So a month or so ago I had to replace a motor mount on my Honda Civic. I encountered a few bolts that were on rather tight and I was concerned about damaging or rounding them off with my sockets or wrenches. I have a Harbor Freight electric impact gun and a set of deep Harbor Freight impact sockets so I decided to give them a try. This is the first time I have used the wrench outside of removing lug nuts. I zipped out the stubborn bolts and now I’m sold on the utility of impact tools. So I’m trying to determine on how to go forward. I don’t think I’ll have a lot of use for the impact gun but I want to be ready just in case. So how do I add to my impact set? Right now I have a set of 1/2 “ deep sockets? What should I get next? Should I get 3/8” shallow and an adapter? 1/2" shallow? Different impact gun? Looking for your input. Thanks.
Impact tools
- Thread starter greasegunn
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Buy as you need (or want). I think you get a lot of just the 1/2" drive deep sockets. A real mechanic will have one of everything (maybe two, in case one breaks); but home DIY's can skimp a bit.
Most stuff that isn't easily accommodated on a 1/2" drive can be dealt with using a breaker bar and a cheaper bar on that, if need be--but around that point you'll find that the bolt snaps. An impact is nice to jarring loose corrosion, but you still have to have enough space to squeeze in the tool.
I found that I need some 1/2" drive extensions, in rather quick order, once I got my setup. 3", 6" and I think I have a 12". A wobble might be nice to have too.
Most stuff that isn't easily accommodated on a 1/2" drive can be dealt with using a breaker bar and a cheaper bar on that, if need be--but around that point you'll find that the bolt snaps. An impact is nice to jarring loose corrosion, but you still have to have enough space to squeeze in the tool.
I found that I need some 1/2" drive extensions, in rather quick order, once I got my setup. 3", 6" and I think I have a 12". A wobble might be nice to have too.
Universal joint impact is something I needed right off the bat to get at some bolts. Don't use them all the time, but the set from Harbor Freight has not fallen apart yet. http://www.harborfreight.com/2-pc-universal-impact-joint-socket-adapter-set-67920.html
Plan on buying some wobble extensions too one of these days. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-1-2...-set-67066.html
Plan on buying some wobble extensions too one of these days. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-1-2...-set-67066.html
I'm sold on impact tools, they're well worth the investment. They save time, and with difficult to remove bolts they're a major plus. It looks like I'll be due for an exhaust system this spring. I'll be putting the air tools to work for that project. The savings will go toward buying some additional air tools.
With impact tools, you always want to use the correct sized socket. You never should put an adapter between the socket and the gun. It drastically cuts down on the impact applied to the fastener. I am saying is that from this point onward, you should be only purchasing impact sockets in standard, long, short etc length.
Also, buy them as a set. I remember when someone here would drive to Auto Zone for a single socket every time a new size was needed. Don't do that.
I have a set of HF impact sockets and an electric impact from HF. If I did it for a job daily versus a weakened warrior I would invest in something better.
All of my impact sockets are from Harbor Freight. They have held up well over 15 years of home use. They still are in great shape. I got a Craftsman Cordless impact wrench for Christmas, but haven't used it yet. It is supposed to have 300ft/lbs of torque so we will see. It seems a lot easier than connecting air tools for something quick.
If you are going to buy impact sockets, buy chromoly sockets. HF sells some chrome vanadium and some Cromo. I would worry about vanadium sockets shattering if you have a powerful gun like an aircat, IR or maybe even the HF earthquake.
Northern tool Klutch sockets are what I have in cromo. I have regular and some deep well.
Northern tool Klutch sockets are what I have in cromo. I have regular and some deep well.
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Originally Posted By: Vikas
With impact tools, you always want to use the correct sized socket. You never should put an adapter between the socket and the gun. It drastically cuts down on the impact applied to the fastener. I am saying is that from this point onward, you should be only purchasing impact sockets in standard, long, short etc length.
Without the universal adapter I linked above, my impact was useless on my Volvo transmission fill bolt. Those bolts get rounded off all the time, and can cause a nightmare if the drain bolt was loosened first. I tried a half inch drive breaker bar, and it did not move. With the impact, universal adapter, and an impact extension it came right off super easy.
With impact tools, you always want to use the correct sized socket. You never should put an adapter between the socket and the gun. It drastically cuts down on the impact applied to the fastener. I am saying is that from this point onward, you should be only purchasing impact sockets in standard, long, short etc length.
Without the universal adapter I linked above, my impact was useless on my Volvo transmission fill bolt. Those bolts get rounded off all the time, and can cause a nightmare if the drain bolt was loosened first. I tried a half inch drive breaker bar, and it did not move. With the impact, universal adapter, and an impact extension it came right off super easy.
Those work well enough but whatever you do don't buy this style unless your looking for a workmens comp claim from broken fingers. These bastar.. are dangerous, I wish they wouldn't even make them never mind sell them. I got nailed by one on an impact gun when I was a kid and never forgot it. Nothing broken but my hand hurt for a week.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html
Thanks for the heads up on those type adapters because that is the only style that I have for now.
I think this newer (to me) style is suppose to work better. If so, I'll pick up a set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67920.html
I think this newer (to me) style is suppose to work better. If so, I'll pick up a set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67920.html
Originally Posted By: Cressida
Thanks for the heads up on those type adapters because that is the only style that I have for now.
I think this newer (to me) style is suppose to work better. If so, I'll pick up a set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67920.html
Those are better and safer.
Thanks for the heads up on those type adapters because that is the only style that I have for now.
I think this newer (to me) style is suppose to work better. If so, I'll pick up a set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67920.html
Those are better and safer.
Yep those are the ones he posted, they are okay. They don't allow extreme angles that can cause the socket to come off the bolt/nut then hit you in the hand or wrist that is holding a backing wrench or God forbid fly off. Its a lesson best avoided.
For applications where I need an impact gun and a swivel, I prefer my Snap-On swivel sockets. I've yet to hear of one breaking when driven by an impact gun which is the same size drive as the swivel socket.
Milwaukee M18 high torque impact wrench (cordless). It's the best cordless out there and rivals most high end pneumatic ones.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Those work well enough but whatever you do don't buy this style unless your looking for a workmens comp claim from broken fingers. These bastar.. are dangerous, I wish they wouldn't even make them never mind sell them. I got nailed by one on an impact gun when I was a kid and never forgot it. Nothing broken but my hand hurt for a week.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html
So where and when do these break? Can you look at the adapter and see signs of it about to fail? Unfortunately I just bought a set
Those work well enough but whatever you do don't buy this style unless your looking for a workmens comp claim from broken fingers. These bastar.. are dangerous, I wish they wouldn't even make them never mind sell them. I got nailed by one on an impact gun when I was a kid and never forgot it. Nothing broken but my hand hurt for a week.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html
So where and when do these break? Can you look at the adapter and see signs of it about to fail? Unfortunately I just bought a set
Its not that they break its the extreme angle that they can achieve and pulls the socket of the bolt/nut leaving the thing flailing around all over the place at full speed (some impacts have 10,000 RPM) until you react. Return them for the other style or use them for hand tools only, they can and will bite you one day and its gonna hurt.
Originally Posted By: greasegunn
Originally Posted By: Trav
Those work well enough but whatever you do don't buy this style unless your looking for a workmens comp claim from broken fingers. These bastar.. are dangerous, I wish they wouldn't even make them never mind sell them. I got nailed by one on an impact gun when I was a kid and never forgot it. Nothing broken but my hand hurt for a week.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html
So where and when do these break? Can you look at the adapter and see signs of it about to fail? Unfortunately I just bought a set
Don't feel bad, I bought a set too a few years back. Think of them as heavy duty, for use with a breaker bar if you can't return them, or toss them into another tool box. They didn't go to waste over here.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Those work well enough but whatever you do don't buy this style unless your looking for a workmens comp claim from broken fingers. These bastar.. are dangerous, I wish they wouldn't even make them never mind sell them. I got nailed by one on an impact gun when I was a kid and never forgot it. Nothing broken but my hand hurt for a week.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Pc-Universal-Impact-Joint-Socket-Adapter-Set-67986.html
So where and when do these break? Can you look at the adapter and see signs of it about to fail? Unfortunately I just bought a set
Don't feel bad, I bought a set too a few years back. Think of them as heavy duty, for use with a breaker bar if you can't return them, or toss them into another tool box. They didn't go to waste over here.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Milwaukee M18 high torque impact wrench (cordless). It's the best cordless out there and rivals most high end pneumatic ones.
Not in size or weight... but yeah, its beastly. Honestly today Makita, Dewalt, IR & Milwaukee all are pretty similar in power output in their high-torque models.
Milwaukee M18 high torque impact wrench (cordless). It's the best cordless out there and rivals most high end pneumatic ones.
Not in size or weight... but yeah, its beastly. Honestly today Makita, Dewalt, IR & Milwaukee all are pretty similar in power output in their high-torque models.
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