18v impact wrench vs 240v impact wrench

[Garybee]

I've decided that I could do with an impact wrench for dealing with suspension bolts, crank pulleys etc. when there isn't room for a breaker bar. Although I'd prefer pneumatic I don't believe there's any point unless you 'go large' with the compressor, lines and fittings which has left me looking at mains or cordless.

Looking at the Dewalt 1/2" drive tools, their cordless tools clain to deliver around double the torque of their 240v kit. Is this feasible? If it was just marketing waffle I would expect the same to be applied to their entire range. I know Lithium batteries are capable of discharging very quickly but are they really better than 13 amp mains?

[arginite]

I have the DCF899 and can't complain it's opened everything I have thrown at it since getting it at Christmas.

[kambites]

I've never owned an electric impact wrench but I'd imagine they both buffer through a capacitor anyway? If that's the case I don't see why the input type would actually make a significant difference.

[Garybee]

arginite said:

I have the DCF899 and can't complain it's opened everything I have thrown at it since getting it at Christmas.

That's the one I was thinking of and it seems pretty well priced too. What's toughest thing you've used it on so far?

For interest spec's of the two options below:-

240v mains (DEWALT DW292-GB):-

Max Torque: 440 Nm
Power Input: 710 Watts
Power Output: 370 Watts
No Load Speed: 2200 RPM
Impacts per Minute: 2700 IPM
Max. Bolt Diameter: M20
Bit Holder: 1/2in
Length: 292 mm
Height: 216 mm
Weight: 3.2 kg
Sound Pressure: 84dB (A)

18v cordless (DeWalt DCF899HN):-

Bit Holder: 1/2in Hog Ring.
No Load Speed: 0-400/0-1,200/0-1,900/min.
Impacts Rate: 0-2,400/bpm.
Max. Torque: 950Nm.
Breakaway Torque: 1625Nm.
Max. Bolt Diameter: M20.
Length: 224mm.
Height: 225mm.
Weight: 2.62kg.


I'm just a bit dubious of the cordless being better in reality.

[PositronicRay]

The thing that puts me off cordless stuff is it's always flat when I want it!! Okay if you're using it all the time and remember to put on charge, occasional use a nono.

[Garybee]

PositronicRay said:

The thing that puts me off cordless stuff is it's always flat when I want it!! Okay if you're using it all the time and remember to put on charge, occasional use a nono.

Yep, I know exactly where you're coming from there. In this case I think it will be ok but only because I have quite a few Dewalt XR 18v tools so there'll always be at least a couple of charged batteries around. The stuff seems quite good despite being the Stella of the tool world (their marketing department has everyone convinced that it's really expensive so when people see it available fairly cheaply it seems like good value).

[arginite]

Garybee said:

What's toughest thing you've used it on so far?

Bolts holding the rear brake carrier to the hub.
Regarding it being flat, I pop one of the two batteries on charge every month and never have an issue with them.

[PhillipM]

PositronicRay said:

The thing that puts me off cordless stuff is it's always flat when I want it!! Okay if you're using it all the time and remember to put on charge, occasional use a nono.

Depends if you're using the old tech or newer lithium stuff - lithium will hold enough charge to be usable even after 6-9 months.

[Steve H]

Decent quality 18v stuff keeps up with air no problem, massive improvements over the last few years. TBH I don't know anyone that uses mains stuff - no point in having cables hanging round when you don't need to.

[one eyed mick]

Batteries will never replace a proper air set up mains may come close but to me there is only one choice

[crossy67]

I have one of these with two batteries, they last for ages and take about 20 mins to fully charge from flat. I have yet to find a nut or bolt to beat it.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/product...

[PhillipM]

one eyed mick said:

Batteries will never replace a proper air set up mains may come close but to me there is only one choice

I have air plumbed in at the workshop. It hardly gets used now, battery impact guns get picked up every time, no hoses to trail around behind and no hose tails and fittings to get in the way when you're trying to get them into somewhere tight.

Edited by PhillipM on Saturday 18th June 23:18

[OldGermanHeaps]

Its well worth trying to find a deal on the milwaukee one, best tool i have ever bought.

[Zombie]

I've got a 240v dewalt impact gun.

It's not great in terms of torque - over tightened wheel bolts regularly defeat it and the trigger is a very poor design - I manage to set it off every time I pick it up, which can send large sockets flying towards something shiny, usually a front wing.

The cord makes it difficult to store and the drive bit has a spring loaded pin that should lock into large sockets but is just a royal pain in the arse because you can't get them off without a pointy screwdriver.

[rxe]

You don't need to go large on the compressor.

Anything with a small tank will power an impact gun. It may not power it for long, but you won't be using it for long.

[rambo19]

Been thinking about one of these;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jlSqjpwZwY

[DuraAce]

Just picked up a pair of dewalts. A 3/8 and a 1/2 18v impact gun.

1/2 for heavy duty stuff and the 3/8 for tighter access etc. Should've bought them years ago.

[Percent]

Will this be up to the job for heavy duty car work? Brake carriers, Wheel nuts etc?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eri6041pd-18v-2-...

[alock]

Percent said:

Will this be up to the job for heavy duty car work? Brake carriers, Wheel nuts etc?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eri6041pd-18v-2-...

Impact drivers are typically designed for screws. Impact wrenches are designed for nuts/bolts.

Simplistically it has a 1/4" drive, so if you would remove the nult/bolt with a 1/4" socket set then it'll be fine.

[selym]

I have a Clarke 240v impact wrench and it hasn't been defeated yet.