Chicago Pneumatic, a company that – as you might have guessed – mainly specializes in air tools for automotive and industrial professionals, has come out with a new line of cordless power tools.
I suppose this was an inevitability, that CP would re-enter the cordless power tool market with new and more modern Li-ion offerings. Ingersoll Rand, a company that also typically specializes in air tools, has been making a greater push into the cordless power tools market in recent years, and Dewalt – better known for their power tools – have been pushing into the pneumatics tool market. And these aren’t just “me too” tools – IR’s cordless tools are excellent, with their compact cordless tool making it into our best cordless impact drivers guide.
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Before I talk more about Chicago Pneumatic’s new cordless power tools, I want to point out that they seem to feature a lot of TTI-specific features.
For example, the new compact 12V drill/driver strongly resembles Ridgid’s new 12V drill, and looks to have a couple of common components. Chicago Pneumatic’s 20V hammer drill also looks like Ridgid’s and has a similar auxiliary handle mount.
Beyond that, the 20V battery pack, and the 12V as well, look identical to Ridgid’s. The similarities are more convincing with the 20V/18V pack.
Now that we’ve got it out of the way that I believe TTI partnered up with Chicago Pneumatic to design and/or produce CP’s new cordless power tools, let’s talk more about the tools themselves.
(As one more aside, if TTI and CP did partner up, I wonder if this means CP will lend their air tools experience to TTI if or when Milwaukee decides to enter the automotive pneumatic tools market.)
Similar to how cordless tool makers are now touting the corded-like performance of their premium brushless tools, Chicago Pneumatic implies that their new cordless power tools provide pneumatic-like performance. More specifically, they say they are combining the performance of air tools with the mobility of cordless.
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Additionally, CP is emphasizing the new tools’ benefits in the areas of i) power and torque, ii) improved mobility since cordless tools are self-contained with no hoses or power cords needed, iii) comfortable ergonomics, iv) rugged, durable, and presumably automotive chemical-resistant housings.
Chicago Pneumatic CP8848 20V Impact Wrench
As you might expect, the CP8848 1/2″ impact wrench is the flagship of the new cordless series. It boasts some impressive specs, such as maximum reverse torque of 775 ft-lbs. The impact is designed for general automotive bolting applications and tire removal jobs on light vehicles.
- 1/2″ square drive with socket retaining ring
- Working torque range: 50-700 ft-lbs
- Maximum torque (reverse): 775 ft-lbs
- 2500 BPM
- 1900 RPM (free speed)
- 9.5″ length
- 6.9 lbs
- 89 db(A) noise level
- Kit comes with (2) 20V 4.0Ah Li-ion battery packs and a charger
Additional 20V and 12V Tools
There will also be a 20V 3/8″ compact impact wrench (CP8828), a 20V hammer drill (CP8548), a 12V 1/4″ impact driver (CP8818), and a 12V drill/driver (CP8528).
Chicago Pneumatic says that each tool provides superior power and torque while ergonomic handles and strategically placed switches guarantee ease of use.
The 20V tools come with 4.0Ah batteries, and the 12V tools come with 1.5Ah batteries.
There is no word yet about pricing, but all of the tools should now be in stock at authorized Chicago Pneumatic tool dealers.
First Impression
More competition in the cordless tool arena is always a good thing, as it usually means greater and more frequent innovation. Cordless power tools – especially Milwaukee’s M12 and M18 offerings – have become popular with automotive professionals for one simple reason – they are often far more convenient to use than air tools.
Cordless tools have become popular with mechanics and auto techs because they aren’t tethered to a power outlet or an air compressive. They might not always be as lighter or as powerful as air tools, but they’re often more comfortable and far less cumbersome to use.
I think it’s a little amusing to see a new line of cordless tools from a company that calls itself Chicago Pneumatic, but it’s good to see that they’re trying to keep up with the competition and stay with the times.
Users will probably like to see a cordless ratchet or right angle impact added to the new lineup, but perhaps those tools are being developed for the next round of releases.
As for the similarities between these and Ridgid’s cordless tools, I don’t think that’s surprising either. Basing these automotive-specific tools off of tried-and-true cordless platforms should reduce costs, especially if TTI had a big hand in the tools’ development.
What I’m hoping is that the tools and batteries are drop-in compatible with Ridgid’s 18V and 12V lines, as this would allow for greater product breadth than Chicago Pneumatic is likely to offer on their own. This is perhaps untrue, but one can still hope.
Chicago Pneumatic has a solid reputation as a quality air tools maker, and I don’t doubt that their cordless tools will be just as good as one could expect.
But it's me!
A distracting aside, but am I the only one that (initially) confuses Chicago Pneumatic with the Harbor Freight Chicago Electric and Central Pneumatic brands? Obviously different class of tools for the most part. Must be my early senility.
Stuart
No, it’s not just you.
Ken S.
Nope, it’s me too. Always throws me off at first.
Dave in VT
I got it wrong also, and here’s my own distracting aside: I’m not anti-Harbor Freight, but it does bother me that foreign tool companies can put words like “Chicago” (or “Vermont American!”), etc. in their name.
Stuart
Vermont American was founded in the USA. But I do agree with you that foreign companies and brands with USA-related names can be deceptive. Other times its an honest way to differentiate one regional or continental branch from another.
Dave in VT
I appreciate you clarifying about VT American for other readers. I should have added that I can remember when VT American was still mostly manufacturing in the US. Thanks Stuart.
Lenny
Kind of like Milwaukee? They’re owned by a Chinese company. Didn’t start that way but they didn’t change the name to Shanghai either.
Stuart
Milwaukee is still based in the USA. It’s still the same company, just different ownership.
There are quite a few other industrial and tooling brands currently owned by Chinese companies, such as Cleveland and Chicago-Latrobe.
Mike It
It wasn’t just you. All through the article all I could picture was HF’s in house brand and the funky way the store smells. The article seemed favorable towards CP and when he got to “Chicago Pneumatic has a solid reputation as a quality air tools maker” I knew something was wrong like one of us was sniffing the fumes at HF too long ( I was there just last night). I’m glad you pointed out that Chicago Pneumatic is not Chicago Electric / Central Pneumatic. Who knows how many times I have overlooked them because I associated them with Harbor Freight.Is this an example of brand dilution?
ajw1978
First thing I thought when I clicked on the link: “these look pretty damn nice for Harbor Freight.”
Speaking of, I just talked a friend off the buy-a-HF-drill ledge.
firefly
Throw me off as well… Would make an interesting court case on trademark infringement.
Phil
That’s the reason for the brand similarity, the marketing is designed to trip you up initially, and if you aren’t on your toes, you think you’re getting the real thing. The ironic thing here is “Chicago Pneumatic” has their brand name in electric tools here. Had HF put their “Chicago Electric” moniker on pneumatic tools, the folks at CP might begin to get a bit angry.
Dave E
As an automotive technician and shop manager, I received my first CP gun from my dad at age 16. I ACTUALLY STILL HAVE THAT GUN NOW AT 38! I have since moved into residential construction and use DeWalts Lithium Ion 20v which in just a year seem to have many issues. I bought IR pneumatic guns which also served me well, but just my input that the CP line should be confused with Harbor Freights line. The CP line might not be the most premium line but over my time they served me well, and never left me with loose nuts, lol
Dave E
Sorry meant *shouldn’t be confused with Harbor Freights line
Phil
I am still using a CP impact I’ve had for over 36 years and it’s still going strong. Back them Chicago Pneumatic was a premium brand with decades of history behind it. These days it’s mostly a name bought up by some other company, but is still one of the better brands out there.
Jason
pretty obvious that Harbor Freight names their product lines deliberately to confuse people, many people that don’t pay close attention or don’t really know will buy the Harbor Freight tool, thinking they are getting a killer deal on a quality tool.
fred
I think you are being kind when you use a word like “confuse” While I am loathe to ascribe nefarious motives to others – obfuscation, use of homonyms, look-alike color schemes and form factors are tools sometimes used by clever marketers and some manufacturers.
Pete
I think rigid compatibility would be a huge selling point. Already have rigid batteries? And want a high performing impact? Boom just buy the tool alone! Plus rigids lifetime warranty!
Nathan
I’m only a little surprised they haven’t said anything about battery commonality with Milwaukee too. granted they don’t quite look the same – but this looks like a point and shoot marketing bit aimed at Dewalt/MAC alliance.
does TTI happen to own chicago pneumatic? Wonder when Snap-on or Cromwell will partner with some other cordless brand. Wouldn’t mind seeing someone partner with Bosh or making something compatible another line.
I have say now that I’m in the Dewalt line (because I was given some) I wish there was a right angle 3/8 drive ratchet like the milwaukee
Stuart
Commonality with Milwaukee? You mean Ridgid?
There are branding and marketing considerations.
For example, Black & Decker makes the Bolt-On tools and attachments for Craftsman, and Matrix-branded ones for themselves. There is cross-compatibility, but neither brand will acknowledge or even discuss this.
You’ll find this elsewhere – brands won’t openly discuss their OEM arrangements.
They don’t even like intra-brand discussions. I was working on a magazine article once and didn’t understand an unused feature of the box. Brand manager had no clue either. I saw the same box at an outlet store, with an attachment making use of that unused feature. I told the brand manager, and they requested I not discuss the consumer brand in the magazine review of the professional brand. I wasn’t going to anyways, but it gave me insight into how brands really try to promote brand images. I digress, but if you want to promote one brand as a pro quality brand and another as a consumer brand, don’t stick both brands’ labels on the same exact product.
Nathan
well I know you showed that battery but I did actually mean Milwaukee – since they are the upper tier brand for TTI. my thought was – like stanley choose to match dewalt the new line of MAC tools. I’m a bit surprised these chicago pneumatic tools aren’t partnered with Milwaukee. Perhaps there will be another partnership agreement. I’d like to see more tool lines with cross battery support.
Likewise I’m always intrigued by who makes what.
Monte
http://www.cp-cordless.com
MattP
Curious what the pricing will look like compared to the IR W7150.
Al
Lots of talk about HF and brand confusion, so question I have is, is HF going to be carrying these?
Very interested in that big impact. already have 2763-20, after Dcf889 left me thirsty and disapointed …400ft pounds does not compete with anything, what’s dewalt thinking :-/. So back to topic, if CPs 700 rating holds up it will blow dewalt out as any serious competition.
KL
Am I the only one who remembers when the first IR cordless stuff was just re-badged Milwaukee?????
Marc
When will the CP cordless series be available on the market?
superautobacs
In a tool catalogue that I have in front of me, these are stated to be made in France. REALLY!???
Powool
I have used CP air tools for years at sea in the UK Merchant Navy. They’re as tough as they come! Hopefully these new cordless tools are as good.