Cordless tools
Turbo Mini Forums

My DeWalt impact gun is dying. Do i by a new body as I have the batteries or do I get another brand.
I got this particular brushed model in about 2019 so I'm not overly impressed with its longevity. What would be a better replacement brand.
What are the thoughts of the community.

Own the day

Milwaukee all day long for me.

Hugely impressed with all their 18v and 12v cordless tools that I own.

Except for the vacuum cleaner which is absolutely appalling.

I have been happy with the Erbauer 10v ones from screwfix.

but i also have been impressed with the Aldi stuff

Outside the box

Really depends.

If you already have good batteries, then it makes sense to stick with that range.

I like Metabo, Makita is decent too. Lots of hype around Milwaukee and no doubt they are good...but one local seller said they are an absolute nightmare if things go wrong and parts etc are needed.
Was never a fan of DeWalt, but they are popular.

But what exactly do you need ? a small impact, light bolts etc ?
Or full blown 400+lbft huge crank bolts, driveshaft bolts etc etc ?

I think some brands moved up into the 20v ranges now ?

Or of course you can buy little adapters to allow different batteries on different machines, although naturally they add bulk.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

One option for you to try if it is the battery, is to replace the actual batteries in the battery pack. They are usually eCig batteries 18650's or the 26650's, available just about everywhere. I've done 2 snap-on impact guns for mates and it's not difficult.

edit to add link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyUxhoWZwzk

Edited by DILLIGAF on 13th Jan, 2023.

A little background, currently working as a vehicle builder and sparky on rolling stock. So my current impact gun can be in use for 3 to 4 hours every day, from 5mm screws to 14mm bolts. It has really taken a beating but has only lasted 3 years. I also use a a wheel gun which is possibly at its limit of break torque. The issue is the trigger has gone so there is no modulation.

Own the day

So you're saying this is a very small impact gun, like 1/4 quick release fitment sort of thing ?
not a 1/2" type gun ?

Presumably you could just buy a new trigger ?

I have a small 10.8v Metabo 1/4" impact, but TBH I rarely use it.
I do use my 18v Metabo for wheels and stuff. I have two of them, the first one I bought was a low model and it struggled with wheel nuts, but later bought a bigger gun. I think it's rated around 400lbft and it works fine.
Although it is a brushless model, and strangely there is a slight delay after trigger pull which is a little annoying.

But otherwise it's perfectly fine and fairly compact and light.
I don't know how difference there is in weight with different brands, but it might also be a consideration if it's in your hand a lot through the day.
Although a lot of that may be batteries too. I have the 4Ah versions.

Really, best advice is head to a tool shop that does them all, to get a feel for each in the hand, trigger and handle ergonomics, weight, balance.
And with different batteries installed.

And factor in what other tools you might want that they offer where you can share batteries.

I've 18v Metabo drills, SDS drills, circular saw, impact guns, compressor ( it really eats batteries, but can be handy, I've an 8Ah for it, but even it doesn't last long )
And I've also a couple of their small 10.8v drills and the 1/4 impact.
For my hand tools, spark doing basic maintenance shit, the small drill is small and light enough to always keep in the toolbox. It can drill 20-25mm holes easily enough in most thinnish metals with a cone cutter, which really is the most I usually need.
For heavier use obviously I use a bigger drill though, but the small ones work very well for me for light use.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

A new trigger is over £80 and as it is a wiping contact set up it is going to fail the same way again and again. Brushless is the way forward but how robust are the brands compared with each other. A lot can change in 3yrs

Edited by Mr Joshua on 17th Jan, 2023.

Own the day

I've got Makita, for which the impact wrench has done well. I've killed two drills in the same time, always seems to break the gearbox or the chuck gets a wobble on.

One guy in work has been through a few of the little 1/4 impacts.
Another who got them at the same time....has given no bother.

I wonder is some harm down to the user ? Being too rough on it ? Not sure.

I think the Metabo if you register it has a 3 year warranty. I've never used it though, so no idea how comprehensive it is

Mo idea what others offer.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Borrowed dewalt brushless 1/4 drive impact gun last week, and the trigger on that was in its way out as well, this unit was just over a year old.

That basically answered my question in going Milwaukee for the replacement.

Own the day

fully kitted out with makita here, no issues.

im happy with makita the only thing i would say is you can only get 5ah batterys so the grinder can kill batterys fast

1293 Turbo mini

Seeing how this thread has popped up again, another Makita drill died last month. Replaced it with a Milwaukee Fuel one as a comparison, not too much fuss as dad already had the batteries.

Quite impressed so far, but only time and holesaw abuse will tell...

Going to throw a curve ball at this thread. I am going to buy a Metabo cordless brushless drill and impact set. I already have a corded grinder and it is beyond epic. Why i never thought about going this route earlier i do not know. they come with a 2yr warranty.

Edit post milwaukee offer the same warranty period

Edited by Mr Joshua on 8th Aug, 2023.

Own the day

Did I say 2yr warranty I was mistaken they give you a 3yr warranty!

Own the day

I do recall saying Metabo were good :)

I've quite a few of their stuff, can't fault any of it really.

Good channel for tool tests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut3KmEkwsns

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

indeed you did

Own the day

They do have some great tests

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will