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Overall Rating

Didn’t perform as expected
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.

Overall Rating

Made with quality in mind.
The Makita BTW251Z 18-volt impact wrench is one of the better cordless impact wrenches out their on the market. The reason being is that is holds its quality, light weight, high torque output for its weight and the LED light. These features are what makes this product top of the line. The LED light makes it easy to see what your are doing in dark spaces. The light weight power ratio allows anyone to use this product for taking any hardware off of small applications ( gokarts, dirt bikes, and atvs). That being said the battery run time is outstanding for this product, allows you to remove fasteners and replace in a fast an efficient timing.