Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Basic needs related to restoring a 6er including
Electronics, Bodywork, Welding, Painting, Engine Swap, etc
Post Reply
User avatar
Da_Hose
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 3236
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Santa Ana, CA.

Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by Da_Hose »

Hey folks,

I have owned the older Harbor Freight 1/2" cordless impact for a few years and it has served me "well enough". It can't get super heavy torque bolts off, but I hadn't wanted to buy anything else as a 1/2" breaker bar does live in the tool box, I do have air tools, and anything better would run me upwards of $500.

HF is now selling this bad boy, and it is currently on sale for $229. Holy crap people!
cordlessimpact.JPG
cordlessimpact.JPG (22.9 KiB) Viewed 10345 times
https://www.harborfreight.com/20V-Max-L ... n=63381hpb

If you don't have air tools, but work on your stuff at home YOU MUST HAVE THIS THING!!!! I used it to knock off a couple sets of lug bolts that would normally make the old gun hit it a good 5-10 times before they let go. This new gun rips them off with just 2 hits. I will put some large bolts/nuts into the vice and do some testing to confirm break loose torque ratings, but HF sure looks to have put another kick ass tool on the market for the home shop. =D>

Jose
1987 M6 - My dream car
ron
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Re: Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by ron »

I bought a similar one around 2 years ago. Invaluable!
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
GazM3
Posts: 1791
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by GazM3 »

I have 3 milwalkie impact drivers. 1x 1/2" and a heavy and light duty mini ones. They are great for doing repetitive stuff. U lose touch with them though.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
User avatar
sharkfan
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2235
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Guildford, U.K.

Re: Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by sharkfan »

ron wrote:I bought a similar one around 2 years ago. Invaluable!
Which one Ron?
2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (1 of 12 rhd)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
User avatar
Da_Hose
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 3236
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Santa Ana, CA.

Re: Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by Da_Hose »

There are some videos on youtube now, that show off what my new HF impact can do.

At one point, the guy puts a large bolt through a hitch and tightens it up as much as the impact can do. Then he puts a load cell on a breaker and loosens the nut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASOH8K9sHUE

It may not be very scientific testing, but putting on a nut that requires 525 ft/lb to remove says your tool is pretty damned capable. Some yayhoos in the comments try to say "get a DeWalt instead, it's the same price". Yeah right. A reconditioned, bare tool is $180, and those only carry 90 day warranties. A new bare tool is $210, battery and charger are another $100. So yeah, the DeWalt warranty is longer, and if you have another $100 to spend get it. However, it is not "better" than the HF tool. They have the same level of performance, but the DeWalt has three speeds (more gimmicky than anything), and it's yellow.

I can tell you my experience with the HF tool so far has been awesome! It is a great tool to have, and if it lives as long as my older one, it'll be around more than 3 years.

Jose
1987 M6 - My dream car
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by sansouci »

If you want to see a humorous comparo test of various tools, check AvE's posts to youtube. A real artist at breaking down the design and construction of the inner workings.
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
User avatar
Da_Hose
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 3236
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Santa Ana, CA.

Re: Cordless Impact MUST HAVE!

Post by Da_Hose »

Just a quick follow up on this cordless impact. A charged battery stays charged for 6 months at a time, so I haven't gone to buy another battery yet.

I just used it to rotate wheels back to front on my wagon, and with just letting it put one or two taps on each bolt, they went on to over 95 ft/lbs. This thing really is crazy strong. I am extremely happy with the purchase.

Jose
1987 M6 - My dream car
Post Reply