Electric Impact Wrenches

[JHZR2]

Hi,

Per my other posts trying to learn about air compressors and whatnot, I have been thinking about electric impact wrenches, as reccomended by other members.

At least for a first attempt at using impact tools, and for a good portaqble unit, I might consider getting one... Sure would be easier than lugging an air comporessor setup to my parents' house.

So, any comments, opinions, experiences regarding electric impact wrenches?

I was thinking of getting the rigid unit that HD sells. its a 1/2" unit, but does up to 400 lb-ft supposedly, and has a bigger motor than most that I see - 8.5A I believe, compared to 5-7 on most. Rigid seems like a decent name, and they give a 3-yr warranty on every part of the machine. Thing is, I think theyre new to making stuff like that.

I was also thinking of getting a bigger unit - a 3/4 drive, since from my research, sometimes the electric ones just dont have enough power to do the job. My thinkingt is that the 3/4 drive units have bigger everything, so theyll make more torque, and have a higher chance of getting the job done... Thing is, most sockets, etc that are reasonably priced, and of regular sizes are 1/2" drive, so Id need to use a 3/4 female -> 1/2 male impact adapter. to my knowledge, the best results ONLY have the socket attached to the gun. Any other extensions or adapters add play and severely reduce the performance.

Any comments, hints, suggestions, ideas?

Thanks in advance!

JMH

 

[brianl703]

I have a $50 Harbor Freight one, my brother has a Dewalt, the Dewalt worked fine to take a crankshaft pulley bolt off and the Harbor Freight one works fine for removing lugnuts. I expect the Harbor Freight one would've removed the crankshaft pulley bolt too.

 

[Master ACiD]

electric would be kind of nice. espically a 12 volt unit with alligator clips. that way you could just attach it to the cars battery and not worry about keeping any battery charged, or replacing a dead battery after a few years.

 

[tom slick]

I would get one of these models or something similar.
Makita
Milwaukee
dewalt
Milwaukee cordless

 

[JHZR2]

Tom,

Im actually thinking of getting the slightly higher end milwaukee that you linked to... Im looking at the 9072-20:
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/web...product3_27_40027_-1_284531_281157_189339_362

Its the same except that its variable speed. Since Ive never used one of these before, I want to be able to have controls protect me from doing something stupid

I still think that I would like to get that little makita 2hp, 3.3CFM@90, 2.6gal portable compressor. Since it runs at 1720 RPM,its quiet, and good for tires, etc... and if I can get an impact wrench to work on it, good for me. Can you comment on if an air impact wrench's air use is linear with torque? How do they calculate average air use?

Thanks so much for all of your help in all of my threads!

JMH

 

[Mamala Bay]

The air gun will always give safer torque speed. It works different from an impact gun.

What the air gun does is like it will hammer out a bolt with quick impact strikes but safe on the bolt's head. You don't want all out torque on the bolts.

An impact gun is generated by electrical current and is slower in recovery time if it slows down. It can have a higher torque but it's one dimensional, it just spins what the current dictates. It can't have that same effect like an air gun with repeated quick hammering effect to take bolts off!

You need electricity to generate(build up) a certain speed. Air guns are different, pressure will create instant torque. The purpose of an air gun in tight hard situation is not higher torque is better, quick repeated instant hammering torque to loosen bolts that don't get stripped!

 

[JHZR2]

lugnuts and highly-torque brake caliper bolts are about all Id be doing.. I dont think Id tackle crankshaft pullies, etc.

I suppose I could go 'relatively' cheap and be OK for what I need to do then.

Thanks!

JMH

 

[tom slick]

Hey MB,
I can't figure out what you are trying to say. electric or air, they both hammer away at the fastener in a similar manner.

 

[Mamala Bay]

Just bias on air!

I got a cordless impact gun. It's my choice for cordless application.

For your application JHZR2, the electric would do fine. I don't think you're going into the hard stuff!

That might clear the air!

 

[GoldenRod]

JHZR2,

You mentioned Ridgid. For your info, Home Depot purchased the Ridgid Co. Before that, they just made pipe wrenches and plumber's tools. A Ridgid brand power tool is actually made by one of the top tool manufactures. You might also notice a Ridgid power tool closely resembling another manufacture's tool, this is why.