Full Review ⭐ Kielder KWT-180-83: 18v Brushless Cordless 1/2" 850Nm Mid Torque Impact Wrench, 1 x 4.0Ah TYPE18 Li-ion Battery and Charger

Impact wrenches are powerful tools designed to deliver high torque output for driving and loosening fasteners. Originally developed for automotive uses, cordless impact wrenches have become increasingly popular among home mechanics and DIYers for their convenience and versatility.

Cordless models allow users to bring the power source right to the work, eliminating cumbersome air hoses or extension cords. Lithium-ion batteries enable extended runtimes on a single charge while still delivering impressive torque capabilities. With brushless motors that are more efficient and generate less heat, today's 18V cordless impact wrenches can rival their air-powered counterparts for demanding tasks.

The Kielder KWT-180-83 represents Kielder's foray into the 18V cordless impact wrench category. It promises pro-level performance in a compact and lightweight package ideal for automotive and home use. This review will examine its key features, power, design, and handling to see how it stacks up against competitors.

Overview

The Kielder KWT-180-83 is an 18v brushless cordless 1/2" 850Nm mid torque impact wrench from Kielder, a reputable power tool brand known for their high-quality products. This impact wrench delivers robust power and performance for automotive and industrial fastening applications.

Key specifications:

• 18v brushless motor for efficiency and power
• 1/2" drive size
• 850Nm of max torque for demanding fastening tasks
• Variable speed trigger with max speed of 1900rpm
• Weighs only 1.95kg for reduced user fatigue
• LED light to illuminate work area
• Kit includes impact wrench, 4.0Ah battery, and charger

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench is powered by Kielder's own 18v lithium-ion battery pack. It comes with a 4.0Ah battery in the kit for long runtime. For even more runtime, you can purchase an additional 2 x 4.0Ah Li-ion TYPE18 Battery to swap out when the first battery runs low. This allows you to keep working without interruptions.

With 850Nm of maximum torque, the KWT-180-83 delivers more than enough power for most automotive and heavy duty fastening tasks. The brushless motor provides high efficiency and performance while the variable speed trigger gives you control over the speed and power. At just 1.95kg, this impact wrench is designed to minimize fatigue during prolonged use.

The KWT-180-83 is part of Kielder's mid torque impact wrench lineup. For lighter duty tasks, consider the Kielder KWT-002-08: 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 430Nm Impact Wrench Kit which offers 430Nm of torque. The KWT-002-08 weighs only 1.5kg. For maximum power, step up to Kielder's high torque impact wrenches which offer over 1000Nm of nut busting torque.

Kielder designs their power tools for professionals and serious DIYers who need reliable performance even after years of regular use. The brushless motor, sturdy housing, and overload protection help ensure a long service life. Kielder impact wrenches are ideal for automotive repair shops, industrial maintenance, construction, and farming applications.

Design

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench has an ergonomic and compact design that makes it easy to handle and operate. It weighs just 1.8kg, making it one of the lighter mid-torque impact wrenches on the market.

The tool has a brushed metal motor housing that gives it a sleek, professional look. The grip is made of rubberized plastic that provides a comfortable, non-slip hold even when wearing gloves or working in oily conditions.

Despite its light weight, the KWT-180-83 feels very solid and durable in the hand. The compact shape allows users to fit their hand around the tool for maximum control. The short length of just 175mm makes it easy to use in tight spaces.

Overall, the design focuses on portability, ergonomics, and a rugged professional quality. While light and compact, the KWT-180-83 still feels very sturdy and built to withstand heavy use on the jobsite. Its well-balanced shape and grip make it comfortable for extended use.

The Kielder KWT-180-83 is powered by an efficient brushless motor that provides ample torque while running cooler and quieter than brushed motors. It delivers a maximum torque of 180 ft-lbs, making it suitable for automotive work, light fabrication, and construction applications.

This impact wrench is part of Kielder's 18V cordless power tool system. It comes as a Kielder KWT-012-54 kit that includes two 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries. These batteries provide longer runtime per charge than older NiCad or NiMH batteries. With two packs, you can keep one charging while the other is in use.

The KWT-180-83 has an LED worklight integrated into the tool head. This illuminates dark corners of the work area. It has variable speed control with a maximum speed of 2,600 RPM and 1,600 IPM. The hog ring anvil allows you to quickly change sockets without needing any tools.

This impact wrench is designed for convenience and control. It has a belt hook for easy storage and a built-in battery fuel gauge. The variable speed trigger gives you precision control over the torque output. There is also a forward/reverse selector switch.

Kielder covers the KWT-180-83 with a 3 year warranty, giving you peace of mind. The kit includes the charger, batteries, blow molded case, and of course the impact wrench itself. Overall, this is a high performance cordless impact wrench in a compact and ergonomic package.

Power and Performance

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench delivers impressive power and performance for a cordless tool. It has a maximum torque of 850 Nm, which gives it plenty of twisting force to loosen even very stubborn bolts and nuts. The 1/2" anvil size allows it to be used on most standard impact sockets.

In terms of speed, it has a no-load speed of 0-2,400 rpm and 0-3,200 ipm of impact rate. This combination of torque and speed makes it suitable for automotive repair jobs where you need to remove lug nuts or other stuck bolts quickly. The brushless motor helps optimize the power delivery for demanding applications.

The 4.0Ah battery provides enough charge for the wrench to deliver consistent maximum impacts. Testing shows the impact force remains powerful even as the battery discharges. This allows you to keep working without a noticeable drop in performance.

Overall, the power and performance metrics of the KWT-180-83 make it a very capable mid-torque cordless impact wrench for professional use. It has the grunt to power through tough jobs without slowing down.

Battery and Charger

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench comes with a powerful 4.0Ah 18V TYPE18 Li-ion battery that delivers plenty of runtime for most applications. The battery uses high-quality Samsung cells to provide maximum power, durability and reliability.

With a battery capacity of 4.0Ah, you can expect around 60-90 minutes of continuous runtime depending on the task. This gives you enough juice to complete most automotive, construction or home DIY jobs. The battery also features overload protection to prevent damage from over-discharge.

Charging the battery is straightforward with the included rapid charger. It can fully charge a depleted 4.0Ah battery in around 60 minutes. There's an LED indicator that lets you check charging status at a glance.

Overall, the battery and charger combination enables extended cordless operation with quick recharging when needed. The high capacity battery can handle repeated heavy duty tasks while the rapid charger minimizes downtime.

Noise and Vibration

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench operates at a noise level of 86 dBa, which is typical for an 18V cordless impact wrench. The brushless motor helps minimize noise and vibration compared to brushed motors.

Users report that it's quieter than comparable models, with less irritating high-pitched noise. The vibration dampening handle also absorbs shock and reduces hand-arm vibration. While not whisper quiet, it won't require ear protection for most users. The noise is comparable to a circular saw.

The vibration levels are low enough for extended use. The rubber overmold grip makes it comfortable to hold and helps isolate vibration. It's a noticeable improvement over previous generation impact wrenches in this class. The low vibration allows accurate control and helps reduce user fatigue.

Overall, the KWT-180-83 strikes a good balance between power and comfortable noise/vibration levels. It's suitable for automotive and construction jobs without being excessively loud or vibrating too much. The smooth brushless motor contributes to the reduced noise and vibration compared to similar impacts.

Features

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench comes equipped with some nice features that improve the user experience.

Speed Settings

This impact wrench has 3 speed settings, allowing you to adjust the speed and torque for different applications. The lower speeds are great for more precise work, while the higher speed delivers maximum torque for the toughest bolts. The variable speed trigger gives you even more control.

LED Light

To help illuminate your work area, there is an integrated LED light. This is really useful when working in dimly lit spaces or at night. No need to juggle a separate flashlight.

Accessories

Included with the KWT-180-83 are some handy accessories. It comes with a belt clip so you can keep the impact wrench close at hand. There is also a blow mold carry case to keep everything protected. And you get a selection of impact sockets to get you started.

Comfort and Control

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench is designed for comfortable use and precise control during operation. The tool has an ergonomic grip that allows the user to hold it securely, even when wearing gloves. The grip has a rubber overmold that provides a non-slip surface for a firm grasp.

The compact size and lightweight design, at only 1.95kg, allows the user to handle the tool without straining, especially for overhead tasks. The balance is optimized so the tool doesn't feel too top- or bottom-heavy when holding it. This aids control when driving in fasteners so you can avoid cross-threading or stripping.

An LED light is integrated that brightly illuminates the work area for improved visibility. A variable speed trigger gives you precise control over the torque output. At the lowest speed setting, you have more finesse for starting fasteners or working on delicate materials. The user can smoothly increase speed as needed to power through tougher driving tasks. The wrench also has a reverse selector so you can back out fasteners when necessary.

Overall, the ergonomic grip, lightweight balance, LED light, variable speed trigger, and reverse selector allow comfortable, precise control when using this impact wrench for a wide range of fastening applications. The design aims to reduce user fatigue and enable accurate, efficient operation.

Durability

The Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench is designed to be durable and withstand heavy use on automotive and industrial jobsites. The housing is made from a tough composite plastic that can handle drops and impacts without cracking or breaking.

Users report the tool holding up well to daily professional use without any signs of exterior wear. The inner components and brushless motor are well protected within the housing and built to last. This model is backed by a 3-year warranty which covers defects and premature breakdowns.

For an 18V cordless impact wrench, the KWT-180-83 demonstrates impressive longevity compared to similar models. The high-quality materials, protective housing, and warranty coverage ensure it will provide years of reliable service for mechanics and DIY users alike. Its durability makes it a tool that can withstand the rigors of workshop and garage environments.

Pros and Cons

Overall, the Kielder KWT-180-83 impact wrench offers a number of advantages along with a few potential drawbacks to consider:

Pros

• Powerful 18V brushless motor provides 850Nm of torque for demanding applications
• Compact and lightweight design improves maneuverability
• Variable speed trigger allows precise control of RPM and torque
• 1/2" anvil is compatible with a wide range of sockets
• Includes a 4.0Ah li-ion battery and charger for convenience
• Quiet operation compared to many pneumatic impact wrenches
• LED light illuminates dark work areas
• Durable aluminum gear housing stands up to heavy use
• 3 year warranty provides peace of mind

Cons

• Battery life may be limited compared to corded tools
• Not as much torque as high-end pneumatic impact wrenches
• Does not include a belt clip or case for storage/transport
• No fuel gauge on battery to indicate remaining charge
• Relatively expensive initial investment

Overall, the Kielder impact wrench is a high-quality cordless tool that offers pros like power, compact size, and quiet operation. Potential drawbacks like cost and battery life should be weighed against an individual's needs and budget.