snap on 1/2" battery impact gun is awesome! Not cheap though at around £700 once the dreaded VAT is added.

[ashloys]

Snap on 1/2" battery impact gun is awesome! Not cheap though at around £700 once the dreaded VAT is added.

 

Ideally I'd be going for snap on, although the options above are the only ones I'm going to go for tbh. I don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred quid. I don't 'need' one, but if I can get a good one that uses the same battery as my drill, I will.

 

Used a friends snap on one at his garage a few times and they're ridiculously good!

[Hitbox Junkie]

I use the DTW281z for work and haven't had an issue yet with it, but its for building work not car stuff. but this came in a kit with the drill, the same as your drill i believe (which also has a impact/hammer settings)

[ashloys]

I use the DTW281z for work and haven't had an issue yet with it, but its for building work not car stuff. but this came in a kit with the drill, the same as your drill i believe (which also has a impact/hammer settings)

 

I've read a few reviews on the 281 and for general mechanical stuff like wheel nuts and brakes its 100% but wouldn't have faith on much more. Although, I've just found out that Makita have 3 brand new impact wrenches due out early 2016 that rival/beat Milmaukee/DeWalt/Ingersoll, so I may just wait it out.

[Hitbox Junkie]

I've read a few reviews on the 281 and for general mechanical stuff like wheel nuts and brakes its 100% but wouldn't have faith on much more. Although, I've just found out that Makita have 3 brand new impact wrenches due out early 2016 that rival/beat Milmaukee/DeWalt/Ingersoll, so I may just wait it out.

 

very nice I look forward to using it on the car when its finished sometime next year might be best to wait it out, the prices for the above may drop too if the new ones are not up to par

[ashloys]

very nice I look forward to using it on the car when its finished sometime next year might be best to wait it out, the prices for the above may drop too if the new ones are not up to par

 

Ideally I'd have the 281Z for hard to reach areas and the new big one for whatever needs a big brute lol. I literally only found out they're being released so thats good news. Apparently February time too. That's America though, hopefully UK release is the same time.