electric cordless impact wrenches - are they worthwhile??

[dickster]

thanks guys, still no nearer to deciding the best route

thinking it over and checking prices.

juan,

yes you can. i came across a couple of threads and one mentioned it. i think you'll find that you don't get much time though - depending on what you want to use it for.

try a search "compressed air" "air compressor"

[Green 912]

It is easy to rig a setup from a SCUBA tank. Use a SCUBA first stage regulator, it will be set to 150 psi already, add an inexpensive normal regulator or tune the SCUBA 1st stage down to the psi you need. 90 for most impact tools and 60 for most nailers and the like. Not hard at all to adapt the SCUBA output to a quick disconnect for the air hose.

The down side, unless you dive you will spend $$ for the set up $140 tank $200 or so for a 1st stage. The tank must get a visual inspection ($20)each year and a hydro inspection ($40)each 5 years as dive shops will not refill it without. So this is the divers cheap fix as it is only good if you allready have and use the stuff. I use just this setup for fine woodwork in houses. No noise but the brad gun.

The next storage tank method is nitrogen. Buy or rent a tank and regulator and you are set. Clean dry gas but in the long run lot more money than compressor setup. Also, as with the SCUBA rig when tank is empty you are out of luck. When you forget to turn the tank off it will empty and useless the next time you need it and it will happen!

Small oil less compressors with 2 to 4 gallon tanks and regulators built in can be had for $100 to $150. you will need to let it catch now and then up when using heavy demand tools but for home use are small, easy to haul around and will last for many years. Off brand air tools are inexpensive and with care will last for home use. IMHO this is overall the cheapest easy setup with the most uses for shade tree folks.

Best method for really infrequent use, find a buddy that has the stuff and buy him a 6 pack.

[dickster]

Green 912,

can you set the torque in these things then (the snapon cordless)??

[Green 912]

You can’t set it in to a given torque such as 40 ft/lbs but you can regulate the power applied with the trigger. Air guns have a knob that gives 4 or so power settings that work by restricting the airflow. I have found that this setting will vary widely depending on the air pressure and hose size and length and is even less accurate than setting “by feel” . Unlike the air guns with a VSR electric you can start gently and slowly and cinch the fastener up then ether tighten with the gun or set it to its accurately measured tension with a torque wrench (as all good mechanics always do )

[dickster]

thanks for clarifying