Cheap Bare-Tool Makita BTW251Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch

Customer Ratings:

I don't know if I got a bad tool, but it was not very impressive at all. I also have a BTD144Z impact driver so I have something to compare it with. Side by side, the BTD144Z won by a landslide.

My BTD144Z only has 1,420 in.lbs (about 118 ft.lbs) of torque compared with this model BTW251Z which is supposed to deliver 170 ft.lbs. However, the BTW251Z would not easily remove my lugnuts which were freshly torqued to 80 ft.lbs, while my BTD144Z easily removed them. To do this test, I put a 1/4" to 1/2" adapter on my BTD144Z impact driver and then a 1/2 drive impact socket could be used on it. The BTW251Z will remove the lugnuts, but it takes about twice as long (or longer). I expected it to be the other way around where my BTD144Z should take longer because it has less torque ratings.

Next test I did was to see if the BTW251Z can remove lugnuts torqued to 150 ft.lbs (by the way, I always use my torque wrench to torque the lugnuts so I know exactly how tight they are). I didn't expect my BTD144Z to be able to do it because it only has 118 ft.lbs rating but the BTW251Z obviously should be able to do so. The results: the BTD144Z was STILL able to remove the 150 ft.lb torqued lugnut (that in itself was amazing given the said torque rating would make me assume it was not supposed to be able to handle it). The BTW251Z could also do it. The difference? The BTW251Z would have to hammer on the lugnut for a few seconds before the lugnut finally came off. My BTD144Z removed it maybe about half the time or better.

But again, I don't know if I simply got a defective tool and maybe others out there don't notice the same performance issue I found. I expected the BTW251Z to easily remove the nuts compared with my BTD144Z, but that just wasn't the case. The only thing I have to say is it's better to use an impact gun with the built-in 1/2 anvil rather than using the 1/4" to 1/2" adapter like I did on my BTD144Z because I can feel a lot more vibration on the BTD144Z as it pulls off the lugnuts. I don't think it's good for the tool's longevity. I will have to say, the BTW251Z has a more solid feel when removing lugnuts off as there is much less vibration, so I know the tool is better fit for such applications. Also, there is no complaints about the build quality as it feels and looks exceptional. However, I will probably stick to screws and lagbolts for the BTD144Z and find another solution for my lugnuts as this BTW251Z was no improvement to what I already have.

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Important note: a fresh battery makes a big difference!

I wanted to try out my new tool the moment it arrived, so I pulled the battery out of my hammer-drill, slapped it in and tried to remove a lug nut (that was tightened by Sears tire dept using air tools.) As it hammered for several seconds I thought what the hell?

Then I replaced the battery with one fresh off the charger, tried again and bam, it was off the lug and spinning freely faster than I could think about it. I went all the way around the car and effortlessly took 2 nuts off of each tire.

The moral to the story is, battery matters! Just because the tool will still turn doesn't mean you'll get max torque. If it has difficulty with a fastener, replace the battery, it could change things substantially.

As for side-by-side tests against lesser-rated Makita impact tools, those can be considered valid *only* if the same battery was used in both tools, otherwise there is no way to know whether an equal amount of power was provided for each tool.

In short, this is a very impressive tool, it's small and light enough to use in a lot of places, and every bit as powerful as Makita claims, with a fresh battery.

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Very powerful, easily removes 100 lb-ft torqued lugnuts. Also, very compact. Another super product from Makita.

Honest reviews on Bare-Tool Makita BTW251Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch

Bought this for tire changes and does a great job. Just for kicks I over tightened a lug nut with a breaker bar and it still broke it free with no problems.

I originally bought a Ryobi impact wrench since I had batteries for their one+ system, it's cheap ($100) and it has a higher torque rating. But the Ryobi does not function as well as this tool. I did a side by side and the Makita out performed it.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Bare-Tool Makita BTW251Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch

I am extremely happy with this impact wrench. I searched for a while to find an impact wrench that is reliable and quality product and at the same time provides enough power to loosen the lug nuts. Most of the impact wrenches I found in the market are too heavy and run out of battery very quickly. However, this one holds the battery for a long time. Unlike most of Impact wrenches which are made in China, this impact wrench was made in JAPAN.