ACDelco has come out with a new compact corded impact driver, model AEI1204. I’m not sure how I feel about corded impact drivers, but it seemed worth a mention.
Features and Specs
- 1/4″ hex bit holder
- 103 ft-lbs (1236 in-lbs) max torque
- Replaceable carbon motor brushes
- 0-3,600 RPM, 0-3,200 IPM variable speed gearbox
- Metal gearbox housing
- Built-in LED worklight
- Weighs 2.20 lbs
The new compact impact is slightly more powerful than the most compact 12V-class cordless impact drivers, but others models, such as the Milwaukee M12 Fuel brushless impact driver I reviewed, come very close, at least in regard to on-paper ratings.
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I can see the appeal of having a corded impact driver, as it would allow for all-day use without having to make multiple trips to a charger. But the same cord that provides unlimited runtime can also be a leash. Automotive techs and mechanics are used to wrangling air hoses, and so the power cord on this driver, provided that it’s long enough, might not be as big a deal as it seems.
Listed price: $148
Buy Now(via Amazon)
For those of you wishing that ACDelco made this more powerful, you might want to check out their new/upcoming “heavy duty jumbo” 1/2″ impact wrench instead ($305 via Amazon).
And if you’re looking for a cordless impact driver that’s designed specifically for automotive applications, check out our best impact driver guide, where I give Ingersoll Rand’s W1110 12V is so darn good it earned an editor’s choice distinction. It delivers 100 ft-lbs of max torque, which is on-par with the corded ACDelco model discussed above.
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Hang Fire
I can see it being used in a factory assembly line, production shop or stereo install business… where the owner buys tools so undesirable they simply won’t be stolen.
Pete
hahaha I was thinking the same exact thing. It would work with no down time and no one would really want it at home.
John Sullivan
I’m going to disagree with other commenters on this one, with the contention that corded tools can be a smarter buy for the home/casual user.
How many of us have a corded tool that’s 10, 20, or even 30 years old and works just fine? [Of those of us that were buying tools 10 or 20 years ago.] I’ve got a few Porter-Cable tools that were passed to me by my father and they still see use. Now how about your cordless tools? Can you even find replacement batteries for those older cordless tools? And how long do those batteries last if they don’t get a full power cycle at least every couple of weeks? [The answer is, “not as long as a battery that’s cycled frequently.”]
Stuart’s post about production-type shop workers is dead on… the tool of choice for those environments is pneumatic, so you’re already used to having a “leash.”
While I won’t be throwing my Bosch 12v cordless driver assortment in the trash any time soon, I can see the benefit of a corded impact driver like this one for a home user that might not yet have bought into a prosumer-grade cordless ecosystem.
BikerDad
I’m going to say I think its a good try, but I would be surprised if it does very well in the market. A “pro-sumer” grade corded drill/driver with a clutch would, I think, have a better shot.
skfarmer
148 bucks?
are they on crack?
it ‘s not even a 100 dollar tool. a 48 dollar tool is more like it. of course every ac delco tool i have ever seen was priced at a premium level and i highly doubt they are a premium product.
fred
I can’t comment on the quality – but these seem to be made by Mobiletron Electronics in Taiwan – and marketed as ACDelco in the US. As far as utility – we used several production drivers for assembly in the shop – eschewing electric tools in favor of pneumatics (mostly Apex – Cleco and Dotco branded tools)
Sledgecrowbar
No mention of the Porter Cable PCE201? Which offers almost 10% more power for half the price. I’d even give that the power ratings may as well be equal, but this is nonsense.
T
No, wouldnt use a corded tool in the shop. I have intentionally increased my cordless tool count to get away from tugging air hoses and 20ft drop cords around, and tripping on them. No, I wouldnt purchase one for home/diy, especially when reasonably priced cordless tools and hand tools are readily available. I dont really understand the marketing decision behind branding various generic tools with an auto part supplier name. Ive seen AC “tools” and “shop equipment” for years and have always thought they were absurdly over priced. Did they think they could somehow get into the same game as Bosch? Licensing a name is one thing, actually manufacturing and developing is another. If you check out the tool racks at auto supply stores like Oriellys, you may find GM jokingly also brands some hand tools, below the quality of HF offerings but at a higher price.
glenn
These are not available where I live but there is not a chance I would consider buying one. Especially when I can add a similar spec cordless one to my setup for $79.
I too hate reeling out cords and tripping on them at work and at home. In fact I have sold off all my corded tools except for a drill press and a power file. Both of which I would happily replace with cordless versions were they to become available.
I personally find it far more convenient to simply swap a battery and a also lot safer than having cords everywhere, especially on job sites.
Corded tools most certainly have their place and uses, they are just not for me with my work and home requirements.
Mike
For automotive? No, especially not with the hex bit chuck. But there’s definitely a place for corded versions. When I was helping a friend remodel his 100+ year old house we ran into some of the hardest wood I’ve ever encountered. Driving screws into the studs was depleting my battery packs in no time at all, much faster than they could be recharged. I actually looked at the Porter Cable model mentioned above and would have bought it right then if not for all the reviews of them burning up. Maybe a good compromise would have been a corded base for my cordless driver.
bob
looking to get one like this none on Amazon New ACDelco Compact Corded Impact Driver Canada Ontario
Stuart
This came out 7+ years ago, and so it might no longer be available.