School Me On Using Impact Wrenchs

[T45]

So, i've been thinking of making the leap into a cordless impact.

If I had $$$$$, I'd get the m12 fuel 3/8 impact wrench and the m12 fuel 1/2 drill and call it a day. But the cost

So, I'm looking at my options for using the hex (female) impact driver. I've seen a nice flip socket kit that gives 8-15mm in only 4x 12 point impact sockets. These are designed for repetitive low torque applications (like oil pans, etc). The other useful socket set I've seen is by Apex. Both of these are reasonably pricey. Least attractive to me is getting a standard 1/4 impact set.

Am I better off with cheapo impact sockets on an 3/8 square drive wrench? Saving space and weight in my box is a considertion, as it having a smaller tool, thinner side of normal impact sockets, and overall a good low cost out the door.

Any advice? And is there any technique difference in using hex vs suare drive? Should I even consider the 1/4 square wrench?

Thanks!!

 

[RedRabbit]

An impact driver doesn't put out nearly as much torque as an impact wrench for sockets. You can use an impact driver with a socket but it wont be very powerful. I recommend if you need to drive screws and bolts that you get both. A hex drive impact imho is better and works a it better. Get the Dewalt or Makita sets they are really good and the Makita hex-shanked are amazing. Good luck, and put pics up of whatever you get.

 

[Beemer533]

I've been beating the hell out of the 12V Dewalt 3/8 impact for about a year aand a half, and I love it. It has about the same torque as the Milwaukee and it costs about $125 on Amazon for the kit with 2 batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043XX89A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You won't be pulling lug nuts of with it, but it doesn't sound like that is what you are looking for..

 

[VersionOne]

The most important question is; what will you needing it for? General construction? Auto mechanics?

 

[T45]

The most important question is; what will you needing it for? General construction? Auto mechanics?

Trying to figure out how much its worth investing in 1/4 drive impact sockets (and adaptors) for it or If I should just go all in on a 3/8 square.

This is for general use on motors/general auto/machine screws, mostly fasteners 8 to 14mm. Maybe spinning off the occasional 17mm (don't mind using a breaker, but would be great to skip a long wind off).

Many bolts may also be loc-tited, so they are clean/waterprofed but a bit of a PITA to fully remove. The breakloose torques are fairly predictable as a result, tho

 

[Don 18]

If you are looking for a 3/8 drive metric impact set, have a look at Cripe Distribution on eBay.

9-19mm impacts Kobalt USA $18
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-11pc...ultDomain_0&hash=item5d4eecab6f#ht_576wt_1124
8mm impact Armstrong USA $1.35
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-4...Hand_Tools&hash=item5d3e6168c4#ht_2069wt_1124
6" impact extension Kobalt USA $3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-3-8-...Hand_Tools&hash=item4cf81bf42a#ht_1928wt_1124

Add everything to your cart and then request a shipping total. They are great to deal with.

 

[Voi]

This is for general use on motors/general auto/machine screws, mostly fasteners 8 to 14mm. Maybe spinning off the occasional 17mm (don't mind using a breaker, but would be great to skip a long wind off).

Many bolts may also be loc-tited, so they are clean/waterprofed but a bit of a PITA to fully remove. The breakloose torques are fairly predictable as a result, tho

Am I better off with cheapo impact sockets on an 3/8 square drive wrench? Saving space and weight in my box is a consideration...

[EDIT] Never mind. I misread your post. Sorry about that.

 

[T45]

Re: School Me On Using Impact Wrenches

Don18

^^^Those look great value

Helps offset some of the cost of new tool

Anybody use the little guys?

 

[T45]

I would go with a square drive wrench and then use a square to female hex adapter for when you want to use typical 1/4" impact driver bits.

If you run a 1/4" hex driver with an adapter it adds a lot of length. By using the square drive wrench directly with impact sockets you'll have a more compact setup overall.

The flip-socket setup in particular is not very lo profile. This is agood point.

The selling poing was it was only 4 pieces of socket and no extra tool

Those are pricey sockets tho.

 

[Voi]

One other thing about using the 1/4" hex driver for auto work is that their torque is biased towards tightening. An impact wrench, on the other hand, has its torque biased towards loosening. To what degree this is true I don't know. Simply repeating what others have said.

Do you already have a 1/4" hex driver?

 

[Jwych]

Just spend the money on the 3/8 you won't regret it!

 

[stikman56]

If you're wanting 3/8" cordless impact wrench torque,then look at ebay for Blue Point etb14438 or etb14438a or Snap-On CT4410A, both work great and hold up well and can be had for little if you're willing to wait and bid, etc. Just a thought. Maybe Milwaukee too, but I can't say as I haven't chased any of them on there.

 

[Jwych]

is there a reason you want 12v? if you bought this set you would have more torque on the impact and a 1/2 hammer drill with full size bats for $230


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-N...s-/181585077520?pt=Drills&hash=item2a47506510

 

[T45]

is there a reason you want 12v? if you bought this set you would have more torque on the impact and a 1/2 hammer drill with full size bats for $230

Yep, I got M12 drill/impact deal for $99

I can keep the 1/4 driver or trade it as part of the upgrade path to 3/8 square fuel. Just don't want to invest in the sokets/drivers without a gameplan and budget either way beforehand.

 

[Voi]

Yep, I got M12 drill/impact deal for $99

I can keep the 1/4 driver or trade it as part of the upgrade path to 3/8 square fuel. Just don't want to invest in the sokets/drivers without a gameplan and budget either way beforehand.

Get a cheap 1/4" hex to 3/8" square adapter and buy some 3/8" impact sockets. That way you'll have sockets regardless of what you end up doing.

Unless you mean the M12 set you got is still new in the box and you can return it?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

3/8" square drive M12 Fuel with the XC batteries is easily the best purchase I've made in years. As I've posted in other threads, it kept up with the Dewalt 18v and 20v impact drivers my coworkers were using at my last job, and the batteries outlasted them with constant use.

I still have my (non-fuel) impact driver, but this little Snap-On magnetic adapter is all I need now for using 1/4" hex bits (holds the stubby ones). Keeps it much shorter than the impact driver with the longer bits, and the magnet is STRONG.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271388135463?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[T45]

ihateminimumwage

Thanks for your post.Was really hopin I could pull it off with the hex driver, but everything I read seems to says the 3/8 square is "one and done", and trying to run the 1/4 versions is going to ultimately result in buying more gear and replacing more gear over time I already feel the slippery slope !!

Are the fuel 3.0XC batteries good to go with the 3/8 square? My starter kit should set me up with 2 of the small ones and one of the 3.0s. If I can get some decent deal on a 3/8 square bare tool and I have enough power to un that, I may go with that setup. I have some projects that the hex driver would be nice on, but I think if the square can do them wihout much hassle then I'm happier with that balance leading toward that direction.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Are the fuel 3.0XC batteries good to go with the 3/8 square? My starter kit should set me up with 2 of the small ones and one of the 3.0s. If I can get some decent deal on a 3/8 square bare tool and I have enough power to un that, I may go with that setup. I have some projects that the hex driver would be nice on, but I think if the square can do them wihout much hassle then I'm happier with that balance leading toward that direction.

All I run are the 3.0Ah XC batteries with my 3/8" Fuel. There is a noticeable difference between running it with those and the old small batteries (not the updated ones). I bought my 3/8" as a bare tool, and bought a 2 pack of the XC batteries when they were on sale as a 2 for 1 pack (as a think they are right now at Home Depot). I'm sure I could've found a better deal if I had waited, but it was worth every penny, and has saved me a ridiculous amount of time and work.

Those little Snap-On magnetic adapters are perfect to eliminate any need for an impact driver, and can't be beat for the quality and price.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It depends on what you want to use it for.

An impact driver is great for what it is designed to be used for, driving and removing screws. It works fine on most smaller (< 3/8") nuts and bolts with an adapter.

Most 3/8" impact wrenches are NOT capable of removing lug nuts or bolts bigger than 3/8". 1/2" required, maybe even a corded one (My trusty old CP would not get all the lug nuts on an F250 the other day. Torque spec on them was 150 ft-lb.)

 

[FMC1959]

All I run are the 3.0Ah XC batteries with my 3/8" Fuel. There is a noticeable difference between running it with those and the old small batteries (not the updated ones).

There should be no performance difference, they are the same voltage (10.8 actual). They will last longer, the Ah is the size of the "gas tank", but it is the same gas.

OP, 1/4" square drive (impact wrench, ) won't give you much compared to your M12 impact driver + adapter for sockets. Even the 3/8 Fuel has only a 1400 in/lb spec, which is about 116 ft/lb, not very much. This 12v is giving you the same performance any 18v impact driver will give you, which is not a lot for lug nuts...etc.

For bigger stuff, save your money and get something in the 18v/1/2"

If money is not an issue, getting the 3/8 or 1/4 wrenches are good for the small auto stuff like oil pans. Otherwise your impact driver and an adapter should get you by.

 

[T45]

Yeah, I was kind of hoping it would be good on stuff up to m10 or so, and then for the occasional larger screw/bolt it would speed up removals. I don't mind using a breaker bar, if I can zip off the fastener. I would normally have to switch up to a ratchet, from the breaker anyway, so was thinking maybe it would be great to spin them off with the screw driver / hex impact.

Definitely would not be trying to use the little guy to break-loose stuff > 50NM of spec'd torque. Main uses would be in the 10 to 30NM range instead.

If trying to save time spinning out smaller m6-m8 stuff do I need to give any special consideration to the sockets? Like broaching depth, magnetic and all that? Total newb question I know. The oil pan is not so bad becaus the angles are dropping bolts vertically (into your driver), But other cases exist where the working angle is not so easy.

 

[BK13]

I used to use a Snap On speeder for that before I got my M12 3/8"....


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