Looking into Electric Impac Wrench, do I need more than 180-190 ft lbs?

[kman79]

Considering investing in an IR W5150, max torque I believe is about 190 ft. lbs. For suspension/wheel hub removal, etc. will I need a stronger impact wrench than this? This is my first big investment on a tool, I could go with the 7150, but that thing is a beast and a lot larger in size.

Anyone have any input?

 

[Velonici]

Considering investing in an IR W5150, max torque I believe is about 190 ft. lbs. For suspension/wheel hub removal, etc. will I need a stronger impact wrench than this? This is my first big investment on a tool, I could go with the 7150, but that thing is a beast and a lot larger in size.

Anyone have any input?

Ive got a dewalt one that is rated at 110ft/lbs. It does OK for most things that I have already broken loose at some point. If its a nut or bolt that hasnt been moved since the truck was built then most electric ones wont do much. Hell I have a Snapon air impact rated at 800ft/lbs and it hasnt budged some bolts/nuts. Thats when a breaker bar with a 5ft pipe comes in handy.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

as it was noted above, for the majority of the bolts you'll be removing for the first time, any impact might have trouble. as long as you have a breaker bar to get stuff loose, the lower rated impact will probably be fine

 

[Brian3676]

I had the Craftsman C3 impact for years. Abused the hell out of the thing and it was still great. I still have it, just needs new batteries. You can get them on sale for $100 all the time

 

[radlynx]

I think you'll be fine with it. don't buy the battery operated ones since you'll not be using it all the time. I bought a corded one, the cheapeast that I could find during that time and was happy about it. I've used it so many times that I think it paid for itself. removing a tire is a breeze.

Considering investing in an IR W5150, max torque I believe is about 190 ft. lbs. For suspension/wheel hub removal, etc. will I need a stronger impact wrench than this? This is my first big investment on a tool, I could go with the 7150, but that thing is a beast and a lot larger in size.

Anyone have any input?

 

[bamma]

Consider an air impact wrench. I have had much better success with the air version. If you shop around you can get a good compressor for $150. Harbor Freight has a really good air impact wrench with 800 lbs of torque for $80.

 

[Yota_Noob]

That one should do the trick for most bolts. IR makes a good product, just make sure you grab a can or two of some pb blaster. Soak the bolts down an hour or so before you plan to remove them if you can

 

[RPS13]

It'll do 95% of the stuff you come across.

My Craftsmans C3 impact does it for most things I do, but every once in a while I need to pull out the 600 ft-lb IR air gun (which really starts working well when you put 130 psi on it...).

Cordless impacts are great though, totally makes working on cars easier. I'd get one over an air impact if I had to choose between the two.

 

[themuffinman619]

I've got this one.
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Bare-T...430794&sr=8-6&keywords=Dewalt+cordless+impact

Haven't any issues breaking anything loose with it.

 

[TORCH]

I bought the Harbor Freight special a few months ago, Chicago Electric electric impact gun for like $60. After letting it work for about 5-10 seconds on my Hub bolts it got them off. Can't think of anything torqued at more ft-lbs than those off the top of my head. Anyways, for the $ I am very surprised. We will see how it holds up.

 

[humbucker87]

If you're going to spend that much go ahead and get the IR that will last you a lifetime and never let you down, the Ingersoll Rand W7150. I've heard nothing but astounding reviews about it.

Otherwise, I've been decently happy with my $99 Craftsman impact. It definitely leaves something to be desired on tough bolts or when the battery gets low.

 

[Mike07SE]

I work in a shop were air tools are starting to dwindle in popularity use and the cordless tools are starting to take over. There are 2-3 guys that are split with Matco & Snap-On guns, but the rest of us have settled with the Milwaukee Fuel impact wrenches.

I've got this:
18-volt M18 FUEL? 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring tool only | Milwaukee Tool

It has 1100 ft-lbs of breaking torque and 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque. Works real well and the batteries are long lasting.

I've had Craftsman tools and while I've never really broken them, the batteries were always crap and the bigger cost item of the tool is always the battery. I'd rather have a battery last forever and the (cheaper) tool wear out. One of the best items I ever bought was one of the original Bosch Impactors over 7 years ago. A little tired, but still runs strong and the batteries still work just as well from day one.

 

[iBison]

I work in a shop were air tools are starting to dwindle in popularity use and the cordless tools are starting to take over. There are 2-3 guys that are split with Matco & Snap-On guns, but the rest of us have settled with the Milwaukee Fuel impact wrenches.

I've got this:
18-volt M18 FUEL? 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring tool only | Milwaukee Tool

It has 1100 ft-lbs of breaking torque and 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque. Works real well and the batteries are long lasting.

I've had Craftsman tools and while I've never really broken them, the batteries were always crap and the bigger cost item of the tool is always the battery. I'd rather have a battery last forever and the (cheaper) tool wear out. One of the best items I ever bought was one of the original Bosch Impactors over 7 years ago. A little tired, but still runs strong and the batteries still work just as well from day one.

I bought that for my son and he loves it. Uses it all the time and it's great for the junk yard. I would highly recommend this tool. He and I both also have the drill and small impact. He probably uses the smaller impact more than the larger working on cars for the sheer speed of getting things done and it uses the same battery.

FYI our Fastenall does warranty work on the Milwaukee and I believe the Dewalt tools.

Edit: PB Blaster is good, but Kroil is much better or better yet mix ATF and acetone 50/50.

 

[@Lurch]

The Milwaukee M18 cordless is excellent. Battery life is impressive and works on 99% of what I need it for. No need for cords or air anymore.

 

[radlynx]

I guess wired impact tool or battery operated ones are okay depending on how often you will use it and where. these are pretty much plug and play.

the other one like the air impact tool is I believe too much for a DIYers but will be okay for people doing it full time or most of the time. Cheers!

 

[inscarguy]

take my opinion for what its worth. I have been wrenching for over 25 years personal and professionally. I have tied them all, snap on, matco, IR, CP, etc.
the best by far is a IR231. its a little heavier due to the HD case. I have 2 of them and the oldest is over 20 years old. it has loosened lugs off IH trucks and the like. at certain points I have wanted to break some bolts off due to access or rust. I turned it up all the way and it broke them.

it has up to 350 forward torque and up to 600 in reverse. they go for about 125.00.

here is a link to the IR website:

Ingersoll-Rand IR-231 1/2'' Drive 600 ft-lb Super-Duty Impact Wrench

 

[RPS13]

I work in a shop were air tools are starting to dwindle in popularity use and the cordless tools are starting to take over. There are 2-3 guys that are split with Matco & Snap-On guns, but the rest of us have settled with the Milwaukee Fuel impact wrenches.

I've got this:
18-volt M18 FUEL? 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring tool only | Milwaukee Tool

It has 1100 ft-lbs of breaking torque and 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque. Works real well and the batteries are long lasting.

I've had Craftsman tools and while I've never really broken them, the batteries were always crap and the bigger cost item of the tool is always the battery. I'd rather have a battery last forever and the (cheaper) tool wear out. One of the best items I ever bought was one of the original Bosch Impactors over 7 years ago. A little tired, but still runs strong and the batteries still work just as well from day one.

I'm still using my C3 NiCad(?) batteries from ~3-4 years ago. Still do just fine, but do have a little reduced capacity as you'd expect. I got a few Li-Ion batteries and they're beast, plus drop about 1-2 lbs off the tool.

 

[cpark_12]

I love my snap-on battery powered impacts! I have the 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" and I use all of them more than I thought I would. The majority of interior work, I use the 1/4". The motor work, I use the 3/8". The suspension and wheel work, I use the 1/2".

 

[kman79]

I appreciate everyone's input

I considered the air impact, but would need to purchase a compressor, hosing, fittings, etc.

I went ahead and ordered the IR W7150. I figured I would build upon the system and buy the the drill down the road. They also have a right angle impact that looks kinda interesting. I guess it's better to have more power and not need it, than not have enough when you need it.