Full Review ⭐ Kielder KWT-012-54: 18v Brushless Cordless 1/2" Mid Torque Impact Wrench Kit, 2 x 4.0Ah Li-ion TYPE18 Battery, Charger, 6 x Impact Sockets & Case

Impact wrenches are a staple tool for automotive repair shops and home mechanics. They provide high torque output in short bursts to loosen tight bolts and nuts quickly and easily. The Kielder KWT-012-54 is an 18V cordless impact wrench from UK tool company Kielder Power Tools.

Kielder was founded in 1991 and has grown into one of the leading power tool manufacturers in Europe. They are known for producing professional-grade power tools at affordable prices. Kielder's impact wrench line aims to deliver power and runtime suitable for most automotive and construction applications.

The KWT-012-54 reviewed here features a brushless motor for improved performance and battery life. It's designed for medium torque fastening applications up to 300 ft-lbs. Keep reading to learn more about the specs, included accessories, and real-world performance of this cordless impact wrench.

Design

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench has an attractive and ergonomic design. It is compact and lightweight, weighing only 2.2kg with the battery installed. The dimensions are 260mm in length, 85mm width, and 230mm height. Despite the small size, it feels sturdy and well-built.

The rubber overmold provides a comfortable grip while absorbing vibrations. The body is slim for easier access in tight spaces. However, the compact form factor does not compromise power or runtime. There is an LED light to illuminate dark work areas. Overall, the thoughtful design makes this impact wrench easy to handle and reduces user fatigue.

The KWT-012-54 can also be purchased as part of a Kielder 3 Battery Bundle Box: 18v Brushless TYPE18 1/2 700Nm Impact Wrench & 3/8" 60Nm Ratchet. This bundle provides great value by including the impact wrench along with a compatible ratchet and 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery. Having the extra battery is useful for extended jobs or switching between tools without downtime. The bundled ratchet adds versatility for tasks requiring more precision.

With 700Nm of max torque, the KWT-012-54 impact wrench packs serious power in a compact size. It uses a durable brushed motor paired with a 3-speed transmission to deliver ample torque across a wide range. The variable speed trigger enables precise control over output. There are 3 LED lights to brightly illuminate work areas from multiple angles.

Despite the small stature, this impact wrench can handle lug nuts up to M22 and output up to 3,400 impacts per minute. It is ideal for automotive repair as well as general maintenance and construction jobs. The ratchet in the bundle also has ample torque at 60Nm to cover most tasks around the shop or job site.

Both tools feature an ergonomic anti-slip grip for comfort and control. They are built to withstand heavy daily use in demanding conditions. The bundle includes 2 lithium-ion batteries to power through jobs without interruption. Each battery has protection against overloading, overheating, and deep discharging to ensure safe operation.

With versatile power tools and extra battery capacity, this bundle is a great value for automotive technicians, maintenance crews, DIYers, and any professionals needing compact but capable impact tools. The thoughtful design allows easy handling and access without compromising runtime or durability.

Motor

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench features an efficient 18V brushless motor that provides excellent power and performance. The brushless design eliminates friction and drag from brushes, allowing the motor to run cooler and more efficiently. This leads to longer runtimes per battery charge as less energy is lost to heat and friction.

The high-torque impact mechanism is able to deliver up to 300 Nm of max torque and 2600 impacts per minute. This brushless motor has plenty of fastening power to tackle most automotive and DIY jobs, while the variable speed trigger gives you control over the speed and power. At lower speeds, you can better control the torque for precision fastening tasks. Overall, the 18V brushless motor delivers pro-grade power and runtimes from the compact cordless design.

The motor is powered by a high-capacity 1 x 4.0Ah Li-ion TYPE18 Battery that provides extended runtime versus standard packs. With a 4.0Ah battery, you can expect significantly more holes, screws, and bolts to be driven per charge. Less downtime swapping batteries means greater productivity. The battery also features advanced electronics to optimize performance and provide maximum run times even in harsh conditions.

Kielder's brushless motors utilize neodymium magnets and precision windings to create a highly efficient electric motor. The magnets generate a stronger magnetic field versus ferrite magnets used in brushed motors while the copper windings have less resistance to current flow. This enables more of the battery's power to be converted directly into torque instead of being lost as heat. Brushless motors also have better heat dissipation thanks to the lack of brushes and commutator. This improves lifespan and ensures the impact wrench can endure continuous heavy fastening without overheating.

With no brushes or commutator to wear out, Kielder's brushless motors are engineered for vastly improved durability over brushed motors. Expect up to 50% more runtime versus an equivalent brushed motor on the same battery. The brushless design also requires less maintenance since there are no brushes to replace. This makes them ideal for professional use where reliability and performance are critical.

Kielder brushless motors utilize advanced electronics to optimize performance. By carefully controlling the timing of the energized coils, the electronic speed control is able to provide more starting torque, better speed control, and maximize efficiency. This sophisticated control enables the compact, lightweight brushless motors to match or exceed the performance of larger brushed motors.

In summary, the Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench is powered by an advanced 18V brushless motor that delivers outstanding power, runtime, and durability. Paired with a high-capacity 4.0Ah Li-ion battery, this impact wrench has the stamina to tackle demanding fastening tasks for extended periods. The brushless advantage means you get better performance and longer lifespan from a motor that's smaller and lighter than brushed alternatives.

Power

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench comes with 2 x 4.0Ah 18V Li-ion batteries. The high capacity 4.0Ah batteries provide long runtime before needing a recharge. With 18 volts of power, these batteries deliver ample torque for driving and removing bolts, lag screws, and other fasteners.

Each battery takes about 60 minutes to fully recharge once depleted. The included rapid charger helps replenish the batteries quickly. Having two batteries is convenient as you can use one while the other charges, minimizing downtime. The batteries use Li-ion technology which offers a balance of power, runtime, and weight. Overall the power specs of this impact wrench make it suitable for automotive and construction jobs where you'll be driving many fasteners throughout a work session.

Torque

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench delivers a maximum torque output of 450 ft-lbs, placing it solidly in the mid-torque range. This level of twisting force makes it well-suited to automotive applications like lug nuts, suspension components, brake calipers, pulleys and more. While not as powerful as a high torque impact gun, the 450 ft-lbs is ample for most common jobs in a home garage or shop setting.

The brushless motor design also enables consistent torque delivery throughout the battery life. There's no fade in power as the battery drains. You'll get the full 450 ft-lbs on a fresh charge or nearing empty. This predictability takes the guesswork out of deciding if you have enough juice left to break loose one more stubborn bolt.

Anvil

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench features a durable 1/2 inch anvil made from hardened steel. This anvil size is capable of handling heavy-duty automotive and industrial fastening applications that require high torque.

The anvil is designed to withstand the forces generated by the powerful brushless motor during high torque impacts. It is precision-machined and heat-treated for maximum strength and longevity.

Even under extreme use, the sturdy 1/2 inch anvil shows minimal wear and resists rounding off. It maintains its grip on sockets and accessories without slipping. The anvil is capable of transmitting the full torque output of the tool efficiently during tightening and loosening of bolts.

Overall, the impact wrench's hardened steel 1/2 inch anvil provides the necessary durability for professional use while enabling the transmission of high torque required in demanding applications. This makes it suitable for tasks that require repeated tightening and loosening of large and stubborn bolts.

Sockets

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench kit includes 6 impact sockets to get you started. The socket sizes are 10, 13, 17, 19, 21 and 24mm which covers a good range for general automotive and DIY use.

The sockets are made from quality chrome vanadium steel which is strong and durable. They have a 6-point design that grips well and helps prevent rounding off fasteners. The impact sockets have a 1/2" drive to match the anvil size and also feature a detent pin hole to securely lock onto the anvil.

Overall the included sockets are a versatile starter set made from decent materials. For more flexibility you may want to purchase additional sizes, but the ones included will handle many common tasks.

Controls

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench has an ergonomic trigger for easy control and operation. The variable speed trigger allows you to adjust and control the speed from 0 to 3,200 RPM and 0 to 2,600 IPM. There are also 3 speed settings - 1 for precision work, 2 for most bolting, and 3 for maximum torque. This gives you flexibility for different applications.

The tool has a forward/reverse control switch which lets you quickly change directions without needing to maneuver the tool. This makes it easy to remove tight or stuck bolts. The forward/reverse switch has a safety lock as well to prevent accidental changes in direction.

The trigger and speed settings provide great control over the tool. And the forward/reverse switch improves convenience and makes changing directions fast and simple. These controls are designed for optimal usability and to maximize productivity.

Accessories

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench kit comes with some handy accessories to get you started. Inside the sturdy carrying case, you'll find the charger, belt clip, and 6 impact sockets.

The charger allows you to charge the two included 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries. It plugs into a standard wall outlet and has an LED indicator to let you know when charging is complete. The charger and batteries use Kielder's Type 18 connection.

A belt clip is included to easily carry the impact wrench on your tool belt for convenient access. The sturdy metal clip rotates 360 degrees and has a secure latching mechanism.

To help you get working right away, Kielder includes 6 impact sockets - 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm, and 27mm. The 1/2" drive chrome vanadium steel sockets have a detent pin design that securely locks onto the anvil. This starter socket set covers common metric fastener sizes.

The case has customizable foam inserts to keep everything organized and prevent damage during transport and storage. It's a nice bonus to have a full kit ready to go out of the box.

Pros and Cons

The Kielder KWT-012-54 impact wrench has many positives but also some potential drawbacks to consider.

Pros

• Powerful 18V brushless motor provides ample torque for automotive and construction tasks
• 1/2" anvil size allows use of common impact sockets
• Variable speed trigger gives control over power and prevents overtightening
• Ergonomic grip and lightweight design (under 4 lbs) reduce fatigue
• LED light illuminates work area
• Comes with 2 large capacity 4.0Ah batteries for extended runtime
• Fast charger replenishes batteries in under an hour
• Kit includes convenient case and 6 impact sockets to get started

Cons

• Relatively loud operation compared to other cordless tools
• No belt clip or hook for hanging wrench when not in use
• Battery and charger take up quite a bit of space in the kit case
• Doesn't have as much torque as high-end professional impact wrenches
• More expensive than some competing mid-range impact wrench kits

Overall, the Kielder KWT-012-54 offers solid performance and value for automotive DIYers and home mechanics looking for an 18V cordless impact wrench. The power and runtime will handle most tasks, while the included accessories provide versatility. The noise and lack of a belt hook are potential downsides to weigh. But for those seeking a capable mid-torque cordless impact wrench, the Kielder is a strong contender in its class.