Electric Impact Wrench Question: High Torque, Variable Speed, Small fasteners...

[FlushingDIYer]

So, coming off Epstein's Day euphoria, I've finally decided it's time to get an cordless impact wrench. I have that beast corded Milwaukee which has been great, but I would never put that on something that didn't have 100ft/lbs of torque on it already because it's not speed adjustable and don't want to break anything being stupid and/or lazy.

The SK set I picked up is this one:

12 PIECE 1/2" DRIVE 6 POINT STANDARD METRIC IMPACT SOCKET SET

I'm excited about having/using impact sockets (especially some new SKs instead of HF or some CM) but I have only ever used an impact wrench on axle nuts and lug nuts. I was hesitant about this set because I figured, when would I ever use a 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 on a 1/2 impact wrench, right?

But I've noticed that there are some impact wrenches that have different speed settings. For example, the Makita XWT11Z, which has three speed settings. But it only tops out at 210ft/lbs... And I can't believe the bare Makita tool costs more than a Milwaukee at CPO right now with that July coupon! The Milwaukee 2662-21 M18 w/ two batteries is coming in at $160 right now! I almost pulled the trigger, but then I'll never get to use those small impact sockets...

So my question, is there a rechargeable variable-speed setting impact that will let me do -50ft/lb fasteners all the way up to 300 or 400?

Many thanks everyone!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I don't know of any cordless on the market that doesn't have a variable trigger.
My 2763-20 has a wuss mode that still overtightens fasteners if you keep hammer ing like an idiot, but with a light touch on the trigger you can easily get less than 50 ft/lb in normal mode.

Edit; I have used a HF plugin one that was not variable speed, and it pretty much sucked

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I don't know of any cordless on the market that doesn't have a variable trigger.
My 2763-20 has a wuss mode that still overtightens fasteners if you keep hammer ing like an idiot, but with a light touch on the trigger you can easily get less than 50 ft/lb in normal mode.

Edit; I have used a HF plugin one that was not variable speed, and it pretty much sucked

Thanks for your insight, Ole Slewfoot. I guess I like the (relative) "safety" of having a setting that won't let me run a fastener down at full torque, which is why I want modes. But if most of the time the trigger controls everything, maybe I'm overthinking this...

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I get maybe 1 RPM with the trigger pulled just far enough to do something.
If I'm only doing small fasteners, I usually use a smaller tool because of weight.

1/4 hex to 1/2 square fitting on a hex impact works fine, but if you hit lug nuts with it, its not unlikely to break the adapter in the chuck and spend way too long getting the peices out.

 

[kctyphoon]

The only "programmable" impact I know of is the Milwaukee one key.. don't know if the mid torque has the one key option, but all of Milwaukee's impacts have a variable speed trigger and preset speed setting choices. If you have Milwaukee, I'd stay with them. Just get a smaller impact.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

The only "programmable" impact I know of is the Milwaukee one key.. don't know if the mid torque has the one key option, but all of Milwaukee's impacts have a variable speed trigger and preset speed setting choices. If you have Milwaukee, I'd stay with them. Just get a smaller impact.

Yeah, that's what I'm seeing. For what I do, I don't think I'd ever really need something more than this:

Milwaukee 2860-20 M18 FUEL 1/2" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench with Pin Detent

Wow, this really is what I'm looking for...

TOOLBOSS: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Mid-Torque Impact Wrench Review (2861-22)

"450 ft.lbs. of fastening torque and 600 ft.lbs. of nut-busting torque," three different settings, and about $150 for the tool on eBay... Sounds about right to me.

But I don't have a charger!!!!

I think it's time to rethink my impact driver situation. I went with Makita LXT a few years back, might be time to sell that and try to get the cheapest Milwaukee charger and impact driver I can find.

 

[DFB]

Ya mode 1 on the Milwaukee high torque will max out 100ft lbs with a 5/8" bolt coarse thread (this has been tested and documented with RTR video) and most times with smaller fasteners you won't even get much tightening torque.

I agree the new Milwaukee Mid Torque might be more preferable though a bit lighter and smaller and maybe some others knows the max torque specs for the 3 different modes.

Without the impact count (that coming as new feature) limiting the max rpm/ipm through mode selection so you DON'T over torque something is about the best you can get with all the variables involved tightening different sized fasteners. I find the factory modes satisfactory for most things I do but the One Key tools offer even more adjustability