Corded Electric Impact

[blufeb95]

I don't have an air compressor and I don't really wish to invest into a cordless system at this time.
My diff fill plug seems to be quite stuck on my Trailblazer, the crappy 12V cordless Dewalt I have wouldn't break it but that thing is notoriously week, couldn't even break the lugs on the Trailblazer that came right off with the factory tire iron,
I'm looking around at corded impacts there seem to be several decent looking options around $100 but I just want to know what anyone's experience with any of them are and what wwill be the best option for longevity, I'm looking at the Bauer from HF, Porter Cable from Amazon but I'm open to anything that's around $70 to $100-ish.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I had no idea they were still making corded impacts. I have heard the Bauer is decent for DIY as my DIY friend has it and it does the job. They have a corded Craftsman USA at my pawn shop it feels pretty heavy duty if you could find one of those used. If you do consider cordless I strongly recommend Earthquake as I have had really good luck with them honestly. People laugh when I pull them out but I don’t care they work amazing for me.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Corded can be quite inexpensive for the amount of torque. Mine will bust 140 ft lb lug nuts on truck tires. It’s a Maximun available only in Canada but there are lots like it. I think mine said 400 ft lbs of breaking torque, but obviously that’s an exaggeration. It cost about $100.

 

[Snagglefoot]

It’s big and ugly and makes my 3/8 Milwaukee cordless look like a toy.

 

[blufeb95]

Wouldn't be surprised if it's made in the same factory in China as the Bauer and some other generic brands of Impacts I've seen.

 

[fsdork]

I have a Mastercraft from Canadian Tire that looks to be similar to the Porter Cable, and Snagglefoot's Maximum (also from Canadian Tire). Like the Porter Cable, it is rated at 7.5A, but 240 ft-lbs instead of the 450 claimed by the Porter Cable in the Amazon listing.

Mine has been just fine for seasonal wheel changeovers on my F-150, so I'm sure it would be sufficient for a diff plug.

 

[RamFan]

I bought this Porter Cable and am very pleased.

 

[xBa380]

I use a Milwaukee 1/2" corded electric impact... Going on 11 years now with no issues. Fantastic tool... No troubles removing 140 ft/lb lug nuts or breaking loose seized anode rods from a hot water tank...!

Would buy another right away if it ever died.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I used a HF electric impact before I got a compressor and air tools. It doesn't hold a candle to my HF Earthquake pneumatic impact. We use Dewalt and Makita electric impacts at work and they seem to work well enough. I think an electric impact will work fine for most things, but in my experience the pneumatic ones are superior and aren't as cumbersome.

 

[blufeb95]

I ordered the Porter Cable one, I guess I'll see how it is when I get it on Saturday. I guess I'll hit the plug with PB Blaster a few more times while I'm waiting.

 

[JHZR2]

My first impact was a corded unit. The most powerful Milwaukee I could find.

It can’t do much compared to the cordless tools I have.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Yep, the pneumatics and cordless are better but the OP mentioned he just wanted to keep the cost down.

 

[blufeb95]

If I were doing this to make money I'd gladly put out $400-500 to get a good cordless our pneumatic setup, but I just need to bust the occasional bolt on my own vehicle and lugs on occasion so I think $75 for a corded is a good fit.

 

[Jetronic]

I have a corded electric and a cordless now. The cordless shares batteries with a saw aswell, and there's no power outlets at my detached garage otherwise the corded works well for me. It's quite powerfull at 750W

 

[blufeb95]

Me being me, I ended up getting it for free, hope something isn't broke on it, but the one I received had a crease in the seal like it had been peeled and restuck and it was also uneven like it had been restuck and when I opened it, it looked to me like the anvil had signs of use, I paid for a new item and they didn't send me a new item, which is a frequent problem I've had with Amazon sending me an open box item when I order new, so I got them to refund me the money and keep the item, if it wasn't returned because something was broken then I got me a free tool.

 

[JC1]

I've owned a Corded iimpact. Besides lug nuts, wasn't good for much else. Over time I upgraded to air powered impacts with a 60 gallon compressor and have the dewalt 20v 1/2 impact.

I sold the cheaper tools to offset the cost. Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and pay extra to get the right stuff.

 

[blufeb95]

Welp I think I've screwed the bolt now, it slipped out and destroyed the front part of the square drive hole, I don't have a welder, I'm looking around apparently there isn't an aftermarket cover that has a filler on it that fits this stupid 8.0in 10 bolt gm rear, at least I'm pretty sure it's the 8.0in 10 bolt, since it's a 4.2l with the locker and not the limited slip. and it's 10 bolts. Might just take it to a shop and let them have fun with it.

 

[bchannell]

I have the Bauer from HF and all I can say is it it too powerful. You heard right, it will rip a lug nut off like it never existed. I would NEVER try to put a lug nut on with it for two reasons, one it would sock it down tight way to fast, and two, if it were crossed up, it would ruin a stud instantly. For heavy duty removing of nuts and bolts, its a dream come true. I don't think I paid anywhere near a hundred dollars for it a while back, but it's a beast.

 

[AutoMechanic]

So this is one that had the square drive for the plug then? That’s what I am understanding and that sucks lol. I always try to avoid the impacts on this stuff but it was worth a try.

 

[RyanY]

So this is one that had the square drive for the plug then? That’s what I am understanding and that sucks lol. I always try to avoid the impacts on this stuff but it was worth a try.

Like @AutoMechanic, I also try to avoid impacts on the square drain plugs if possible. I effed one up a long time ago and have since been using a breaker bar. If necessary I hit it a few times with a BFH.