1/4 air impact wrench/gun...does anyone here use it at work?

[baubau]

i am wondering if anyone here uses 1/4 air impact wrench at work on daily basis..
i am tempted to buy one to use in the auto body shop for quick R and I....

is it worth buying it or should i stick to 3/8 air impact and cordless?

 

[boogerboy72]

look into the makita lion 1/4 impact. its white/black, 18v. thats got PLENTY of torque and i use it all day on a charge.

 

[daveblank]

Many of my body shop customers use them.

 

[Fedwrench]

I've never worked in a body shop but, I've only seen one tech in over ten years with a 1/4 inch imapct wrench. I use a 1/4 air ratchet, the Snap on cordless screwdriver, and a Makita cordless 3/8 impact daily. I just don't think the size and torque offered by a pneumatic 1/4 impact wrench is worth the purchase price when my cordless stuff is just easier to use.

 

[nato]

Sure, I have a Mac AWMC140 (repackaged IR). I use it mostly for every little fastener that you know probably isn't torqued much. It's great for under dash, dash panel, door panel/body & trim screws.
Alos for ****** pan bolts (if you'd even get into that where you are).
I also have a Snap On CTS561 cordless pistol grip style screwdriver that also offers a little more torque than reg. electric screwdrivers. I'd say due to the simple fact that the Snap On is cordless, I use it a little bit more than my Mac 1/4" impact.

I'd say shoot for a screwdriver like the Snap On. I've had it for 3 years and it hasn't had any isssues, other then labels wearing off. The impact is nice, but sometimes, it's a little too bulky once you're upside down, *** in the air, trying to remove stuff under the dash and the air hose is fighting you to the death!

 

[baubau]

thanks for all the replies....

i really like that Mac/IR pistol style impact...i didnt know that they had those types........i will look for that one...it seems perfect for removing and installing fenders, bumpers, hoods..all those small 10 to 14 mm bolts...smaller the better.....torque and power is not the issue here, 30 to 50 ft/lbs is more than enough....

i use 1/4 air ratchet, but they are slow and consume lots of air...

i already have 3/8 cordless impact, its something i use everyday, and i have 1/4 chuck adapter..its maybe the best tool i own.....i am actually ordering a new Bosch 14.4 volts Impactor wrench....

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a Bosch PS40. Works great, plenty of power, lasts ages on each charge etc. It's a great little tool, i use it all the time for interior work, wheel arch liners, window regulator bolts, air boxes, sumps, etc.

Definitely worth the money, and it wasn't even that expensive. Comes with two batteries, and they charge up in an hour or so.

 

[chris_morrison_]

i use a 1/4 impact gun every day so do two other techs at my shop

 

[ImportTuner]

I just bought a 1/4" Astro Pneumatic impact wrench recently for removing the bolts that hold the cover under the engine on newer cars. Removing 12~14 bolts for oil changes with a ratchet was getting tedious. Under 2 lbs, 35 ft. lbs of torque and made in Taiwan.

 

[Riverrojo]

18v Makita Li-on impact for me. Thought it was "cool" when I bought it. Now think of it as priceless. I use it ALL the time.

 

[ears]

I've never worked in a body shop but, I've only seen one tech in over ten years with a 1/4 inch imapct wrench. I use a 1/4 air ratchet, the Snap on cordless screwdriver, and a Makita cordless 3/8 impact daily. I just don't think the size and torque offered by a pneumatic 1/4 impact wrench is worth the purchase price when my cordless stuff is just easier to use.

I see no need for air in a 1/4" either. I use a 10.8 hitachi and the little stick Makita 7.2 constantly. One might fit where the other wont or I tag team them. Both are more powerful than you might think, and spin fast. No air hose to mess with.

 

[Deafautotech]

I had blue point AT225A(2), i used it a lot since i bought it... i used it lot on heavy line jobs, it almost do anything i want to do... that reason why i got 1/4dr impact sockets sets!!! When my AT225a got problem and sent for rebuild but snap on said there is no more rebuild and it is discounnected.. so snap on tell me to make choice to have the blue point AT235MCA or refund the credit toward buy something else... i had decided to give it chance to see if i like it or not... BUT when i used it, it make big difference! it do make adjustment the trigger to low torque to high torque (similar 5 to 25 ft lbs)... most of time i just use it to running the bolts or nuts on... it is great tool... but if you want most powerful that mac tool AWPC140 has offer that will go up to 50 ft lbs... one friend did bought it and use a lot!

 

[Toolhorder]

I got the new Matco 1/4 cordless ratchet and passed on a 1/4 impact. I use the Matco 3/8 cordless if I need more power beyond the cordless 1/4.

Matco's 1/4 cordless ratchet is the Sh!t for A/C filters on Hondas and for installing mud guards on PDI's.

 

[alamerang]

A buddy of mine that works on heavy equipment swears by his Makita 1/4 inch 18 volt impact. I've used it myself a few times working with him rebuilding a few truck transmissions and that thing is awesome. Plenty of power and no cord to mess with. Plus the battery recharges in 15 minutes so there is no real need for an air powered impact.

 

[jsaw]

I use My 1/4 " air impact a lot. On the number 2 setting it is perfect for dash screws. Sometimes if I need to be precise, I have a 1/4" spinner handle I will use the impact to run a screw down, & check final tightness by hand.

 

[ImportTuner]

I use My 1/4 " air impact a lot. On the number 2 setting it is perfect for dash screws. Sometimes if I need to be precise, I have a 1/4" spinner handle I will use the impact to run a screw down, & check final tightness by hand.

Good idea .. thanks

 

[baubau]

@jsaw...

great picture and idea....!....i love how small that impact is.....what brand is it?...