tips for selecting an impact wrench

[klip]

Can't go wrong with any IR, if you go cordless I recommend Milwaukee. I have a 3/8'' cordless Milwaukee impact I use pretty much every day, it's strong, compact, the batteries last long and charge really fast. Milwaukee's battery technology far surpasses any other, do some research and you will see.

 

[warezdog]

Got most of my old air tools via pawn shops and estate sales and there is NOTHING like an old school 1/2 Ingersol Rand as far as air goes.

 

[rustybucket]

I have the snapon batt operated impact

The model is the 4850ho. Great tool for being mobile in the field.Can take off the biggest nuts even largest harmonic ballancer bolts. I do however need a electric 3/8 drive ratchet. IR makes once but yet to see some one buy and use it.

Ohh and while it is the biggest unit, for once, it could not remove a wheel nut. Tried it on a mazda 6 series could not. Used a muffler gun to spin the nut off, and end up shaving off metal. Latter that week, seen a mazda 6 in the parts yard and used my gun to remote the wheel nut. asked the owner why? he said some are just so stubborn to remove the nuts. no kidding!

 

[FJ60Seth]

I have the IR 3/8 ratchet. The battery makes it a little bulky, but other than that I like it. it works well for spinning smaller nuts & bolts on/off with no fear of breakage.

 

[Elbert]

I've had good service out of Snap-On, and their lower level brand blue-point. At present I would buy one of the high torque IR models. The problem I see with rechargeable impact wrenches is when they get on the low end of the battery life how do they perform torque wise? Also what can you expect in duty cycle of the battery.

I like conventional air tools (setup your compressor off the shop floor). The convenience factor on small jobs with electric tools would be hard to beat but I think air power is the way to go.

 

[Louiehenry]

My dad used a Chicago pneumatic for nigh 20 years and I use it for 15 before I decided to stop lugging around the giant metal thing! I purchased my own from CP and have yet to be disappointed! Pretty well priced, works like a charm, and the paint matches my cruiser!!

 

[supercarrera]

You probably won't like this answer, but my choice would be None of the Above.

I have an IR 2131 gun, it works well, does the job on rare occasions that I use it. But, I'm sick of dragging around the damned hose, and the noise. When it does quit (or I'm finally fed up with it), I'm going this way:

I just gave away my 3/8" air ratchet wrench and a 3/8" impact gun to my brother, replaced with a Makita impact gun that I've had for years. I can't remember the last time I had them out of my tool box, they were just in the way.

It won't be long before air-driven impact guns go the way of film cameras.

I just got this. It's pretty bad a**.