Impact wrench questions.
- Thread starter Coach James
- Start date
Reading is Fundamental n chit
Ah - my bad. Shows me to be reading forums, watching YT, and working at the same time!
That's what you get. Or whatever.Ah - my bad. Shows me to be reading forums, watching YT, and working at the same time!
richfinn
Well-known member
It started sometime in the 80s as Alloy wheels became really popular (in Europe at least) to my recollection.
My Milwaukee cordless impact has a "wheel setting" that prevents over torquing the wheel bolts/nuts (I believe it is 37nm), you can gun up the bolts and finish to correct spec with a Torque wrench.
Accutorq Torque sticks were popular on pneumatic impacts, but cordless has more or less killed them off (due to inaccuracy).
Chit is way overrated, Lavar.Reading is Fundamental n chit
Wrench97
Well-known member
Keep in mine part of tire rotation is checking/adjusting air pressures in tires so you are already going to be slinging a air line around the car.
Air tools are more robust I haven't seen a new guy yet that hasn't dropped or knocked a impact gun off off a lift arm at least 10 times in the first month most battery tools won't survive that.
Tiny Jackson
Well-known member
Most oil pan drain bolts have a torque value of under 20ft lbs. EVERY battery and pneumatic impact wrench is overkill for oil drain pan bolts. I think the OP was more concerned about tire changes.
kniptastic
Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Messages
- 8
Milwaukee has many more mechanic specific tools than dewalt, and everyone has issues with battery durablity. In my expereience, outside of certain specific tools, the durability is mostly equivalent. I much preferred my battery impact over my pneumatic. The pneumatic is lighter and smaller, but for wheel/brake work the high-torque impacts are the way too go. Not fighting over an air line is positive as well. I'm sure the mid-torque is good enough for some driveway work, but the fewer times I have to go grab my 2ft 1/2 drive ratchet, the better. I'd pick up a set of "half" sized sockets to deal with swollen/missing lug nut caps too.
I have a quinn electric torque wrench and its been fine, but for wheel work, a high quality split beam is perfect. A crisp break is much faster than listening for a beep, or the mushy feel of the cheapo ones. I have a snap-on, but there are some cheaper ones available.
A set of wire brushes that can be chucked up in a drill is invaluable for cleaning caliper brackets as well. I've seen too many techs grind material off the pad ears because the grooves weren't properly cleaned. A good long handled flex 3/8 is also invaluable for getting tight caliper bracket bolts.
I have a quinn electric torque wrench and its been fine, but for wheel work, a high quality split beam is perfect. A crisp break is much faster than listening for a beep, or the mushy feel of the cheapo ones. I have a snap-on, but there are some cheaper ones available.
A set of wire brushes that can be chucked up in a drill is invaluable for cleaning caliper brackets as well. I've seen too many techs grind material off the pad ears because the grooves weren't properly cleaned. A good long handled flex 3/8 is also invaluable for getting tight caliper bracket bolts.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Speaking of pneumatic vs battery, it seems that battery-powered ones have come a long way in recent years and many techs dont bother using air anymore for most things. Though I think air can be more powerful.
It's my assumption that in the near future, air impacts will go completely extinct, because I assume air impacts are as powerful as they can ever be and have been as powerful as they could ever be for many years. They can only convert the input air pressure into power and unless air compressors are going to start banking higher PSI, we have maxed out what's possible.
But batteries are relatively limitless in how powerful they can get. The battery tech keeps improving and the battery impacts can keep getting more and more powerful.
I'm still waiting for an electric "air" hammer that comes anywhere close to the real thing. C'mon Milwaukee, take my money!
It's my assumption that in the near future, air impacts will go completely extinct, because I assume air impacts are as powerful as they can ever be and have been as powerful as they could ever be for many years. They can only convert the input air pressure into power and unless air compressors are going to start banking higher PSI, we have maxed out what's possible.
But batteries are relatively limitless in how powerful they can get. The battery tech keeps improving and the battery impacts can keep getting more and more powerful.
I'm still waiting for an electric "air" hammer that comes anywhere close to the real thing. C'mon Milwaukee, take my money!
joel63
Well-known member
Having to supply a 1/2" impact and a torque wrench right off the bat is a tough deal for a young guy.
My stepson was issued a 1/2" impact wrench as well as a Snap- on 1/2" torque when he was hired
The company takes care of getting the torque wrenches calibrated when needed.
Hopefully, he can find some affordable options.
scooby074
Well-known member
Why electric?
IR231 has been getting it done for literal decades. Cheap. Powerful enough. Durable. Lightweight. No batteries with all their associated issues. You can get the extended anvil version if you choose. Combine with a cheapish flip socket or conventional socket set and a PI Split Beam TW and hes in business.
IR231 has been getting it done for literal decades. Cheap. Powerful enough. Durable. Lightweight. No batteries with all their associated issues. You can get the extended anvil version if you choose. Combine with a cheapish flip socket or conventional socket set and a PI Split Beam TW and hes in business.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
I am strictly an amateur user. A guy who works on his own stuff for fun and friends/family sometimes to help them out. I use DeWallt myself but honestly the brand doesn't make a whole lot of difference. If your son wants Milwaukee then run with it. I don't know all the part numbers, but if you stick with the newest version a mid-torque will most likely do everything he needs it to do and be much lighter and handier in the bargain. I don't even own an electric high torque. If my mid torque can't do it (rare) then I have an air torque that will. And that will take me to my next point. I agree with the people that have said you get far better bang for the buck with a pneumatic impact gun. The flip side of that is that you loose convenience. That is just a decision that you/your son will have to make. If you do decide to go with air I am a big fan of the Astro Pneumatic compact guns.
For torque wrenches I use Precision Instruments and am happy with them. But I actively stay away from electronic torque wrenches because I use them so infrequently. Someone using them all day every day may likely come to a different decision.
For torque wrenches I use Precision Instruments and am happy with them. But I actively stay away from electronic torque wrenches because I use them so infrequently. Someone using them all day every day may likely come to a different decision.
I farm and have a farm shop. I actually like air tools when I'm in the shop. Out in the field, battery is really handy. I like using my 3/4 Thor and 3/8 Nano in the shop. A 1/2" mid torque would be a nice addition though. I wouldn't like packing a high torque around all day when the mid torque can handle most jobs and much lighter.
Side note, I think 1/2" drive high torque impacts have reached their peak usable torque for sockets. The drive end can't stand up to Dewalt's latest offering if you need max torque. I would like to see Dewalt come out with a new 3/4" drive.
Side note, I think 1/2" drive high torque impacts have reached their peak usable torque for sockets. The drive end can't stand up to Dewalt's latest offering if you need max torque. I would like to see Dewalt come out with a new 3/4" drive.
Jswain
Well-known member
Underrated comment. I always wanted to be a mechanic, and currently do some mechanic work on the side in my own shop, as well as all of my own work.
Been working as a mechanic for the last year at a golf course and ultimately wanted to get into an auto shop but at the wages/4 years it takes and having to buy a 2nd set of tools it just didn't make sense.
Enjoyed my year home but back to the patch with a new job. Will continue to do my side hustle when I'm home. And enjoy it more since I'm not doing it everyday
If he's dead set on being a mechanic try to steer him to HD or industrial depending on your area
JesSharTucker
Active member
Lol, all I ever did was work as a mechanic: Professional and DIY. Pay sucked. Same with driving OTR. Pay sucked. But then again, I went back-n-forth with both because I always loved them.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Who is making the money if the mechanics get paid ****? Is it the shop owners? Because when I had to pay to get some work done that I couldn't do myself on my sole primary car, the labor costs were obviously around $300 to $500/hour based on how much time I am pretty sure they spent on it. And the shop gets the upcharge on the parts that they REQUIRE you to buy from them, because "what if I bring them shoddy parts?" and now I blame them for installing it wrong.
Are the shop owners millionaires? Car repairs are so expensive someone is making the money if it's not the techs. Maybe it's Snap On making money on scanner license fees. Or the city on property taxes. Or maybe the landowner leasing the land to the shop. Someone is making a killing, and it's not the mechanics.
Are the shop owners millionaires? Car repairs are so expensive someone is making the money if it's not the techs. Maybe it's Snap On making money on scanner license fees. Or the city on property taxes. Or maybe the landowner leasing the land to the shop. Someone is making a killing, and it's not the mechanics.
Jswain
Well-known member
Same as everything, one number went up drastically over time and the smaller number went up a little bit.
Rick Hendrick owns everything.
OP
Coach James
Well-known member
Thanks for the responses.
I bought him the 2962. Home Depot had a deal this past week where you could get the tool plus two 6 Ah batteries and charger for $299 before taxes. That was cheaper than the Hercules Ultra Torque with an extra battery and within $30 of the Hercules mid-torque with a charger and two batteries.
The service manager said he is welcome to use one of the shops torque wrenches for longer than a couple weeks, if he prefers.
Just like some high schools have signing ceremonies for athletes that commit to a university, his does the same for high achieving CTE students that have plans in place for after they graduate. He is going to the local community college in the fall to begin his associates degree in auto tech. His school held a signing ceremony for him, and two other auto tech students, this past Thursday. His auto tech teacher was there, said many nice things about his work ethic, dependability, knowledge, etc. A rep from the community college was there and welcomed him to the CC. The service manager from the dealership also attended, welcomed him to the dealership and said what their plans were for him.
He'll be part time until graduation, full time over the summer then back to part time when he starts at the CC. Over the summer, in addition to the lube/tire shop, he will work with a senior tech for 6 weeks. Service manager said that they would talk with him about going to Toyota and/or Hyundai specific training, but I already forgot what the timeline was for that.
And I found out 20 minutes ago that he starts work on in two days, after school.
I bought him the 2962. Home Depot had a deal this past week where you could get the tool plus two 6 Ah batteries and charger for $299 before taxes. That was cheaper than the Hercules Ultra Torque with an extra battery and within $30 of the Hercules mid-torque with a charger and two batteries.
The service manager said he is welcome to use one of the shops torque wrenches for longer than a couple weeks, if he prefers.
Just like some high schools have signing ceremonies for athletes that commit to a university, his does the same for high achieving CTE students that have plans in place for after they graduate. He is going to the local community college in the fall to begin his associates degree in auto tech. His school held a signing ceremony for him, and two other auto tech students, this past Thursday. His auto tech teacher was there, said many nice things about his work ethic, dependability, knowledge, etc. A rep from the community college was there and welcomed him to the CC. The service manager from the dealership also attended, welcomed him to the dealership and said what their plans were for him.
He'll be part time until graduation, full time over the summer then back to part time when he starts at the CC. Over the summer, in addition to the lube/tire shop, he will work with a senior tech for 6 weeks. Service manager said that they would talk with him about going to Toyota and/or Hyundai specific training, but I already forgot what the timeline was for that.
And I found out 20 minutes ago that he starts work on in two days, after school.
The 2962 was a good choice, especially with the 6.0 (or 3.0) batteries. I use one every day. I'm also a fan of the Precision Instruments split beam torque wrench for lube tech type work. The Icon one at HarborFreight looks identical but is $100 cheaper. Don't bother spending a lot of money on impact sockets. The cheap ones seem to hold up just as well as the premium brands.
Maddog3355
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2018
- Messages
- 128
I’ve seen more stuff tore up with big impacts from greenhorns not knowing how to use them. They are great for taking stuff apart but you need experience with them to put stuff back together and get it right. Most of us have walked before we ran and these guys starting out are using the big guns. Tell him to make sure the direction it’s traveling before he uses it on a drain plug!!!!
seber
Well-known member
I went through several clicker type torque wrenches before I bit the bullet and bought split beams. Sure wish I had done that sooner. Mine are Precision Instrument, but I'd bet the Icon are just fine. For use in a tire shop they would be perfect. Never worry about breakage or loss of accuracy.
OP
Coach James
Well-known member
Thanks again guys.
The impact is for tires, drain plugs will get a ratchet and socket. The service manager suggested the Icon torque wrench. There are several guys at the dealership using them now.
Coach
The impact is for tires, drain plugs will get a ratchet and socket. The service manager suggested the Icon torque wrench. There are several guys at the dealership using them now.
Coach
richfinn
Well-known member
I've made a little bit of money as a Mechanic over the years, it's bought me a couple of houses some nice cars and motorbikes and a fancy overseas vacation once or twice every year for the past 30 odd years.
But mostly I do it because I enjoy screwing around with vehicles and tools instead of getting a proper paying career and becoming "a good little capitalist consumer" like everybody else. Nearly 100% of my friends are either auto/bike mechanics or shop owners.
I doubt I will ever live like a King (nor would I want to) but I would do it again (albeit a bit differently.)
To be honest it's more of a hobby than a job for me now (my bosses more or less leave me alone and tend to be guys I have helped on the way up to management level), and I can live with that quite happily
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LexusLover
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2022
- Messages
- 367
honestly with what ive seen on torque test channel i think he will be fine with the Pittsburgh 1/4" and 3/8" torque wrenches then spend a little more to get a !/2" that goes up to 250 lbs/ft. I think you can get the craftsman one for around $100
then i would recommend getting him the Ryobi p262 impact wrench and a couple of batteries and a charger. i think the bare tool is $159 right now and a 2 pack of 6 ah batteris is $150 then you can get a charger for not too much. but its way cheaper than milwaukee. or the ridgid high torque is 199 for a kit with one 4ah max output batery but that is a lot of gun for just tires and basic starter tech stuff. youll have to drill it into his head to keep that thing on setting number one unless he wants to learn the hard way and have to drill or melt out bolts after snapping their heads off.
if you want to get him an icon torque wrench then get him the !/2" split beam. and if you want to get him an impact from hf with the best warranty then get a hercules gun but the Ryobi one plus HP impacts are really just great bang for the buck and come with a decent 3 year warranty. ive dropped mine in a bucket of ATF fully submerged and puled it out immediately pressing the trigger to spin any extra fluid out of the motor and its still kicking to this day. ryobi is made by tti and yes milwaukee is their highest quality brand but they make great tools in every brand they sell and the High performance ryobi tools are just the best bang for the buck out there especially if tou can get them on a sale. its a shame there is no ryobi days deal with the p262 only the 3/8" compact impact wrench which is underwhelming
as for impact sockets for the gun i would very highly recommend this set from amazon. its a damn bargain and comes with all the sizes needed for toyota (and really any vehivle after the late 1970's) besides a 12 point 32mm for axel nuts but amazon has a neiko one for a good price
shakenfake
Well-known member
Why wouldn't you just spend the sixty extra dollars and buy the CDI over the Icon?
Home Depot has hooked me a few times as well.
OP
Coach James
Well-known member
Thanks Lexus. I like the sockets you linked. As to an impact, post 59, I had already gotten him a Milwaukee. I saved the sockets in my Amazon cart.
Coach
OP
Coach James
Well-known member
I know you're all wondering so I'll give you an update on my son's first days of work. He worked this past week after school until 6pm when the Quicklane closes. Shop stops taking in customers at 5:30. Yesterday was senior day at his HS, but he opted to go work a full day instead. Attendance wasn't required at school. Another full workday today. They do not have to clock out for lunch and can take up to an hour. On Saturdays, the dealership buys lunch for any employees that want it. Today they had Smithfield BBQ.
Coach
Coach
he will be fine as a tech. but after 5 years he should start looking to get into industrial, heavy equipment, heavy duty trucks, or fleet work. a buddy of mine made well for himself for years at a local honda dealer as a master tech, but he worked as much as possible and did side work as well. he is now on his 2nd fleet job for a large power company, previously worked as a fleet tech for a large telco. the pay is WAY better, they work less and there is no issue flagging hours because your salary and no customers to decline your work.
I was a B/C tech for a bit as well as a tow truck operator. I wound up using the pay to put me thru school and get my BS. Im now an insurance adjuster and make way more for less actual work.
I was a B/C tech for a bit as well as a tow truck operator. I wound up using the pay to put me thru school and get my BS. Im now an insurance adjuster and make way more for less actual work.
OP
Coach James
Well-known member
He has talked about fleet work for down the road, both at the local utility and a major hospital/medical chain that has operations in this region of the state. For now, he is trying to book as many hours as possible before starting tech school in August. He is looking to book ~20 hours a week after school begins.
Yesterday, the service manager took all the techs and Express lube guys to lunch at a steak house. Steak was off the menu, but everything else was fair game.
He also sent me a pic of the Snap On box the dealership provides for each tech. They look like 7022's. Looks like they also give each one two end cabinets.
scooby074
Well-known member
OP
Coach James
Well-known member
Yep. My son laughed about steak being off the menu but the service manager forgot to tell them no alcohol. He buys lunch for the Saturday crew every week so I guess they're trying to be nice but not a $500 steak house bill nice.Its nice to feel appreciated.