Need help can't decide. Craftsman C3 Impact Wrench?

[Jerelld13]

Is the Craftsman C3 strong enough to remove most nuts and bolts on a car? I was thinking about buying impact sockets before I buy chrome sockets to make brake and suspension jobs easier.

 

[erty67]

Can you better clarify your question? are you asking if you should get an impact and impact sockets without having hand tools?? and what do you mean by most jobs on your car and others? One second your talking about working on other peoples cars then talking about lawnmower blades. Break it down for us a bit so we can better help you. The C3 impact can be a great tool depending what your needs are, but I don't want to give any advise without knowing more about how you're going to use it.

 

[franzdom]

It's "start out" and "first" that are causing a lot of confusion.
Impacts are awesome and will speed up your work a lot but they are not the place to start. You will know when you are ready and if you don't know, give it a try, you will love impact!

C3, I don't know however, not a lot of Craftsman power tool fans here.

EDIT: what the heck happened to this post:?

I already have ratchets 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 and a 1/4 socket set. I want to know if I should start out by buying 3/8 and 1/2 impact sockets instead of chrome first to make jobs on my car easier. I would do all kinds of repairs except engine work.

 

[LB-1911]

Should I get chrome sockets first or impact? I just want to know if the Craftsman C3 is strong enough to remove all kinds of stuff on my car to make work easier

You may want to give this previous thread a read.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256559

 

[GSteg]

Yes, I'd go with impact sockets before chrome sockets if you know you're going to be using an impact gun in the near future.

 

[Jeremy5431]

I got the C3 Impact wrench for Christmas and I love it. I use it to rotate tires and carry it with me when I pull trailers. I would not purchase the Craftsman impact sockets they are way overpriced. I went to Northern tool and bought their private label impact sockets.

Im sure others will tell you that other brands are better, etc. However for what Im using it for, it was the best bang for the buck.

 

[Jerelld13]

I got the C3 Impact wrench for Christmas and I love it. I use it to rotate tires and carry it with me when I pull trailers. I would not purchase the Craftsman impact sockets they are way overpriced. I went to Northern tool and bought their private label impact sockets.

Im sure others will tell you that other brands are better, etc. However for what Im using it for, it was the best bang for the buck.

I seen a set from Sears for about 100 dollars with metric and sae

 

[Cab037]

I've had issues with the batteries of C3's not holding a charge for an extended period of time. Say 3 days. My porter cable has no issue holding charge for weeks between use or longer.

 

[Jerelld13]

You may want to give this previous thread a read.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256559

That is exactly what I was looking for so thank you!!!

 

[Askme42]

I got the C3 Impact wrench for Christmas and I love it. I use it to rotate tires and carry it with me when I pull trailers. I would not purchase the Craftsman impact sockets they are way overpriced. I went to Northern tool and bought their private label impact sockets.

Im sure others will tell you that other brands are better, etc. However for what Im using it for, it was the best bang for the buck.

You can change tires with it that's about it. I got one and it makes quickly zipping things on and off at low torque nice but hopefully in the not too distant future ill be getting the Milwaukee.

 

[Askme42]

I've had issues with the batteries of C3's not holding a charge for an extended period of time. Say 3 days. My porter cable has no issue holding charge for weeks between use or longer.

The old Nicad craftsman batteries are ****.

 

[Jerelld13]

300 foot pounds of torque is pretty good but is that tightening torque or break away? If it's 300 tightening torque, you probably have about 400 or so break away.

 

[pubhopper]

...I was thinking about buying impact sockets before I buy chrome sockets to make brake and suspension jobs easier.

Grey Pneumatic makes the Duo socket for dual use (impact & ratchet). They are thin walled, and I don't notice much difference in weight compared to my snap on sockets. I can't comment on how well they hold up long term, as I've only had them for about 6 months, but they've been superb so far. They come in a nice plastic case, so I leave the snap on's in the toolbox when I have to be mobile. These might serve your purpose.

http://www.gpsocket.com/products/category.phtml/duo-socket_sets/1_2/

 

[monomach]

I seen a set from Sears for about 100 dollars with metric and sae

Only pay that if they're made in the US. If they're made in China, just go to Northern Tool or Harbor Freight.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I use my C3 impact daily...it's my go to gun. Rides along in pickup, tractor and swather all summer long. Love it.

 

[Josey Wales]

The old Nicad craftsman batteries are ****.

I have four of them. Three are terrible and one is pretty damn good.

To the OP, the C3 sounds like it would work for you.

 

[Hootbro]

my 1/2" C3 impact has been great. Have used it repeatedly for tire rotations and suspension work on my Jeep.