1/2" Impact Driver

Itching to buy a new tool for the man cave and I really fancy a battery powered 1/2" impact driver

Any recommendations?

Sam

I use a kielder 1/2" impact wrench. It shifts 95% of the rusty nuts and bolts I want it to on tractors, golf buggies and commercial mowing equipment that I work on for a living. Sure it's not the most powerful out there but it's relatively cheap, compact, reliable and the batteries fit the other kielder 18v tools. Would I buy another? Yes.

Interesting, one of my contractors uses Kielder and has recommended them! It's definitely on the short list! Thanks for your thoughts! Up until a few months ago, I had never heard of them!

Sam

For work on cars I'd prioritise compact size over outright power. You can always loosen off really tight fasteners with a breaker bar before running them out with the impact driver, but if your impact driver is too bulky to get to it in the first place it's pointless. And even the most powerful impact driver will not replace a bar with a bit of pipe on the end When it comes to putting things back together, you'll want to be using a torque wrench anyway so the impact gun only needs to get it finger tight.

I wouldn't recommend it for car work, but I have a tiny Makita 10.8v impact driver that I use when I'm not in the workshop. Even though it is very low powered it still speeds things up no end.

Bought this a couple months ago:

Link - Makita LXT 18V Impact Driver

Works like a bomb, and is their most compact 18V impact gun. A few bolts on my old Jimny have defeated it, but I think they'd have defeated anything. Breaker bar sorted it out.

The Makita LXT batteries are outhstanding, I've got one of the 5.0 amp-hour ones and it lasts a long time. A whole weekend of fettling the car didn't even see it drop one (of five) bars on the battery indicator.

im a tool freak with absolutely loads, part of my job too, but also never heard of kielder,, very cheap compared to the top brands.. be interesting to know where they are made?
I,ve gone makita since they are the biggest, so easier for parts, repairs (not needed yet) and even non oem spares are plentiful if on a budget...
I use the 1/4" hex impact on the car, just break it off with something first . saves a lot of time even with a not so powerfull impact driver...
Problem with new companys and powertools are that they soon change the design, then your old battery just dont fit..

Makita all the way

I do not like empty batteries. Of course it is my own fault that I fail to charge them..
Remember to charge before leaving them out of use for a while, this prolongs the battery life.
I own several blue Bosch 10.8v tools so with four batteries i often get to use it. Very handy for the nuts up to approx 12mm socket. It can get in very tight spots, especially the small and short Bosch GDR10.8 impact driver. I am soon out of 1/4" sockets (cheap china rubbish) as many have been damaged by the force of this tiny machine.
Many offers for the GSR/GDR package at toolstop and similar places. Highly recommended!

But for the larger bolts i like my air powered 1/2" torque wrench and my large compressor. never out of batteries but big, bulky and not excactly cordless with thick and stiff hose. But the power is all i need and more.
If you go air powered you will need a good air supply. at least 300l/min and 50 liter tank. 500/200 for sandblasting or more heavy powered jobs.

I believe in impact drivers and used a airline one for years but then I got a mains one and it is so convenient I ended using it more. For me the trouble with battery ones is that they are always flat or even dead wen I need it because it is not in use every day.

helijohn wrote: I believe in impact drivers and used a airline one for years but then I got a mains one and it is so convenient I ended using it more. For me the trouble with battery ones is that they are always flat or even dead wen I need it because it is not in use every day.

The Mains powered impact drivers i have seen are bigger and bulkier than the air powered versions?
What brand is yours?

If you don't spending a bit more then hilti wins hands down on longevity and quality. www.hilti.co.uk/cordless-systems/cordles...s-and-wrenches/r4926