Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this tool mainly to help speed up tire rotations and have been very pleased with it. It is very well constructed and comfortable to use despite being a fairly large and heavy tool. To get as much torque as this thing offers from an electric tool, you really aren't going to get around it being large and heavy. Because of that, I went to a local store and compared this Makita to similar offerings from DeWalt and Milwaukee. The DeWalt offered a bit more torque, but it was extremely uncomfortable to hold and its rocker switch pinches your fingers both on the top and bottom - not cool. The Milwaukee was a little better, but not nearly as comfortable or solid feeling as the Makita.
A few other features that set this wrench apart are:
1) The rubberized nose that keeps the tool and your work from getting scratched or beat up from the vibrations.
2) The fact that the screws holding the housing together go into the metal part of the case instead of the plastic part. This gets around the common failure mode for these tools of those screws tearing out of the plastic.
3) The current draw for this tool is only 3.5 A, but it still cranks out 260 ft-lbs of torque. All the other wrenches I saw with that torque output draw 4.5, 7.0 A or more. That means the Makita is getting the same output power with as little as half the electrical power going in. Call me crazy, but I think that says a lot for the quality and efficiency of the Makita motor and drive train.
In all, I think this may well be the best electric impact wrench in its class and I have really enjoyed using it. The case it comes with is also a nice touch. It's nothing special, but feels reasonably rugged and it holds the tool well and makes it easy to store.
I thought I might regret not having variable speed control like one model from Milwaukee offers, but after using it, I haven't missed that at all. Maybe that would be more of an issue if you were trying to be careful not to overtighten a fastener, but let's be honest, you really should be using a torque stick or other torque limiting device if that's a concern. Otherwise it's only a matter of time before you have an oops.
Lastly, here's some ideas on accessories. I paired this wrench with some Ingersoll Rand deep impact sockets (Ingersoll Rand SK4H13L 1/2-Inch Drive 13-Piece SAE Deep Impact Socket Set and Ingersoll Rand SK4M14L 1/2-Inch 14 Piece Deep Metric Impact Socket Set, or if you want a comprehensive set you could spring for Ingersoll Rand SK34C86 3/8-Inch & 1/2-Inch 86 Piece Combo Standard & Deep Impact Socket Set) and the 10 piece torque stick set from Harbor Freight (10 Piece 1/2" Torque Limiting Extension Bar Set, item 92890-1VGA) and now I've got a really nice set up. I was really leary of the Harbor Freight torque stick set (for reasons apparent to anyone who has ever used their tools), but bought it planning on returning it if they turned out to be junk. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they are actually well constructed and torque my lug nuts very accurately when used with this wrench. Checking against my clicker torque wrench, they were always within 3-5 ft-lbs, which is about all the accuracy I think is reasonable to expect from a torque stick anyway. If you're mainly interested in using this wrench for lug nuts, you might also consider this set instead of a more complete impact socket set Ingersoll Rand SK4C3F 1/2-Inch Drive 3-Piece Lugnet Service Flip Impact Socket Set.
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Makita TW0350 3.5 Amp 1/2 Inch Square Impact WrenchProduct Description: Impact resistant aluminum gear case with rubber boot protects the all metal gears and offers increased durability. 0 - 2,000 impacts per minute for maximum efficiency. High max torque (260 ft.Ibs.). for demanding applications. Efficient impact system with less vibration and longer tool life. Compact length for easy handling and total operator control. Externally accessible brushes for easy inspection and replacement. Ergonomically designed rubberized grip improves control while minimizing operator fatigue . STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Belt Clip (324284-9), and Plastic Carrying Case (824630-1). SPECIFICATIONS: Square Drive 1/2". No Load Speed 0 - 2,000 RPM. Impacts Per Minute 0 - 2,000. Max. Torque (ft.Ibs.) 260. AMPS 3.5.
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