I need an impact wrench from time to time and corded is just fine. I've been looking at the HF one for $49.00, I've also looked at a couple at Lowes. The Kobalt brand has a pretty nice 350 ft/lb 8 amp kit with case and sockets for like $149.00 and then there is the DeWalt w/case for are $179.00. The HF model will be just fine if it isn't junk. but by the time I get a case and sockets, I might as well get the Kobalt. What do you guys think? (I've done the search and didn't see the Kobalt model mentioned)
Corded impact wrench
- Thread starter greybeard
- Start date
I had the chance to use the HF and it seemed ok. Couldnt get some of my suspension bolts off but they worked well for lug nuts. Honestly for the price I would just get the craftsman c3 cordless impact and call it a day. The corded impacts are pretty bulky. you can sometimes find the craftsman impact on sale for 120 or so.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Looks almost new
http://cgi.ebay.com/FINE-DEWALT-DW2...aultDomain_0&hash=item2eb69cc92d#ht_500wt_945
Or this one, its craftsman, its at $15 right now, looks almost new..
http://cgi.ebay.com/NAME-BRAND-8-AM...ultDomain_0&hash=item45fc00616f#ht_3827wt_924
http://cgi.ebay.com/FINE-DEWALT-DW2...aultDomain_0&hash=item2eb69cc92d#ht_500wt_945
Or this one, its craftsman, its at $15 right now, looks almost new..
http://cgi.ebay.com/NAME-BRAND-8-AM...ultDomain_0&hash=item45fc00616f#ht_3827wt_924
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What are you going to be using the impact for? If not anything big, the HF is fine for what it does. Throw in the 20% off coupon to make it better. A set of sockets shouldn't set you back more than $30 unless you need both SAE and metric.
At $149, the Kobalt is overpriced. Much rather go for a used corded impact, especially if you're not going to be using it much.
At $149, the Kobalt is overpriced. Much rather go for a used corded impact, especially if you're not going to be using it much.
dankicksass
Well-known member
I have a Milwaukee corded 1/2in electric impact and a lithium Craftsman C3 cordless 1/2in impact. They both have their place but neither does the work of a good IR Titanium impact.
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I'm gonna use it once in a blue moon. Rotate the tires on my F150, take off the lawn mower blade, that kinda stuff. I already have a set of SAE impact sockets. I just want something I can plug in and it will do the job when I need it. NiCad is no good cause I won't use it enough to keep the batteries working and Lith Ion is too expensive. Like I said, the HF is probably fine, if it has the balls to do the job.
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First time I used my HF impact I think there may have been some issue with the trigger switch. Pushing it down didn't always make the gun go, but after a few minutes of stopping and starting it got the crank bolt off for me. Next time I used it seemed to work great.
One thing I've noticed with the less powerful impacts is that any slop between the fastener and gun and effective torque is lost. Best to put the socket on the gun directly if you can.
OTOH you might have gotten a bad one, I'd take it back if it wouldn't take off a wheel lug and try another one right at the store.
One thing I've noticed with the less powerful impacts is that any slop between the fastener and gun and effective torque is lost. Best to put the socket on the gun directly if you can.
OTOH you might have gotten a bad one, I'd take it back if it wouldn't take off a wheel lug and try another one right at the store.
MoToys
Well-known member
Yeah, I found the Lith battery with charger $113.00. Given that I will only use it a few times a year, a corded model makes more sense for me.Yes they do.
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MoToys
Well-known member
I would say look at all the items the c3 lilion works with. It may make sense if you would use the other items on a regular basis.
I found the c3 caulk gun on clearance for $13 last month.
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Not a bad idea.
A friend of mine owns a mobile home moving company and they use the Craftsman c3 Lith Ion impact wrenches daily. He swears by them and he could use anything he wants. I just have to decide if I want to go corded or cordless.
NJHandyGuy
Well-known member
Honestly the c3 ***** with lith ion batteries it has no balls in extreme cold or over 90* and the nicads go dead after only a few lugs granted this is on a tow treuck but i still NEED more than 2 tire changes out of a gun. honestly i have the goodyear racing 24v and love it. had the s-o 6850 it's WWWWAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY better but the goodyear is more how you say user freidnly on a budget
Only $43 at jcwhitney. that's seriously cheap.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/24-volt-cordless-impact-wrench-and-replacement-batteries/p2021035.jcwx
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
petee_c
Well-known member
i have a Mastercraft one (Cdn Tire store brand). Rated for 300+lbft torque. Decent. works well on on lug nuts, and a few other places it fits. Much bigger than my new air powered one that is rated for 500? lbft?
I like my new air one better, but still have the corded one. Easier to bring over to friends.
P
PS. There is cordless Makita 18v LiION one that got good reviews in Car and Driver? Apparently, it would loosen nuts done up to 600lbft with just a few blips.
I like my new air one better, but still have the corded one. Easier to bring over to friends.
P
PS. There is cordless Makita 18v LiION one that got good reviews in Car and Driver? Apparently, it would loosen nuts done up to 600lbft with just a few blips.
I've got a Kobalt corded one. Works great, loud as hell, came with a case and sockets. It'll take any of the lug nuts off on my trucks within a second or so. I got it for about 100 bucks on Craigslist in practically mint condition. You might troll around there for some good deals.
tool_enthusiast
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2011
- Messages
- 138
If you're talking about the Makita model BTW450, it's only got about 325 ft/lb torque. Not sure how it can loosen up 600 ft/lb. I owned it for a short while and compared to that and the HF corded gun (which I bought years ago), it felt about the same. I own the Craftsman C3 too and to me it feels about the same strength as the HF gun. But the C3 has many advantages over the HF gun. Namely:
(1) It's a lot smaller and lighter. The HF gun is a heavy monster!
(2) Has variable speed and brake when the trigger is released.
(3) Feels a bit more powerful than the HF gun.
(4) No cord needed. Works well with the lithium ion batteries. I can easily rotate my tires and not worry about battery life. Never tried with NiCad even though I own some of those batteries too.
I also own a Craftsman Pro air impact gun and of course, that one is the most powerful, but in the end, when I need something quick, I pull out the C3 gun. The HF gun never gets used now.
tool_enthusiast
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2011
- Messages
- 138
I'd say the HF one works just fine. They're all about the same in power. I have owned 2 of the HF guns (but ended up selling one because I just didn't have a need for it) and had no issues with them; didn't feel like junk to me at all. My 2nd HF gun came in a blow mold case. Are they not selling them with cases anymore? Anyway, I think it's better not to get a case and just buy your own custom box to put it in. Once you get some sockets, extensions, etc, you can put everything in one case/toolbox. I used to keep mine in a tool bag. You'll also be needing an extension cord to keep in the bag too (if you're going mobile).
LA1
Well-known member
I have one of the HFT 230ft pound models, I bought mine 2 years ago for $39 minus about another $7 (20%) discount. I found something that I think applies to all impact wrenches on some bolts ....big bolts, high torqued you cant use an extension. For instance I am replacing my Harmonic Balancer seal. I used an extension and the bolt did not budge. I put just the socket on and tried again and it came right off. Which is kinda strange, b/c a month or two ago I replaced my cat and I undid the two bolts w/ a really long extension on the impact wrench.
Anyway I jammed the torque wrench between the frame and the ground, after you let go of the trigger the inertia keeps it spinning and as the frame bolt comes out it pushes down. For about 8 seconds I thought what am I going to do now.....then of course just jack the car up higher. its jammed really tight.
Anyway I jammed the torque wrench between the frame and the ground, after you let go of the trigger the inertia keeps it spinning and as the frame bolt comes out it pushes down. For about 8 seconds I thought what am I going to do now.....then of course just jack the car up higher. its jammed really tight.