Impact Wrench?

Matt60158 · 05-03-2008, 04:10 PM

Considering in investing in an impact wrench this summer to make quick work of taking the wheels on and off(of course verifying with a torque wrench). I don't have a dedicated compressed air source so I am thinking electric at the moment.

I am young so I don't mind paying for a nicer tool that will last a long time. DeWalt tools seem to be popular with the Pops but wanted some other opinions.

What are you guys using, suggest?

Matt

Heinzftw · 05-03-2008, 05:04 PM

DeWalt is good. Try looking into Bosch or Snap-On tools if you have $$$. Well worth the investment.

jtsherri · 05-03-2008, 05:16 PM

I have a Milwaukee that works great and has seen its share of abuse. IIRC, it was originally a tad over $200 when new (this is a few years back now).

R32 · 05-03-2008, 10:25 PM

in my limited experience with battery powered impact wrenches, i doubt you'll find one that will reliably break a properly torqued lug nut. once broken, however, an impact wrench really speeds up removal and subsequent replacement of the lugs.

by far, the cheapest battery powered impact wrench is the ryobi. it is only $60 without battery.

i've used it dozens of times, and it works fine. again, it will not break a stubborn nut like an air gun, but i don't think any of the battery powered ones will.

Neo187H · 05-04-2008, 10:40 AM

The snap on unit while expensive will break loose just about anything other than over tightened bolts and will put the bolts back in to about 100Nm tq. Course it may be over the top for a DIYer that uses it once every few months.

larryn · 05-04-2008, 11:07 AM

I have a cheapo pneumatic setup, which works great for breaking stubborn bolts. I've also seen guys at autocross sporting these cordless impact wrenches. They do break a properly torqued lugbolt with ease, but I would never recommend putting the lug bolts on with one of these, as you'll easily over-torque.

Tightening anything on a car requires a decent calibrated torque wrench.

Evolution Racewerks · 05-04-2008, 05:43 PM

Dewalt. That is what we use as far as electric tools. They have lasted us years with no problems and we're very hard on our tools. Last week I broke my Dewalt impact. It was under the lift while I lowered our 135i. It held the car for a bout 5 seconds before it broke. Still worked afterwards (with some duct tape to hold the broken housing together. One of our customers has a whole set of Milwaukee and he has issues with them breaking often.

Randall41 · 05-04-2008, 07:44 PM

Sears Craftsman. About $200. Works like a champ. Not sure who actual manufacturer is.

05-03-2008, 04:10 PM	#1
Matt60158 ///M 13 Rep 138 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (0)	Impact Wrench? Considering in investing in an impact wrench this summer to make quick work of taking the wheels on and off(of course verifying with a torque wrench). I don't have a dedicated compressed air source so I am thinking electric at the moment. I am young so I don't mind paying for a nicer tool that will last a long time. DeWalt tools seem to be popular with the Pops but wanted some other opinions. What are you guys using, suggest? Matt __________________ "She blows more than my mind" - RHCP *Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.
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05-03-2008, 05:16 PM	#3
jtsherri Major 144 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Metro Detroit, MI iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 135i [10.00]	I have a Milwaukee that works great and has seen its share of abuse. IIRC, it was originally a tad over $200 when new (this is a few years back now). __________________ -Jason My review(s): cp-e™ Cat Back Exhaust, cp-e™ SS 3" Downpipes, TPLSM3 Custom Fiberglass Subwoofer Enclosure, P3 BMW 135 Vent Integrated Digital Interface
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05-03-2008, 10:25 PM	#4
R32 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 222 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (0)	in my limited experience with battery powered impact wrenches, i doubt you'll find one that will reliably break a properly torqued lug nut. once broken, however, an impact wrench really speeds up removal and subsequent replacement of the lugs. by far, the cheapest battery powered impact wrench is the ryobi. it is only $60 without battery. i've used it dozens of times, and it works fine. again, it will not break a stubborn nut like an air gun, but i don't think any of the battery powered ones will.
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05-04-2008, 10:40 AM	#5
Neo187H Private 3 Rep 72 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	The snap on unit while expensive will break loose just about anything other than over tightened bolts and will put the bolts back in to about 100Nm tq. Course it may be over the top for a DIYer that uses it once every few months.
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05-04-2008, 11:07 AM	#6
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	I have a cheapo pneumatic setup, which works great for breaking stubborn bolts. I've also seen guys at autocross sporting these cordless impact wrenches. They do break a properly torqued lugbolt with ease, but I would never recommend putting the lug bolts on with one of these, as you'll easily over-torque. Tightening anything on a car requires a decent calibrated torque wrench.
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05-04-2008, 05:43 PM	#7
Evolution Racewerks Captain 140 Rep 863 Posts Drives: 20 M340i,15 M4,12 328i,08 135i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Azusa, CA iTrader: (3)	Dewalt. That is what we use as far as electric tools. They have lasted us years with no problems and we're very hard on our tools. Last week I broke my Dewalt impact. It was under the lift while I lowered our 135i. It held the car for a bout 5 seconds before it broke. Still worked afterwards (with some duct tape to hold the broken housing together. One of our customers has a whole set of Milwaukee and he has issues with them breaking often.
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05-04-2008, 07:44 PM	#8
Randall41 Private First Class 12 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Alpine White Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: DreamLand iTrader: (1)	Sears Craftsman. About $200. Works like a champ. Not sure who actual manufacturer is.
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