Electric impact wrenches

[dcbullet]

Hi:

I don't have (nor will I in the near future) an air compressor. I was thinking of purchasing an electric impact wrench. Do any of you have experience with them? Do they work well? Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[Faithful Old Road Dog]

The only experience I've had with the electric impacts were to remove the nut on alternators at a parts house I worked at and I've used one on a construction site screwing in bolts through wood. They worked fine. But I can't say I've used them on stuff like yoke nuts or flywheel bolts.

[ToughOldFord]

I bought one from HF once, a 12 volt one. I wanted to keep it in the truck to help change tires, (1 ton dually). It was soooo bad it was funny, it would make this whirring sound then klunk as it gave the socket a mild turn, then pause and do it again. I could have gotten more done with my bare fingers.
After I got done laughing I returned it.

[fordman]

i used to work for a guy moving mobile homes and thats what we used to put tires on and off with as well as pull axels and tounges. he had a craftsman. i have also used one of those 12 volt kind they do work for tires but thats about it.

[William123567]

i was planing to get one then my grandpa died and we got hit aircompresser grinder tools welder and a bunch more stuff so i got lucky on that part in a way

[390Nut]

I picked up a 110v impact from Wal-Mart, on sale, for $59.99. Works fine for taking wheels off, really rusty lug nuts do take a moment or two before they break free, but they will. Torques to around 120 ft lbs, which is more than enough for wheels (too much for aluminum or other cast wheels)

Havent had a lot of use for it so far, but not having air on hand (yet) makes tire changes/rotations a LOT faster. Worth the $60 and change I spent on it, for me.

[Mohillbilly]

I bought a used one in Dallas in '85. Gave $15 for it and a full strip of Snap-on impact sockets. They still work today, and the only time it wouldn't break something loose, it took a 2 foot breaker bar and about a 6 foot pipe to do the trick. I'm happy with it.

[hardtailjohn]

A couple of the guys around here are using the cordless Snap-On 1/2" drive ones for tightening screen rails on the crushers... they LOVE them, and say nothing compares... I tried one, and am totally impressed, but will keep using my air powered ones, as I don't need to be spending the money.
JH

[dcbullet]

Well it sounds like there have been some good experiences. Thanks guys. I'm going to do further research to decide on a model.

[flyboy2610]

I have a Craftsman Model #900.275132
It says 'Professional' on the side of it, but that may just be hype!
It's rated at 7.5 amps, which is pretty good for an electric impact wrench. You want to pay attention to the amp rating and get one wtih the highest rating you can afford. It's rated (I believe) at 240 ft. lbs, and it does really well.
If I remember correctly, I got it for around $179.

[binder56jd]

a good or high quality one will serve you well

[GT-Racer]

Before you buy look at Harbor freight. The gun is EXACTLY the same as the craftsman and dewalt which sell for 169 and 179.
The HB model has exactly the same torque and was on sale for 39.99. The only difference I can see is the craftsman is black, dewalt is yellow and HB is orange. I love my HB. The only thing I have ever had problems with is the check ball that holds the sockets on got a burr and wont release the sockets without the help of a small punch. Had it 3 years now.

I figure I can buy two or three over my lifetime and still not have the cost of a name brand one.

[dcbullet]

I ended up getting this Dewalt. I had a gift certificate I got for my birthday so I financed a portion of it with that.

It certainly has no problem with the lugnuts on my truck. I'm very happy with it so far. It is a 7.5 amp model which was the deciding factor over the Milwaukee, which was my second choise.

[flyboy2610]

Good choice! DeWalt makes quality tools so I'm sure it will serve you well!