Hi, Do any of you use an electric impact wrench? How's the performance compared to an air driven impact wrench? Do they actually produce the torque advertised...and with enough frequency of impacts to work effectively? I noticed Dewalt even has one that's rechargable. I simply don't have the space for an air compressor... Thanks!! Jay
I bought one last year and it works pretty well. I had a couple of bolts on the steering gear box that I couldn't get out by hand and used the impact on it and they came right out. I'm not sure if they get up to the torque claimed, but a couple of days ago I used to take my head bolts out. I think they were torqued at around 110 lbs, and it didn't even slow down on them. The frequency is pretty good on the one that I have and it was on $29 during a blow out sale that they had last year. I bought it just to see if it would work, since I don't have a big air compressor, and have been impressed with it. Heres' the one that I have: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45252 As far as how it works as opposed to an air impact, I'm guessing that the air impact would be better and stronger, air tools usually are. But for guys who don't have a big compressor or don't use it for everything, mine works great.
The Harbor Freight electric impact wrench is pretty tame. Not enough power for any heavy duty use. As for the cordless ones, they wear out pretty quick, and don't deliver the power of a corded one. The Dewalt (and most other decent corded ones) only deliver 200-240 ftlbs (unless they've upgraded them recently). The Milwaukee one delivers 300 ftlbs. I've tried them all, and the Milwaukee one is by far the best (not the cheapest). I have one in my tool box. It's incredibly handy!!!! I highly recommend it. Brett
I have had an Craftmen electric impact for about 10 years. I've pulled head bolts to lug nuts with it . There will always be a situation that may be to tough for it but it is a good alternative if you do not have an proper compresser. I can put lug nuts on just fine with it, but I will always go around by hand once for piece of mind. If you happen to have a coil spring compresser it sure beats ratcheting the spring up for several minutes. I don't think you will regret purchasing one. get the best torque rating you can. I believe Craftmen may have two to choose from. Bret
Go find a Snap on Man if your serious.. They have an electric, cordless 18V 1/2 drive impact gun, that will take the crank bolt out of a 455.. You know, one of those ones that takes a 4 foot bar to usually remove.. Not inexpensive at around $400... but worth it.. I can't tell you the last time I touched my big Snap On air impact gun, and it's just sitting in the drawer next to me, with the air hose at my feet.. That gun is awesome.. I have both the 3/8 and the 1/2 one, and the 3/8 is a bit wimpy.. but the 1/2 drive one is great.. I use it all the time, in fact was just taking a rusty old Bumper off with it yesterday. The battery packs last quite a while, and charge up quick. IN the past, I have also used the corded ones, which also work well, and may be a bit cheaper.. but in 2005, cordless is the way to go, if you use it a lot, in my opinion. You won't regret investing in that gun. I have also use the dewalt 3/8 drive 14.4 V one over at the dyno shop, and it works pretty well..
I bought a no name two years ago and I have used it frequently with no failure. It is big, bulky and heavy. I perfer to use my air tools; by far greater performance. I feel it was well worth the $50 I paid for it.
my buddy has the snap-on model and I highly recomend especially if you do any yard hunting, It's perfect to go pull sheet metal and other parts that may be corroded on. :beer
I bought a Craftsman in 1981 it still works good. However on real tight bolts I have to loosen first. I am sure they are better now. They are great for wheels. I have put good masking tape around the socket so it will not scratch the paint if it slips off ,wow does it make that job easy.
i just recently bought a 12v 1/4 drive Milwaukee and it works great! i would definately invest in one. i love it the battery lasts for a fair amount of time and its not that heavy. it also has a lot more torque than i thought it would have. even after ive used it for a while it still has plenty of torqe im definately going to buy a 1/2 drive one though. my little one will loosen almost as many things as my 1/2 air gun will
our electric craftsman rocks at the dirt track. some nights it gets used on the late model to change all 4 wheels and tires 3 times during a night, 2-3 nights a week. also bolting and unbolting lead weights ...etc. i have 2 snap-on 3/8 cordless impacts and they almost never get used. they are limited in torque to about 40-45 lbs .... i have a snap-on 1/2 drive 14.4 volt and it get used ALOT ...sometimes it will go through 2-3 batteries a day. takes off lugnuts and main caps ...i even twisted off a front lugstud on my sisters 1 ton dually. somebolts on the loader and backhoe have proven impossible for it... :laugh: i bought it and the 14.4v 3/8 drill at the same time. the drill came with 2 batteries and the impact with one. all 3 batteries are the same. the drill is excellent too. when impacting it makes all the difference in the world if you hand twist the "slack" out of the extensions when trying to break loose tight nuts and bolts. same applies for tightening too. i think i would like to get the bigger impact now.
