electric cordless impact wrenches - are they worthwhile??

dickster · 11-10-2002, 08:47 AM

ok, so i need a local shop or my own impact wrench to split my 930 calipers.

i don't have air so forget about it i thought. i've just seen electric cordless wrenches sold by pelican - never knew they existed.

anyone using them??

are they good enough (compared to air)??

any recomendations??

thanks in advance

Doug Zielke · 11-10-2002, 09:00 AM

An enthusiastic, YES!

I have a 200 ft/lb Ingersoll-Rand and a 300 ft/lb Milwaukee.
I use them all the time.

Just recently, when I was preparing the car for the engine drop, I had a devil of a time using conventional wrenches to remove the (corroded) rear sway-bar fasteners. The electric impact wrench took them off, no sweat, no damage, no bruised knuckles!

***Be sure to buy the correct impact-type sockets to use with your wrench.***

Early_S_Man · 11-10-2002, 09:28 AM

Doug ... he doesn't have air!

On cordless version ... i suppose they might be handy on the road for emergency repairs, away from air and electric power! But, hand tools have always served me well!

andyjboy · 11-10-2002, 09:39 AM

Lots of different models available in the UK - most of the regular electric tool manufacturers (Bosch, Makita, etc) have a range of models at varying prices.
Can't comment on the effectiveness of other manufacturers' versions but I've used a Snap-On model (200ft lbs I think) & it's extremely useful - easily undoes wheel nuts 'enthusiastically' tightened by tyre fitters!!

Andy Boyle (UK)
'69 911E

Doug Zielke · 11-10-2002, 09:59 AM

I'm not talking air impacts here. Electric. But I missed dicksters reference to "cordless" electric impact wrenches.
They are very light-duty, suitable for what I'm not sure.

dickster · 11-10-2002, 10:06 AM

mmmm, electric mains. i'll see what i can find.

pelicans cordless is rated at over 1000lbs??!!!

thanks

andyjboy · 10:17 AM

Dickster - I was talking about cordless impact guns in my post above.

Check this out:

http://www.snapon.com/power-tools/cordless-power-tools.asp

Andy Boyle (UK)
'69 911E

Doug Zielke · 11-10-2002, 10:12 AM

1000 in/lbs

dickster · 11-10-2002, 10:15 AM

doug

i guess thats powerful then?? i haven't a clue!!

thanks guys

logician · 11-10-2002, 10:56 AM

Hi,

I've got a Panasonic EY6535:

> http://www.panasonic.com/commercial_building/power_tools/Scripts/Model/PHCC_PowerTools_template.asp?ModelId=12443&CategoryId=1454&Index=5

It's actually a combination impact driver and drill. I got it because it was relatively powerfull (1100 inch-lbs 15.6V) and compact compared to the other products. I originally got it because I needed to remove the front shock nuts, and they are a ***** to get of by any other means. Since then, I've found the tool to be tremendously useful, and wouldn't think of going to the track without it.

The one down side of this and other cordless impact wrenches is that they aren't as powerful as you might want. The 1100 inch-lbs spec (~90 ft-lbs) isn't really strong enough to break wheel nuts loose, as they are torqued to 94 ft/lbs. The problem with more powerful units is that they are bigger and you might not be able to get them into tighter spaces.

-Juan

patalive · 11-10-2002, 12:26 PM

For the past 3 years, I have used a Snap-On 12-volt cordless 1/2 drive impact gun to change tires - summer/snows (on the bimmer) and track tires at the track (on the SC). This model torques to right around 100 ft/lbs. Super fast and convenient. I just sold it to a fellow bimwald, who tested it before giving me the cash, by removing one of his M5's lugs in the parking lot. A couple of "rat-ta-tas" and out it came.
-
I have succumb to that terrible male tool syndrome - I got a good deal (friend of a Snappy dealer) on the new 18-volt, cordless 1/2 drive impact gun. Word on the street is that it has similar torque capacity of a 3/8 drive air impact gun. Arrives on Monday. Perfect for the upcomming muffler work! But I acknowledge that this model is way overkill for my needs - but, . . . .but . . . .but . . . .

Chuck

addictionMS · addictionMS's Garage

we have used the Makita 1/2 inch drive one for a few years at the track, seems really good,

Jim

Superman · 11-10-2002, 07:38 PM

I wouldn't expect a cordless to have a great deal of power. My electric 1/2' drive unit is rated to 250 lb/ft, so it does well on most things but it's not invincible. Like Warren, hand wrenches can do the job just fine. I bought my electric wrench for removing pulley and sprocket fasteners without a flywheel lock, believe it or not. I don't use it that much. Hand tools are first choice for me.

dickster · 11-11-2002, 12:22 AM

i had a look and the cordless come in powerful 24v sizes, but they cost an arm and a leg - about £435 ($675)!!!

the electric ones can be had for around £250 - £300 ($385 - $465) and are more powerful.

is it worth having a cordless? i can't really see that i'd use it out of the garage.

or should i go for a compressor instead? can be had for £500. thats for a 150cfm model. then you got hoses and tools.

i'm thinking an electrical one for now, and a compressor in the long term........

or maybe i could get the "old man" to go halves

Don Wohlfarth · 11-11-2002, 05:49 AM

Interesting stats from the Snap On page concerning cordless electric impact gun.
The 14.4v is 160 ft lbs weights 8.9 $399 and is variable speed
The 18 v is 210 ft lbs weights 6.5 $419 but no variable speed
Couple local track guys have the 14.4v and it works well and has enough torque to bust lugnuts loose. The variable speed is a sweet feature.

patalive · 11-11-2002, 06:02 AM

Also, you can run the 12-volt Snappy impact gun with their 14.4 volt battery. Just need to file off several tabs on the battery. Give's the 12-volt model a bit more "grunt".
-
There were some used Snap-On 12 volt impact guns on ebay last week - prices looked good.

Chuck

Superman · 11-11-2002, 06:50 AM

Electric toys are nice but I'd say go for the compressor. With a compressor, you don't just have a wrench, you have AIR.

patalive · 11-11-2002, 06:59 AM

Hey Super - In general, I agree with you completely. With air, you have a range of air-driven tools to help speed your work.
-
But the cordless make sense if one has limited garage space or for changing tires at the track. With the 12 or 14-volt snappy gun, I can have a tire changed and be moving on to the second one long before the other fellow, with a wrench, can even get one tire removed. With a whole lot less effort as well.

Chuck

Green 912 · 02:53 PM

I have air driven, corded and cordless impact guns. All have good and bad points but you couldn’t pry the cordless Snap-On from my cold greasy hand! No hose or cord snaking all over the place kinking up, knocking stuff over or dragging across the fender and no compressor puttering away in the corner drowning out the music. Very smooth and no oil vapor or brake dust kicking up in your face. Also, you have much better control of the power with the cordless unit over the air guns. Start nice and slow to check threads and then spin it down and set it. I have and use air in the shop but a lot less and only for the cut off tool or air blow gun and the like.

The 14.4 9 (now 18V) Snap-on has a good smooth trigger pull, with exelent variable speed control and can gently set a 10MM nut to 10 in/lbs or break loose a lug nut blasted on by some drooling knuckle dragger at “Bob’s tire shop” It is much lighter than the Milwaukee or DeWalt unit as well.
Yes it is expensive but if you use it often enough the payback is short.

Harbor Freight sells a knock off for $140 with 2 batteries and it is often on sale for $85 or so. I tried one and as I expected its not very well made and has a poor trigger but will break most lugs loose and would be a good budget track tire swapper.

Don, Thats interesting, the info that came with the 14.4 Snap-On put it at 300 ft/lbs and my experence follows that as well. And I have used 18 volt units (Art's)and they are variable speed as well.

logician · 11-11-2002, 08:49 PM

Hi,

Question: can air tools be run off of a compressed air tank -- like a scuba air tank? Here's my motivation:

1) I have a small garage, and I don't have the space for a compressor.

2) I don't do a lot of automotive work, so I don't need to use air tools very often. But when I do, I think air tools would be very useful.

3) Air tools are better than electric because they are smaller so they can fit into places where an electric tool could not.

4) Air tools are less expensive than electric, and also there is also a variety of different tools available.

So, is a compressed air tank a realistic alternative to a compressor? What kind of regulator and fittings would be needed to make this work? Does anyone out there use a compressed air tank successfully?

-Juan