Electric impact

[Angry welder]

Hey guys, I have a few questions about the electric impacts. I am more concerned with the plug in type.

First when compared to a air impact how does the 1/2" electric do vs 1/2" air?

Second of everyone that has used them in the past and does not any more why did you decide to swap?

Third, if your still using one how has it held up over time?

I am thinking about buying one, I have all but moved away from air tools and I primarily use cordless for most of my stuff now, but I would like to consider an electric impact because I always have drop cords ran whenever I am working on something. I think it would be easier to plug in the corded one vs. dragging out an air line and an impact.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have an old B&D. I almost bough the new Kobalt..but did not.

Corded are big and clunky, and not as powerful as air. My old B&D has held up great...I used it in construction for lags and what not. Only thing it will fit in the auto world is lug nuts. And on my ton trucks I have to break the nuts loose anyways..so I just use my M12 to zip off/on after that.

I never use corded anymore. And if I ever do construction again for a side job, I'll just take my 2135timax since the compressor will be going anyways.

 

[MattPersman]

Corded have OK power, nothing special. Depends what you are doing most have the power to do lug nuts. I have not seen on that can make the power of a newer good cordless or a good air gun.

That being said many air impacts or cordless impacts vary in power.

The high torque cordless impacts of today are about the strongest things going like the 1/2" drive Milwaukee fuel 2763. No need for compressor or line.

It comes down to your needs and budget. The corded guns are very reliable. I have a dewalt that is many many years old, still works no problem but doesn't have anywhere near the power of my cordless or air.

 

[Badger 13]

I have an IR electric impact. When I did not have access to air it served me well. I used it on wheels. As others have said, they are big and clunky. Today with all of the battery powered impacts I would go in that direction if you can afford it. If you really want a electric impact, I would be more then willing to sell you mine....
Good luck with your choice.

Jim

 

[bcradio]

Hey guys, I have a few questions about the electric impacts. I am more concerned with the plug in type.

First when compared to a air impact how does the 1/2" electric do vs 1/2" air?

Second of everyone that has used them in the past and does not any more why did you decide to swap?

Third, if your still using one how has it held up over time?

I am thinking about buying one, I have all but moved away from air tools and I primarily use cordless for most of my stuff now, but I would like to consider an electric impact because I always have drop cords ran whenever I am working on something. I think it would be easier to plug in the corded one vs. dragging out an air line and an impact.

So you had all these air tools and sold them? Or never had them in the first place?

If you still have air impacts, I'd hang on to them for when you need a smaller package to get in tight spots. Then you can supplement that with an electric.

 

[3xpendable]

My electric impact is mega old and It acts like it. I have given up on it and use my DeWalt 20v 3/8 impact. It's taking off lugs to fifth wheel pin box's. I plane to get the compact 1/2 as well. Would love the big 1/2 but can't find it in bare tool with hog ring

All electric impacts I have used are really slow and heavy. Damn thing will wear you out taking lug nuts off if it even breaks them loose.

 

[ken w.]

I have an older Craftsman electric corded impact , a Craftsman Professional series electric impact and an IR 231 air impact and others. The electric impacts don't even compare to the air impacts. I don't think there is a difference in any electric impact you buy now. My craftsman Pro series is just about identical to the DeWalt and a few others I looked at at Home Depot. Just about all are rated at 250 FT. Pounds of torque. They are handy to take with you or use when you don't feel like pumping up the compressor. For lug nuts , you still have to break them loose.

 

[devoncoolman]

For power theres no comparison to todays air tools you can't even match or come close to their power. The new 18v variety of lithium battery impacts is impressive between the new milwaukee fuel, mac, snap-on, & dewalt models are all great tools and more powerfull and versital then any of the corded variety.

 

[rapid robert]

I have an ancient Milwaukee corded 1/2 impact. It is an all aluminum body, i t belonged to my grandfather and I have had it for more than 25 years...my guess is 30 or more years old. I use air impacts for cars and use the electric for construction like lags and carriage bolts where it has plenty of juice.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

Had an electric 1/2" impact years ago, wouldn't turn much, definitely not lugs. Scored a brand new Dewalt (looked exactly the same just different color) several years later. Quite a bit stronger but nothing that would turn a lugnut for sure.

 

[scw1991]

I purchased the corded Milwaukee 1/2" impact recently and it buzzes lug nuts off my truck just as fast if not faster than my IR231c coupled to a two stage 80 gallon compressor. Definitely a little bulky though....

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I too have the Milwaukee. They are available used for little $$ and work very well, IMO. The plus to it is the speed, convenience, one trigger goes both directions, and it has adequate power for most jobs.

The down side is it only has one torque setting (wide open!), is almost too fast, and is heavy. All things considered I definitely recommend it if an elec. outlet is handy.

 

[sberry]

They are better than nuthin and handy when there isn't air, They do not have the power of a hard hitting air gun but the main reason I don't care for electric and battery for that matter,,, especially for wheel work is they are not adjustable and its really difficult to some extent to tell how hard they are hitting. You can vary the speed with air and watch socket rotation and I can come really close and consistent.
Here is where speed kills and not a good idea. We spin lugs on slowly with penetrating spray for lube, zipping them on or off is a bad idea and is often the root cause of seizure on fine threads, speed makes heat and pressure welds them to the stud.

 

[scw1991]

The Milwaukee 9072-20 I purchased has the variable speed trigger, so it performs like a pnuematic gun

 

[Angry welder]

Hey guys, thanks for all of the input. I do have a matco and IR impact and they are both great tools, and have served me well, and I am not replacing them with electric, only wanting to supplement. I have quiet a bit invested in Makita 18v Lithium ion tools, and I am really surprised to hear that they have comparable power to the air tools. I love my 1/4 driver and doing construction work (HVAC) it was really abused and held up great so I may go that route, and if not it seems like its a Milwaukee corded for me then.

 

[FMC1959]

If you like your Makita cordless, go for this
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014YVA1O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At 325 ft/lbs, should handle just about anything and no more hose or cord, great reviews also.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Got one, an old Dewalt. Gutless compared to air impacts, but l keep it around for working on combines. Air impacts stir up a lot of itchy dust off them, and make a mess of the shop.
If I can get by with an electric for this, I use it.