Torque Wrench vs Cordless impact tool

[katiexoxo]

I was wondering.. what's the point of torque wrenches when a cordless impact tool can do the same thing? For example on many Makita tools you can adjust the torque to be applied. I don't own a Makita impact wrench but I assume it also has this (drivers do).
Torque wrenches are expensive and they need recalibration. Cordless tools don't and are a bit cheaper if you already own batteries.

 

[Tony G]

I wouldn't trust any power tool over a quality torque wrench. There are many applications that are too critical to use just a Makita on.

 

[General Geoff]

Impact wrenches can ballpark a torque figure, but to get anything close to a specified number, you need an actual torque wrench.

 

[T45]

Yeah, the answer is the one unit is calibrated and the other is not. Intuitively speaking as well another issue is the momentum of the impact/gun makes it riskier to blowe thru a torque level even if the thing is pretty close. That is a concern using a manual wrench as well, but alot easier to manage with correct technique.

 

[Parabellum]

Simply I wouldn't trust a power tool to properly tighten an important fastener otherwise a wheel is going to fall off or something will break.

 

[texasprd]

Would you use a cordless impact to tighten transmission valve body bolts, which are torqued in in-lbs? Too much torgue and you strip the threads in the aluminum case. Too little, and you may have cross-leaks between the fluid passages in either the valve-body or case - and unwanted side effects like clutch-packs and/or bands for two gears being mysteriously applied at the same time...

Use a torque wrench where precise, accurate torqueing is required!!!

 

[KMdef9]

Aside from them having only three choices, the torque would vary from tool to tool, how much battery power you have and how old the motor is. Way too inconsistent for anything that requires specific torque. Making them a terrible choice for torque specific applications.

 

[1950mercury]

Do some research they don't do the same thing at all

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

There are some that do, and they cost thousands.

 

[Adam.C]

Just finished a wheel bearing job on my VW. Whole wheel hub gets replaced. Almost every fastener had a torque-angle spec. Not only did I need a torque wrench, I needed one that could measure the angle.

Not stirring the pot I promise. But if you are confused about the difference between a torque wrench and an impact please take up another hobby or occupation before you hurt someone.

 

[Marlin]

I would be surprised to see an impact that has better than +/- 20% capability.

 

[T45]

I would be surprised to see an impact that has better than +/- 20% capability.

Yep. useful when what you need is to snug some bolts down withou risking catastrophic failure. but not useful or repeatable enough to be final torque for precision work.

 

[pi_guy]

Yep. useful when what you need is to snug some bolts down withou risking catastrophic failure. but not useful or repeatable enough to be final torque for precision work.

If you spend the proper amount of money it could work.
The example I cite is F1 and tire changes done in seconds and 1 nut retains wheel. Too little it falls off to much and you break something.

 

[Adam.C]

If you spend the proper amount of money it could work.
The example I cite is F1 and tire changes done in seconds and 1 nut retains wheel. Too little it falls off to much and you break something.

An F1 wheel is nothing like a passenger car. The rotor is screwed to the wheel hub with a ton of screws like an a/c brake. 4 studs extend out of the hub and correspond to holes in the wheels to transfer the torque. The wheel nut just keeps the wheel pressed against the hub. The nuts are super light weight and probably disposable. They look nothing like a normal fastener. Google it.

Really experienced guys can use impacts and get fairly even preload across a number of fasteners with them. But nothing like a torque wrench can do. For non-rotating joints like wheel backers, it might be okay to snug them down and given them an extra bump with the gun. Lugs, cv joints, heads, water pumps, anything rotating or with a gasket, you really must must use a torque wrench. And its important to learn how to do this correctly. I think guys get this stuff wrong and cars wear out sooner than they should.

 

[Marlin]

If you spend the proper amount of money it could work.
The example I cite is F1 and tire changes done in seconds and 1 nut retains wheel. Too little it falls off to much and you break something.

The F1 impacts I have seen were just 3/4" impacts with no torque control. Most use Dino Pali tools, although there was a IR 2141 that was targeted for the application but never got much traction.

 

[Z2V]

Is the battery fully charged or darn near dead? Makes a big difference in the torque delivered. The guns used in Motorsports are pnuematic with a constant regulated air supply not an old dead battery.

 

[K-Dog]

two total different tools.
Two totally different tasks.

 

[Z2V]

Yes, torque wrenches and cordless impacts are indeed totally different tools.

 

[jdlong]

Like others say, I would never use an impact to torque anything down with the exception of sheet metal screws and what not. The accuracy just isn't there. Especially fasteners where the torque specs are engineered to take advantage of maximum elastic properties of the threads and/or part for permanent clamp down pressure. The peaks of the hammer action, which are beyond spec, will overstress things.

 

[torqueman2002]

Depending on the cordless impact, over-torque is a real danger. ie: Milwaukee 2763-22 M18 1/2" Inch Impact Wrench with up to 700 ft-lbs of maximum fastening torque, up to 1,100 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque.

I use a torque-stick with the above to tighten wheel nuts, followed by a SO torque wrench.

Be safe, your life and those of others can depend upon what you do.