Wheel lug nut cordless impact driver

Joined
Sep 22, 2020
Messages
92
Milwaukee hands down the best. I’m a forklift tech by trade and my 1/2 electric has done things old air impacts can’t touch.

and for torquing lug nuts down if you are hell bent on using an impact I would recommend picking up a set or torque sticks ( harbor freight ones work great I’ve tested with my snap on electric torque wrench ) find what your lug torque rating is , slap the stick and socket on and hammer down.
 

MeatBuck

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Aug 30, 2018
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woodpile, Commiefornia
In case you hadn’t got the memo, Milwaukee is where it’s at.
I lucked out and found one laying in the road when I was checking mailbox one day. Bought a battery/charger combo for it and been using ever since.
 

rayporter

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Jul 3, 2014
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arkansas or ohio
Dewalt quarter inch, performs way above its pay grade.
edit
it will get stuff no drill will move. just yesterday i had to remove the door on my freezer and we put the drill on the screws and they did not move. got the impact and pop -out they came.

i use a breaker to loosen and then rip em off with it. putting them on is a snap and then i check with the breaker or torque wrench [ that depends where i am when changing]
even with a half inch impact you are going to use the breaker or torque to finish anyway, or at least you should.

them half inch impacts will run rings around a quarter inch wrench but i have not got one yet.
 
Joined
Aug 22, 2019
Messages
787
Location
Idaho
I got the BIG Makita 1/2 impact for $213 shipped on Ebay. Brand new. Its rated for something like 1,100 ft lbs of loosening torque. Low setting is mid 100's i think. So really the low setting is all you need and the small 1/2 inch would cut it, but I'm an overkill type of guy and so if low or medium doesn't spin it off...theres always high... I've never found a nut that it can't loosen. To put lug nuts on I put it on low and squeeze the trigger till the nut stops turning. I have a double ended lug nut socket set so I have to use an extension and that reduces the torque a little.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Marbles

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I have a Dewalt 1/2 inch. It works well and has broken loose everything I've used it on. My little 1/4 inch Dewalt has buried large lag screws with easy and I'm willing to bet it would work on lugs just fine as well. I already had Dewalt cordless tools. I would not hesitate to get the Milwaukee if you have Milwaukee tools already.

 
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Opah

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Jan 30, 2017
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California, Inland Empire
I plan to use it for two purposes:
1) to raise my Tent trailer, The 3/4 nut is located Dead center front and has no room for a T bar and it takes forever with a ratchet. Hoping I can find one the has the Dual settings non-impact and impact.
2) to quickly remove and get seated lug nuts to get me off the freeway or road to a parking or safe place to torque the nuts.
I believe Milwaukee to be superior to Dewalt and Ryobi but am a fan of MaKita, I di like having the settings.
From my experience I could not find one with enough torque to remove the lugs let a lone strip or break a lug
 

oenanthe

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Joined
Aug 21, 2014
Messages
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Fbks, AK
I have a Dewalt 1/2 inch. It works well and has broken loose everything I've used it on. My little 1/4 inch Dewalt has buried large lag screws with easy and I'm willing to bet it would work on lugs just fine as well. I already had Dewalt cordless tools. I would not hesitate to get the Milwaukee if you have Milwaukee tools already.

I bought this exact one on Friday; haven't had a chance to use it yet. Just chiming in to point out that it's on sale at the big blue box for $199.

I bought it because my current pneumatic 1/2" impact is not powerful enough to loosen lug nuts, and loosening 24 lug nuts with a breaker bar seems to make my back flare up.
 

Pflum

FNG
Joined
Oct 6, 2020
Messages
62
I can vouch for Dewalt. I use mine daily on heavy equipment and trucks. Haven't found much it won't break loose, but there has been a few things. Passenger car and light truck lug nuts? It will break or strip them before it runs out of power.
 

Marbles

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AK
From my experience I could not find one with enough torque to remove the lugs let a lone strip or break a lug

You can find videos of people breaking loose rusted and staked axel nuts with the Dewalt and Milwaukee. But if you are worried that 700 ft-lbs on and 1,200 ft-lbs off is not enough, just get the 1 inch Milwaukee at 1,900 ft-lbs on and 2,000 ft-lbs off and call it good.

 
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Opah

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Jan 30, 2017
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California, Inland Empire
Think I found what I want, not need but want;

Milwaukee FUEL M18 2997-27 18-Volt 7-Tool Drill/Driver/Grinder/Saws/Wrench Comb
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill
  • Purposely built for the M18 FUEL 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill to provide Up To 60 percent More Power than the competitive set
  • Ensures optimal performance and provides overload protection to prevent damage to the tool and battery during heavy applications while still maintaining compatibility across the entire M18 System.
  • Delivers more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than competitors
  • 1,200 in-lbs of torque power
  • Only 6.9-Inch in length for access into tight spaces and reduced fatigue
  • LED on foot of tool for better lighting in dark spaces Compatible with all M18 batteries
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver
  • POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers up to 30 percent Faster Driving Speed, increasing users productivity
  • Most Compact Impact Driver at 4.59-Inch in length providing more access in tight spaces
  • Up to 25 percent More Torque with up to 2,000 In-lbs to complete more demanding applications
  • Delivers more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than competitors
  • 4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL provides greater control over output speed and power.
  • Self-Tapping Screw mode provides faster installation time by reducing the stripping of fasteners
  • Single handed bit insertion for faster, easier changing of bits LED light to illuminate the work area
  • Premium rubber overmold withstands corrosive materials and provides increased comfort when in use
  • Belt clip and Bit Holder included
  • Compatible with all M18 batteries and tools
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw
  • Delivers faster than corded cutting speed and the durability of a corded saw.
  • POWERSTATE Brushless Motor: Supplies constant power for faster cuts and reduced heat for extended life
  • Provides optimized performance and overload protection using total system communication between tool, battery and charger
  • Provides superior pack construction, more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than competitive batteries
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw
  • Outpowers all other 18-volt cordless circular saws and provides up to 3X longer tool life
  • The most advanced electronic system on the market maximizes performance
  • Offers up to 4X more runtime, 20 percent more power and up to 2X more recharges than competitive batteries
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Mid-Torque Impact Wrench
  • Milwaukee POWERSTATE Brushless Motor provides more power, more run-time, and longer life.
  • The Milwaukee REDLITHIUM Battery Pack is the most durable pack on the market delivering more run-time, power and longer battery life.
  • REDLINK PLUS Electronic Intelligence enables advanced communication between your batteries and tools, allowing for unmatched levels of performance, protection, and productivity.
  • Delivers up to 450 ft-lbs of Fastening Torque
  • Delivers up to 600 ft-lbs of Nut-Busting
  • Torque 3-Mode DRIVE CONTROL provides greater control over output speed and power with a max RPM of 2,400
  • Compact length at 6.7-Inch to allow for more access in tight spaces
  • Lightweight tool w/ 5.0Ah battery for less fatigue improved rubber overmold to withstand corrosive materials
  • LED Light Included
  • Utilizes a Friction Ring design
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 4-1/2 / 5-Inch Grinder Paddle Switch
  • Delivers maximum power and up to 10X longer motor life REDLINK PLUS Intelligence provides optimized performance, electronic clutch, and overload protection using total system communication between tool, battery and charger
  • Battery provides superior pack construction, electronics, and performance to deliver 2X more run-time and more work over pack life World s first cordless grinder with corded performance.
  • Same metal housing and gearing system as legendary high performance corded grinders
  • Make all accessory changes and guard adjustments without a wrench for increased productivity
  • Provides increased comfort and ease-of-use when operating in various positions
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt LED Work Light
  • 135 degree rotating head for flexible, focused illumination
  • Integrated hook: Hands Free
  • Water and Dust Resistant

What's in The Box​

  • Milwaukee FUEL M18 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill - 2997-27
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Driver
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Mid-Torque Impact Wrench
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt 4-1/2 / 5-Inch Grinder Paddle Switch
  • FUEL M18 18-Volt LED Work Light
  • (2) M18 18-Volt XC 5.0Ah REDLITHIUM Battery
  • M18 and M12 18/12-Volt Multi-Voltage Charger
  • Owner's Manual
 

Marbles

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May 16, 2020
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AK
Weii I thought I had my mind made up but what about the 20 Volt versus the M18 Fuel ?

20V, as in Dewalt? The batteries put out the same voltages, just marketing and at what point in the discharge cycle they chose to measure it. Both batteries put out 20V for a few seconds after being fully charged, then output drops to 18V. So don't let those numbers sway you.
 
Last edited:

oenanthe

WKR
Joined
Aug 21, 2014
Messages
415
Location
Fbks, AK
Weii I thought I had my mind made up but what about the 20 Volt versus the M18 Fuel ?
My understanding is that all the 18 and 20 volt tools use five Li-ion cells in series. A fully charged Li-ion cell is a bit less than 4.2V, so five of them in series yields a bit less than 21V. However the voltage drops a bit under load and partial discharge, so 18V is more realistic. The bottom line is there's no substantive difference between the 18 volt and 20 volt batteries; it's all just marketing and branding.
 

Brooks

WKR
Joined
Mar 19, 2019
Messages
643
Location
New Mexico
If you’re going to use an impact wrench get a ...torque stick...that is for the torque spec of your wheel nuts. Milwaukee impact !
 

Surgeon

FNG
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Messages
27
I have the Home Depot Rigid and it works very well. Haven't had a nut it wouldn't remove yet!
 
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Messages
92
Location
ohio
I have a 3/8 Milwaukee fuel that takes off my half ton lugs with no issue. I’ve been really happy with it and keep it in my truck for that purpose.
 

Squamch

WKR
Joined
Sep 26, 2017
Messages
448
Location
Republic of Vancouver Island
Red tools are the best, hands down.
Yellow tools are ok, they get the job done.
Blue tools used to be tops. No more.

Orange are fine for homeowners, that's what I use at home, but everything at work is red.
 
Joined
Dec 13, 2018
Messages
93
Location
TX
I keep the Milwaukee 1/2" impact in my truck year round and use it break the lugs loose and run them up, and then torque with my torque wrench. The impact is strong enough to break the axel nut loose on my 3/4 ton truck. One of the best buys i've made.
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
1,527
You will like the m18 fuel set.

for others don’t look past the m12 stubby 1/2 drive for the nut buster for tires and trailers for the homeowner
 
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