I have several prevailing torque fasteners on my medium duty truck that are final torqued in excess of 300 ft lbs. I don't know what the prevailing torque is, but it is too tough for all of my current (Chinese) pneumatic, as well as plug in electric impact guns.
I need a POWERFUL impact wrench, that is COMPACT. I don't necessarily care about lightweight, as I don't use it all day every day, but I DO care about compactness, as I need to fit the gun in tight places to get at the fasteners. The spaces are so tight, it took me an hour to undo one bolt, due to the limited amount of swing clearance that the 3 foot long cheater pipe had. And that pipe was needed for the entire unscrewing of the bolt, not just to break it loose, as the bolt was prevailing torque, and factory pre loaded with Loctite thread sealant.
To get compactness, it looks like I'll need to go with pneumatic. In the old days, I'd turn to brand names like Chicago Pneumatic or Ingersoll Rand... but none of the old brand names can be counted on for quality tools today based on name alone. It seems that each specific tool must be evaluated individually, on it's own merit. Not even country of origin can offer assurance of quality or capability. But a collection of user experiences can at least offer an indication of what to expect.
So I'm turning to you... what are the most powerful, and most compact, impact wrenches that I should consider? I don't care new or used, but if used, then there needs to be an active rebuild parts inventory available.
I can't think of a better forum to ask this question on, so I look forward to your advice. Thanks!
I need a POWERFUL impact wrench, that is COMPACT. I don't necessarily care about lightweight, as I don't use it all day every day, but I DO care about compactness, as I need to fit the gun in tight places to get at the fasteners. The spaces are so tight, it took me an hour to undo one bolt, due to the limited amount of swing clearance that the 3 foot long cheater pipe had. And that pipe was needed for the entire unscrewing of the bolt, not just to break it loose, as the bolt was prevailing torque, and factory pre loaded with Loctite thread sealant.
To get compactness, it looks like I'll need to go with pneumatic. In the old days, I'd turn to brand names like Chicago Pneumatic or Ingersoll Rand... but none of the old brand names can be counted on for quality tools today based on name alone. It seems that each specific tool must be evaluated individually, on it's own merit. Not even country of origin can offer assurance of quality or capability. But a collection of user experiences can at least offer an indication of what to expect.
So I'm turning to you... what are the most powerful, and most compact, impact wrenches that I should consider? I don't care new or used, but if used, then there needs to be an active rebuild parts inventory available.
I can't think of a better forum to ask this question on, so I look forward to your advice. Thanks!