Full Review ⭐ Draper 99250 D20: 20V Brushless 1/2" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench (400Nm) - Bare

The Draper 99250 D20 is a 20V cordless brushless impact wrench designed to deliver power and performance for automotive and industrial fastening applications. As part of Draper's Expert range, it's built for professional use with a durable and ergonomic design.

This 1/2" mid-torque impact wrench provides up to 400 Nm of max torque and 2800 impacts per minute, making it suitable for most medium duty fastening tasks. It utilizes a brushless motor for increased efficiency and runtime compared to brushed motors.

Some key features of the Draper 99250 D20 include the variable speed trigger, built-in LED light, and compact size of just 158mm in length. It comes as a bare tool without a battery or charger. Overall, this impact wrench offers a good balance of power, performance and maneuverability for automotive mechanics, industrial maintenance, and home DIY users.

Power and Performance

The Draper 99250 D20 impact wrench features a powerful 20V brushless motor that delivers an impressive 400 Nm of maximum torque and 2,500 impacts per minute. The brushless motor is efficient, runs cooler, and requires less maintenance than brushed motors. It provides plenty of power for loosening stubborn bolts and lug nuts, making wheel changes and other automotive work much easier.

The 400 Nm of torque is suitable for most automotive and general DIY applications, allowing you to efficiently remove lug nuts, suspension components, exhaust hardware, and more. While not as powerful as higher torque 3/4" drive models, the 1/2" anvil provides a good balance of power and maneuverability. The impact mechanism generates a high torque output while minimizing reactionary force, reducing user fatigue during prolonged use.

Overall the 20V brushless motor gives the 99250 excellent power in a compact cordless platform. It's a versatile mid-torque impact well-suited for automotive repairs and medium duty fastening tasks. The brushless advantage means you get strong performance with improved efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements.

For even more torque in a similar form factor, consider the Draper 41096 Expert: Composite Body Air Impact Wrench, Blue, 2.2kg, 1/2 Square Drive. This pneumatic impact wrench delivers 550 Nm of max torque from its durable composite housing. The twin hammer impact mechanism provides excellent power transfer and control. At 89 dBa, it's quieter than many comparable air impacts. The 1/2" square drive is compatible with all common impact sockets. Weighing only 2.2 kg, the 41096 is ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue during prolonged use. For high torque bolting applications where air power is available, the Expert Composite Body Air Impact provides outstanding power in a lightweight package.

When choosing between air and electric power impacts, consider your specific needs. Cordless models like the Draper 99250 offer excellent flexibility and are ideal for mobile mechanics. Pneumatic tools have higher torque capacities but require being tethered to a compressed air supply. The composite housing of the 41096 makes it one of the lightest air impacts around. Both the 99250 cordless and 41096 air impact drivers represent quality Draper tools that provide exceptional power for their respective platforms.

Design and Ergonomics

The Draper 99250 D20 impact wrench features a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. Despite its smaller size, it still packs a punch with 400 Nm of max torque.

Weighing only 1.8 kg with the battery, the 99250 D20 is one of the lightest impact wrenches in its class. Its dimensions are also quite compact at only 175 x 82 x 230mm. This allows users to fit their hand more comfortably around the tool and work in confined areas.

The grip and shape of the handle is ergonomically designed for reduced fatigue and comfortable extended use. It has a rubber overmold with textured areas that provide a secure grip. The trigger also has a soft rubber cover to make it easy on the fingers during prolonged use.

Overall, the streamlined and lightweight design of the 99250 D20 makes it an ideal choice for automotive and industrial applications where working in tight quarters and overhead is often required. Users have praised how easy it is to handle and its high power-to-weight ratio.

In addition to the 99250 D20, Draper also offers the 65017 Storm Force impact wrench. This air-powered tool provides 690 Nm of max torque from a compact and lightweight composite body design. The Storm Force uses Draper's proprietary composite housing material that delivers strength and durability while reducing weight. It only weighs 2.2 kg. The ergonomic handle has a soft grip to reduce vibration and user fatigue. The 1/2" square drive with detent pin is suitable for high torque applications. With variable speed control, the Storm Force allows users to match the power and speed to the needs of the task. Together, the 99250 D20 battery-powered impact wrench and the Storm Force air impact wrench demonstrate Draper's commitment to providing high performance, ergonomic tools for automotive service and industrial use.

Battery and Charging

The Draper 99250 D20 Impact Wrench is powered by a 20V 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery. This battery type provides several advantages including long runtime, high power output, and low self-discharge.

The 2.0Ah capacity battery can deliver up to 60 minutes of continuous runtime at medium torque settings. This is sufficient for most automotive and construction jobs without needing to stop for a recharge. Heavy duty users may want to invest in a higher capacity 4.0Ah battery for extended runtime.

Charging the battery from empty takes about 60 minutes with the included rapid charger. This quick charge time minimizes downtime between jobs. The charger plugs into any standard 120V AC outlet.

To maximize battery life, lithium-ion batteries should not be stored fully depleted. Be sure to recharge the battery within a day or two after heavy use. With proper care and storage, the battery should provide hundreds of charge cycles.

Features

The Draper 99250 D20 impact wrench comes equipped with several handy features for automotive and construction work.

It has variable speed settings to match the speed and torque to the job. There are three speed settings plus a self-tapping screw mode. Lower speeds allow more control for precision tasks while higher speeds provide more power.

An LED light illuminates the work area, which is useful when working in dim corners or at night. The light has low, medium, and high settings.

The tool also has a belt hook for convenient storage when moving around a job site. The compact design makes it easy to carry.

To prevent over-tightening, the 99250 D20 has an auto-stop mechanism. When the preset torque level is reached, the wrench automatically stops tightening. This helps prevent stripping bolts or over-stressing components.

For comfort during extended use, the wrench has a rubberized soft grip handle. The grip reduces hand fatigue and vibration.

Accessories

The Draper 99250 D20 comes with a few handy accessories right in the box. It includes a belt hook for portability and a 3Ah battery to get started. Draper also sells additional batteries, chargers, and cases separately for those looking to expand their setup.

Some of the top accessories for the 99250 include:

• Additional 3Ah or higher capacity batteries - For extended runtime or to have a spare charged battery on hand. The 99250 is compatible with Draper's full line of 20V max batteries.

• Rapid charger - Draper offers a quick charger that can fully recharge a battery in 30-60 mins versus 60-90 mins with the standard charger. Helpful for pros on the go.

• Hard case - A plastic hard case specifically designed for the 99250 and a couple batteries/chargers. Keeps everything protected during transport.

• Right angle attachment - Allows accessing tight spaces. Changes the handle orientation by 90 degrees.

So the 99250 comes ready to use out of the box, but Draper has a nice assortment of extras available for purchase to augment the system. Larger batteries and the rapid charger are likely the most useful add-ons for professional use.

Pros

• Powerful 400 Nm of torque provides excellent power for driving and removing bolts, lag screws, and other fasteners. More than enough for most automotive and construction applications.

• Brushless motor is efficient, smooth, and quiet. Maintains torque output throughout the battery charge better than brushed motors.

• Compact and lightweight at only 2.4 lbs, reducing user fatigue during prolonged use.

• Variable speed trigger allows precise control over speed and torque. Has enough finesse for hand-started fasteners.

• LED light illuminates the work area. Useful when working in tight, dark spaces.

• "Anti-rollback" feature prevents the chuck from unlocking under torque load. Improves safety and prevents slipping.

• Decent runtime of around 150 bolts per charge. Enough for most jobs before needing to swap batteries.

• 3 year warranty provides peace of mind. Draper is a reputable UK brand with good support.

Cons

While the Draper 99250 D20 impact wrench is a powerful and versatile tool, it does have some drawbacks to consider:

• Noise - This impact wrench operates at a high dB level that could require hearing protection for prolonged use. The brushless motor tends to be noisier than brushed motors.

• Bulk and Weight - Weighing in at 1.8kg, this is a fairly heavy and large impact wrench. The size and weight could cause fatigue when using it overhead or in tight spaces.

• Battery Life - The 2.0Ah battery may not provide exceptionally long runtime. Heavy users may want to invest in a second battery or higher capacity battery to avoid downtime.

• No Frills - This is a bare tool without a battery, charger or case included. Users have to purchase batteries and charger separately, adding to the overall cost.

Comparable Models

The Draper 99250 D20 impact wrench competes with similar mid-torque cordless impact wrenches from other brands like Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt. Here's a look at how it stacks up:

• The Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Fuel impact wrench offers slightly higher torque at 450 Nm compared to the Draper's 400 Nm. However, the Milwaukee is heavier at 2.8 lbs vs 2.6 lbs for the Draper. The Milwaukee has a brushless motor but costs significantly more.

• The Makita DTD171Z 18V LXT brushless impact wrench provides 420 Nm of torque, a bit more than the Draper. It weighs about the same as the Draper but has a more compact overall size. Makita is a premium brand that commands a higher price.

• The Dewalt DCF899P2 20V Max XR brushless wrench provides up to 700 Nm breakaway torque, much higher than the Draper. However, it is larger and heavier at 3.4 lbs. It's also more expensive but offers best-in-class power.

Overall, the Draper 99250 D20 holds its own against the premium brands by delivering great power at a lighter weight and more affordable price point. It's a good option for DIYers who want pro-grade performance without the high cost. The trade-off is brand reputation and limited tool ecosystem compared to Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt.

Conclusion

The Draper 99250 D20 is an excellent mid-torque cordless impact wrench that offers great power and runtime. With 400 Nm of maximum torque, it can handle most automotive and light truck lug nuts and bolts. The brushless motor provides efficient power delivery and long battery life.

The compact and lightweight design makes the 99250 very comfortable to use, even for extended periods. The rubber overmold provides a secure grip. The variable speed trigger gives you good control over the output.

The 2.0Ah battery may seem small but it delivers impressive runtime per charge. The rapid charger replenishes the battery in under an hour.

Features like the LED worklight, belt clip, and battery fuel gauge increase the tool's convenience and usability. The 3 year warranty provides peace of mind on the investment.

Overall, the Draper 99250 D20 is an excellent choice for automotive enthusiasts, home mechanics, and professionals who need a powerful yet portable cordless impact wrench. It delivers the perfect balance of power, runtime, ergonomics and value. For those seeking a mid-torque impact wrench, the 99250 D20 is easy to recommend.