Impact wrench advise

I use cordless DeWalt 1/2" drive impacts daily at work. They're badass. I work in a chemical plant so if I'm trying to break a flange on old steam piping and the DeWalt won't break the bolts, then it's time to start cutting.

My guess is that the Milwaukee is probably the best, but the others are good enough that you can go with your Dewalt, and use those batteries.

Hell, I have a Ryobi. I have both Ryobi and Dewalt 18/20v tools, and Milwaukee 12v. I went with the Ryobi, for about $100, and it's been everything I need for stuff around the house. Makes short work of my lugnuts, including on the Silverado.

If I had to do it all over again, I would get Ryobi for the bigger tools (18/20v range), for the price vs effectiveness ratio; and the Milwaukee 12v for the INCREDIBLE ratchet alone.

Dewalt is better than Ryobi, but not by a huge margin. And Ryobi makes a million different tools, all priced for "not very much".

Thanks everyone

I've used them all and the Milwaukee is definitely the baddest arse one. The others are definitely not junk though, and since you already have Dewalt batteries just get the Dewalt.

I have the small Milwaukee M18 and have taken 22-23mm bolts off my suspension on my truck with it.

I have the big DeWalt 20V 1/2" impact, pair with a 6Ah 20V or a 60V battery and it will get after it. Even with a 4Ah or 5Ah battery it has no lack of power but it likes the bigger packs.

If you already have the DeWalt, stay with the DeWalt.

I bought this one on Amazon when it was the deal of the day for $247. It's $344 now, but it has never let me down. Pair it with some PB Blaster, and some Harbor Freight Impact Sockets and get to work.

The impact sockets from HF are legit. Lifetime warranty and haven't failed for me yet.

I used a cordless Milwaukee trying to get the locknut off a harrow. That thing is badass.

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A nice portable compressor is nice to have if so go that route

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Portable compressors are arse for running tools.

Whatever brand of battery tools you already have, get that impact. It’ll be fine.

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Portable compressors are arse for running tools.

Whatever brand of battery tools you already have, get that impact. It’ll be fine.

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Yeah, I used to have a semi-portable (8 gallons maybe?) for air tools and it was fine for intermittent work but not constant. As batteries got better I ditched almost all air tools several years ago but an impact wrench was my last holdout. I got the hi-torque DeWalt 3-4 years ago and haven't missed air tools at all since then. Have a small pancake compressor for nail guns/tires and that's it.