1/2" Impact Wrench Recommendations

[nick mercedes]

Ideally if it was to permanently stay in the garage I would definitely go down this route as there are alot of tools that can be connected to an airline.

The reason for cordless is I may keep it in the car....recently had a flat tyre and was stranded for 1 1/2 hours as the bolts would not come off and I have a disability which prevented me from using full force with a breaker bar i had. It was very uncomfortable and an experience I would not want to go through again.

I did see one of these but not sure how good they are? I guess it would run out of air quickly if changing a wheel?

Costco UK - SIP 24 Litre Air Receiver - Model 06298

You might get 3 bolts undone?

Airguns need a lot of cfm.

 

[stevehg]

As above, you'll need ~100-150 litres per minute airflow fir an air Impact wrench, so you'd be better off with something like this...
PM982 | Twin Cylinder 12v Compressor (usually 60.00GBP)

You will have to test it with an air gun to see that you get enough power with this rate of flow.

cheers, Steve

 

[MancMike]

Yeah that 24L receiver is useless for your use. It's supposed to be permanently in the loop of an existing compressor system, so boosting the capacity, but it won't hold air forever. If you charge it, and need it 3 months later, it'll be empty almost certainly.

Also, 24L will deplete to unusable pressure within one bolt I'd suggest.

 

[bob6600]

Thanks for all the replies so far, very informative! I am currently swaying towards the DeWalt as it ticks most of the boxes, the Makita is about the same price but with 3.0A batteries as apposed to the Dewalt's 4.0A.

Keep the ideas coming, I am not in a major rush to purchase one so may change my mind yet!

 

[MancMike]

Are your other DeWalt tools also lithium-ion batteries? They should be interchangable, which is a huge bonus IMO.

 

[nick mercedes]

Thanks for all the replies so far, very informative! I am currently swaying towards the DeWalt as it ticks most of the boxes, the Makita is about the same price but with 3.0A batteries as apposed to the Dewalt's 4.0A.

Keep the ideas coming, I am not in a major rush to purchase one so may change my mind yet!

I myself have a snap on CT7850 ($$$) and it's smaller 3/8 brother the 8810 ($$), but I'd rather have the 20v Ingersoll Rand, which is not that much more than the dewalt or makita, but is 10x the tool.

 

[MancMike]

I'd rather have the 20v Ingersoll Rand, which is not that much more than the dewalt or makita, but is 10x the tool.

In what way? Not challenging you, genuinely curious. The DeWalt has similar specifications and they're not known for shoddy build quality. How is the IR 10x better?

 

[bob6600]

Are your other DeWalt tools also lithium-ion batteries? They should be interchangable, which is a huge bonus IMO.

Unfortunately no, but gives me an excuse to upgrade them slowly

I myself have a snap on CT7850 ($$$) and it's smaller 3/8 brother the 8810 ($$), but I'd rather have the 20v Ingersoll Rand, which is not that much more than the dewalt or makita, but is 10x the tool.

I will google it and have a look Nick

 

[bob6600]

Question for Snap On owners... if your Impact Wrench plays up, would they not repair/replace it? Also, if I buy a second hand Snap On tool, is the 'lifetime guarantee' applicable without a receipt?

I saw this whilst trawling the bay

Snap On 18v 1/2" cordless impact wrench - Spares or Repair | eBay

 

[MancMike]

There's this ultra cheap one up for grabs if you want a punt on it. It's a no make, but has decent torque and should at least work... 24 volt impact wrench | eBay

 

[nick mercedes]

Question for Snap On owners... if your Impact Wrench plays up, would they not repair/replace it? Also, if I buy a second hand Snap On tool, is the 'lifetime guarantee' applicable without a receipt?

I saw this whilst trawling the bay

Snap On 18v 1/2" cordless impact wrench - Spares or Repair | eBay

Snap on impact wrenches have a 1 year guarantee, and the batteries (at least the ones I bought) have a 2 year guarantee.

The used ones people sell are usually worn out, if you want a snapon one, just buy one from snapon for £20 a week.

 

[bob6600]

There's this ultra cheap one up for grabs if you want a punt on it. It's a no make, but has decent torque and should at least work... 24 volt impact wrench | eBay

Probably worth a punt but cash only on collection so out of the question for me

Snap on impact wrenches have a 1 year guarantee, and the batteries (at least the ones I bought) have a 2 year guarantee.

The used ones people sell are usually worn out, if you want a snapon one, just buy one from snapon for £20 a week.

Good point about worn out.
I have not bought from Snap On before, didn't realise they do credit?

 

[Will]

Question for Snap On owners... if your Impact Wrench plays up, would they not repair/replace it? Also, if I buy a second hand Snap On tool, is the 'lifetime guarantee' applicable without a receipt?

I saw this whilst trawling the bay

Snap On 18v 1/2" cordless impact wrench - Spares or Repair | eBay

There is no lifetime guarantee on power tools.

I have a CTU6850, had it two or three years now and it's one of those handy tools that cost a lot initially but has easily earned its keep over the years.

Undoes pretty much anything you can throw at it, as well as saving time and the convenience factor. Jack up and you can buzz wheel bolts straight off without breaking them off first (always slacken locking bolts by hand first obviously). Great for removing bolts that need the percussive shock of an impact gun rather than winding up load as you tend to by leverage (think of trying to lean against something heavy to move it - or giving it a sharp 'shove')

For some jobs, eg undoing large bolts on suspension etc it's difficult to get room for leverage with large breaker bars, and especially when you don't have a commercial ramp to work from underneath.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Or obviously the newer CTU7850 like Nick has.

Snap on tools are expensive but usually are for a reason. They're proper tools and better than most other stuff out there. They also hold their money well.

Buy a good condition secondhand impact gun for sensible money and if you don't get on with it or don't use it enough I'm sure you'll get your money back

 

[MancMike]

Bob, as you're wanting this to take wheels off by the roadside, this could be ideal, and cheap. Comes with an electric jack too. 12V DC Impact Wrench ? Electrical Jack Set (HY-135B) | eBay

 

[nick mercedes]

I have not bought from Snap On before, didn't realise they do credit?

That's the only reason anyone buys their tools, expensive, but you just pay them so much a week and the hand tools have a life time guarantee.

Some of the monthly offers are good too.

 

[markmifsud]

There's this ultra cheap one up for grabs if you want a punt on it. It's a no make, but has decent torque and should at least work... 24 volt impact wrench | eBay

That looks like its the older model with NiCads, this one by the same make is a touch more at £103 but uses Lion

Neilsen 24V Lithium Cordless Impact Wrench 1/2" Driver 2 24 Volt Batteries T3730 | eBay

Just found this one, £88

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lithium-I...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item4867871abd

 

[Will]

That looks like its the older model with NiCads, this one by the same make is a touch more at £103 but uses Lion

Neilsen 24V Lithium Cordless Impact Wrench 1/2" Driver 2 24 Volt Batteries T3730 | eBay

Just found this one, £88

Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench Gun 24v Impact Wrench With 2 Li Ion Batteries | eBay

Despite what the advert alludes to and whatever type of battery it has, I'd avoid that tool for the sorts of jobs it is aimed at.

It will most likely struggle to loosen stubborn/overtightened wheel bolts. The old model Snap-on gun like I have uses Ni-cads and is more than twice as powerful than that no-name ebay one and I suspect even a secondhand snap-on gun will last infinitely longer!

 

[bob6600]

Bob, as you're wanting this to take wheels off by the roadside, this could be ideal, and cheap. Comes with an electric jack too. 12V DC Impact Wrench ? Electrical Jack Set (HY-135B) | eBay

I'm not too convinced as I have something similar (bit cheaper with less bit less torque) and it will not undo a wheel bolt unless it is cracked off first. This one does look better though and I think could be something I could keep in the car. Would need to check if the jack will get under the car first!

 

[bob6600]

There is no lifetime guarantee on power tools.

I have a CTU6850, had it two or three years now and it's one of those handy tools that cost a lot initially but has easily earned its keep over the years.

Undoes pretty much anything you can throw at it, as well as saving time and the convenience factor. Jack up and you can buzz wheel bolts straight off without breaking them off first (always slacken locking bolts by hand first obviously). Great for removing bolts that need the percussive shock of an impact gun rather than winding up load as you tend to by leverage (think of trying to lean against something heavy to move it - or giving it a sharp 'shove')

For some jobs, eg undoing large bolts on suspension etc it's difficult to get room for leverage with large breaker bars, and especially when you don't have a commercial ramp to work from underneath.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Or obviously the newer CTU7850 like Nick has.

Snap on tools are expensive but usually are for a reason. They're proper tools and better than most other stuff out there. They also hold their money well.

Buy a good condition secondhand impact gun for sensible money and if you don't get on with it or don't use it enough I'm sure you'll get your money back

Very informative, thankyou. Does the 6850 have Ni-Cads and the 7850 Li-ion?

That looks like its the older model with NiCads, this one by the same make is a touch more at £103 but uses Lion

Neilsen 24V Lithium Cordless Impact Wrench 1/2" Driver 2 24 Volt Batteries T3730 | eBay

Just found this one, £88

Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench Gun 24v Impact Wrench With 2 Li Ion Batteries | eBay

May not be as good as the Snap On etc but at that price be a good one to keep in the car!



Just found this, seller bought from a friend who was desperate for some cash

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Snap-On-L...n-/251683812705?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

Approx 4 months old

 

[markmifsud]

Just found this, seller bought from a friend who was desperate for some cash

Snap-On Lithium Ion Ct7850 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Impact Gun In Extreme Green | eBay

Approx 4 months old

It might be really good, but looks like a kids toy