Thor Model 60 Electric Impact Wrench

[Maui]

I just picked up this Thor impact wrench yesterday along with a Wilton bullet vise with 3” wide soft jaws and a Baldor 3/4 hp electric motor. I rarely come across elctric impact wrenches, and this one looks like it might be quite old. But it seems to run just fine. I’ll be replacing the electrical cord later on today, clean it up, and put it back to work. I was wondering if anyone here has the same or similar impact wrench from Thor that they’ve used? Thor equipment doesn’t seem to be that common around here.

 

[seber]

My memory is a bit foggy on Thor but I believe they killed the name in the 60s after a few buyouts. There can't have been many of those made.

 

[Maui]

Thanks Seber. I was able to find a sales catalog of Thor tools, and it’s pretty interesting to see the range of tools that they offered back then.

 

[Ign]

Yeah I had their electric "die grinder" which was more like a straight body grinder. Crazy heavy and honestly not that powerful.

These old tools are a cool piece of history but not that practical for everyday use IMO

edit: forgot I had their angle grinder, too. REALLY heavy and slow

 

[Maui]

I only paid $20 for the impact wrench kit, and figured that wasn’t too bad. And since I got the Wilton vise for such a good price it made it a very good deal overall. I will try this wrench on the lug nuts on my car as a test and see how it performs. If it can’t even loosen those, then it may not be of much use to me.

 

[Cruzan80]

Let me know how it goes. I just got the same impact at an estate sale thrown in free. Turns out the cord had been worn where it entered the body enough so the wires splut. Two minues with a set of cutters and crimpers, and running again (cord is just 6" shorter). Figure for the price, worth stashing in a drawer for later.

Sent from my Phone 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RTM]

At the International tool catalog archive, none of the Thor catalogs have a model 60 impact wrench, EW6 was the standard. Does not appear in 1945, last catalog is 1959. Maybe it’s post 1960 under a different name?

 

[Maui]

I didn’t see this particular model listed in the catalog that I viewed either. It could be from the 1960s for all I know. But it still works well enough to be useful I think.

 

[wrenchguy]

Here's a Thor jobsite generator i refurbed few years back. Its Clinton powered circa 58/59. These didn't last long running at 3600 rpm. I got a brochure showing it and some other tools. I'll ck if anything like previous postings tool are listed.

 

[toddmorr]

reminds me of an old Porter Cable belt sander from the 50s i found. Massive, unbelievably heavy, to the point where you wonder how those guys could use it.

 

[zkling]

If you are use to modern pneumatic or battery impacts, you will be disappointed with a corded one, especially an older corded one.

Thor made all sorts of industrial power tools. A bit out dated by today's standards.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1985

reminds me of an old Porter Cable belt sander from the 50s i found. Massive, unbelievably heavy, to the point where you wonder how those guys could use it.

Insert 'back when men were men'.

 

[Maui]

Let me know how it goes. I just got the same impact at an estate sale thrown in free. Turns out the cord had been worn where it entered the body enough so the wires splut. Two minues with a set of cutters and crimpers, and running again (cord is just 6" shorter). Figure for the price, worth stashing in a drawer for later.

Sent from my Phone 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Well I just used it to loosen the lug nuts on my Toyota Avalon. It didn't have any problem. They came off easily. I don't know how much torque this impact wrench puts out, but it's got to be over 100 ft-lbs because that was what they were torqued to minimum last fall. I think this may end up being a handy tool to have around!

Maui

 

[Cruzan80]

Cool, Outback is due for an oil change and tire rotation any day now, so I figured I would try it out on that. I have a cordless Porter Cable 20V and an air impact, but figured it would be a fun project to try and restore. Once I figured out the cord issue, was a no-brainer to try it out.

 

[ilTrust]

I just picked up this Thor impact wrench yesterday along with a Wilton bullet vise with 3” wide soft jaws and a Baldor 3/4 hp electric motor. I rarely come across elctric impact wrenches, and this one looks like it might be quite old. But it seems to run just fine. I’ll be replacing the electrical cord later on today, clean it up, and put it back to work. I was wondering if anyone here has the same or similar impact wrench from Thor that they’ve used? Thor equipment doesn’t seem to be that common around here.

Picture I just viewed is the same as the one I have..

 

[ilTrust]

The Thor Impact Wrench is indeed heavy but it was used in our automotive garage in the 50s and a real workhorse!!!
In the late 60s I put a heavier spring to increase the impact pressure. The switch gave out several times but I ended up rebuilding it along with what everyone else noticed- the rotten, cracked power cord.... Also turned the rotor to dress up the commutator and replaced the brushes in the early 70s... Rebuilt engines, transmissions and more and it still performs Fantastic!
Loaned it to a friend recently to remove the bolts on his Porsche 914 flywheel that were rusted in place.... He said it amazed him how easily it broke the bolts loose.... That's how I found this site while looking for a similar Thor Impact Wrench to give him as a gift.....
Over 60 years on this tool and it has never failed to amaze me!

 

[Thegman]

I just picked up this Thor impact wrench yesterday along with a Wilton bullet vise with 3” wide soft jaws and a Baldor 3/4 hp electric motor. I rarely come across elctric impact wrenches, and this one looks like it might be quite old. But it seems to run just fine. I’ll be replacing the electrical cord later on today, clean it up, and put it back to work. I was wondering if anyone here has the same or similar impact wrench from Thor that they’ve used? Thor equipment doesn’t seem to be that common around here.

I have one that I bought about 50 years ago. Was my favorite impact tool. Brushes needed for it as well as a new cord. Am trying to locate parts for it to put it back to use. So, if you happen to learn of anyone having one for sale or parts let me know. [email protected]

 

[Maui]

I have one that I bought about 50 years ago. Was my favorite impact tool. Brushes needed for it as well as a new cord. Am trying to locate parts for it to put it back to use. So, if you happen to learn of anyone having one for sale or parts let me know. [email protected]

Will do. I’ve used it several times already, and it has come in VERY handy.

 

[Showkey]

Here’s an IR electric impact that sits in the corded tool box that never gets used
To be fair it’s sits next to two air impacts that don’t see much use if any
It did see service years back and was purchased years back.
For power reference…….it would not touch a Honda crank bolt while Milwaukee 2767-20 popped it loose in 2-3 seconds.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have my Father's old Pre-War 1/2 inch Thor Drill. Low RPM , High torque drill. I use it mix thinset and grout for tile. The fact its not double insulated, makes me use it less.

 

[vincehardage]

I just picked up this Thor impact wrench yesterday along with a Wilton bullet vise with 3” wide soft jaws and a Baldor 3/4 hp electric motor. I rarely come across elctric impact wrenches, and this one looks like it might be quite old. But it seems to run just fine. I’ll be replacing the electrical cord later on today, clean it up, and put it back to work. I was wondering if anyone here has the same or similar impact wrench from Thor that they’ve used? Thor equipment doesn’t seem to be that common around here.

Hi I’m looking for parts for my Thors Model 60 impact wrench.
I was guided here. I’m a newbie so please excuse my ignorance. It’s actually one of the bushings.

Thanks for any help.

 

[vincehardage]

I just picked up this Thor impact wrench yesterday along with a Wilton bullet vise with 3” wide soft jaws and a Baldor 3/4 hp electric motor. I rarely come across elctric impact wrenches, and this one looks like it might be quite old. But it seems to run just fine. I’ll be replacing the electrical cord later on today, clean it up, and put it back to work. I was wondering if anyone here has the same or similar impact wrench from Thor that they’ve used? Thor equipment doesn’t seem to be that common around here.

 

[vincehardage]

I ran across a Thors Model 60 impact wrench that I’m trying to clean up. Do you have a source for parts?

 

[vssjim]

I have a Sioux impact I bought in the seventies and relay they were popular before air tools took over starting in the late fifties and still used to see lots of them before portable compressors became so affordable.