Does anyone have an elec. impact wrench? If so, are they any good (as good/better as the air impact wrech)? I need'em to loosen bolts to the cat., wheel lug nuts, etc.

Thought it might be a useful tool to have. Wanna avoid strain'in and fart'in. :sillylol:

Akshay

 

use a short pole on your normal socket wrench. The longer the pole you use (to make the handle longer) the more force you exert on the bolt/nut. Therefor it takes very little force to loosen even the tightest bolts.

 

All my socket wrenches (and sockets) are Craftman brand. But I decided to use a Japanes made socket wrench and socket. I used a long pipe on the socket wrench...I tried to open a lug nut...and the thing that connects the socket wrench to the socket, broke

I did the same with the Craftman socket wrench, socket and long pipe, but the lug nut still wouldn't open...again...strain'in and almost fart'in So, I went to a garage and they loosend it.
I was affraid of stripping the lug nut.

Akshay

 

I have an elec. impact wrench and that thing is great. It loosens even the tightest bolts and lug nuts etc.

 

What's the rating on yours? I was looking at a dewalt 7.5amp 240 ft/lb torque.

Akshay

 

Don't know how expensive that one is; but would it wind up being the same cost if you bought an air compressor, and an air-operated impact? Just something to consider...

I've thought about getting one of those 12volt electric impact guns for the fiance', in case she ever get stuck on the side of the road with a flat. I assume this one goes right into a regular wall outlet?

 

highest rating i've seen on a electric impact gun was 250 ft. lbs.

i had a air impact gun that was rated at 250 ft. lbs. and i can say from experience that i found myself needing to borrow somebody else's gun very often............

i now have an ingersoll rand that puts out about 500 ft. lbs. did everything i've asked it to so far..............


FWIW, get a compressor and an air impact

 

The Dewalt brand cost 70 dollars (240 ft/lb tq). The impact guns with higher troque cost around 150-500 bucks (300-800 ft/lb tq.).

Air tools take too much space (compressor, hose), maintainance, compressor noise, and cost.

I don't know, I think I'll just have to stick with my trusty long pipe.

Akshay

 

i'd use the pipe and wait until you can invest enough money in the best tools

do it right the first time

 

i have one, i love it!

 

TomP, I had thought about one of those 12 V thingies too..
But for right now, a couple of cans of "Fix-A-Flat" are a must for Her car - yours too. It'll at least get you to a safe place to change a tire - those suckers will Road Pizza U along-side the highway.

 

Yes an elec. impact wrench is a great investment. Air ones suck if you don't have a compressor that has a good working pressure. They all promise a high pressure but always look at the working pressure when buying a compressor. As for guys in using poles?? What is wrong with your nuts, you drive in salt or something. 100 ft lb is plenty, any tighter you will hurt your alloy rims.

 

As for me, I was replacing my oem exhaust system and I had a problem removing the cat. bolts., even after applying wd-40 over night.

So, I had to use a long pipe (on socket wrench) and NEEDED MY DAD'S HELP. Yup, this sucker was bolted on TIGHT!!! The nut/bolt didn't break after I had loosend it (I resused the nut/bolt again).

Akshay

 

ah I see, thats different, I thought you ment lugs.

 

actually yeah, have you ever experienced a NJ winter?

obviously, but try telling that to the person who worked on the car before me

also, i use my impact wrench for much more than just lug nuts
balancer bolts, front end work, exhaust work, etc.


invest wisely! do it right the first time!

 

Yep

Wise words of time.

 

actually yeah, have you ever experienced a NJ winter?

What about Maryland?
New England?
Washington DC?
Philadelphia?
New York City?
Conneticut?
Poconos?
Virginia?
Long Island?
Pennsylvania?

Yes, also.
That's why I left!
I'll take Winter in Southern California ANYDAY!

IF the electric impact gun is a fair price, sure give it a shot!
Don't expect it to conquer all bolts & such, tho.
I've had to spend atleast $200 for a decent rolling upright air compressor that does take some space. I expect that compressor unit to work with my 1/2" air impact wrench, tho. YET, the pros I know still call my compressor a "wanna-be".

Fix a Flat is GREAT stuff for the car AND MOTORCYCLE!

 

ok, dont listen to me

go out and buy a $100 electric impact wrench

then when you come upon something you can not break free, your going to want to spring for an air compressor and an air impact

just throw $100 down the drain then

 

ok, dont listen to me


MYSELF?

I agree with ya.
BUT for the first time I actually have a garage, after awating nearly 20 years of life minus my own garage for tools (instead of just "parking space" & lugging tools in & outta apartments/condos).

Limitations play a role in some decisions, be it funds, air compressors, work space, garages!

I'll bet an elecric impact wrench may be a worthwhile addition to a tool box that is limited in rolling space.
Don't expect that tool to do every mission.
AND A GREAT STURDY FOUR WAY LUG WRENCH BEATS AN IMPACT GUN FOR CHANGING TIRES ANYDAY, anyway!
I enjoy the quiet of a strong "grunt" on a wrench, to the noise of an air compressor many many days, too.

 

Reduction gearing is how the electric ones get their advantage, along with the hammering effect like electric hammer drills for drilling into brick and stuff, same idea. Exhaust bolts and salt bolts will aways need the "BAR tool" regardless of working pressure or wrench.

 

I dunno; my Campbell Hausfeld pneumatic impact always breaks 'em free. 'Fact, if the nut absolutely won't budge, it'll just snap the bolt for me. You definately don't want to be working a breaker bar when the bolt snaps... the 'ol knuckles usually wind up in something rusty, sharp, or hard.

 

Karl that wasnt directed towards you man

 

OH I KNOW THAT
I've been at the condo/apartment scene & "parking space" for about 20 years.
When the options are few, some tools are compromised.
And actually I do enjoy wrenching using a 4 way.
I feel better about using it than an impact wrench.
Makes less noise, then filling the compressor. My 1/2" impact gun, I have to replace an internal hammer piece. Which may be available or may be now an old broken tool!
I have access to a friends shop for real help.
3 tank air compressors, media blasting box, PARTS WASHER, about 50 miles one way. Yeah, I now plan those visits!

Where I moved I do have my own garage & driveway.
Very cool, after awaiting 20 years, since last garage.

 

I have one of the elec. impact guns that plugs into the cig ligther of the car. You don't really save time becuase it has to spoll up the hit the bolt, but after a long hard day and your stuck on the side of the road with a flat it sure is nice to let it do the work for you!!. I only paid $30 for it.

At home I use the air compressor.

 

and work area gets decorated with red spots and streams along with some nice curse music...

 

LOL!