Impact driver recommendations please

[TRACKS]

Hi all -

Looking for impact wrench recommendations. I've put off buying one for long enough.
Lots of my sockets are 1/2" drive, so a 1/2' drive impact wrench would probably be the way to go for me.
I also already have a set of 1/2" drive impact sockets.
I've browsed the impact wrenches at Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight.

What i THINK i need is a sturdy , middle of the road, impact wrench. Thoughts ?

I will be buying an air compressor as well, unless I can inherit my father-in-laws.

thanks everybody,
Kevin

[Tony V]

Like I said in your other post, the HF cordless is an above average tool for being sold at HF. Being cordless, you get to bring it along incase of a flat tire.

[TRACKS]

thanks Tony

[TX911SC]

Just bought one today after putting it off for a couple years. My research drove me to buy the Makita XWT08Z. 1/2" drive, plenty of torque (740 lb/ft) for lug nuts (overkill). Should also be enough for suspension, clutch work, etc. Better to have too much and not need it than need it and not have it. $239 at Home Depot minus military discount. Major decision factor for me was that I already had Makita batteries. Good luck.

[Jesse16]

You didn't say whether you wanted cordless electric or pneumatic. I have the Harbor Freight Quake that I've used infrequently for years and its never failed me. I have a little cheapie air compressor set-up and as long as you use 3/8" hose you get plenty of flow to break fasteners free.
I'm wanting to get a cordless electric unit also, they aren't cheap but are nice at the track for getting lug nuts off easy/quick. They are what everyone uses. I'll have to check-out Makita, love their stuff but not everyone sells it.

[bpu699]

Go on ebay, refurbed/returned dealt impact wrenches are $120 or so (new is $300+) if you already have the battery.

Get a 3/4 inch... no such thing as too much power...

Air impacts are great, have 4 of those. But you need a big tank to use it...

Battery is much better, and more mobile...

[aston@ultrasw.c]

For an air wrench consider - Ingersoll Rand Air Impact Wrench — 1/2in. Drive, 4.2 CFM, 600 Ft.-Lbs. Torque, Model# 231C.

I am very pleased with price and performance.

[carreradpt]

I have a DeWalt DCF889H 1/2" 20V 400ft/lbs cordless. This thing does wonders.

[jferrante]

The milwaukee Fuel 18 is the best bang for the buck for electric impacts.
you can shop the tool and the battery and get it for ~350 one of my best tools in the collection
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2763-20-2-Inch-Torque-Friction/dp/B00GFUA6O4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510689136&sr=8-3&keywords=milwaukee+m18+impact

[OffCamber00]

I have the Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless 1/2" impact. Best tool I've ever owned. It can remove the centerlock nuts from cup cars w/o breaking a sweat.

[aread]

Originally Posted by aston@ultrasw.c

For an air wrench consider - Ingersoll Rand Air Impact Wrench — 1/2in. Drive, 4.2 CFM, 600 Ft.-Lbs. Torque, Model# 231C.

I am very pleased with price and performance.

This ^^^. Most of my impact tools are IR and they're fantastic. I really don't know how I lived without it.

[sugarwood]

Another vote for cordless. Most pros now use cordless. For the money you save on a compressor, get both 3/8" and 1/2" impact wrenches and a whole set of impact sockets.

[Bill Verburg]

I've got 3 18v cordless, the best by far is the Bosch, the little Dewalt(3/8") is great for mounting wheels it's light and won't over torque(especially w/ a tork stick)




If you go w/ an air wrench an extended anvil is useful

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Jesse16

I have the Harbor Freight Quake that I've used infrequently for years and its never failed me.

I have this gun. I use it daily. 1/2" It's very adequate. The 3/4" Quake is $225.

HOWEVER, the battery powered guns must have something or the gang would not be talking about them.

Man, that would be sweet. Charge it up and not have to eff with the air hose.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by TRACKS

Hi all -

Looking for impact wrench recommendations. I've put off buying one for long enough.
Lots of my sockets are 1/2" drive, so a 1/2' drive impact wrench would probably be the way to go for me.
I also already have a set of 1/2" drive impact sockets.
I've browsed the impact wrenches at Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight.

What i THINK i need is a sturdy , middle of the road, impact wrench. Thoughts ?

I will be buying an air compressor as well, unless I can inherit my father-in-laws.

thanks everybody,
Kevin

Hi Kevin - take a look at the link below and please let us know if you have any questions; we're happy to assist.

Impact Wrenches - Pelican Parts

[mepstein]

Cordless makes it so easy to use.

[High Life]

Originally Posted by TRACKS

Hi all -

Looking for impact wrench recommendations. I've put off buying one for long enough.
Lots of my sockets are 1/2" drive, so a 1/2' drive impact wrench would probably be the way to go for me.
I also already have a set of 1/2" drive impact sockets.
I've browsed the impact wrenches at Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight.

What i THINK i need is a sturdy , middle of the road, impact wrench. Thoughts ?

I will be buying an air compressor as well, unless I can inherit my father-in-laws.

thanks everybody,
Kevin

Kevin - a few things to consider.

1/2 impact driver is a large driver physically - you will have issues when it comes to tightening/loosening nuts in smaller spaces. I really don't ever use mine outside of running off lug nuts. It's nice to have - but insofar as use - I dont use it as often as a smaller impact wrench.

1/4 impact driver is much, much more versatile for tightening and loosening nuts on and around a vehicle. Many electric drivers are available that have 150lbs of torque. More than capable of handling most jobs - Check De Walt / Makita / Milwaukee / Bosch for examples.

3/8 is a happy medium but then begins to get bigger in size - and careful on torque - some are real low on torque (90ft pnds) but some can get around 250ft pounds.. Many listed show in inch pounds so be sure to convert.

I'm slowing beginning to use more of the electrical impact wrenches - much more convenient than running a hose on the end of your tool.

My opinion is to purchase a 1/4 drive first then move to the bigger 1/2 if you think it is necessary - but remember that the 1/2 is really only good for heavily torqued bolts that are in open spaces.. Like lug nuts - which is why I have more than one tool - i.e. for different jobs.

[Bill Verburg]

cordless works in the garage, at the track and on the road

[Driven97]

I snagged an Ingersoll-Rand 7150 on Prime Day for a great price. It wrecks all of my autocross buddies cordless impact wrenches, much faster with the lug nuts. I almost never fire up my air compressor anymore, either, as a bonus.

One thing that's worth not trying to cheap out on, IMO. Pick up a nice high torque DeWalt or IR for not much more than the cheap ones, or if you can swing it, pay the big bucks for a Milwaukee.

[TRACKS]

WOW !
thanks for all the responses

I got some reading to do now - ha

thank you everybody. You all have given me a lot to think about before I make a decision.

I think for starters I may try a cordless one and then add on to that if i need.


Kevin