I just bought my first battery powered impact wrench. I got the Makita. I know...Milwaukee has more power, feels better in the hand...if I need to upgrade I will. This was the right price at the right time and I've got the batteries. My question is this: I have used my air impact wrench and broken off bolts. I've got 2 rusty LC's and I want to use power tools. What are some tips and advice to NOT break things? Also, if there's a significantly softer feel in the hand or it takes less grip strength for one tool over another, I'm interested in hearing about that, too.
I'll add: I'm not that old, but I have a health problem that acts like the worst arthritis there is. If I use a small radius tool, or grab something heavy by a small radius attachment (Think a floor jack or jack stand), or if I grab something with a strong grip, like tightening or loosening an oil filter by hand, or if I'm pulling on a ratchet to break a stubborn bolt, my hands are useless for days and sometimes weeks. The pain is like breaking bones and my grip goes to crap so I can't button a shirt or lift a cup. I fumble and struggle to start a bolt by hand most of the time. It's awkward, embarrassing, and it really sucks. My options are limited to switching to power tools and getting my busy adult kids to help me or selling my cruisers. Some days are better than others, using large radius breaker bars helps, but it's still a struggle. I've learned that using my Kobalt air impact tool can actually make things worse in high impact situations, like a rusty suspension bolt. The impact in the hand is bad. Like getting hit in the hand with a fastball without a glove each impact.
Last weekend before I got my new impact wrench I removed my power steering gearbox from my parts rig and things went ok. I modified my techniques, used breaker bars, used other tools to turn my wrenches instead of using my hands directly, used more extensions. Halfway through the day, I ordered the new tool. My hands are struggling still, but it's tolerable. I'm hoping I can extend my shade tree mechanic days with my cruisers with some decent power tools.
I only throw in this info because I'm switching to power tools to accommodate my new limited abilities. It's a little different purpose than just convenience or "do it 'cause it's cool." and may result in some different suggestions. Thanks!
And, no pity, please. I have enough of that from myself. I'm just sharing facts to get the right suggestions.
I'll add: I'm not that old, but I have a health problem that acts like the worst arthritis there is. If I use a small radius tool, or grab something heavy by a small radius attachment (Think a floor jack or jack stand), or if I grab something with a strong grip, like tightening or loosening an oil filter by hand, or if I'm pulling on a ratchet to break a stubborn bolt, my hands are useless for days and sometimes weeks. The pain is like breaking bones and my grip goes to crap so I can't button a shirt or lift a cup. I fumble and struggle to start a bolt by hand most of the time. It's awkward, embarrassing, and it really sucks. My options are limited to switching to power tools and getting my busy adult kids to help me or selling my cruisers. Some days are better than others, using large radius breaker bars helps, but it's still a struggle. I've learned that using my Kobalt air impact tool can actually make things worse in high impact situations, like a rusty suspension bolt. The impact in the hand is bad. Like getting hit in the hand with a fastball without a glove each impact.
Last weekend before I got my new impact wrench I removed my power steering gearbox from my parts rig and things went ok. I modified my techniques, used breaker bars, used other tools to turn my wrenches instead of using my hands directly, used more extensions. Halfway through the day, I ordered the new tool. My hands are struggling still, but it's tolerable. I'm hoping I can extend my shade tree mechanic days with my cruisers with some decent power tools.
I only throw in this info because I'm switching to power tools to accommodate my new limited abilities. It's a little different purpose than just convenience or "do it 'cause it's cool." and may result in some different suggestions. Thanks!
And, no pity, please. I have enough of that from myself. I'm just sharing facts to get the right suggestions.
) If concerned, I may also put some heat to it. And one thing I found helps too is put a air hammer on the head for a bit. With an iffy bolt I would also start by hand with some back and forth, but of course that may not be possible if you can't pull hard. Anyway, all this to say that I would not put a strong impact wrench on a dubious bolt first and as is. If nothing else, I would first put the tool on the lowest setting and do a bit of back and forth. It seems to be a little known trick that tightening a bolt may actually help loosen it...
