Electric Impact Wrench
- Thread starter ToolDude
- Start date
what are you planing to do with it big or small but the snap on electric impacts are really good and so are the matco ones i have both and they are better then some air ones but there not cheap but theres craftsmans mikita dewalt and many others
The problem I'm having is that, right now, I can't really afford an air compressor powerful enough to get the job done. In fact, the only one's I can really afford are about 125PSI, which don't really operate at 125PSI; they just claim to.
I work on a lot of old cars, like right now I'm reconditioning a '69 Camaro, and I'm running into a lot of stubborn bolts. I think an impact wrench will get the job done quicker and with less strain on me.
My budget is roughly $200 right now. Lowes has a Kobalt one for a $130 that comes with a full set of impact sockets. Supposedly delivers 400lbs of torque.
The Snap-On is like $500. I mean, I'm sure it's probably about the best you can get, given that it's a rare power tool made in the U.S.A., and U.S. made is almost always better. But $500? Wow. Wish I could afford it.
Last edited:
i have a 20 gallon craftsman air compresser i got at sears for $240 which puts out 150psi max and got a $22 craftsman air impact but it put out 340psi its decent but i had to go out and buy a stronger snap on impact because there somethings you need alot of torque for but those to are a pretty good cheap combo but any electric impact will run you from $150 for a small and low power one and about $300 to $700 max for a strong one. i have both the snap on and matco ones i love them they has some power i just figured buy the one i really want and not have to end up buying something i wouldnt be happy with and just alittle advice and it will save you money dont settle for something small because you will want it the better one will cost more but you will be happyier just save some money and get something you really want
chohdog
Active member
There's a gun a lot of us weekend racers have been using if you can find it. Its a "goodyear" branded impact gun they sold at pep boys about a year ago. You can usually find them on ebay every now and then. Pretty good gun for less than $100. If you go to the race track, you'll most likely see a few. That's how I knew they were pretty good. If you yahoo or google search the gun, it'll most likely bring you to a car forum where someone gives their positive review.
as a matter of fact, there's one on ebay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/24Vo...Z280475758612QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
good luck!
as a matter of fact, there's one on ebay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/24Vo...Z280475758612QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
good luck!
Last edited:
Do you have any other cordless stuff? You could get a bare tool only that uses the battery and charger you already have.
I have Dewalt 18 volt now and can find bare tool only deals on Ebay pretty cheap as I want to add tools.
The Dewalt 1/2" 18v impact goes for about $140 or so.
Looks like you want electric, but cordless might be a better deal.
Kevin
I have Dewalt 18 volt now and can find bare tool only deals on Ebay pretty cheap as I want to add tools.
The Dewalt 1/2" 18v impact goes for about $140 or so.
Looks like you want electric, but cordless might be a better deal.
Kevin
Last edited:
Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
I have and use the heck out of the DeWalt 1/2 18v cordless impact. Model #: DW059B
You can remove all 4 wheels from your vehicle, put them back on, take them off again, and put them back on all on one charge, and still have juice to do some other tasks. IMO as a weekend wrencher/shade tree mechanic, it's the best bang for the buck.
You can remove all 4 wheels from your vehicle, put them back on, take them off again, and put them back on all on one charge, and still have juice to do some other tasks. IMO as a weekend wrencher/shade tree mechanic, it's the best bang for the buck.
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
I've got the Harbor Freight model I used before I got a compressor. It still works fine. Hard to beat for $43...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45252
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45252
A29
Well-known member
I've got a Rockwell model 1040 that I got about 1975. Still workes great but its kinda hard to get in tight places and the cord need to be replaced.
DARKSCOPE001
Well-known member
What exactly are you trying to do? Because Different tools have different purposes. Personaly I have a love/hate relationship with my impact wrench. They make taking things off great. but if that bolt is seezed in there. Chances are you could easily break the bolt off inside the hole. Thus leaving you with a nice little project to do with an extractor or a drill bit. I use mine to take off hardwhare but never use it to put it back on. And my drill will only produce about 1400in/lb of tourqe. So its not super powerfull. I chose the Milwaukee 18v lithiom and I like it but like I said an impact wrench is not a "must have" I think there are many other usefull tools that could be had for much less money that an impact wrench. But if you must ask I love my makita and a decent combo of drill and impactor can be found on sale for about 199
GOOD LUCK
Sean Scott
GOOD LUCK
Sean Scott
Packard V8
Well-known member
FWIW, I've three older electric impact guns. The Milwaukee I got used in 1967 and have worked it ever since. At estate sales I picked up an IR and a B&D electric for $5 each. None of these oldies has the speed or the torque of a newer air gun. However, the price is right. Buy what you can afford now, sell it when you can afford better or the best.
Hint - on restorations a can of Kroil is your best friend. Go around and apply it to every thread on the vehicle. Then, when you do put a tool on a bolt, nut or screw, it should come out easier.
thnx, jack vines
Hint - on restorations a can of Kroil is your best friend. Go around and apply it to every thread on the vehicle. Then, when you do put a tool on a bolt, nut or screw, it should come out easier.
In my experience, the hammering of an impact will loosen some bolts/nuts which would have twisted off with a breaker bar. In this instance, the older, lower powered guns are sometimes better than the newer hell-guns.
thnx, jack vines
I am working on something almost every day - and I rarely even bother using my impact wrench. Actually, I haven't used it once since getting my new 80gal compressor 5 months ago.
So, if you don't even have an air compressor, I wouldn't bother. A good electric one is gonna be pretty expensive. I bought a cheap cordless one once..It was a joke.
So, if you don't even have an air compressor, I wouldn't bother. A good electric one is gonna be pretty expensive. I bought a cheap cordless one once..It was a joke.
That's the one I bought..This was about 5 years ago now. It wouldn't take lug nuts off.(and yes, the battery was fully charged) I returned it.
I would like a good cordless for junkyard runs..but I think you gotta spend atleast a few hundred for something decent.
Last edited:
nato
Well-known member
check out my short, yet positive review on my Craftsman C3 1/2" 19.2v cordless impact.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61903&highlight=craftsman+cordless+impact
It was $100, but I already had the charger form a 14.4v drill and picked up a fresh 19.2v ni-cad battery when they ran a $29.99 sale. It works great for small stuff, lug nuts, brake caliper/bracket bolts, suspension nuts/bolts, etc.
I would stay away from the corded Kobalt one that Lowe's sells. It has terrible reviews. I know Milwaukee, Makita & Bosch seems to make very good quality 3/8" cordless impacts, but I believe none of them new can be had for under maybe $250? I guess you still get what you pay for
I would say best bet for that identical corded style impact is DeWalt or Milwaukee (I believe that they're both under $200 as well)
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61903&highlight=craftsman+cordless+impact
It was $100, but I already had the charger form a 14.4v drill and picked up a fresh 19.2v ni-cad battery when they ran a $29.99 sale. It works great for small stuff, lug nuts, brake caliper/bracket bolts, suspension nuts/bolts, etc.
I would stay away from the corded Kobalt one that Lowe's sells. It has terrible reviews. I know Milwaukee, Makita & Bosch seems to make very good quality 3/8" cordless impacts, but I believe none of them new can be had for under maybe $250? I guess you still get what you pay for
I would say best bet for that identical corded style impact is DeWalt or Milwaukee (I believe that they're both under $200 as well)
WSMC633
Well-known member
I just picked up the CMAN 19.2v Cordless impact last week. It was like $89 with the sears sale. It's certainly not as nice as the SO.... But it will buzz lug nuts on and off my truck no problem. Which is pretty much what I bought it for was tasks like that. Working on bikes there are a few times an impact is really helpful so this should also eliminate dealing with the compressor for one nut etc. So anyway, totally happy with the purchase. Not sure how it would do on old rusty suspension bolts though.
As a Side note I grabbed the smaller Impact driver also from the same line. Love the damn thing. Use it all the time. Also was a great buy at like $140 for the driver, 2 batteries and charger. Having that already is why I picked up the 1/2" on sale.
As a Side note I grabbed the smaller Impact driver also from the same line. Love the damn thing. Use it all the time. Also was a great buy at like $140 for the driver, 2 batteries and charger. Having that already is why I picked up the 1/2" on sale.
I bought a corded HF for $32 on sale a year or so ago, works, but its big, heavy, and not a torque monster. ANY decent air impact will kick its torque, and be MUCH lighter and easier to use on a regular basis.
I disagree on the impact not being essential, it will take off things like pulley bolts that are a PITA to take off with anything non impact.
I disagree on the impact not being essential, it will take off things like pulley bolts that are a PITA to take off with anything non impact.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
I have the $45 HF model and a Dewalt corded and honestly I can't tell the difference between the two of them. The same thing goes for my HF 3/8" and 1/2" cordless impact guns. I have a dewalt 18 volt impact but the HF 1/2" cordless has been just as good. I drove in new ball joints into my Dana 44's knuckles last week with my HF corded impact and it did fine.