Dewalt 20v impact

If you can only have one, what size best fits your car's needs overall?
1/4, 3/8, or 1/2"

Wish they offered a kit for all of them, damnit. Sooner than later I'd like to have all, but for now it'll be just one

1/4 handles 95% of the stuff I throw at it.

SID297 said:

1/4 handles 95% of the stuff I throw at it.

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This.

1/2 in. Lug nuts and portability work for me. Although these days having all 3 isnt a terrible expense. Most of the bigger companies now make a 1/2" drive impact wrench along with a smaller universal impact wrench that can accept 3/8 and 1/4 in heads on them. I bought my Rigid kit for $309 and it came with 2 batteries, a charger, 1/2 impact, impact driver with 3/8 and 1/4 heads, multi tool w/ 2 attachments, drill, flashlight and a radio. I went and picked up a reciprocating saw and the 90* angle head for the multi tool to use as a battery powered air ratchet for $150. All are the Gen5X models which are brushless and run off a 4k MaH lithium ion battery.

So in total i have $460 with everything needed to wrench on just about anything and dont need to whip out my air powered tools unless absolutely necessary. They also offer a lifetime tool warranty if you register online. Worth every penny.

Trick is to rock and roll with the quick connect one. Get the 1/4 and 3/8 bits for it so sockets pop on it.

Then buy a real legit 1/2" for heavy stuff and lug nuts.

I have a lithium dewalt pro-sumer quick connect type impact and then the Earthquake XT 1/2" from HF (the 1200lb ft one).

Perfect combo

definitely 1/2" for impact

I have a 1/4 guy that zips lugs off once I've broke them but I mostly use it for around the house.

I wish I had a 1/2, I was looking on slick deals and there were some good deals out there but I haven't pulled the trigger.

IronSnake said:

Trick is to rock and roll with the quick connect one. Get the 1/4 and 3/8 bits for it so sockets and pop on it.

Then buy a real legit 1/2" for heavy stuff and lug nuts.

I have a lithium dewalt prosumer quick connect type impact and then the Earthquake XT 1/2" from HF (the 1200lb ft one).

Perfect combo

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That's the answer right there.

I do have a HF corded electric 1/2", so I guess the 1/4" would be best. Also makes sense to use an adapter for 3/8"

Are you already invested in the 20V Dewalt system? If not I'd be looking real hard at the 12V Milwaukee. Tons of tools the size would be great.

I'm already pretty deep in 18V Makita but still keep getting drawn back to the 12V Milwaukee.

M12 FUEL Stubby 3/8" Impact Wrench | Milwaukee Tool

1/2" 20v DCF899 will handle anything you want way overkill for most stuff.

But I use the 12v DCF815 for the majority of my work handles everything quick and easily and will not typically break a bolt.

IronSnake said:

Trick is to rock and roll with the quick connect one. Get the 1/4 and 3/8 bits for it so sockets and pop on it.

Then buy a real legit 1/2" for heavy stuff and lug nuts.

I have a lithium dewalt prosumer quick connect type impact and then the Earthquake XT 1/2" from HF (the 1200lb ft one).

Perfect combo

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This is the correct answer. You can use the smaller impact for household stuff as well. The smaller one doesn't have the ass for lug nuts and the bigger one is a lot heavier for all day use.

SID297 said:

That's the answer right there.

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Pretty much what I've got except I've got all Porter Cable

Sent from that shiny thing in my hands

RX1Cobra said:

Are you already invested in the 20V Dewalt system? If not I'd be looking real hard at the 12V Milwaukee. Tons of tools the size would be great.

I'm already pretty deep in 18V Makita but still keep getting drawn back to the 12V Milwaukee.

M12 FUEL Stubby 3/8" Impact Wrench | Milwaukee Tool

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I have the drill driver kit (2 batt & charger) already, so was going to stick with Dewalt

I wouldn't bother with 1/2" unless you want to zip off lug nuts and larger hardware fast. For most things, I find that 1/4" and 3/8" are fine.

I never use an impact for tightening though- I zip the bolt in and then use a torque wrench the rest of the way.

My $19 Craftsman 12v set that I bought on clearance in 2012 is still working great. For the larger stuff, I have a Ryobi 18v set and two of the larger Milwaukee 18v impacts that I traded for junk I wasn't using anymore. I'm afraid of using the larger Milwaukee impact without a torque bar- that thing is a brute.

CV355 said:

I never use an impact for tightening though- I zip the bolt in and then use a torque wrench the rest of the way.

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That's what calibrated elbows are for bruh

IronSnake said:

That's what calibrated elbows are for bruh

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German spec

IronSnake said:

That's what calibrated elbows are for bruh

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For some things, sure.

I got into a habit of checking torque on almost everything. At a previous job, we had several near fatalities due to fasteners not being torqued properly (people just impact-zipping them into place and calling it a day). Granted, bolting on a water pump isn't going to kill you... I hope...

Love my 1/2". The 1/2" is nice because it is up to the task and can get the job done in situations which you really need an impact for.. lugs, suspension, crank pully bolts ect. ect.

3/8" is nice for speeding some jobs up though. Would love to have a 3/8 elec. ratchet for that.

I have their 1/2” as well. It gets it done.