Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
The Kobalt cordless 3/8″ impact wrench is a very different beast from their high-torque model we looked at last week. Living under the model number Kobalt KIW3824B-03, this one is much more compact and doesn’t carry as much power – nor should it.
The 3/8″ model comes in with 150 foot-pounds of torque. That converts to 1800 inch pounds if you want to compare it to the impact driver class. Clearly, it’s a light-duty tool in the realm of impact wrenches and there are a ton of applications where you’ll find it useful.
On the construction side of things, 150 foot-pounds will handle most of your large lag screws and bolt fastening duties. Landscapers and deck builders will find it much more convenient for driving long timber screws instead of adding a converter to an impact driver. On the automotive side, it has enough power to tackle a lot of engine work, though you’ll want more for lug nuts and such.
Anytime you’re considering a compact tool and trading off less power, it’s always for the convenience and comfort of lower weight. The Kobalt cordless 3/8″ impact wrench delivers that with an impact driver-esque bare weight of 2 pounds, 7 ounces. Add a 4.0 Ah battery and you’re up to just 4 pounds, 2 ounces.
Kobalt also dials it up several notches in the value department with a $99 price point. You’ll need to add a battery and charger unless you’re already on the Kobalt 24V Max battery platform, but that’s not as painful as it may sound. The charger will run you about $40 and your battery choices are $10 (1.5 Ah), $20 (2.0 Ah), and $50 (4.0 Ah). Looking around at other brands, those are incredible prices.
One downside is that there isn’t a kit option, at least not yet. That’s because a 3/8″ impact wrench is more of a supplemental tool to fit between your impact driver and 1/2″ impact wrenches. It’s a dead useful tool to have, but not one that most Pros look at as a primary one.
As a lighter weight choice than your 1/2″ impact wrench and with a better-suited drive for working with bolts and long hex screws, the Kobalt cordless 3/8″ impact wrench is a compelling option to supplement your other 24V Max tools. You get the advantages of a square drive for sockets, near impact driver weight and size, multiple speeds, and a brushless motor for just $99. Backed by a 5-year warranty, that’s pretty hard to pass up.
The guys over at Shop Tool Reviews have this in their hands right now. Keep your eyes open for their full review soon!
Want more? Join our newsletter and get the latest tool reviews every week!And...we'll even send you our "Best Tools for Your Hard-earned Dollars" white paper!
On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
What’s the best Milwaukee impact wrench in 2022? That completely depends on what you use an impact wrench for the […]
The Bosch Core18V GSB18V-975 Hammer Drill Improves Power And Performance Bosch is one of the quieter brands in the power […]
Greenworks 24V Brushless Drill Driver Works on the Same Batteries as Lawn Care Equipment You may be familiar with Greenworks […]
Updated DeWalt 20V Max High-Torque Impact Packs More Power More power is always welcome for tough fastening jobs, especially in […]
Gunook Products, Inc Super Hook it!!!
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn income when you click on an Amazon link. Thanks for helping us do what we love.
See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Pro Tool Reviews is a successful online publication that has been providing tool reviews and industry news since 2008. In today’s world of Internet news and online content, we found that more and more professionals researched a large majority of their major power tool purchases online. That piqued our interest.
There’s one key thing to note about Pro Tool Reviews: We’re all about the professional tool user and tradesman!
Copyright ©2008-2022 Pro Tool Reviews, LLC. All rights reserved.