There's been discussions here recently about cordless drivers and I just saw what looks like a good deal on the 20v DeWalt 1/4" impact and drill driver on Amazon (you may need prime, dunno.) With 2 batts, charger and bag for $189. I thought some of you might be interested - LINK
Dang. It sure is as those are the XR models.
I prefer the 12V variant, as a couple co-workers of mine couldn't get the 20V battery packs to last more than a few months.
Hmmm.... Wonder if it's got enough oomph to spin lugs off or snap corroded exhaust bolts? At that price, I just might bite the bullet and see for myself.
I've been on the fence for months on these anyway, since my ancient 18v black and decker is huge and unwieldy and the impact would sure come in handy.
So, I bought it. I'm hoping it will be useful for lugs too, but I'd take just spinning them on and off my extended studs as a win.
Welp.... I bought it, so if you want to wait until Monday Connor, I'll be sure to let you know how it works haha.
Edit: JINX!
Thanks for the link OP!
I'm on the fence. I need to replace a cordless drill and have no impact but would like one.
I figured this shopping season I would buy into something but still unsure on brand model to go with. I was leaning to Rigid but they tend to be most expensive.
Yeah, this will be replacing my 18v ridgid set that has lasted me about 7 years. It's big and bulky, but still works pretty well. The batteries are the biggest issue, however. 1 battery won't charge more than 1/4 full, and the other takes a full day to get to full strength, and even then it doesn't last as long as it used to (that's what they all say).
From my research, the XR series is pretty awesome, and they are interchangeable with other tools. I like the Dewalt setup because you can get 2,4, or 5 A-H batteries and interchange them on any XR cordless tool. My thought is if the impact driver isn't strong enough, I can just buy the bare XR 1/2" impact wrench and use the batteries from this kit to drive it.
One thing to be aware of is that often, the batteries included in these kits are smaller than the batteries you get had you bought the tools individually. To me it's a little underhanded because they know full well buyers add up the pricing of the individual tools and conclude the kit is a real deal. Well yes, and no.
Okay, that's only about $70 more than the best price I've ever seen for JUST THE BATTERIES AND THE CHARGER.
I have purchased two tools from this DeWalt 20V line and they are the first cordless tools I have been 100% satisfied with. Or even 50% satisfied with, really.
The 1/2 impact from this line is the Madre de Dios. 1,200 ft/# of breakaway torque. Since I bought this, my air impact is rusting. Don't lend it to your friends in the pits unsupervised, because they will set it on "3" like it's a regular cordless, and promptly break off their lug studs before they even realize they have over-tightened the nut. The Answer of Impacts
The impact driver is only about 125 ft/#, which is not enough to spin a lug nut off. I would not expect it to be able to separate rusted nuts off exhaust brackets either, though it might if the rust wasn't too advanced.
I think the reason they're clearing them out at this price is there is now a newer model of at least the impact driver, which is only marginally improved. The batteries aren't some wimpy bundle-only version. They are the appropriate size for this kind of tool. There are bigger capacity batteries in the DeWalt 20V family, and I own them. But they are heavier and un-balance a smaller tool like these.
I switched up to the DeWalt 20V line because I was tired of wimpy cordless impacts, or decent ones that only ran for 30 minutes. I wish there had been a deal around like this when I started down this path.
We use this set at work and are very happy with it. The batteries are holding up fine, about a year in. The tools are tough and light and compact. I doubt the impact will do lug nuts but it's the business for driving in big wood screws and the like.
Sadly, I don't have the funds to jump on this myself even though I posted it. I've played with that 1/4" driver at Lowes and it is by far my first choice, although it is surprisingly loud. Just the impact with the same 2.2AH battery and chargre was at lowes for over $200 recently.
And it makes 125 ftlbs of torque, so might not break loose lugs but might be okay for tightening them. Sure enough power to wring off all the small bolts on the car! 
I have that kit, but they dont say xr on them so i dont if they are an older design or a lower grade. They are 20 volt.
I use they E36 M3 out of yhe impact, its not very strong compared to evev the cheap big ones. You can use it on small stuff, or knock bolts loose and use it to run stuff on/off. Dont expect it to pull a lug nut.
I paid 189 for my non xr models. Probably about a year old, great battery life, good weight and balance. Id buy another but it works best as a complement to a good strong impact for doing lugs and heavy line stuff
Just as an FYI, Home Depot sells the DCF899B impact wrench by itself for $229 but it does not include the battery or charger.
Ok, done. Thanks all for the input and actual experiences.
Says it will be here Monday.
DeWalt has a 3 year warranty on their batteries. Take them to any factory service center and they'll often just replace the battery.
That is a great deal, just be aware that the 20v system is fairly new, and doesn't have as many tool options as the 18v system. I'm not 100% sure a 1/2" impact wrench is available in the 20v.
Battery issues 99.99999% of the time come from over charging. My parents just can't own cordless tools because they think it's ok to charge them for days at a time despite ERRYBODY telling them not to. Leaving most of the newer Li-ions on the charger overnight can be enough to shorten battery life.
It also appears as the price has gone back up already. :(
Mine says it will be here Saturday. I win!
Mine hasn't even shipped yet... Damn you Amazon!
In reply to Crackers:
All the LiIon chargers I've seen for main brands are smart chargers that fill the battery and shut off. Are you saying that even a charger that's not charging the battery will damage it? Any support for that claim? (I'm not being rude - I'm in the habit of putting a battery on the charger and leaving it until I need it. That can be days at a time. I have Ryobi tools. Just wondering if I should stop.)
dculberson wrote: In reply to Crackers: All the LiIon chargers I've seen for main brands are smart chargers that fill the battery and shut off. Are you saying that even a charger that's not charging the battery will damage it? Any support for that claim? (I'm not being rude - I'm in the habit of putting a battery on the charger and leaving it until I need it. That can be days at a time. I have Ryobi tools. Just wondering if I should stop.)
This. What's being described is a flaw with the charger and not the battery. I always have one of my two batteries in the charger and they've lasted 5 years so far.
Do you need prime for cheaper products? I am seeing $265.
I am probably going with the Ryobi set. I need a circular saw for cutting metal as well.
In reply to pjbgravely:
It was a one day deal.
I was in Depot today. The same set there was $229. So, some savings but not amazing savings.
Also at Depot, they had the drill/impact combo from Ridged for $179 or $10 less than this deal. The Ridged set was only 18v vs this Dewalt 20v but I think functionaly they'd be real similar. On top of that I think I like the Ridged brand better but I'll likely keep the Dewalt when it arrives Monday. Although, amazon have pretty easy returns. We'll see.
In short, the Amazon price was a good deal but not a Great deal.
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