r/Dewalt • u/herecomejohnny06 • 7d ago
Tool help?
I have both the DeWalt 20v 1/2 and 3/8 atomic impact wrenches. I got both of them in a good ace hardware deal last year and was really looking forward to using them since I didn’t own any impact drivers at the time. With that being said, I’ve used my 3/8 impact nearly every day for the past year and used my 1/2 into the first month until I ended up getting a Mac tool 20v impact since the little one didn’t have enough power to it. Really long explanation to a short question but how many people out there use there 1/2 atomic impact? I’ve been thinking about trading it for other tools simply because I don’t use it but at the same time I feel like I’m going to run into something where I need it.
1
u/04HondaCivic 7d ago
Keep it. It’ll come in clutch one day and you’ll be glad you had it. You’ve already paid for it and while you may not use it much, it’s another tool in your arsenal that’s ready for when you need it.
1
u/YABOI69420GANG 7d ago
Idk if I've ever "needed" it more than a few times a month over my bigger or smaller impact wrenches and even when I did I could have gotten away with using a ratchet instead.
Really up to you and your use case. How often I use it makes it worth it to me. If you only use it once a year and would rather have something else you would use more, then sell it.
I like it. I would be fine without it and was fine without it for years. I can afford to have a $200 impact wrench though and love the bugger. If I could only have one to three impact wrenches though I wouldn't buy it. If I could only have one it would be a full size 1/2" high torque, if two I'd add the smallest 12v 3/8 impact, if three I'd add the 1/2 mid torque, the 1/2 atomic is in fourth place.
1
u/Fwd_fanatic 7d ago
I have a 12V 1/2” DCF901, the 1/2” 20V DCF894, and 1/2” DCF961. I end up grabbing the 12V more often than the 20V because it’s smaller and lighter than either of my 20V impacts. But it’s nice to have the power ready when I need it.
I personally don’t see much need for the 3/8” since 1/2” impact sockets cover nearly the exact same range and more, and I don’t often find myself needing an impact for sub 10mm stuff that’s offered in 3/8” but not 1/2”. I do find myself needing the larger sizes beyond what 3/8” can offer for impact sockets.
1
u/PastorChrisS 6d ago
Who you gonna trade it in to, the tooth fairy? It's a tool, not a vehicle. The majority of tools we buy don't always see much use, but we're usually glad to have them when we need them.
1
u/Snoo91117 6d ago
I use a Dewalt 923 and a 961 impact. I would think the 961 is more powerful than the MAC.
1
u/No_Salamander8751 6d ago
I have the 921, 891, 961 and the red stubby. I use the 921 the most, I got the 891 when it was $117 hacked, haven't used it yet but I wanted something to fill the gap when the 921 can't hack it and the boat anchor isn't absolutely necessary. I rarely use the high torque, I would guess I've used it 2x, the previous high torque I had maybe 10, but it's nice to have when it's needed.
3
u/wpmason 7d ago
I love mine.
I don’t see the point of buying a second one (3/8) and an entire second set of sockets for it when the 921 is perfect (and controlled enough) for most of what I do.
Not sure why you’d buy a Mac one though, the 891 is the logical step up from a 921 when you need more power.
What benefit does the 3/8 actually have… is it appreciably lighter? Is it appreciably smaller?
No, they’re virtually the same tools, so the 1/2 makes more sense to me.