Will 3/8 cordless impact remove lug nuts?

[ProVle]

I can appreciate the numbers and videos, it is useful information. I will tell you as an auto tech on a daily basis that 3/8 impact doesn’t hit and work like a 1/2 inch does. I have a very good amount of very good electric tools including that Dewalt impact. You can’t count on it to deliver 300 ft lbs of real world needed force. I use it a lot, but it won’t cut it on most lug nuts or things that just need a 1/2 inch.

Good to see a real time review from some one that makes a living with their tool's. My air impacts and ratchets made me a lot of money over the years.

[catchatoad]

it will if you buy a Milwaukee

Better buy a Dewalt

[ilhunter65]

Two brands that will are Milwaukee M18 FUEL Mid-Torque Impact

DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX* 3/8

Both of these will my brother has a milwaukee and i have a dewalt both are the stub nose and are more compact and able to use in tight places.

[plbass]

My 3/8 DeWalt wouldn't but my Millwaukee 1/2 did with ease.

[jejb]

Milwaukee for sure will easy enough. They are making the strongest battery powered impact wrenches i've saw by far. Snapon is not close to it.

Not anymore. The Dewalt DCF900 is the current king of the hill. Just picked one up recently. I already have a Dewalt DCF899 and an older Ingersol Rand battery impact. All are great tools, but probably a bit much for just lugnuts on cars and trucks. Might be some good pricing on the DCF899 though, given the 900 is out now.

I have several 3/8" impacts and would never even think of using one for breaking lug nuts free.

[RazorCat]

The Dewalt DCF900 has 47% more torque than the 899HB or 899B. That said, I haven’t found a lug nut or a bolt that can standup to the torque of the 1/2” 899 I’m currently using. It’s a beast.
Get the 1/2” drive size, and then put together a set of sockets for the various lugs or bolts that fit your needs.

[mactlman]

The Dewalt DCF900 has 47% more torque than the 899HB or 899B. That said, I haven’t found a lug nut or a bolt that can standup to the torque of the 1/2” 899 I’m currently using. It’s a beast.
Get the 1/2” drive size, and then put together a set of sockets for the various lugs or bolts that fit your needs.

new mid sized one is plenty also

[TDobb]

I just carry a breaker bar with a socket for the lug nuts on the truck and another for the lug nuts on the trailer. Don't need to worry about a battery and it takes up very little space. Once you break it free you can spin them off by hand pretty easily. Also don't run the risk of trying to put the nuts back on with the impact and cross threading. "Everyone" knows you start it by hand and then run it, but I know some people that don't fit that particular "everyone" category.

[DaveBrabec]

No brained if buying new. Get a 1/2

[Tx 201]

I can't remember ever buying something that delivered more power than I may need and thought I shouldn't have done that, but have regretted getting something that was "adequate" many times. Boat motors, car engines, heat pumps, I always try to get the biggest available for the application and not look back. Unless price is a major issue, get a good 1/2" and peace of mind.

[Landem]

I have both 3/8' and 1/2' drive Milwaukee 18v impacts. You will want to go with the 1/2" for removing lug nuts from autos. The 3/8 will work for smaller things like golf carts and such, but not strong enough to hammer auto lug nuts loose.

[DoctorJJ]

I can appreciate the numbers and videos, it is useful information. I will tell you as an auto tech on a daily basis that 3/8 impact doesn’t hit and work like a 1/2 inch does. I have a very good amount of very good electric tools including that Dewalt impact. You can’t count on it to deliver 300 ft lbs of real world needed force. I use it a lot, but it won’t cut it on most lug nuts or things that just need a 1/2 inch.

I guess I forgot where I said a 3/8 would work as good as a 1/2 would. I have the mid torque DCF891 and the bad boy DCF900. Clearly there is a difference in what tools can do and what their limitations are. I was just supplying additional data for the OP to make an informed choice.

[Phoenix Jim]

I have both 3/8' and 1/2' drive Milwaukee 18v impacts. You will want to go with the 1/2" for removing lug nuts from autos. The 3/8 will work for smaller things like golf carts and such, but not strong enough to hammer auto lug nuts loose.

I have boyh as well but usually reach for the milwaukee 2767-20. That thing is a beast!

[wwc3]

What is wrong with just using a 4-way ???

[188Musky]

What is wrong with just using a 4-way ???

You need to use a 1/2” impact driver on the shoulder of a busy highway to fully understand the answer to that question.

[Phoenix Jim]

You need to use a 1/2” impact driver on the shoulder of a busy highway to fully understand the answer to that question.

no kidding. Not had to use mine yet for my trailer but sure have helped several boaters that were mot prepared for changing a tire

[jejb]

The Dewalt DCF900 has 47% more torque than the 899HB or 899B. That said, I haven’t found a lug nut or a bolt that can standup to the torque of the 1/2” 899 I’m currently using. It’s a beast.

It is a good tool. But it struggles some with the lugs on our diesel pusher.

[99R93S]

I personally use Dewalt, but a couple other guys use the Milwaukee Fuel stuff and honestly you can’t go wrong with either. The big guns are almost identical as far as weight, power, and have been reliable. Just a fwiw.

[jejb]

Also don't run the risk of trying to put the nuts back on with the impact and cross threading. "Everyone" knows you start it by hand and then run it, but I know some people that don't fit that particular "everyone" category.

Good advice! I've seen a few folks cross thread things with an impact by not starting by hand. Buying anything from them, after seeing that, gets crossed right off the list of good things to do. I rarely use an impact to put fasteners on, pretty much just for removing them. The DeWalts have 3 and 4 position switches though, so I have started to use them to get stuff snug, and then finish with a torque or regular wrench.

[ColdSVT]

I went 1/2 and got a 3/8 step down should i need a 3/8th drive