Which Impact Wrench?

[Munzy123]

Building my tool kit up and would like to buy an impact wrench for tackling suspension/steering components in the spring.

I used to buy middle/bottom of the range tools and always ended up regretting when they let me down when it came to the toughest jobs so nowadays I like to try and buy the right tool for the job.

I'm trying to teach and do as many jobs myself as possible. What I don't want to do is buy a wrench that is not able to deal with the worst my 2005 E91 3 Series can throw up and end up having to go to a garage with 'proper' tools.

Will either of these do the job?

https://www.uktoolcentre.co.uk/products/milwaukee-...

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tools/d40/I...

Quiet a big price difference for what seems the same spec (610nm) - I take it the 'c' on the 402c is just a newer model?

[Munzy123]

Now you mention it I have always fancied and air compressor - particularly when I was trying to seal up tubeless tyres on my mountain bike...

Would these two do?

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/air-tools/ratchet-...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/sc50h-50-litre-hig...

[DuraAce]

If you've already got some power tools already it can cheaper to stay with that make as batteries can be expensive.

I have a 1/2 dewalt DCF899. Havent come across anything it can't undo yet. It's heavy though, fair enough with 900+ Nm torque.
Only £150 for bare unit though.
Also have a smaller 3/8 DCF883, still very strong but smaller and lighter. £100 bare unit.
Heartily recommend them both.

Couldn't be bothered with having to run a compressor at home. To much faff and take up to much storage space for me.

Edited by DuraAce on Tuesday 26th December 22:38

[paintman]

Munzy123 said:

Now you mention it I have always fancied and air compressor - particularly when I was trying to seal up tubeless tyres on my mountain bike...

Would these two do?

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/air-tools/ratchet-...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/sc50h-50-litre-hig...

Most of the smaller single phase compressors give the delivery as displacement. This is NOT the same as free air delivery which is the important figure. Displacement looks impressive but AFAIAC is a con as it makes the compressor look much more powerful then it actually is.
FAD is around 1/2 to 2/3 of the displacement.

That compressor should run a small HVLP spraygun - SMART repair size 0.8 to 1.0 fluid setup - without problem but to run a full size gravity feed one with a 1.4 fluid setup it will be at its absolute limit. I use one of similar size for professional SMART repair. Don't use a suction cup type, needs too much air.
I would not expect it to be able to run a sander or polisher.

The tool you list requires air at 90psi AND a sustained delivery of 6.5cfm at that pressure. That's a lot of air & a small compressor can't do that. With the small compressors you will need to wait until it fills the tank & cuts out. You will then get a very short usage of the tool before the air pressure drops to low & you have to wait for it to refill again.

Don't bother trying to run an air hungry tool with one of the small bore curly plastic hoses. They're OK for tyre inflation but you need a larger bore hose to pass the volume of air required.

[Munzy123]

Thanks for all the advice guys, clears a lot up and glad I asked before I take the plunge!

I think I'll end up going the cordless route for convenience (don't have a 230v where I work on the car) and the compressors that are needed to drive a proper wrench are a bit more expensive that the one above and I want to do it properly.

[E-bmw]

Munzy123 said:

the compressors that are needed to drive a proper wrench are a bit more expensive that the one above

Isn't that rather irrelevant if you don't have mains there anyway?

[gregb23]

I've got a kielder impact as a middle range impact. Its shifted all sorts including rusted 1" tractor nuts and suspension bolts. It's seemed to pick up a bit better after a few charges which they're supposed to as they bed in. Took a little while with some things initially, now whizzes them off.

Seems to fit in most spaces as well whereas some of the more powerful seem to be bigger. Due to the larger motors and batteries I assume.

I also went cordless due to the convenience of not having to have hoses or cables linked up and in place.

https://www.kielder.co/products/18v-cordless-impac...

[Camaro]

[quote=DuraAce]If you've already got some power tools already it can cheaper to stay with that make as batteries can be expensive.

I have a 1/2 dewalt DCF899. Havent come across anything it can't undo yet. It's heavy though, fair enough with 900+ Nm torque.
Only £150 for bare unit though.
Also have a smaller 3/8 DCF883, still very strong but smaller and lighter. £100 bare unit.
Heartily recommend them both.

Couldn't be bothered with having to run a compressor at home. To much faff and take up to much storage space for me.

This ^^^

Have both of these, exactly the same, not found a bolt, nut or anything they can't undo.

I bought the 899 as a kit with two 5AH batteries from Cromwells who were doing a good deal on them. I then bought the 883 as a bare body for about £120.

[russell_ram]

Camaro]uraAce said:

I have a 1/2 dewalt DCF899. Haven't come across anything it can't undo yet.

This.

I had the older DW059B (400Nm) unit previously but the 899 is in a different league altogether.

[Faust66]

Another shout for the DeWalt DCF899 from me (also got mine from Cromwell on offer with 2 batteries, charger and a decent case – think it was £270 last April).

Excellent bit of kit and I’ve not yet found a bolt that’ll beat it.

[Willy Nilly]

SGS have some good deals on Milwaukee 1/2 inch drive cordless impact guns. I'm thinking about getting one and was informed by someone that has one that it is man enough to undo and re-tighten all of the wheel studs on a decent sized farm tractor on one charge, which is what I want.