Battery impact gun question....

[EGAZ]

I am upgrading my battery powered tools from old school 18v NiCd. Not because of BM but because it is time. True story, really!!
Links are examples for discussion.

For driving in 3/8 Lag Bolts. are you using the smaller 1/4" drive that come in kits from Milwaukee, Makita, etc. the the 3/8" drive, Or the big boy 1/2" drive. I'm going with the brushless motor, 18v setups. Just need to decide which combo kit to get. I have experience with both Milwaukee and Makita. Both good brands and can't complain with either. Not a fan of Dewalt, and Black & Decker are throw away tools i my mind.

I will also use the impact for changing tires as the need comes up on the road. My buddy had an 18v Dewalt 3/8 drive we used to do a pit stop on the highway a few years ago and it spun the lugs off and on like a champ. I was very impressed.

So what say you??

[Captain Goddammit]

1/4" should work OK for lag bolts into the playa but you definitely want at least the 3/8" for tire changes.
Or do what I do, bring your air compressor and use air tools... because there's no such thing as overkill in BRC!

[mudpuppy000]

I use a 1/4" makita brushless and it works well for lags. I guess another important thing is look a the other tool types that each manufacturer offers, so you can standardize on one battery type.

[EGAZ]

Yea, I carry a nitrogen bottle and air impact now. That is getting replaced with a pancake compressor under the floor. Battery guns saves from running a hose out on the highway. Which I have done a number of times.

These are the only battery powered tools I will have. My right angle drill, sawsall, and 'skill' saw are all Milwaukee 120v. But good point on standardization. My old 18v B&D drill has been thru the wringer and to be honest has held up to my abuse very well. I also had an older 18v NiCd Milwaukee Hammer drill. But the batteries needed to be replaced every year in the AZ heat. And they cost more than the drill itself. So off to GoodWill it went. I found the case for it just the other day.

[some seeing eye]

Captain, what precautions do you use for a pancake air compressor on playa?

I assume playa compressors are like electronics, sacrificial: useless for fine spraying after, and injecting playa dust and grit into all the tools and lines.

[BBadger]

I don't like those throwaway brands either, so I used a 1/4" impact driver from a factory reconditioned kit from CPO Milwaukee. They don't cost much more than those cheapo-kits, and you often get an extra battery which comes in handy.

As per someone's suggestion (I forget whom), I also got one of those 9/16" deep sockets to make it easier to drive in the bolts, and used a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter to make it fit.

[Captain Goddammit]

Yep, I consider it sacrificial. I don't bring my good one.

[Roundabout]

As to the adapter/connector that attaches the socket to the impact driver, bring extras. After driving a number of 14" lag screws, I find that the metal fatigues and sometimes they shear off.

[Captain Goddammit]

To me that would indicates two possibilities: that going with the 3/8" drive is a good idea, or using Chinese junk is a bad idea.

[Just_Joe]

I'm a fan of Ryobi. HD's house brand.
I've used the drills for ages and have been using the 1/4" impact driver for lags the last several burns. They make a decent 12v charger which I tie into my solar setup.
Leaf (dust) blower, work light and fan are good add-on tools for BRC.