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Both batteries still hold a charge with no problems. I use this almost everyday for work. In over a year it has never been a problem.
However it really is not rated as high a tork range as a air impact.Overall meets all my expectations. The work light is a nice option.Works well to disassemble engine parts etc.The only possible negative is it has a tough time with wheel nuts. Have had impact wrench for few weeks. It is very light and the battery's hold charge very well.
All Li-Ion batteries are not alike. Manganese Li-Ion only lasts 300-500 cycles - same as NiCd and NiMH.
Since Ryobi uses manganese Li-Ion, this is no great hardship. You will need new batteries a lot less often with Hitachi and DeWalt as a result.I really wish that Ryobi would adapt their One+ impact driver to a wrench because I have their 18V Li-Ion battery, but they didn't - yet.
Got the WR18DL today and it promptly took a lug nut that was torqued to 80ft/lb off my Maxima - in about 5 seconds. This technology allows the cycle-life of these batteries to be tripled over the standard manganese (Milwaukee and pretty much everyone else uses this) to 1000-1500 cycles.
Hitachi sells many bare tools that can use these batteries, so while it's not as versatile as the One+ system, it's the next best thing - with better batteries.If you're taking big rig tires off, go for the Snap-On CT4850, but anything shy of that can be done at half the price and half the weight by the WR18DL - (again) with better batteries.Lovin' it. I plan on keeping this lightweight bulldog in my trunk at all times for just that purpose.One thing about Hitachi Li-Ion tools that gets overlooked is their battery technology.
Hitachi uses the same nano-phosphate formula that DeWalt uses.
I also have dewalt 1/2 in drive compact 18V impacts and the Hitachi seems to last a little longer. I just put in my third set of brushes but that's why they make them replaceable.
Oh yeah make sure you get lithium ion bateries they last much longer and are lighter. All I can say is GOOD STUFF.
I purchased this impact about a year and a half ago and it is still running strong. I haven't sent this one in yet and it is all I use all day.
My NI-MH 18V 3.0 Ah batteries worked good for a while but the lithium ions are just better. I am a garage door installer and use this impact all day long and have not had a single problem with it.
I love my dewalt impacts too but I have to send them in every six months on average to be fixed.
I have had motors die on the DeWalt due to its poor cooling design. With the DeWalt, the pin had to be compressed with a nail or screw in order to remove the socket. The socket WILL come off of the impact with a little force unlike the DeWalt. I look actually look forward to using it. Another reviewer has mentioned a bad smell from the motor. There are small plastic fins in the motor which move air and keep the motor cool, and they have broken of on every DeWalt impact I have owned.
To sum this review up. I install garage doors, and my impact wrench is my number one weapon. I have owned a 14.4 Milwaukee, 14.4 DeWalt, 18v DeWalt, and now this one. It's safe to say that one Hitachi lithium-ion batter = 3+ DeWalt NiCads.
The DeWalt would kill at least too full batteries in only one install. One battery will get me through multiple double sized garage door installs. This is normal. Buy the Hitachi.
Unlike the DeWalt, the pin is designed to keep the socket secure when the pin of the impact is in line with the hole of the socket. The battery stays secured to the drill, even after a four five foot fall. One other component of the impact which I enjoy is the pin. I had to send the Milwaukee back numerous times because of it's poor build quality.
All my impacts, drills, saws, and other power tools have gave off burning odor during the break-in of the tool. The torque is strong enough to pull the lug nuts of a wheel hub, and the battery life is stellar. I have been using the Hitachi for more than 4 months without a problem. I laughed at the little light it comes with at first, but it has come in handy in dark garages.
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