Cheap impact

[theoldwizard1]

For a friend (I own both a 3/8" and 1/2" Milwaukee). If he lived closer, I would just go to his house.

Something strong enough to remove lug nuts and the nut that holds lawn mower blades on, so very limited use. Corded or cordless.

 

[sponfit]

The new m12 stubby impact should do the trick

 

[Hakeem]

I have the Bauer corded impact wrench from HF and it’s fine, albeit huge .. about the size of a football. Plenty of power though. Either that or the Hypertough gun from walmart

 

[Wrench97]

For home owner use there is currently a Ridgid on sale at Home Depot with battery and charger if he does not already have a battery platform he using.

 

[bwringer]

That Ridgid kit is a great deal, if there are any in stock near you. It's not the highest-torque setup around, but it should be just fine for lug nuts.

The Bauer kit from Harbor Freight for $159 is one of the better deals going and has a somewhat higher torque rating.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-12-in-high-torque-impact-wrench-kit-with-5-ah-battery-and-charger-70960.html

Or Hart from Wally World ain't bad; $149 for a kit, but it is a significantly lower torque rating:

Robot or human?

As noted above, a corded impact from HF can be ignored forever and will always work anywhere you can scare up a decent extension cord and some electricity, so that might be a better choice if this isn't going to see much use. The Bauer is only $70, and the old Chicago Electric is on clearance if you can find one around (I've had one of these for many years, long before cordless impacts got so good). They're not as spicy as the better cordless impacts, but they'll do lug nuts just fine. Toss it in a corner and it'll still work fine in ten years.

 

[finn]

I have mostly Milwaukee impacts, and they’re fine, but my go to is the compact Dewalt Atomic DCF923 B. I like the ergonomics and balance better than the Milwaukees (I’m not knocking the Milwaukees), and a 3/8 anvil should be good for most homeowners.

You might look into the Skil impacts, if Menards still has them on sale. Not as powerful, but I bought a Skil drill and driver from Menards for use at an offsite property and find them acceptable, especially considering what I paid for them ( $69 or $79 each for the kits, from memory).

That Ridgid kit Wrench 97 posted looks attractive, although it’s a bigger, heavier tool than what a casual user probably needs.

 

[spyerx]

I think for cheap if you are OK with corded you won’t do better than this: https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...n-impact-wrench-with-rocker-switch-64120.html

I have that Ridgid for a long time and it works well, but I mostly use an M12 stubby 1/2” for any impact use. All my stuff is lower torque car and around house uses… under 250lbs.

 

[KnurledNut]

For a friend (I own both a 3/8" and 1/2" Milwaukee). If he lived closer, I would just go to his house.

Something strong enough to remove lug nuts and the nut that holds lawn mower blades on, so very limited use. Corded or cordless.

We talking one ton pickup lugs or four banger lugs?
Push mower blades or hd zero turn?

 

[nicks78camaro]

I survived for many years prior to the cordless tool popularity explosion with a cheap HF corded 1/2" impact (homeowner use only).

Cheap and effective and you don't have to keep any batteries charged. Infinite range of use with long enough extension cords.

Was plenty strong for lug nuts. Did everything else with hand tools "back then".

 

[mikedodge]

I have a corded 1/2", the kind you can get for $40-$50. It does lug nuts, cutting deck blades, suspension, anything you usually an impact for. If I used it regularely I'd get something cordless but can't justify the cost or deal with batteries for occasional use.

 

[BrandonV]

For home owner use there is currently a Ridgid on sale at Home Depot with battery and charger if he does not already have a battery platform he using.

^ This. I just purchased this to keep in the office for when I inevitably get stuck doing a few tire swaps for coworkers every year.

Throw in the lifetime service agreement it's a win-win.

None available locally but it's getting shipped to my store for pickup.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Earthquake from Harbor Freight is pretty good both the cordless and air tools. And then Milwaukee if he wants a big brand.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Does he already own a battery platform ? If so, I would lean that way or corded.. . . honestly, I haven't seen one (corded) in a long time. Does he have an air compressor ?

 

[iron block]

Your friend might want to check out this episode of TorqueTestChannel on Youtube: WalMart Gen2 Hyper Tough Tools Ruin our Entire Rankings

 

[KnurledNut]

Regardless of choice, I would recommend brushless. It makes quite a difference on impact wrenches.

 

[Ohio Andy]

For home owner use there is currently a Ridgid on sale at Home Depot with battery and charger if he does not already have a battery platform he using.

So this one is a great price...

RIDGID 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench Kit with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger R86215K - The Home Depot

Enhance your kitchen area with this beautiful RIDGID Impact Wrench with battery and charger.

www.homedepot.com

Looks like the brushless version is $100 more

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/RIDGID-18V-Brushless-Cordless-4-Mode-1-2-in-High-Torque-Impact-Wrench-Kit-with-4-0-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-R86212K/319962170

 

[Beerhippie]

What kind of mower is he using that requires a rattlegun to get the blade off? Brush Hog?

 

[liliysdad]

What kind of mower is he using that requires a rattlegun to get the blade off? Brush Hog?

I use my cordless impact to change blades on my Hustler. Otherwise I have to rig up a way to clamp a stop on the deck to hold the blade, use a cheater on ratchet or breaker, etc.

The impact changes a 15 minute pain in the *** to a 5 minute breeze.

 

[ohhimark]

That Ridgid is a great deal, says they'll deliver next day too. They also have a 3/8 Ryobi, which will work, but it has a slow charger, and for $20 difference it's hard to not get the Ridgid.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O..._-320283450-_-4-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

 

[tarbellb]

Walmart Hyper Tough v2 is making the big dogs look stupid right now

 

[ChevyEFI]

I was taking all lug nuts off with my 1800 in-lb Bosch Beast.

But my cashback rewards paid for the big 1/2" Bosch 18v impact, which had two 8ah batts with it. 750lb-ft? Works fine. I split a cheap impact socket yesterday.

 

[Stelzer]

I bought the Hyper Tough about 2 months ago after seeing the vid on TTC. I do have Rigid & Milwaukee, but needed something I could keep on a truck and not freak out if it gets taken. I used it to remove the big lugs on a P30 step van as well as a few smaller tasks, and overall, it's an excellent value. For the money, you'd be hard pressed to get more for less.

 

[theoldwizard1]

We talking one ton pickup lugs or four banger lugs?
Push mower blades or hd zero turn?

four banger, push mower

 

[Kscardsfan]

Does he already own a battery platform ? If so, I would lean that way or corded.. . . honestly, I haven't seen one (corded) in a long time. Does he have an air compressor ?

That was going to be my question. If he's already invested in a system that would be the easiest solution. Otherwise watch CL or FBMP for a used corded unit or a cheap air gun if he already has a compressor.

 

[txvwnut]

Earthquake from Harbor Freight is pretty good both the cordless and air tools. And then Milwaukee if he wants a big brand.

The Earthquake battery platform no longer exists. Hercules has taken it spot. That said I'll vote Hercules, I had a tech that worked for me that had a 1/2" Hercules impact, I don't think we found a fastener in the shop that thing wouldn't remove.

 

[zendriver]

The Earthquake battery platform no longer exists. Hercules has taken it spot. That said I'll vote Hercules, I had a tech that worked for me that had a 1/2" Hercules impact, I don't think we found a fastener in the shop that thing wouldn't remove.

If it was the "ultra torque" I have one it's beast but at $250 with batt/charger, not exactly "cheap"

 

[kctgb]

If he’s only using it a few times a year go to Wally World and buy either the cordless mid torque(330 foot pounds) for $69.00 or high torque impact(800 foot pounds) for $99.00. My neighbor down the road has the mid torque and it will spin the lugs off his dodge ram 1500 truck. If my memory is correct those lugs are torqued to 130 foot pounds. I highly doubt the lawn mower blades are torqued that high.

 

[bobg03]

I had the 1/2 Ridgid non brushless and replaced it with the 3/8 ridgid as it was lighter and easier on my arthritic hands. My brother got the 1/2 and at almost 15 years old it still works great.

Just another option

 

[finn]

A lot of you guys seem to miss the point that the op is, at best, a casual user. He doesn’t need a six jillion ft lb impact capable of removing lugs from an 80000 lb gvwr semi truck, nor would he want one, since they are uncomfortably heavy and awkward to use.

This is Garage Journal though, so one almost expects those unrealistic recommendations.

A nice, light, compact or mid torque impact with good ergonomics will serve him well.

 

[drmarkr]

four banger, push mower

Bauer tool only here:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-b...in-3-speed-impact-wrench-tool-only-58446.html ($45)

Choose your battery(s) according to need. That'll do everything you're talking about doing...

 

[NUTTSGT]

If he has a small air compressor, I would buy something like this and more than likely, something most of us would have started out with in our younger days.

 

[kctgb]

If he has a small air compressor, I would buy something like this and more than likely, something most of us would have started out with in our younger days.

A small air compressor isn’t going to run that impact on stubborn fasteners. It will run out of air before it has time to break lose the nut or bolt. He’s looking at something in the 20 gallon size air compressor to run that air impact.

 

[kctgb]

A lot of you guys seem to miss the point that the op is, at best, a casual user. He doesn’t need a six jillion ft lb impact capable of removing lugs from an 80000 lb gvwr semi truck, nor would he want one, since they are uncomfortably heavy and awkward to use.

This is Garage Journal though, so one almost expects those unrealistic recommendations.

A nice, light, compact or mid torque impact with good ergonomics will serve him well.

Exactly!

 

[kage860]

The cheaperst cordless is a $50 hyper tough.

Hyper Tough 20V Cordless 1/2-inch Impact Wrench, Variable Speed Trigger, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger, 5774 - Walmart.com

Buy Hyper Tough 20V Cordless 1/2-inch Impact Wrench, Variable Speed Trigger, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger, 5774 at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[kctgb]

The cheaperst cordless is a $50 hyper tough.

Hyper Tough 20V Cordless 1/2-inch Impact Wrench, Variable Speed Trigger, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger, 5774 - Walmart.com

Buy Hyper Tough 20V Cordless 1/2-inch Impact Wrench, Variable Speed Trigger, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger, 5774 at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Is that 12 volt or 20 volt? That little 12 volt isn’t going to spin off lug nuts. The 20 volt mid torque will.

 

[kage860]

Is that 12 volt or 20 volt? That little 12 volt isn’t going to spin off lug nuts. The 20 volt mid torque will.

I dont know if my link worked, but that one is their brushed 20v, 300 ft lbs removal with 2ah battery.

 

[drmarkr]

I dont know if my link worked, but that one is their brushed 20v, 300 ft lbs removal with 2ah battery.

That's the Walmart equivalent of the HF one I linked....and they'll both work fine on a rice rocket/domestic dink like the OP is talking about.

 

[kctgb]

I dont know if my link worked, but that one is their brushed 20v, 300 ft lbs removal with 2ah battery.

That’s a good price for the mid torque with charger and two aph battery. In my area they are $69.99. My neighbor has one for home use, it’s held up well.

 

[kage860]

I've been looking at cordless for a while, but for the once in a while i use it my corded should be fine.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A small air compressor isn’t going to run that impact on stubborn fasteners. It will run out of air before it has time to break lose the nut or bolt. He’s looking at something in the 20 gallon size air compressor to run that air impact.

I consider a 20 gallon compressor, a small compressor. That is the size the average homeowner would have.

Something like a 60 gallon is probably the average size for the majority of the membership here.