Harbor Freight drill

[Starter986]

Would this be something, along with the proper adapter(s) that I would want to use for removing/reinstalling bolts on the/a car?

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-variable-speed-reversible-drill-60614.html

I've seen forum pics with a cordless being used. Would the cord be a yuuuuuge hassle?

Thoughts? Advice? Thank you.

[PaulE]

You want an impact wrench, pneumatic, corded or cordless. Cordless ones are these. But you still want a decent torque wrench to finish the final tightening to the proper torque.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by PaulE

You want an impact wrench, pneumatic, corded or cordless. Cordless ones are these. But you still want a decent torque wrench to finish the final tightening to the proper torque.

Thank you. I've 3 torque wrenches, 2 of which are the clickers. So, set there.

Would you recommend the 1/4 or 1/2 inch? Would I be able to use an adapter with the quarter inch to run 1/2 inch sockets? I don't wrench enough to spend $100+ and was thinking of one of the less expensive models. Your opinion greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[particlewave]

I went with the 1/2" impact and use adapters for 3/8" sockets when needed. I'd imagine 1/4" would be quite weak.
Go for the 1/2" or 3/8"...1/4" is tiny (you want an impact wrench, not a drill).

I bought mine almost 2 years ago (Harbor Freight, Chicago Electric, corded) and use it all the time. The cord is not inconvenient and it beats hassling with dead batteries.
Only use impact wrenches for loosening, not tightening, or you'll snap bolts.

.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by particlewave

I went with the 1/2" impact and use adapters for 3/8" sockets when needed. I'd imagine 1/4" would be quite weak.
Go for the 1/2" or 3/8"...1/4" is tiny (you want an impact wrench, not a drill).

I bought mine almost 2 years ago (Harbor Freight, Chicago Electric, corded) and use it all the time. The cord is not inconvenient and it beats hassling with dead batteries.
Only use impact wrenches for loosening, not tightening, or you'll snap bolts.

.

The 1/2 inch it shall be, thank you. The adapters are a few bucks.

Cheers!

[dghii]

I bought a Lithium Ion Kpbalt 1/2" on sale (plus 10%off coupon) about 4-5 years ago for a little under $200......should have bought one years ago. The batteries last months and it has ample power for all the suspension work I've attempted.

I throw it it our car (whichever one) when we travel in case of a flat. Worth it's weight in gold as far as I'm concerned!

[jdavis8361]

I use my 3/8" cordless Makita drill to install bolts and nuts (and screws) with the adjustable torque setting feature turned up or down as appropriate, mainly because it's a lot faster than installing them by hand and it's also smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver in tight places than a 1/2" model, corded or cordless. I then tighten the bolt or nut with a wrench or torque wrench.

But for removing bolts and nuts, especially ones that are old or corroded, an impact wrench is the way to go.

[Shawn Stanford]

HF makes a 1/2 inch cordless impact: https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-hypermax-lithium-12-in-impact-wrench-tool-only-63629.html

I have a 1/2" pneumatic and I haven't used it in quite a while. It's easier just to get out a 1/2" breaker bar and a socket to get a wheel off, and there's not a lot else that I'd want to use an impact wrench on. Suspension parts, maybe? But a lot of those are going to be impossible to reach with an impact wrench.

[p3230]

I bought a 1/2 Milwaukee 18 V High Torque Cordless Impact 3 years ago and the batteries last me for months and is very powerful. Depends on how much money you want to spend.

[mgfranz]

Originally Posted by p3230

I bought a 1/2 Milwaukee 18 V High Torque Cordless Impact 3 years ago and the batteries last me for months and is very powerful. Depends on how much money you want to spend.

+1 for Milwaukee tools, use them every day. But I must say my DeWalt 20v impact & drill is my best buy, I think I paid $139 for both with 2 batteries and charger. But as far as wrenching goes, nothing beats old school ratchets and sockets. Something about actually feeling a stubborn nut breaking loose with nothing but a wrench and man muscle.
IMHO, HF power tools have come a long way in the past 20 years, back then I wouldn't touch them, but today, especially with the warranty, you can't go wrong, until they do go wrong at the wrong time... which is why I have wrenches.

[rfuerst911sc]

My 2 cents on the issue , if you have a decent air compressor get a decent air driven gun . If you don't have a decent compressor get a corded gun . My last choice would be cordless and would look into Home Depot's house brand Rigid . I say that because they carry a lifetime warranty INCLUDING the batteries which in my opinion is huge . I recently purchased a kit at Fathers Day that had a cordless drill , a driver , charger and two batteries . Also received as a bonus pack two more batteries . Registered all online except the bonus pack batteries so I have lifetime warranty on all . The bonus pack batteries have a 3 year warranty .

The electrician that wired up my man cave garage turned me on to these , he's had them for several years and has had one battery and one finicky trigger switch replaced all for free . He said he gave away all his Dewalt cordless tools because of the Rigid warranty . I can see why he thinks that as I have dead Skil , Craftsman , Hitachi , Makita cordless tools that all need replacement batteries but the costs are stupid expensive

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My 2 cents on the issue , if you have a decent air compressor get a decent air driven gun . If you don't have a decent compressor get a corded gun . My last choice would be cordless and would look into Home Depot's house brand Rigid . I say that because they carry a lifetime warranty INCLUDING the batteries which in my opinion is huge . I recently purchased a kit at Fathers Day that had a cordless drill , a driver , charger and two batteries . Also received as a bonus pack two more batteries . Registered all online except the bonus pack batteries so I have lifetime warranty on all . The bonus pack batteries have a 3 year warranty .

The electrician that wired up my man cave garage turned me on to these , he's had them for several years and has had one battery and one finicky trigger switch replaced all for free . He said he gave away all his Dewalt cordless tools because of the Rigid warranty . I can see why he thinks that as I have dead Skil , Craftsman , Hitachi , Makita cordless tools that all need replacement batteries but the costs are stupid expensive

My first "real" cordless tool was a DeWalt 12 volt drill/driver that I bought in 1997. A few years ago the batteries no longer held a charge for very long, and a pair of genuine DeWalt batteries would cost more than I originally paid for the drill, charger and 2 batteries that came with it. So I bought some no-name batteries for it on Amazon a few years ago and they have held up well so far.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My 2 cents on the issue , if you have a decent air compressor get a decent air driven gun . If you don't have a decent compressor get a corded gun . My last choice would be cordless and would look into Home Depot's house brand Rigid . I say that because they carry a lifetime warranty INCLUDING the batteries which in my opinion is huge......

As a guy who uses tools for a living, I'll suggest that cordless tool technology is at a point now where buying corded tools no longer makes sense. (In MOST cases). In some instances, the cost is still high, but if it's a tool you'll use often, don't waste your money on a corded tool, if you can find the features you want in a cordless.

BUT: DO NOT BUY CHEAP cordless tools. That's a recipe for disappointment and frustration. Stick to the major players: Milwaukee or DeWalt will always be at the top of that list. For wood-framing tools, Hitachi is right there with them.

FWIW: The Ridgid 18v 1/2" Impact gun is $149 and is rated at 450 ft./lbs of torque, where the Milwaukee 18v 1/2" gun is $249 and is rated at 1400 ft./lbs. (yes, you read that right) This is why I don't skimp on tools; you usually DO get what you pay for. There's nothing worse than buying a cheap tool with a "lifetime repair or replacement" warranty, only to have that tool be insufficient to the job, or break-down on you in the middle of a project on a Saturday evening at the racetrack. The BEST tool isn't the one with the lifetime warranty: it's the one that doesn't need it. But for the record: my Milwaukee vendor has ALWAYS done any necessary repairs / replacements of my tools at no charge. That's the best warranty I'll ever need.

[MWS]

Originally Posted by maytag

...DO NOT BUY CHEAP cordless tools. That's a recipe for disappointment and frustration...

Hallelujah on that! I've seen some really cheap crap, and often wondered "who would buy that?", but then realized that *someone* must be, and I instantly feel proactively sorry for them. My only hope is that the vast majorities of purchases are as Christmas gifts and are bought by people who have never held a tool in their life (hopefully also given to people who have also never held a tool).

With that being said, I guess that on occasion I have bought a tool at a "price point" because it is something that I might only use once...and ya know what? It was only used once because it either broke or got thrown away (or across the garage) because it wasn't even up to the "one-use" standard.

I firmly believe the best money spent is the money that is only spent once...now if I can just find a cordless tool (or more specifically, battery) that fits that description...

[Camibox]

I love shopping at Harbor Freight but I would stay away from their brand drills, corded and non. Very weak. Went through a couple. I would only be tempted in the "Earthquake" models

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by Camibox

I love shopping at Harbor Freight but I would stay away from their brand drills, corded and non. Very weak. Went through a couple. I would only be tempted in the "Earthquake" models

I have an earthquake 1/2 drive air impact. It's very good, I've used ingersol rand, and it's at least as powerful as those..

I've had poor results with HF's lithium ion powered tools. The charger overcharges the batteries and destroy them pretty quickly. The tools are okay, but the battery system is sub par.

[Racer Boy]

Habor Freight = Hazard Fraught

[Brian in Tucson]

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

Habor Freight = Hazard Fraught

Cute!

I use a Hitachi 18 v. cordless impact driver. Made a commitment to Hitachi cordless years ago buying reciprocating saw, a circular saw, a drill and a bunch of flashlites--which make very good work lights. I have 2 chargers and about 6 batteries so I never get stalled doing a job. The 18v has good torque and a variable speed trigger so with a little finesse you can use it to reassemble stuff. Spare batteries are nice and fairly inexpensive. I use mine a lot and Hitachi stuff is excellent quality.

For heavier stuff like suspension parts, lug nuts, etc. I use a Harbor Freight Earthquake 1/2 inch drive air impact. It will loosen the most stubborn bolts or break them. For tighter spots, I use a 3/8 drive butterfly impact. Air ratchets are nice, too.

Use a torque wrench on you wheel lugs and on anything that calls for a specific torque.

[Quadcammer]

i have a 1/4 dewalt and 1/2 dewalt 20v and they are awesome. I use them to loosen and tighten nearly everything on the car and they are massive time savers. I have no interest in a compressor at this point.

Don't go cheap here. Buy good quality tools and they will last you for years.

[PaulE]

The US General rolling red tool boxes are good and a great deal when they have their frequent sales. I have a Harbor Freight corded angle grinder which is great for the 1-2 times a year I use it. If you’re a home hobbyist, there are some things that are very good from Harbor Fraught and some that aren’t. The 1/4 inch drive deep sockets from their Pittsburgh brand work fine for me but may not in a shop where they see daily use. Anyone who makes a living with their tools should buy the best tools they can, they’ll be cheaper in the long run.