Thinking about getting an impact wrench
#1
Thinking about getting an impact wrench
Taking off wheel lugs and other types of bolts is getting too repetitive to do with a traditional wrench. Plus in other spots I think I have less chance of breaking bolts/nuts if I had an impact wrench.
I have not used one before but I know shops use them.
Does any one have any recommendations for a cost-efficient ones? on home depot.com I saw ones that were 40.00 and ones that were 400.00.
I know I need a tank to go with it as well.
If any one could offer suggestions as to what set I should I look at (wrench and compressor), let me know or link it.
I dont wanna spend over 300.00 for both honestly. But hey maybe that's too strict of a budget.
And it is an impact WRENCH i want for the bolts/nuts right? not an impact driver or a bunch of other names i've heard.
thanks guys, unnoob me plz
I have not used one before but I know shops use them.
Does any one have any recommendations for a cost-efficient ones? on home depot.com I saw ones that were 40.00 and ones that were 400.00.
I know I need a tank to go with it as well.
If any one could offer suggestions as to what set I should I look at (wrench and compressor), let me know or link it.
I dont wanna spend over 300.00 for both honestly. But hey maybe that's too strict of a budget.
And it is an impact WRENCH i want for the bolts/nuts right? not an impact driver or a bunch of other names i've heard.
thanks guys, unnoob me plz
#4
Only vehicle related stuff. Getting all those bolts from the bottom of the car like on the oil pan.
I cant think of too much off the top of my head but all the bolts/nuts underneath the car. Exhaust, mounts, pan, wheel, etc.
I like the light on the base but wish there was that had a light more near the top so it shined right where it was going
I cant think of too much off the top of my head but all the bolts/nuts underneath the car. Exhaust, mounts, pan, wheel, etc.
I like the light on the base but wish there was that had a light more near the top so it shined right where it was going
Last edited by jamesf; 10-20-2012 at 05:51 PM.
#6
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
Pretty useless for car work, I have two and never use 'em.
I keep the threads on wheel studs nicely lubed, so once they are loose they spin off by hand, and you are insane if you put them back on with the air wrench.
Otherwise you'll just do damage, especially to a pan bolt - you can crack the engine block by putting them in wrong!
I wouldn't bother.
I keep the threads on wheel studs nicely lubed, so once they are loose they spin off by hand, and you are insane if you put them back on with the air wrench.
Otherwise you'll just do damage, especially to a pan bolt - you can crack the engine block by putting them in wrong!
I wouldn't bother.
#7
Pretty useless for car work, I have two and never use 'em.
I keep the threads on wheel studs nicely lubed, so once they are loose they spin off by hand, and you are insane if you put them back on with the air wrench.
Otherwise you'll just do damage, especially to a pan bolt - you can crack the engine block by putting them in wrong!
I wouldn't bother.
I keep the threads on wheel studs nicely lubed, so once they are loose they spin off by hand, and you are insane if you put them back on with the air wrench.
Otherwise you'll just do damage, especially to a pan bolt - you can crack the engine block by putting them in wrong!
I wouldn't bother.
#8
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Buy a high voltage battery powered one.....18V and up...they work very well and have enough power for wheel lugs and stuff...they are a bit big to use in tight spots but will be great just for wheels
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...tested-gearbox
Buy a good name one though...the cheap ones are crap
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...tested-gearbox
Buy a good name one though...the cheap ones are crap
#9
I suppose electric impacts have their place, but mine are pneumatic. I have a 3/8 drive that resembles a ratchet that is good for removing oil pan and transmission pan bolts, as well as a host of other uses. Not nearly the torque of an impact wrench. Mine have settings where the torque can be adjusted to a certain degree any way. I have removed many pan bolts on several cars with it and never had an issue. One of the largest expenses is the compressor. If you cheap out, your tools may not work properly. I won't get into all the technical mumbo jumbo, but if you buy a 120 volt unit like most do you are limited to 15 amps which limits horse power which in turn limits volume. Just try to get one that has the green check mark for Impact wrench and you should be ok. If you want to up the stakes and get a 220 or a gasoline engine powered unit then this conversation is mute.
#12
Voids warranties
As a mechanic, I use impact guns literally on an almost minute basis. I use SnapOn battery guns. CT6850, Impact Wrench, Cordless, 18 Volt, Slide-on Battery, 1/2" Drive (U.S.) We have a few of them at the shop. By far the best tool I have.
The thing with impact guns is, they can be disastrous in the hands of an untrained finger. On the flip side, they are the most crucial tool in the box for someone who knows how and when to use one.
Speed is the name of the game. A well versed mechanic with an impact gun can cut the work time in half. A novice however can easily add many hours to the job by making a simple mistake.
I say stay away until you feel that your skill level has progressed to the point that hand tools are slowing you down to an unacceptable speed. As a hobbyist or a DIYer, the gains don't outweigh the cost/risk that comes with an impact gun
The thing with impact guns is, they can be disastrous in the hands of an untrained finger. On the flip side, they are the most crucial tool in the box for someone who knows how and when to use one.
Speed is the name of the game. A well versed mechanic with an impact gun can cut the work time in half. A novice however can easily add many hours to the job by making a simple mistake.
I say stay away until you feel that your skill level has progressed to the point that hand tools are slowing you down to an unacceptable speed. As a hobbyist or a DIYer, the gains don't outweigh the cost/risk that comes with an impact gun
#13
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
2) Never lube your wheel mount studs, it throws off your torque readings
Never lube the face, where the lug meets the wheel.
ALWAYS lube the threads, or find out why there are already seven threads on how to change a stud after it breaks off.
Agreed that it will increase the effective torque, but I'll take that risk over fighting a rusty lug, on the side of the road, at night....
First job I do on a used car.
Never lube the face, where the lug meets the wheel.
ALWAYS lube the threads, or find out why there are already seven threads on how to change a stud after it breaks off.
Agreed that it will increase the effective torque, but I'll take that risk over fighting a rusty lug, on the side of the road, at night....
First job I do on a used car.
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
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2) Never lube your wheel mount studs, it throws off your torque readings
Never lube the face, where the lug meets the wheel.
ALWAYS lube the threads, or find out why there are already seven threads on how to change a stud after it breaks off.
Agreed that it will increase the effective torque, but I'll take that risk over fighting a rusty lug, on the side of the road, at night....
First job I do on a used car.
Never lube the face, where the lug meets the wheel.
ALWAYS lube the threads, or find out why there are already seven threads on how to change a stud after it breaks off.
Agreed that it will increase the effective torque, but I'll take that risk over fighting a rusty lug, on the side of the road, at night....
First job I do on a used car.
#15
Well thanks for the ideas guys. I am more leaning towards the wired one for a couple reasons. Mostly because it seems like you can get a higher quality gun for a better price because all you need to do is buy the wrench. you dont have to buy the battery as well. I'll go to home depot tomorrow and see what they have. After looking online it looks like they have the same brands your mentioning here.
#16
So i ended up buying an 18V Lithium ION battery operated Kobalt impact wrench (1/2'').
Kobalt 18V Li-ion Cordless Impact Wrench Review - Pro Tool Reviews Discussion Forums
I had my heart set on a makita one but they didnt have it in stock at home depot. It was online order only.
I went to lowes and picked this up. It comes with the impact wrench, 2 battery packs and the charger for $270.00.
I havent tried much with it yet, but it seems like a good wrench. I'll let you know how it is when I get to using it.
Kobalt 18V Li-ion Cordless Impact Wrench Review - Pro Tool Reviews Discussion Forums
I had my heart set on a makita one but they didnt have it in stock at home depot. It was online order only.
I went to lowes and picked this up. It comes with the impact wrench, 2 battery packs and the charger for $270.00.
I havent tried much with it yet, but it seems like a good wrench. I'll let you know how it is when I get to using it.
#19
Spraying a genorous portion of WD40 on those bolts and a set of wrenches it's all that's needed to remove those bolts. Using that thing may just end up braking them.
#21
Oooh, shiny!
iTrader: (1)
I got a 200 ft-lb 1/2" Ryobi battery powered impact wrench for Christmas a couple years ago. I only use it for taking off the wheel lugs, and I very much appreciate the convenience as opposed to previously always doing it with a breaker bar. I'll use it to quickly screw the lugs back on, but will tighten with a torque wrench.
#22
So i tried out my new impact wrench on my wheel lugs, and it worked fantastic. It takes about 1.5-2 seconds of knocking to get it going but I think thats partly due to how my lugs are. They are gorilla locking ones, and the lock you use does not have as good of a grabbing surface imo then if you were just gripping a standard bolt. Plus you have to use an extension because the socket goes on the lock, lock goes on the bolt, etc.
But all in all it seems like a fantastic tool. A little bit heavy, but when you think about how much some1 can spend on this stuff, I kinda lucked out getting 2 batteries and a charger with it for a decent deal. I guess I bought it for convenience but in retrospect I feel like after the posts that people have made, traditional socket wrenches are favored and end up working better.
I guess I can just save it for my lugs or if I really have an issue. I guess I just felt if I upgraded some tools a bit I'd be able to take on more difficult DIYs in the future once I get comfortable.
Regardless though, gotta give the product a thumbs up for value. We'll see how long it lasts.
But all in all it seems like a fantastic tool. A little bit heavy, but when you think about how much some1 can spend on this stuff, I kinda lucked out getting 2 batteries and a charger with it for a decent deal. I guess I bought it for convenience but in retrospect I feel like after the posts that people have made, traditional socket wrenches are favored and end up working better.
I guess I can just save it for my lugs or if I really have an issue. I guess I just felt if I upgraded some tools a bit I'd be able to take on more difficult DIYs in the future once I get comfortable.
Regardless though, gotta give the product a thumbs up for value. We'll see how long it lasts.
#23
Voids warranties
Glad to hear you like it and it works good for you. However I wouldn't suggest using an impact on the spline sockets for the Gorilla lugs. They are paper thin and can bend/split open pretty easily.
#24
yeah i kinda figured as much. I am going to replace them with regular lug nuts. I am moving in november and I will be parking in a garage as opposed to outside now so I dont really have to worry about wheel locks any more.
And actually, I was reading today about Kobalt (I bought this at Lowes and I believe this is their store unique brand) and I saw that Kobalt's tools were once made by snap-on but were just recently starting to be made by another company who also make the craftsman brand. Those are both 2 good brand names.
Last edited by jamesf; 10-23-2012 at 03:48 PM.
#25
Moder8
iTrader: (1)
Warning, thread revival...
Different option.
Most track folks I know have the battery ones, and most say the batteries are going bad. I am trying one of the 12 volt ones, plugged into my jump starter. This is the kind that spins a weight, then hammers. With a tight bolt, you get one hammer every second or so, then it just spins it off. Came yesterday, undid my 90 ftlb wheel bolts with one impact, did the wife's Expedition, 130 ft lb I think, in 3. Good news is it was $50 bucks, came with a nice case, had 2 reversible sockets for 4 lug sizes, and had a built in light. All it really needs is a hand warmer. I will still torque with a torque wrench, but I think the tire change at the track just got a lot faster.
I use Motegi nuts at the track, I am trying to figure out if I need an extra key....
More data to follow.
Different option.
Most track folks I know have the battery ones, and most say the batteries are going bad. I am trying one of the 12 volt ones, plugged into my jump starter. This is the kind that spins a weight, then hammers. With a tight bolt, you get one hammer every second or so, then it just spins it off. Came yesterday, undid my 90 ftlb wheel bolts with one impact, did the wife's Expedition, 130 ft lb I think, in 3. Good news is it was $50 bucks, came with a nice case, had 2 reversible sockets for 4 lug sizes, and had a built in light. All it really needs is a hand warmer. I will still torque with a torque wrench, but I think the tire change at the track just got a lot faster.
I use Motegi nuts at the track, I am trying to figure out if I need an extra key....
More data to follow.