Close quarter impact wrench

[bowlofturtle]

My old man is getting up there in age. He still likes to wrench as much as the other guy and I'm happy about it.

But let's face it he isn't the strongest and most mobile now. He called me over today to help with his friends car, just a rear brake job. Being in the Midwest, rear brake bolts are almost always rusted to **** and need a lot of force to loosen them. Breaker bars are great if u have a lift but this is just floor Jacks, I had to throw my whole shoulder to break loose these bolts.

So what that being said. I was wondering if there was close quarters impact that I can pick up for him for say $300 or under. Air ratchet I've found in the past are way too weak for this, most rated for 50ft/lbs. I don't think will even cut it. Anything u guys know can help him? I just left him some of my m12 stuff but those didn't have the clearance nor balls to do so, I'm guessing 150ft/lb of real power.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Yeah, king tony m7 impacts fit into a lot of tight spaces. Strong for the size too.

 

[454ragtop]

I have the King Tony M7 compact 1/2" drive, been using it almost exclusively for about a year now, have only had to drag out the IR 2131Ti once or twice, really like it a lot. $150 or less from Amazon or one of the online tool sellers if you shop around.
Jim

 

[ryanm]

my buddy has that M7, dont know much about it. he has that impact and a set of "M7" super shallow sockets that he bought also. really nice setup

 

[Strouty]

I have been eyeballing those for a while. I like the idea of a stubby, but I do not (yet) have a reason (realistic one) to buy it.

 

[Farmall450]

How about the Astro pneumatic nano impact I did a review of a while back?
Inexpensive for sure.

 

[CobraChevelle]

I have the m7 mini in 1/2 inch. SO far works great. There were a couple spots I still had a hard time fitting but still worked. That new astro tool Is shorter than the M7 I think. But I still wouldn't trade mine for it.

 

[woody 73]

As a matter of curiosity on my part (mind you my kids call me the "old Man") just how old is your Father the "old Man"...???

 

[sk farmer]

i have the northern tool version branded klutch. it does not have quite the power of a full size 1/2 but it does pretty well. it fits in a lot of places that a full size 1/2 or even most 3/8 impacts will not. it would sure be worth a look if you have one nearby. far less than your 300 limit as well.

 

[LordPsychon]

If I had my druthers (and money and a large 10+CFM compressor) I'd go with the Astro Nano as Farmall suggested.

In case anyone was wondering why I'd need a 10+ CFM compressor, so am I.

 

[stonesfan68]

Ingersoll-Rand makes a right-angle pneumatic impact wrench, model 2025Max. You can get it for ~$250.

 

[bowlofturtle]

As a matter of curiosity on my part (mind you my kids call me the "old Man") just how old is your Father the "old Man"...???

My "old man" is 57. I'm 29 and i think its acceptable to call him that, he still calls me a "KID".




That Astro and that K7 both look great and i think its exactly what he needs. Both priced at $100-140ish on amazon. I'm kinda tempted to buy both and keep one for myself.

Anyone know if the 3/8 models are smaller then the 1/2inch models or are they exactly sam(just swapping heads). I'll do my research at home later on.
If its slightly smaller i'll get the 3/8 but if its exactly the same i might get the 1/2

 

[ibedayank]

always the butterfly impacts

 

[shockwave]

Try ir2125 it's a 1/2 in a 3/8 body impact it can get most things done with exception of crank bolts

 

[bcradio]

My "old man" is 57. I'm 29 and i think its acceptable to call him that, he still calls me a "KID".




That Astro and that K7 both look great and i think its exactly what he needs. Both priced at $100-140ish on amazon. I'm kinda tempted to buy both and keep one for myself.

Anyone know if the 3/8 models are smaller then the 1/2inch models or are they exactly sam(just swapping heads). I'll do my research at home later on.
If its slightly smaller i'll get the 3/8 but if its exactly the same i might get the 1/2

You also have to factor in socket size. 3/8 sockets will be smaller than 1/2 sockets, so if it is the same size gun then it won't be the same size end result. The 3/8 will be smaller by the socket size. This may or may not matter though to you.

 

[LordPsychon]

always the butterfly impacts

Butterfly impacts are hit-or-miss, some are excellent while others are junk. I haven't found a butterfly impact that I like more than a regular twin hammer or even a rocking dog mechanism impact wrench.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Butterfly impacts are hit-or-miss, some are excellent while others are junk. I haven't found a butterfly impact that I like more than a regular twin hammer or even a rocking dog mechanism impact wrench.

Ive had two in the past. Never liked them and/or it didnt get the jobs done i needed it to. So i sold them or gave them away.

Me and my old man both have the 2135Ti, its been a beast for me on 95% of everything it can reach. The price of the 2125 is what gets to me, 250$ ish, I've used a snap-on 3/8 before and it couldn't get the clearance. The M7 and nano looks like they have a shot. Hopefully they have enough balls

You also have to factor in socket size. 3/8 sockets will be smaller than 1/2 sockets, so if it is the same size gun then it won't be the same size end result. The 3/8 will be smaller by the socket size. This may or may not matter though to you.

Very good point on this...

 

[abk241]

Being in the Midwest, rear brake bolts are almost always rusted to **** and need a lot of force to loosen them. Breaker bars are great if u have a lift but this is just floor Jacks,

Seems to me that you would want all 4 wheels on the ground when loosening those lug nuts by hand...just a safety kind of thing.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Try ir2125 it's a 1/2 in a 3/8 body impact it can get most things done with exception of crank bolts

The m7 can handle crank bolts.
I'd go with the 1/2 version, to me the larger drive seems to transfer torque better.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Seems to me that you would want all 4 wheels on the ground when loosening those lug nuts by hand...just a safety kind of thing.

I think he means its easier to use a long breaker bar when the car is up high. You can get more angles to swing a 2' breaker without hitting the ground.

 

[dledmo]

I believe he is talking about brake bolts not lug nuts. Thus the need for the small impact.

 

[srmofo]

IR Hammerhead is a good option.

 

[mark52621]

The IR Hammerhead is great for getting in tight places.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I'll also cast a vote for the IR Hammerhead.

I only have the 3/8 version, but it's got plenty of balls for everything I've thrown at it.

 

[Anarius]

I have the Chicago Pneumatic stubby 1/2". It goes for about $160 IIRC. I'm pleased with its power and small size. My only ***** (there has gotta be ONE) is the reverse/forward lever is easily bumped while stuffing the impact and air hose into some god forsaking alcove of doom. I'd probably buy the Astro unit all else being equal, the controls are better.

The hammer ratchets work, and are nice, but the size of the head makes them awkward, and they are pricey! Coworker had one and it gave no craps about removing and installing the crank bolt on a Colorado 3.5, which is certainly a point in their favor. His was the Ingersoll 1/2"

 

[03protege]

Makita has some cordless impacts that resemble the right angle drills.

 

[bowlofturtle]

I think he means its easier to use a long breaker bar when the car is up high. You can get more angles to swing a 2' breaker without hitting the ground.

I believe he is talking about brake bolts not lug nuts. Thus the need for the small impact.

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Thanks guys.

I'm going to swing by parents place and show him pictures. Maybe let him pic.

 

[Farmall450]

I have the Chicago Pneumatic stubby 1/2". It goes for about $160 IIRC. I'm pleased with its power and small size. My only ***** (there has gotta be ONE) is the reverse/forward lever is easily bumped while stuffing the impact and air hose into some god forsaking alcove of doom. I'd probably buy the Astro unit all else being equal, the controls are better.

The hammer ratchets work, and are nice, but the size of the head makes them awkward, and they are pricey! Coworker had one and it gave no craps about removing and installing the crank bolt on a Colorado 3.5, which is certainly a point in their favor. His was the Ingersoll 1/2"

The astro is also a bit smaller, and they have stiffened the selector switch.

 

[bowlofturtle]

And the M7 won the picture vote.

I showed him both links and he said he liked it better.

Anyone link me to shorter impact sockets... like the ones that come in the m7 package.





The Hammerhead IR one looks good but the price tag is a little hard to reach for a home wrencher.

 

[Schurkey]

rear brake bolts are almost always rusted to **** and need a lot of force to loosen them.

I believe he is talking about brake bolts not lug nuts. Thus the need for the small impact.

What are "brake bolts"? Are we talking about the bolts that hold a caliper or caliper bracket to it's mount?

 

[bowlofturtle]

Both. But typically I have no issues with the caliper bolts(ones that bolt to braket). The bracket bolts are the tougher ones and are in tighter locations.

 

[dnschmidt]

The Astro Nano is the nuts!! Cheap, tiny and powerful. What else can you ask for?