Milwaukee vs DeWalt

[ezdrive]

I own a lot of Festools and I favor them over Porter Cable and Dewalt, but I am looking for a cordless impact wrench.  I have several Dewalt Cordless Drills and they are OK.  Maybe I am looking for a change.  Anyone have experience with the build quality of Milwaukee Tools?  I have heard good things, but I have no experience other than one small cordless sheet good cutter which is a great little tool!  I am specifically looking for a 1/2" Drive Impact Wrench and I would like it to have Lithium Ion Battaries (this might be the deciding factor alone, because Dewalt has a limited Lithium Ion line-up in Impact Wrenches).

Actually, the product offering in the Milwaukee line appears to have more of what I am looking for in an Impact Wrench.  Any comments, experience, problems, positives about Milwaukee Tools?  For some reason I have a tough time spelling Milwaukee!  :-X  I guess there is only one "L" in the name.

Thanks,

Ray (Ezdrive)

 

[mwhafner]

I would add the Snap-On 4850 to your list.  I have a couple, and they are great.  Better torque than the either of your other options.

 

[dirtydeeds]

if you cant spell it, find another make  :

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I'd throw in my vote for a Makita, they make fantastic cordless tools, and are leaders in the impact tool category.

 

[Woodenfish]

Check out the new Infinium 18v Li-Ion impact from Matco Tools.



All my Milwaukee cordless drills and drivers have been good tools, plus you do get an amazing five year warranty on the tool and the batteries for peace of mind.

Whatchaneederfor anyway?

 

[Chris Hughes]

I've used the Makita 18v last winter.  My freind has the 1.5ah and it was very cold out side, which affects the performance of the smalled, lighter batteries.  I'm not a fan of this drill, it is lighter for sure, but it seemed to lack the ass to get it dome with larger screws.

I had the newer 18v DeWalt but it is big, like the entire line of drills.  Also the speed variable speed control on my tool was a bit dicey, not alot of control between creeping and all-out.  The new drill is compatible with the new LI which would definately take some weight off but it will still be a big drill.

Currently I am using two differant drill platforms.  I bought a Hilti combo impact and drill.  I think they are 14.4vLI.  I like the power these drill provide compared to its size.  The batteries are bigger than the Makita but the drill is smaller.  I believe that cold weather effects smaller batteries more than the bigger one.

Recently I foung a brand new 12vNiM Panasonic at a pawnshop.  I really like the Panasonic platform.  This drill is small, powerful and has good weight even though it is a NiM battery.  I wish it was a LI.  Someone told me that Festool had/has a relationship Panasonic.  I was told that Festool made the drill and Panasonic made the batteries.

 

[mwhafner]

Tom G is right, I wouldn't rule out Makita either.  The only 1/2" impact which I have used and that really impressed me was the Snap-On, but 1/4" hex drivers is a different story.  I have a 12v Makita, 18v Milwaukee, and had an 18v Dewalt.  The Makita will run circles around the other two for driving screws and smaller (1/4" and 5/16") lags.  

 

[Anthony]

I'm not sure about the Matco - what an annoying video. All things being equal, I would go with the brand that can put together a professional and intelligent advertisement with real information, not street trash talk.

I think I am becoming a grumpy old man.

 

[ezdrive]

Thanks!  I have received some great advice, plus found some other sites while searching the listed recommendations.  It would have been helpful to state what I am going to use this tool for...well mostly working on a Commercial Lawn Mower and a diesel tractor.  Occasionally, I will do a brake job or rotate tires on the SUV.  Planning on replacing the Deck next year and I will most likely use lag screws for part of the construction.  I have the tool "over-kill" disease according to my wife.  If a pocket knife will do the job, I buy a machettie.  Remember Tim "the toolman" Taylor...that is me.  Actually not, I just like to have the right tools for when I need them.

Ray (Ezdrive)

 

[twang120]

Ray,

I have the 18v Milwaukee impact gun with the  1/4" hex drive and Lithium ion V18 battery.  A little big, but plenty of power and heavy duty.  I had a 14.4v version w nicad battery and used the heck out of it until it recently died (due to battery failure and not the tool).