I'm looking at cordless 1/2 impact wrenches:

I have a crap-load of Craftsman cordless power tools. While I realize Craftsman isn't what they used to be and they aren't "the best" anymore, they have served me well. What I don't like anymore is that the batteries seem to last about 2-2.5 years and then simply won't hold a decent charge anymore.

Has anyone noticed the same thing in other brands or found aftermarket "craftsman" batteries that are noticably better. I'll consider another brand but really would rather not introduce another brand and battery type.


Also: The craftsman gun doesn't have the "power" some of the others have but that should be OK. I road race and change tires often over a weekend at the track. I use a torque wrench to set the lugnuts to 110lbs and the craftsman gun is rated at 200lbs......considering I just need to get 75-100lbs when installing the wheels this should be plenty.

all mine are snapon,,seems mine last about 3 yrs then they need new baterys...look at the battery packs,see if their are little phillips screws holding it together,if it does then bring it to battery's plus,they can install new batterys for around 30 bucks.. cheaper THEN NEW SNAPON ONES AT 100 a crack..when you have 2, 1/2'' 2,3/8'' and a cordless ratchet it can get pricey buying new..

Snap on is by far the best.

I have used them all. Makita, Dewalt, Hitachi, Craftsman, Millwakee and several of the cheap ones. The better brands with constant use will last 2-3 years. The cheap ones may last a year.

IF you can get the pack apart just look at the cells for what size they are. You can probably buy them on Ebay for a couple dollars and rebuild it yourself.

FYI -

If they are rechargeable and if they are NOT lithium, the very best and only way to use them is to kill them every time before charging again.

use a piece of electrical tape or zip tie etc on the switch. you will be amazed at how much longer they last and how long each subsequent charge cycle lasts.

Now days, if you buy a new one it's highly doubtful that they are still selling NiCad's.

wait till DeWalt comes out with there 20 volt MAX 1/2 gun it will be the best by far....Just don't tell anyone I told you about it....LOL

Sorry, no way Dewalt will be able to compete with Snap-on or Ingersol. Maybe Milwaukee.

They are good because they are built or were built by Sioux Tools. Snap On bought them out. Send your batteries in to have them rebuilt, its a lot cheaper than buying them new.
Snap On's diagnostic stuff is over priced, the newer unit Cornwell sells blows theirs out for half the price and you don't pay for annual software updates.
As for hand tools, I've always liked Matco and Cornwell. Cornwell still makes their own hand tools

Based on this article (a bit old) I bought the Bosch. The thing is awesome and hasn't found a bolt it can't hammer off.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...tested-gearbox