Biggie

As far as impact wrenches are concerned I would look at what it's rated torque is not so much brushless or not. It just so happens that the newest high torque impacts are brushless. I have what was a high torque brushed 2653. It has the same torque specs as the new mid torque and has very similar performance but it's closer in size and weight of the current high torque impact wrenches which have almost double the torque. I've never really done any runtime testing with these bigger impacts because my applications don't really require it. If you're talking compact impact wrenches I don't think there's a big difference in torque either other than their ratings but I do notice in a production setting where you're tightening thousands of bolts at a time, the brushless out runs the brushed pretty easily.

I think for a professional the extra run time alone of a brushless tool is beneficial. But for a home owner or diy guy who has to charge a 1.5 or even a 5.0 once a week I don't necessarily see the benefit on some tools. Its already been stated but the electronics in a brushless tool are more complicated. Unlike a brushed tool where you can replace a trigger or bushes for probably under $30, I just had my fuel rotary hammer take a crap, pull the trigger and nothing , the only fix is a $105 electronics assembly which has a trigger, all the wiring, and part of the motor.

I just got one the other day and i havent been able to really test it but after playing with it a little I've found a couple small annoyances. First thing the collet is almost impossible to get to release short of a vise and/or hammer. Second is the collet requires a 11/16" and 1/2" wrench to release. Which you would think is a nice standard size but they didn't machine enough of a slot to fit a normal 1/2" wrench. Instead it's only wide enough for there cheap little spanner wrench which will be lost or not there when you need it.

I do this all the time with grinders. I usually only have two set ups with a combination of grinding, cut off, or wire wheel. I know its borderline lazy but sometimes it's just more productive than actually swapping wheels. I'll also do it with impact wrenches if I know I'm going to be assembly something with two different bolt sizes. It's pretty simple to switch a socket the but you set the socket down and it rolls away or you put it in your pocket and then your still digging for it. In the end it comes down to convenience and productivity.

Holy crap I saw people talking about the price on this light as being salty but $899 for the kit. There must be a market for this but I would think even bigger companies would have to think twice before dropping that on a light.

Just like the rest of us, reviewers can't wait forever for dewalt to release new tools haha.

A sparky youtube video from the dewalt event said it'll be out by the end of November. I too can't wait to try it out. I check daily for video reviews but there really isn't much out there yet.

There are pluses and minuses to any brand you go with but any of the three should be more than sufficient for diy. Ryobi has been around for long time and have a huge selection of tools. Kobalt 24v has good reviews and batteries are super cheap but it seems like they keep changing battery platforms (18v, 20v, now 24v). As far as impact wrenches ryobi has mid sized with 300ft/lbs of torque. Kobalt has compact with 200ft/lbs and a high torque that has 650ft/lbs. I personally would pass on porter cable as their only impact wrench is big and heavy but only has 330ft/lbs of torque.

I'd been wanting to take advantage of a 9.0 starter pack and a tool for $250 but really just didn't need any of the tools offered. Then when I was looking at the fuel metal circular saw I stumbled across a company bundling it with the 9.0 starter. Dont mind if i do take a 9.0 and fast charger for an extra $50.

I'm not really disputing that the Hitachi is the top impact driver because I believe it is but after seeing some of these video I got curious and looked up some youtube videos. There's one video showing a dcf887 (1825ft/lbs) getting spanked by a the triple hammer. Then there's another video with a dcf895 (1500ft/lbs) getting beat but not any worse than the 887. Now in my mind that doesn't make sense because I know from personal experience that the 887 has another level from the 895.

Whether we like it or not I think the reality is that we live in a throw away society. Could we have better quality tools? Yes but it would cost us a lot more at least up front. Those tools are out there but most people just cant justify the cost. Most people can get by with a lower quality tool and just plan on upgrading every few years. My company has both milwaukee and dewalt and they both have their faults but I personally think they hold up pretty well for the abuse they take.

Not necessarily, I personally prefer a 1/2" even on a compact. I know different people have different preferences and applications. It's possible that a 3/8" anvil won't hold up to 330ft/lbs of torque but I'm no engineer so I don't really know.

Yea I probably shouldn't be so critical of it before it's even out I just know the auto stop thing on my milwaukee compact is just a wasted space on the mode selector. But I also see the fuel gen 2 high torque has the same feature in reverse where it slows down after impacting but reviews I've seen on it say it's too slow and not practical.

It's painful to watch but it's the only video I can find on youtube and gives a little more info on the mid torque. I would have thought they would have learned their lesson with the dcf887 that the precision mode isn't good for anything and I think it'll be the pretty pointless on this mid torque.

It does look kind of strange but actually if you look at a parts breakdown of a compact impact the nose cone has a similar shape if you take off the light ring.

Don't get me wrong I'm sure they're nice and I'm sure I'll have one in the near future haha.

Still no real confirmation either way but everything I've read there doesn't seem to be a 1/2" compact brushless impact wrench. I agree with Bremon, fuel is where it's at with impact wrenches currently but competition never hurts and I'm invested in both brands so I could jump back over pretty easily.

Kind of a bummer that the new high torque pin detent impact wrench doesn't get the same 1400ft/lbs. Not that I really need it as the first gen ever was short on power for what I do, but if I'm going to "justify" getting the new one it better be the biggest and baddest and I work at heights so the the pin detent is a must.

I hope so, I don't know what's taken them so long, but I just couldn't really tell from the picture and on jimbos post he has the mid torque listed but nothing about a compact.

Is that a 1/2" compact Brushless or is that just the 3/8" next to the mid torque for a size comparison?

It's been a tough couple of weeks for my metal circular saws. First mine sheared off the gear on the armature so I was using a older backup saw and then that burnt up. Good news is I got a new saw today.

I think it's just the backwards people of the world like them because the blades on the left side haha.

I'd like a 60v saw too but I want a metal circular saw. I think it's wishful thinking for me but maybe someday.

Looks like some cool tools coming for metal fab. There are two different grinders the silver one he's using has a flat head for getting into tighter spots.