Ran across this. I'm tempted to get one, but I just can't justify the expense right now.

Milwaukee 18V Cordless Impact with charger and two batteries.

Here

Hope the link works...

9pm to 6am only tonight.

Must...resist...

This post has been edited by BigEnos: May 25 2006, 01:52 AM

I hate you.

Damn hard to resist, but I think they are clearancing out for this:

http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs...1126_189329_362

I'm hoping to wait and pick up one of the 28V lithium ion ones. 325 ft-lbs vs 240 ft-lbs

Sears has that one, too. $470!!! Well after 10% off it's less, though (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

I think the same thing about clearancing. When I saw that Milwaukee had a new line of tools a while ago I knew the old ones would go on sale sometime. Now maybe the time to get that cordless drill I've wanted. The new line is better in everyway (lighter by a hair, longer lasting battery, and more torque), but it will cost you twice the price. I have the Milwaukee 18V and I love it, I will never change tires without one again. It's truely is one of the best tools I own.

With a fully charged battery I've never come up against a nut that it couldn't take off. If Lonnie was still on here you could ask him about his torque arm mount in Oscoda last year. He was stuggling to get it off and I came over with my Milwaukee and in 3 seconds it was off. One of the best things is that the battery maintains close to the 18V until it is just dead. I see a slight drop in torque as the battery is wearing down, but by the time I can't take a lugnut off I'm about 7 seconds from a fully dead battery that won't even turn the socket with no load. That's the way you want it.

I'm hoping they come down in price some once the newness wears off. I use my current cordless impact on everything in the garage as well as changing tires at events so I can justify the cost. $400 or so isn't that much on a tool I'll use all the time for at least 5 years or so.

What cordless impact do you have and why do you feel the need to upgrade? Just curious.

How did it come to $215? Sears credit card discount or what? It's listed for $239.97 on the site. My wife and I had our 8 year aniversary 2 days ago, You couln't have posted this then huh? jk

Hubby seems to think they will make a lithium ion battery for the old style. I have had some batteries for the old style not last very long so am waiting while my spares are still working, before I buy replacements.

Re-read my post...carefully =)

It was an overnight sale 9pm to 6am. Once you add to cart the discount was taken.

Sounds like you missed it. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

They should of used the same battery hook-up on the new tools that they used on the old tools, so that you could use either battery. One would hope there is a reason why they didn't do that, other then to make you upgrade when you can't get the old batteries anymore. While I'm not a big DeWalt fan, I do like how some of the battery goes up into the grip of the tool. After a few hours of using the tool it makes a difference. Since Milwaukee didn't do anything like that I don't know why they would change how the battery attaches.

Chicago Electric/HF it's ok for the lug nuts on my car but can't loosen the ones on my Silverado that are torqued to 140 ft-lbs. I got it originally as a beater that would be undesirable to thieves at events, but since then it's been useful around the garage too. The 18 volt Milwaukee would be fine for most of my uses, but I'd really like to go up to a 28 volt Li-Ion model so I could use it on even heavier stuff. I can't say that I've ever had too much tool for a job. Although I have no desire to jump into one at this point.



While I haven't owned a Milwaukee cordless tool before, I have found they are pretty good about supporting their corded tools with parts and service in the long run.

I rarely use my air impact these days b/c of the HF one I got. I know there are two HF models, but mine has power for a long time (rarely charge it). Has never had a problem taking the lugs off at 140 ft-lbs on my GMC 2500. It's on its 2nd year of use and still working great for $129!

I've had my Milwaukee for 4 years now. I've replaced one battery and the other original is about ready to be replaced. With good batteries, they work very well. A new, fully charged battery will last one event for both of our cars, so 16 wheel changes, but not much more. For $215 it's almost worth it to me to buy a second one since batteries are about $75 a piece replace. That would get me an extra charger and an extra TOOL for $65.

My guess is that the 28V batteries would fry the 18V equipment, so haveing a differnt attachment pattern makes sense to me. I would like to see an 18V Lith-ion battery replacement become available for the older stuff though.

I have a 110VAC, ~250 lb-ft (IIRC) Craftsman electric impact wrench, and a DeWalt 18V 120something variable speed cordless. I very rarely use the big Craftsman, because the little DeWalt is not only more compact and convenient but much easier to control. I can comfortably use it on fasteners that will be torqued anywhere from ~35 to ~120. That isn't because of the variable speed, which isn't designed for continuous use (mostly useful for slowing down while removing parts that are already loose to avoid slinging them). The power level is just a good match for the job for most automotive wrenching tasks, so I can easily control the torque by just releasing the trigger at the right time. I usually use a torque wrench for the final tightening anyway.

I have used the DeWalt (as an experiment) to loosen a rusty lugnut on my Dodge, which was torqued to 135 before being exposed to a year of salt and rain with no hubcaps. I doubt if it would make it through a full set of 32 studs on one battery, but changing one tire is possible. Admittedly, that is at the extreme end of it's range, and it isn't really the best tool for that job. With the 100 lb lugnuts on the Camaro, battery life is a non-issue.

The key limitation is that extensions sap a HUGE percentage of the power. The socket needs to be directly attached to the end of the DeWalt. The added mass and slop of the extension leaves the impact gun thrashing away while accomplishing nothing.

BTW, I'd be wary of lithium batteries in an impact wrench. They are dangerous enough and all too common in electronic applications, but subjecting them to the shock and vibration and other abuse of an impact gun, especially one that will be bounced around in a hot trailer, seems like asking for trouble. Unlike other battery technologies that may simply rupture if they fail, lithium-ions are explosive and highly flammable. FWIW, I've even had a near miss in a laptop, which lives a far gentler life. "Luckily", it was on my lap at the time and I was wearing shorts, so I noticed the sudden and pronounced overheating very quickly, and promptly took the battery outside (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) While it did not explode, it did get very hot and swelled up. Had I not been there, it probably would have started a fire in the house.

Interesting....I just got the DeWalt, and the thing won't take off the lugs on the Camaro....which I only tighten to 85 lbs. But I was using an old extension that is sloppy. You say the thing works wonders better without sockets eh????

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

No, it won't do squat without a socket, but getting rid of the extension helps a lot (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

tru dat! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

I torque the lug nuts on my car to 85 ft-lbs and my 18v Dewalt does a great job but you have to have a good battery in it.

I've got a range of batteries that go from 4yrs to 10 yrs (IIRC) and it definitely likes the newer ones that hold a stronger charge. The old ones are fine for small work in the drill, but the impact no likey.

Lowes has a kit with the Drill, a reciprocating saw with adjustable handle, and a skill saw, all battery powered, plus a light and bag, for $500, and you can order it online.