Electric Impact Wrench

[yeldogt]

I see a Kawasaki 1/2 impact wrench for $59.95 -- how well do the electric ones work?

I mess around in the garage and occasionally have some issues not being able to remove wheels without more effort than I think is wise.

What do most use?


Was thinking maybe I could get a used snap-on air tool .. although I don't really know much about them.

 

[stikman56]

I see a Kawasaki 1/2 impact wrench for $59.95 -- how well do the electric ones work?

I mess around in the garage and occasionally have some issues not being able to remove wheels without more effort than I think is wise.

What do most use?


Was thinking maybe I could get a used snap-on air tool .. although I don't really know much about them.

Most use 1/2" pneumatic and 1/2" cordless when it comes to 1/2" stuff. If you have air, the pneumatic is about the cheapest way to go and get good torque. 1/2" used stuff with good quality and torque can be had for 50 bucks and even less if you shop around a bit.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I love my electric C-man.....

 

[Voi]

I see a Kawasaki 1/2 impact wrench for $59.95 -- how well do the electric ones work?

I mess around in the garage and occasionally have some issues not being able to remove wheels without more effort than I think is wise.

By electric do you mean with a cord? If so there have been a few decent discussions on these. As I recall the corded impacts aren't seeing the same torque improvements as their cordless versions and are considered borderline for lug nut removal.

 

[SD_40]

I bought a reconditioned Milwaukee 9070 for $99. I don't have a compressor. It doesn't have the torque its cordless/air counterparts do but I've found it to work well for me so far. I use it WAY more than I thought I would

 

[HoosierMark]

I have an electric one from HF. Hardly use it but when I do, it works fine and has come in handy numerous times. I would not want to be without one for exactly the reasons the OP mentioned. When I get a better shop set up, I will probably go with air but if it aint broke ......

 

[BRADBILL58]

When I first got my air compressor I started using an air impact to remove/rotate wheels and that worked great. Then Craftsman came out with the 19.2 cordless impact and I already had other cordless 19.2 drills, 1/4 " drive impact, jig saw and circular saw. Once I started using the cordless 1/2 impact, I never use the air much any more. If the tire store cranks on the lugs, I may have to use a breaker bar to get them loose, but it nice to use the cordless, no air hose to deal with. Also I can use it any where away from the air compressor. The cordless is great, a small package that is easy to use.

 

[kbs2244]

I have a HF 120 VAC.
I got primarily to get mower blades off.
It works fine for that and most other things I have tried it on.

 

[yeldogt]

I never thought of cordless! How big of a cordless will work ?.. I have one of those Makita impact driver -- that would not work .. would it? They are only 1/4 -- I think.

The one I was looking at was 110v

 

[Voi]

I never thought of cordless! How big of a cordless will work ?.. I have one of those Makita impact driver -- that would not work .. would it? They are only 1/4 -- I think.

The one I was looking at was 110v

Is your driver an 18V lithium ion? Then I'd buy the high torque Makita impact wrench in a bare tool form. If it's 12v then I don't think they make a impact wrench in that line that will work on lug nuts.

As far as your driver, go ahead and buy a hex to square adapter and try it. I have an 18V Hitachi driver and it is not something I grab for lug nuts on my Sequoia which I think are torqued to 90 foot pounds. If you end up buying the impact wrench I think you'll still find the adapter useful with your driver.

EDIT. The high torque Makita is model BTW450Z. They also make a more compact 1/2" but I wouldn't count on it for lug nuts.

 

[CORTEZSS69]

I also have a HF electric impact.. It works great and very handy.. I think I gave around 40 bucks with a coupon. I like it because I don't have to fire up the air compressor.

 

[OJ Bartley]

I have a Mastercraft MX adjustable torque model, and it has done the job for my last 2 years of seasonal tire swaps. I usually do a quick tour around with a breaker bar first, and hand snug the bolts a touch after, but I don't know if it really needs it.

 

[dgithens1]

+1 on the HF for quick and easy

 

[BRADBILL58]

The Craftsman 19.2 volt cordless is Lithium, but I also have older ni-cad? batteries. Just last week I had a screw in the one of the rear tires, in the past I have plugged on the car, but my sedan is low, and I would have to get to on the ground and plug to the side. So in 5 minutes I had the car on the aluminum jack and wheel off with the cordless. Made it a lot easier to plug off the car.
The week before, I changed the blades on the John Deere lawn tractor using the cordless impact. I think it rated at 140 ft lbs. which is in the range of wheels, usually around 80-90 ft lbs. But note, at the tire stores, the techs there have impacts rated at 400-650 ft lbs, so sometimes you will need to use a breaker bar,(or cheater bar) to get the lugs loose.

I love the cordless and the freedom they offer.

 

[mbret2004]

Don't overlook the Milwaukee 18-volt fuel line. Brushless motors, excellent battery life, and most powerful in their respective class. My 3/8" impact will loosen the wheel nuts on my 3/4- ton truck. Lots of power in a compact package. Love those tools.

 

[Cato]

I use the corded Kobalt electric impact to remove lug nuts. Works great and I don't have to have a loud, expensive compressor.

 

[rbgearz]

Our boss at work bought us all Milwaukee 18v fuel impacts. The one I got is 1/2 inch. It has more torque than my 3/4 pneumatic impact. Thing cost around $600. Well worth in IMO.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

I see a Kawasaki 1/2 impact wrench for $59.95 -- how well do the electric ones work?

I mess around in the garage and occasionally have some issues not being able to remove wheels without more effort than I think is wise.

What do most use?


Was thinking maybe I could get a used snap-on air tool .. although I don't really know much about them.

I bought a new Miiwaukee 9070 several years ago to use at the race track, I've been using it around the shop also because it works so well.

If you want to stay in the Kawasaki price ( $60 ) range you might want to look at the HF http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-heavy-duty-electric-impact-wrench-68099.html , use a 20% off coupon and the price drops to $40.

A air impact is going to need a lot of CFM's to work properly, much easier to just plug in an electric impact in my opinion.

 

[engineer2]

I've got a Makita brushless 18V LXT impact wrench.

It kicks **** and I don't fire up the compressor as much. Lug nuts are no problem. Very handy at the salvage yard.
Harbor freight sells cheap socket adapters. It's twisted the 1/4" adapter in a spiral, but that's HF quality for you.

 

[yeldogt]

I've got a Makita brushless 18V LXT impact wrench.

It kicks **** and I don't fire up the compressor as much. Lug nuts are no problem. Very handy at the salvage yard.
Harbor freight sells cheap socket adapters. It's twisted the 1/4" adapter in a spiral, but that's HF quality for you.

That's the one I have ... I never gave it a thought that it would work!

Think I may even have an adapter to go from 1/4 to 1/2 ..

I ordered new rims and tires from TireRack -- arrive tomorrow .. I will give it a try.

 

[zkling]

They are handy and convenient, but bulky and not as fast or powerful as a good pneumatic gun. I've got a dewalt and a older cman pro USA. Both bought used. They mostly get loaned to friends or taken places that don't have air.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I see a Kawasaki 1/2 impact wrench for $59.95 -- how well do the electric ones work?

I mess around in the garage and occasionally have some issues not being able to remove wheels without more effort than I think is wise.

What do most use?


Was thinking maybe I could get a used snap-on air tool .. although I don't really know much about them.

For lugs? On a car? Sure. 1/2 breaker bar is also fine.

I know it's dumb but if you have the time you should just hand tighten and then torque your lugs. You'll never have issues removing them if they're under 100 ft/lbs which most passenger cars are.

Air tool for lugs? Nah that's just ******* money away on a home basis.

I'm not saying this is the proper electric torque wrench to use; I think most of the chinese ones are rated to around 155-200ft/lbs which is enough for lugs. I used one on axle nuts @155 before which I think was right at the peak of the rating; worked fine, probably shouldn't have.

 

[scw1991]

My Milwaukee 9072 corded impact removes lugs nuts off my K1500 truck as quick or quicker than my IR231C coupled to my IR2475 2-stg 5HP 80 gallon compressor.

 

[LordPsychon]

I've got a Makita brushless 18V LXT impact wrench.

It kicks **** and I don't fire up the compressor as much. Lug nuts are no problem. Very handy at the salvage yard.
Harbor freight sells cheap socket adapters. It's twisted the 1/4" adapter in a spiral, but that's HF quality for you.

Hate to break it to you but that's an impact driver, not an impact wrench. Terminology not withstanding that particular impact driver has enough torque to pull lug nuts with little to no fuss.

 

[wayne55]

My 15+ year old Harbor Freight corded has served me well with light duty use.

 

[bigphillystyle]

I have the DeWalt cordless 1/2 impact (DCF880) and it works great for almost everything. Its compact and is rated for 150ft lbs which is plenty for lug nuts etc. There are only a few bolts on car you would need any more than that for.

DeWalt also recently came out with the brushless XR DCF899 which is rated for an incredible 700ftlbs fastening and 1200ftlbs breakaway. If this is even close to accurate this would completely eliminate the need for a compressor.

 

[AmishFury]

i got the craftsman C3 impact it works quite well

 

[crucible]

Another vote for the 1/2" Milwaukee; I have the corded 9070 and it works great for lugnuts (and for other things if you have the space and muscle to work it).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005T81G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Another vote for the 1/2" Milwaukee; I have the corded 9070 and it works great for lugnuts (and for other things if you have the space and muscle to work it).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005T81G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have that one and like it. I don't grab it as much as I should though. The unloaded speed is a little intimidating until you get used to it. Everything Milwaukee is FAST and powerful.

 

[smitty33]

Corded is the way to go for most things, unless you need to be away from a plug or you are going to use the batteries in other tools regularly. Batteries die, are expensive, are proprietary and the technology changes frequently. 110 is 110 and will always be. The HF rocks for occasional use.

 

[bfm336]

Have used the Harbor Freight corded model - works great. Previously used on lugs just fine- was the only thing that saved me on a water pump one time (although its too big to fit in my places under a hood). Currently have the CM equivalent and like it as well.

Not a wrenched but working on family cars.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Another vote for the 1/2" Milwaukee; I have the corded 9070 and it works great for lugnuts (and for other things if you have the space and muscle to work it).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005T81G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But...for what he needs it for? $200 bucks for lug nuts. Nah.

Just saying. Maybe used if it's in good condition but at that point you could do rand instead. Power tools don't have lifetime warranties which is the only reason I'd knock the idea even if it is better quality than some of the other modern chinese electric impacts. I don't know what the milwaukee warranty is though.

 

[Badger 13]

I purchased a 1/2" HD Ingersol Rand electric when I didn't have access to air. Used it for tire rotations and it worked great. Having air again, I really don't use it. If anyone is interested I do have it listed for sale in the classified section.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have a corded 1/2 inch and a corded 3/4 inch that I used until I got an air compressor. Now I don't use them. Good luck...Richie

 

[kv501]

Corded is the way to go for most things, unless you need to be away from a plug or you are going to use the batteries in other tools regularly. Batteries die, are expensive, are proprietary and the technology changes frequently. 120 is 120 and will always be. The HF rocks for occasional use.

ftfy.

 

[Jamie V]

I don't know what the milwaukee warranty is though.

5 years

 

[mfrantz90]

Sn as p on cordless 3/8 drive 14.4 volt micro lithium works great for almost anything [emoji4] if anything is really really stuck if anything is really really stuck I if anything is really really stuck I use air

 

[sometoyotaguy]

I have a cheapie electric that is probably roughly equivalent to HF. It works ok for lug nuts. Much more than that, and it's not that great.

Like most tools, it has it's applications, and limitations.

 

[Coach James]

I have a HF corded and a Northern Tool corded I inherited from my dad. Both have worked fine for lug nuts and a few other things.

I also have a Kobalt 1/2" 18V cordless NiCad I picked up cheap on closeout. It works fine also.

Coach

 

[bob from indiana]

I have the H.F. corded. It works ok. A friend used it to take off a crank balancer bolt on his ranger. it saved us having to move my compressor to his garage for the job. Another friend used it to take off an axle nut on his blazer. I have used it with my 750 watt inverter to repair farm machinery in the field. I have a good air impact for the shop but this one has it's uses. for around $40 it was worth having.