Looking at getting a 1/2” battery powered impact wrench for working on an older Mustang.
For general use and something to use for busting loose rusted bolts and huts.

I am looking at the Ryobi 18v because I already have other tools that use the same battery. That tool says 300 foot pounds but don’t know how well it works in the real world.
Also looking at Rigid and DEWALT but will also need to invest in new battery’s and charger. That’s almost as expensive as the tool itself. Not adverse to something other than Ryobi. Just thinking of expense versus how much it will be used. Most important to me is function.

I have seen many videos on these tools but most are driving lag bolts in to 4x4 posts. You can’t find much testing from a mechanics perspective.

Anyone have experience with these tools?
Thoughts?? Suggestions??

Milwaukee?

I have the larger Dewalt with 1200 lb/ft and use the Milwaukee with 1400 at work. Both are excellent tools. The dewalt, when turned up, will break studs off a car, will change blades on the brush Hog, etc. going by numbers I’d assume the Milwaukee to do the same. The dewalt with one battery and charger can be bought at Home Depot for $299, the Milwaukee is $499. I couldn’t justify the difference. They both have adjustable torque settings so that isn’t an issue. Unless the 300 lb/ft one is considerably cheaper than the Dewalt I wouldn’t consider it. It wouldn’t pull lug nuts or mower blades for sure. I don’t know what else.

My buddy has the large Snap-On, it’s very nice but at $800 out of consideration for me.

Another vote for the DeWalt. Here is the one I have -- I was committed to the battery given all my other tools, so that's why I chose it, but I haven't been disappointed

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...nt-Pin-Anvil-Tool-Only-DCF894B/304050995

The Ryobi tool itself is $140. Home Depot has a package deal right now for same price, $140, with a 4ah battery.

For your purpose, save your money and get the Ryobi. Especially if they are running a deal right now as pegasaurus suggested. Use the money you saved, to buy parts for the Mustang.
The bigger battery will make a difference in how it performs as well, and you can use it for your other tools.

Every Ryobi item I’ve ever touched was junk. Earlier this spring I bought a Mikita hedge trimmer after doing a lot of research and preferring their lineup and about a month ago I bought their impact. I have used it once and it’s impressive...almost has too much power if that’s possible.

I like the Milwaukee Fuel, I have the 1/2" drive and the 1" drive, both are great. For years I poked fun at those with battery powered impacts, always changing batteries and being weak compared to air. With today's battery technology, I wouldn't be caught without one, even though they wont replace an air powered unit.

My kid here used the 1/2" Milwaukee sitting on the back of this tractor for two days on this project, complete tractor down to this point, battery still has 2 bars lit on it. That was a lot of rusted bolts, most had been there since 1948.

In my experience, the only Ryobi tools to absolutely avoid are those with spark plugs.

If it's HomeDepot, buy the Ryobi once you are ready to use it and try it out for a few days. If it sucks, return it.

+1, my Ryobi drill and impact have worked fine for what i use them for.

Kobalt 24V max.... You will not regret it.has the power of a corded impact. 650 ft lbs of breakaway torque.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-...CJvBgYusu-oCFcOrxQIdKy8FTQ&gclsrc=ds

I have two m18 fuel 1/2 impacts and bunch of other milwaukee cordless stuff. I have been happy with all of them . Makita would be my second choice.

I have a bunch of the Ryobi 18v tools and they serve my needs well. I also have the impact wrench and it did great breaking loose the wheel lug nuts on my deer lease trailer that had not been touched in over 12 years. I could hardly break them loose with a pipe/cheater bar before buying the impact wrench.

Milwaukee

If not, RIGID.....

I absolutely can’t believe nobody has mentioned RIGID’s unconditional lifetime warranty.

Rhyobi? Really?

This 100%
I used to be a Dewalt man, still have quite a bit. Few years back needed a metal chop saw, Ridgid was just a better value vs build quality and price over the Dewalt. Everything I use now is Ridgid, and cant beat the warranty, IF you ever need it.....

Milwaukee Fuel is the best way to go IMO . I really like all my Milwaukee products .

I have that Ryobi 1/2 in. with 4ah batteries, plenty strong for lugs on brother's F 250 and some rusted up 3/4 in. bolts on a plow. Don't know how it will hold up to heavy use.

I have the Milwaukee M18 fuel 1/2” “ high torque “ model. 1000 ft/lbs fastening - 1,400 ft/lbs removal.

It is an absolute beast.

It all depends on how much grunt you need. I have a rancher neighbor with some seriously worn out gear. He loaded up some cows the other day to take them to the sale barn, and he made it about a mile. I was heading somewhere, forget where, and there he sat with a blown out tire on his big old cattle trailer. He had a lug wrench, but was having no luck breaking even the first one loose. But...he had an air compressor on his flat bed dually. His air driven ratchet was no match for the lugnuts either. I went home and got my Harbor Freight Earthquake air wrench, and that and a big dose of WD40 finally got the lugnuts off. Barely got them off.

So yes, how much grunt is needed? That’s the question that matters.

My question / concern. When installing/ removing lug nuts. As battery is depleted in capacity, does torque fall off proportionly?

From my experience, it will right there at the end.

I have the makita version and have been happy with it.

The Milwaukee brand seems to have a pretty good following for electric tools on several of the YouTube rebuilder channels. Two of my favorites are Goonzquad and VTuned. It's amazing what the Goonzquad guys actually do by almost figuring it out as they go and VTuned is just a master on a frame machine for such a young guy.

Charlie