High impact wrench

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mlc2000

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After a recent experience, i've been thinking about getting a high impact wrench to only untighten anything that a mechanic torqued the heck out of. Are they expensive? Worth the price? Are the electric ones as powerful as the air compressed ones?
 
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My dad swears by this Dewalt 20v one, as do nearly all the people that reviewed it. Is it expensive? Sounds pretty cheap if it removes a bolt you couldn't otherwise remove with ease and about the same price as an air powered one.

Powerful? 700ft lbs with 1200 ft lbs of breakaway..... This should, will, take care of anything you throw at it.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF89...sr=1-2&keywords=dewalt+1+2+inch+impact+wrench


:laser:
 
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ingersoll rand so far has been my favorite brand of impacts and most air tools, Ive had the 3/8" the 1/2" and 3/4" never had any issues, sold the 3/8 and 1/2" when I bought my IR 20v impact because I was dumb and didn't think I needed air any more. I do now have a 1/2" matco which is the same as the IR just red and more expensive but got a great deal on the truck because it was repoed and rebuilt and was cheaper then the IR. My 3/8" is some other matco I think is made by Florida something and I'm pretty impressed with it, very high reving tool. now my electric Impact I love, very handy but even tho it has the same exact ratings as my air impact it was never as strong as air, could be shop air was at 110 psi not 90. I would say invest in a good quality impact, always oil it and grease it every now and then and there is no reason it wont last you a very long time, unless it gets ran over.
 
I'll put my 2 cents in...

In my opinion, a battery powered 1/2" impact is worth it's weight in gold in an offroad truck! Heck, in any vehicle really. I have this gun: https://store.snapon.com/CT8850-Ser...onsterLithium-18-V-1-2-Drive-US--P855043.aspx
(I actually have the 1/4" and 3/8" battery powered impacts also)

I've used it numerous times on and off-road and I wouldn't go without it now. When we travel in my wife's car, I always take it with us. I won't say one brand is better than another, but plan to spend at least $400 on one with 2 batteries that's strong and will last.
 
jfry008 said:
I use this one:
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless 1/2 in. High Torque Wrench with Free M18 18-Volt XC 5.0Ah Battery 2763-22-48-11-1850 at The Home Depot - Mobile

The batteries last a long time.
I normally use a breaker bar to bust loose bolts though.
Also, a small propane torch if the nuts are being real stubborn.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Worthington-Pro-Grade-Self-Igniting-Torch-Kit/17128613
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"1,100 ft. lbs. of nut-busting torque" :shocked:
 
I recieved a harbor freight electric impact wrench for fathers day about 10 years ago. It used it a few times a month, it hasn't skipped a beat and is nice because I don't have to have a huge compressor to run it.

My ryobi 18v impact wrench does the trick too

But there are times when a 30" breaker bar with a piece of pipe works the best
 
I'll second the Milwaukee posted above. I had a 36" breaker bar explode on me when trying to pull the hub nuts one day... That was the day I bought it. It pulled that same nut off without breaking a sweat. I also carry the thing in my tool bag when I go wheeling... just in case.
 
20V Dewalt 1/2 drive used here. It's awesome. Not quite as much power as the big old air power units my dad had growing up but that's what cheater bars are for every once in a great while. It's spun off every nut and bolt on the 4runner that I needed it to, except the frozen LCA bolts, and it has a handy dandy light that shines right where you need to see! I've been running it on moderate use backyard mechanic duty for 3 years. I don't know how much it originally cost since it was a gift (proof that someone loved me at one point in my life :laugh:) but I'm sure it was worth it. Batteries last a long time and interchange with my other cordless tools too for convenience.
 
18V Dewalt 1/2" Drive here. I bought it 7-8 years ago and use it pretty often. Still on the original batteries.

I highly suggest getting a battery powered impact, no matter the brand. Mine is my all time favorite tool.
 
In the shop, the Harbor Freight electric impact works fine for just about everything. And for about $50, you can't go wrong.
 
I used a Craftsman 19.2V C3 1/2" impact wrench for my suspension swap. It's listed as 200 ft-lb of torque. Not as heavy duty as some of the others out there, but it spun off all the bolts, including lower ball joints and sway bar. I didn't have to break any bolts loose first either. You can pick one up at Sears for $90.
 
Whatever route you go, it will pretty much change your life after you take off your first tire. I had a sh** eaten grin right after.
 
slimjj said:
I used a Craftsman 19.2V C3 1/2" impact wrench for my suspension swap. It's listed as 200 ft-lb of torque. Not as heavy duty as some of the others out there, but it spun off all the bolts, including lower ball joints and sway bar. I didn't have to break any bolts loose first either. You can pick one up at Sears for $90.
Click to expand...

The Craftsman C3 impact (new and old) looks identical to the Ryobi impact guns. Some reviews say it is, just different colors. Others have said it comes out of the same overseas factory.

If you're a homeowner, go with whichever cordless impact that'll match the batteries you might already have to save you some money. I bought the newer Ryobi 3spd Impact rated for 300 forward ft lbs as I have a few of their cordless tools and batteries. Used it for tires, suspension, the deck, and everything else that needs a little more uummph. No bolt it hasn't been able to persuade yet.
 
Dropzone said:
I recieved a harbor freight electric impact wrench for fathers day about 10 years ago. It used it a few times a month, it hasn't skipped a beat and is nice because I don't have to have a huge compressor to run it.

My ryobi 18v impact wrench does the trick too

But there are times when a 30" breaker bar with a piece of pipe works the best
Click to expand...

I was using a large breaker bar and a 10' pipe and still could not get the nut off. That's what prompted me to start looking at an impact wrench.
 
mlc2000 said:
I was using a large breaker bar and a 10' pipe and still could not get the nut off. That's what prompted me to start looking at an impact wrench.
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What bolt are you trying to get off that a 10' cheater pipe couldn't break loose or snap the head off? Might need to use the blue wrench a drill and tap. If you cant break it loose with that much leverage then there is no way an electric impact will break it lose or even a 1/2" air impact will
 
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Ralphman said:
What bolt are you trying to get off that a 10' cheater pipe couldn't break loose or snap the head off? Might need to use the blue wrench a drill and tap. If you cant break it loose with that much leverage then there is no way an electric impact will break it lose or even a 1/2" air impact will
Click to expand...

Agreed. Could also use some heat.
 
mlc2000 said:
I was using a large breaker bar and a 10' pipe and still could not get the nut off. That's what prompted me to start looking at an impact wrench.
Click to expand...

With 100 lbs of force and 10', you're looking at 1000 ft-lb of torque. Not sure an impact wrench can do any better than that.
 
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