Do I Need an Impact Wrench?

[mad german]

Lately I’ve been looking at a 1/2” impact wrench set (Milwaukee mid-torque and compact). I want to get them, but I’m not sure how often I’ll use them.
I do light car/motorcycle maintenance as well as home DIY projects. Part of me says “You really don’t need them.” But part of me also knows that when I got my Sawzall years ago as a gift, I was thinking I don’t really need it. But I use it all the time.
Are impacts handy to have even if you’re not a mechanic? What do you use your impacts for, besides working on vehicles?
Thanks guys!

 

[Mgdoug3]

Yes. If my electric impact died today I would buy a new one the same day. Go with the mid-torque. That'll do 99% of everything you need it to do.

 

[BiggityBen]

i don't use a ratchet for anything unless my electric or air can't break it loose. except final hand-torqued tightness. whenever possible i use an impact for breaking almost anything loose. even a little 12v "zip gun" for pulling screws and fasteners 13mm or smaller is always handy. they're incredibly quick. and driving screws into wood without one? forget it. unless you're dealing with plastic like screwing an outlet cover into a wall it's always impact or powered ratchets for me.

 

[Walkers]

How can you not need it?

 

[kbeefy]

How often do you use 1/2" sockets?

Most car maintenance can be handled by a 3/8 impact. Honestly I use my 1/4 or hex driver more for daily maintenance.

1/2 nowdays is usually heavy maintenance or suspension.
I have 2 1/2" cordless and a 1/2" pneumatic, so I'm probably not the right guy to ask, but I think 1/2 cordless is overhyped unless your changing tires or doing heavy work.

 

[Cruzan80]

i don't use a ratchet for anything unless my electric or air can't break it loose. except final hand-torqued tightness. whenever possible i use an impact for breaking almost anything loose. even a little 12v "zip gun" for pulling screws and fasteners 13mm or smaller is always handy. they're incredibly quick. and driving screws into wood without one? forget it. unless you're dealing with plastic like screwing an outlet cover into a wall it's always impact or powered ratchets for me.

Pretty sure he meant an impact wrench, not an impact driver. Never seen someone use an impact wrench for driving or removing screws.

I use mine occasionally, but I am a DIY guy, and it is all about convenience when I do. Either lots of bolts, or heavy torqued.

 

[joseywales]

I hope you need one, because I’m literally in the same situation (auto and cycle) and I ordered the Milwaukee mid-torque on Monday! It’s on sale for $219 w/battery

 

[vwpieces]

I have the
M12 1st gen 3/8in ratchet
M12 3/8in stubby impact
M18 1/2in mid torque
M18 1/2in high torque

The 3/8in stubby is the most used of them all. Second being the ratchet

 

[GTO]

Get the M12 Stubby

 

[mopar4u]

Definitely put at least one at the very top of your wish list. Im a DIYer as well and have two milwaukee impacts both 1/2”. One mid torque and a big dog (dont know models off hand). If you do suspension work, brakes, tire rotations etc your wrists and elbows will thank you. If i had to choose one id get the big dog, it does everything ive put up against it, i live in the rust belt and auto suspension hardware gets nasty. The mid torque 1/2” milwaukee just barely does tire lug nuts.

small engine or power sports projects call for 1/4 or 3/8” impact typically.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I would definitely get at least one, and if I were going to get just one I would got for a 3/8. If I were going to get two I would go for a 3/8 compact and if they offer it a 3/8 mid torque or 1/2 mid if they don't have the 3/8. You will find tons of things to use them on.

 

[ajchien]

impact wrenches get me finished faster with less muscle soreness the next day.

if you can take you time and are younger it’s probably not a big deal. There have certainly been times I’ve dragged out something to avoid joining the spouse to go to the in-laws.

 

[dffay]

They are at their best in the tear-down phase. I prefer non-pneumatic or bat powered for putting things back together—so I can feel it torque and not strip or gall, Just did the front brakes on a 4WD and it made pulling it apart so much faster and easier.

 

[Ton ton]

The mid torque Milwaukee is a joke. I do like the high torque version. I have never used the compact version.

 

[Ton ton]

The mid torque Milwaukee is a joke. I do like the high torque version. I have never used the compact version.

I am talking 1/2" drive.

 

[mike93lx]

Pretty sure he meant an impact wrench, not an impact driver. Never seen someone use an impact wrench for driving or removing screws.

I use mine occasionally, but I am a DIY guy, and it is all about convenience when I do. Either lots of bolts, or heavy torqued.

I just had to install about 100 8" ledger lok screws and ran them all in with my high torque Dewalt instead of my Dewalt driver. I know, that's not what you meant with screws, just wanted to mention the use case as it would have been absolutely miserable with a regular impact driver and effectively impossible with a regular drill

Outside of that, when I use my big impact, it always makes me glad I have it. If it died today, a new one would be ordered as soon as the smoke left it

 

[beemerphile]

These are handy accessories for an air-operated impact wrench, not for critical torques, but for things like lug nuts. I've never had a wheel fall off or nuts or lugs damaged using these. (Waiting for someone to say that lug nuts are critical torques). The lightest ones are good for when you want to use the impact to lightly set the nut and plan to follow with a proper torque wrench.

Torque Sticks

 

[demarpaint]

I asked the same question years ago. Now I can't believe how I did without impact wrenches, cordless and air, and my air tools.

 

[lardy1]

I have a Bosch that I only used to break tight fasteners for quite awhile. I've began driving screws with it now as well. Bosch doesn't seem to rate up there with DeWalt's or the mighty Milwaukee's but I'm very happy with it for home use. I use it more all the time.

 

[Neggy]

go for the high torque M18, use the settings to dial the torque down, but if you ever need it you'll be happy you have the ability do dial it up.

 

[joseywales]

I'm now rethinking this. I'm thinking I might return the mid-torque and go this route:

- M18 1/2" Hi-torque
- M12 3/8" Stubby

 

[mike93lx]

I'm now rethinking this. I'm thinking I might return the mid-torque and go this route:

- M18 1/2" Hi-torque
- M12 3/8" Stubby

That would be a useful combo, IMO

 

[GTO]

I have both M12 stubs, 1/2 and 3/8.
I keep the 1/2 in the wife's Pilot for changing a flat tire if needed. Works on the jack as well with a larger socket of course.

 

[wafrederick]

l have the gen 2 mid torque in 3/8 drive and is a beast.Have the 1/2 drive at home.

 

[wafrederick]

Here is one guy l deal with on Milwaukee,he does ship out.All l do is text him and does text me back.Plus get a dollar put in a bucket of cash when l make $100.00 payments.

 

[Showkey]

As far as the 1/2” impact the M18 high torque was $199-$230 is hard to beat. That with any socket is going to handle that crank bolt and truck lugs.



The low cost version of the 19mm crank bolt socket:

 

[GTO]

I made the mistake of buying a 2763-20 impact. I have only used it a half dozen times. Now that I have the M12 stubbs I find myself not needing the large impact.

 

[Neggy]

I'm now rethinking this. I'm thinking I might return the mid-torque and go this route:

- M18 1/2" Hi-torque
- M12 3/8" Stubby

I have that setup at the house, it works well

I have a 1/2" M12 stubby at the shop I got for putting wheels back on cars without over tightening the nuts.... gives me room to torque them by hand

my buddy has been beating the snot out of it for over a year now and it has held up better than I could have expected

I know I have mentioned it before but we had some clown BEAT his lug nuts on with a M18 hi torque, it took us three hours to get the 4 wheels off the truck

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

A 1/2in high torque and a 3/8 compact would the way to go. I used a 1/4in impact driver with a3/8 adapter for years but recently got a 3/8 impact. I love that thing. If you’re doing suspension or in the rust belt I highly recommend a1/2in high torque. A 3/8 cordless ratchet is really nice to have to

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I have the 1/2" M12 stubby and it handles everything I've thrown at it so far. (Lug nuts, axle nuts, etc.) For 3/8" sized socket things, I often use my M12 fuel impact driver with an anvil adapter for almost everything else and that has me covered pretty good.

 

[M635_Guy]

The mid torque Milwaukee is a joke. I do like the high torque version. I have never used the compact version.

Brother, if you Mid (assuming you're talking about a FUEL) isn't kicking ****, have it serviced under warranty. I've had both the Gen 1 and Gen 2 models, and they both have done absolutely everything I've put in front of them, which has included some pretty serious suspension bolts torqued pretty high.

I also have the M12 Stubby, which is great - so small for so much power, but occasionally balks at lugs or some suspension bolts. It definitely wasn't going to get the subframe mounting bolts on my Mini. When I had the Mid Gen 1 (well, strictly-speaking I still have it - need to re-list on the classifieds), the Stubby got 80% of the action. The Gen 2 Mid isn't much bigger than the Stubby with the 3.0 HO battery on it - luckily that battery doesn't have a power-loss penalty - and is far more powerful than my Stubby. Since the Mid Gen 2 arrived, the Stubby use has probably dropped to half or less (it's very task-dependent).

I had the 2767 High Torque. The Mids and Stubby did it all, and it was so heavy. It never got used and I sold it.

Some pix:

2767 - Gen 1 Mid - M12 Stubby


The 2767 is a LOT larger than the Mid Gen 1:


The M12 Stubby isn't that much smaller than the Gen 2 Mid:


I wrangled a LOT over choosing an impact (and, typically, over-did it when it came to ordering things, hence the long answer to questions like this one - hope I can save someone some time/money). My "settled kit" is the Stubby and the Gen 2 Mid, and it's a great combo.

If I had to pick one, I'd take the Mid Gen 2 without question. Still pretty damn small and it does absolutely everything I've needed across the four cars I routinely work on. The modes are great and the tri-light is also awesome. If I had a dually truck or something or was on a farm, the High Torque might make sense. (the guy who bought my High Torque bought it for his rusty tractors)

@mad german - if you're tracking with me here, my other recommendation would be 1/2" sockets unless you're working in spaces tighter than my Mini Cooper. I haven't had any issues where the size of the socket denied clearance/access (I don't recall having to switch to the Stubby for anything that I can remember) and the selection of sizes is broader than 3/8", especially at the upper end. I only wanted one set of impact sockets as a DIY guy, and having the big sockets for axle nuts and (eventually) the crank bolt on my wife's Odyssey (they're notoriously a PITA) is just easier. Yeah, you could use an adapter, but that's one more thing. Other than potential clearance, I don't think there's a downside the a 1/2" anvil.

 

[65ranchero]

(Waiting for someone to say that lug nuts are critical torques)

They are only critical torque if you don't tighten them

 

[65ranchero]

I got 3
IR 231 plastic/composite 1/2 inch
and a baby 3/8 composite
Snapon 12v 3/8 both batteries rebuilt once
If I had to replace the Snapon it would be a Milwaukee M12
I will reach for the 3/8 more that the 1/2

 

[FMB4]

This is the Garage Journal and, as such, the question is thus: is there any tool that you or we don't need?

You know the answer.

 

[AA/FC]

This is the Garage Journal and, as such, the question is thus: is there any tool that you or we don't need?

You know the answer.

Correct!

 

[Ton ton]

Brother, if you Mid (assuming you're talking about a FUEL) isn't kicking ****, have it serviced under warranty. I've had both the Gen 1 and Gen 2 models, and they both have done absolutely everything I've put in front of them, which has included some pretty serious suspension bolts torqued pretty high.

I also have the M12 Stubby, which is great - so small for so much power, but occasionally balks at lugs or some suspension bolts. It definitely wasn't going to get the subframe mounting bolts on my Mini. When I had the Mid Gen 1 (well, strictly-speaking I still have it - need to re-list on the classifieds), the Stubby got 80% of the action. The Gen 2 Mid isn't much bigger than the Stubby with the 3.0 HO battery on it - luckily that battery doesn't have a power-loss penalty - and is far more powerful than my Stubby. Since the Mid Gen 2 arrived, the Stubby use has probably dropped to half or less (it's very task-dependent).

I had the 2767 High Torque. The Mids and Stubby did it all, and it was so heavy. It never got used and I sold it.

Some pix:

2767 - Gen 1 Mid - M12 Stubby


The 2767 is a LOT larger than the Mid Gen 1:


The M12 Stubby isn't that much smaller than the Gen 2 Mid:


I wrangled a LOT over choosing an impact (and, typically, over-did it when it came to ordering things, hence the long answer to questions like this one - hope I can save someone some time/money). My "settled kit" is the Stubby and the Gen 2 Mid, and it's a great combo.

If I had to pick one, I'd take the Mid Gen 2 without question. Still pretty damn small and it does absolutely everything I've needed across the four cars I routinely work on. The modes are great and the tri-light is also awesome. If I had a dually truck or something or was on a farm, the High Torque might make sense. (the guy who bought my High Torque bought it for his rusty tractors)

@mad german - if you're tracking with me here, my other recommendation would be 1/2" sockets unless you're working in spaces tighter than my Mini Cooper. I haven't had any issues where the size of the socket denied clearance/access (I don't recall having to switch to the Stubby for anything that I can remember) and the selection of sizes is broader than 3/8", especially at the upper end. I only wanted one set of impact sockets as a DIY guy, and having the big sockets for axle nuts and (eventually) the crank bolt on my wife's Odyssey (they're notoriously a PITA) is just easier. Yeah, you could use an adapter, but that's one more thing. Other than potential clearance, I don't think there's a downside the a 1/2" anvil.

It's not a Fuel. Unfortunately.

 

[ptgarcia]

Do you all think an Gen 2 Mid Torque is enough for basic maintenance use on a 1-ton Dodge Ram? Things like lug nuts, shock bolts and other repairs the typical home DIY guy can handle?

 

[mike93lx]

Do you all think an Gen 2 Mid Torque is enough for basic maintenance use on a 1-ton Dodge Ram? Things like lug nuts, shock bolts and other repairs the typical home DIY guy can handle?

Yes, especially in Socal

 

[Dakotadadv8]

DIYer - 1/2 mid torque Dewalt impact wrench. Used it for lug nuts and anything under the vehicle when applicable, stubborn mower blade, etc. Have not used it as much as I thought but great when I needed it. Always careful don't want to snap the fastener. According to some if the old breaker bar, oil, heat, and patience (soaking the fastener for days) won't remove it the impact wrench may not either.

 

[Uncle murph]

Lately I’ve been looking at a 1/2” impact wrench set (Milwaukee mid-torque and compact). I want to get them, but I’m not sure how often I’ll use them.
I do light car/motorcycle maintenance as well as home DIY projects. Part of me says “You really don’t need them.” But part of me also knows that when I got my Sawzall years ago as a gift, I was thinking I don’t really need it. But I use it all the time.
Are impacts handy to have even if you’re not a mechanic? What do you use your impacts for, besides working on vehicles?
Thanks guys!

I dismantled a 250’ long steel airplane hangar with about a zillion rusty 1/2” square head bolts.Bought the big Dewalt impact,piece of cake!