Impact wrenches
Discussion
Having had to replace the suspension arms on one car, and then a CV boot on another, I'm coming to the conclusion that an impact wrench might be worth buying to save my ageing muscles. Its not something i would be using all that often, but it would make life a bit easier when brakes/suspension jobs come up.
Looking around there seems to be two options in battery-powered ones - big bruisers or compact ones.
The Dewalt 899 caught my eye because it seems powerful enough to remove anything (after a particular fight undoing a hub nut, this appeals) but is it too big to access other nuts and bolts?
Would i be better off with a physically smaller unit that will access more stuff? Or are they too weak to be of much use for caliper bolts, lower arms etc.
And what about brand? My budget isn't high-end, so Milwaukee etc aren't really an option. Equally, i don't want to spend £30 on some chinese copy that doesn't actually do the job. What's a good mid-range brand? Or are the Chinese Makita copies actually better than they look?
Looking around there seems to be two options in battery-powered ones - big bruisers or compact ones.
The Dewalt 899 caught my eye because it seems powerful enough to remove anything (after a particular fight undoing a hub nut, this appeals) but is it too big to access other nuts and bolts?
Would i be better off with a physically smaller unit that will access more stuff? Or are they too weak to be of much use for caliper bolts, lower arms etc.
And what about brand? My budget isn't high-end, so Milwaukee etc aren't really an option. Equally, i don't want to spend £30 on some chinese copy that doesn't actually do the job. What's a good mid-range brand? Or are the Chinese Makita copies actually better than they look?
The Road Crew said:
I have the 899,it's very good but it is physically large. I bought a 3/8"drive version as well.
I have lots of other dewalt kit so it was a no brainer really.
That's what i'm worried about. I sweated over the hub nut, but that doesn't get tackled very often, whereas ball joint nuts and drop links seem to need to come off more regularly and i think the 899 will struggle to get in position. What was the 3/8 Dewalt you got? I have lots of other dewalt kit so it was a no brainer really.
The only battery powered stuff i have got is a Hitachi drill, so i'm not invested in any particular brand
I needed to do the rear wheel bearings on my RX400h. After 40 odd years of not having an easy way to tackle such things as hub nuts. I bought an 899 it took them off in seconds, its big but it just works. not sure how it will fit in to some tight spots but then I just have to accept that. Wish I had bought one years ago.
I have the compact DeWalt 1/2" which is rated to about 130Nm from memory, although on a full battery I'm sure it does a bit more - it does pretty much everything except the odd really seized bolt, including quite a few hub nuts which are properly torqued, but it's also small enough to get into most spaces with a bit of thought...
If I was buying another I'd be tempted to get the 3/8" one as the sockets are a bit more compact to make them easier to get into tight spots. Otherwise it's fantastic.
Should add, though, I've got a mains-powered big boy impact for some of the awkward stuff, and a 1.2m 3/4" bar for the REALLY awkward stuff.
If I was buying another I'd be tempted to get the 3/8" one as the sockets are a bit more compact to make them easier to get into tight spots. Otherwise it's fantastic.
Should add, though, I've got a mains-powered big boy impact for some of the awkward stuff, and a 1.2m 3/4" bar for the REALLY awkward stuff.
Krikkit said:
I have the compact DeWalt 1/2" which is rated to about 130Nm from memory, although on a full battery I'm sure it does a bit more - it does pretty much everything except the odd really seized bolt, including quite a few hub nuts which are properly torqued, but it's also small enough to get into most spaces with a bit of thought...
If I was buying another I'd be tempted to get the 3/8" one as the sockets are a bit more compact to make them easier to get into tight spots. Otherwise it's fantastic.
Should add, though, I've got a mains-powered big boy impact for some of the awkward stuff, and a 1.2m 3/4" bar for the REALLY awkward stuff.
Ha, i ended up using my 1/2" 800mm breaker bar with a length of scaffold tube over it to undo the hub nut. I ended up on my backside, which made me think i should get an impact wrench!If I was buying another I'd be tempted to get the 3/8" one as the sockets are a bit more compact to make them easier to get into tight spots. Otherwise it's fantastic.
Should add, though, I've got a mains-powered big boy impact for some of the awkward stuff, and a 1.2m 3/4" bar for the REALLY awkward stuff.
boyse7en said:
TEKNOPUG said:
I have a Ryobi. Never failed to undo anything I have attempted.
Do you know what model? Or what power output it is?Some seem to be quite low - im not sure 130Nm will do much, but the no-name ones are 320-450nm which sounds a bit more useful
400nm
TEKNOPUG said:
boyse7en said:
TEKNOPUG said:
I have a Ryobi. Never failed to undo anything I have attempted.
Do you know what model? Or what power output it is?Some seem to be quite low - im not sure 130Nm will do much, but the no-name ones are 320-450nm which sounds a bit more useful
400nm
Taita said:
I have one of these too. The USA also has the p262 and another super powered one, you can import via ebay etc
I believe this is the same as the p262:https://uk.ryobitools.eu/diy-power-tools/drilling-...
It's what I'm planning to get along with one of their 'High Energy' batteries.
It's swings and roundabouts, the heavier wrenches apply more impact force. But they can and will destroy cheap sockets. I was always a milwaukee fan but the latest snap on rattle gun is good if a little expensive for weekend work, around £850 plus vat. I use it every day and I like it. Pay as much as you can justify with the highest amp battery available.
I recently wanted to get an impact wrench for the occasional job, I have a large collection of DIY (Green) Bosch 18v tools, but Bosch don't do an impact wrench in this range. A Bosch Professions (Blue) impact wrench, batteries and charger set up was adding up to over £300.
Looked at various options and ended up with a Worx WX279 (300Nm) Impact wrench for £160 (now are they listed on amazon for £140) with 2 batteries. (plus some more money for impact sockets obviously)
I have changed the discs and pads on my car along with a few other jobs and its great. The other advantage this had (or disadvantage...) is that I now have an "in" to a huge array of Worx power tools and battery powered garden equipment.
The same thing could be said of the Ryobi impact wrench and the Ryobi One range really.
Looked at various options and ended up with a Worx WX279 (300Nm) Impact wrench for £160 (now are they listed on amazon for £140) with 2 batteries. (plus some more money for impact sockets obviously)
I have changed the discs and pads on my car along with a few other jobs and its great. The other advantage this had (or disadvantage...) is that I now have an "in" to a huge array of Worx power tools and battery powered garden equipment.
The same thing could be said of the Ryobi impact wrench and the Ryobi One range really.
navmangt said:
Taita said:
I have one of these too. The USA also has the p262 and another super powered one, you can import via ebay etc
I believe this is the same as the p262:https://uk.ryobitools.eu/diy-power-tools/drilling-...
It's what I'm planning to get along with one of their 'High Energy' batteries.
Works fine with 5aH battery, also no issues with a 2aH for when you need it a bit smaller and not all the dugga duggas!
Vintagejock said:
It's swings and roundabouts, the heavier wrenches apply more impact force. But they can and will destroy cheap sockets. I was always a milwaukee fan but the latest snap on rattle gun is good if a little expensive for weekend work, around £850 plus vat. I use it every day and I like it. Pay as much as you can justify with the highest amp battery available.
Why would anybody but a snapon one at that price when you can get a DeWalt or millwakke for much Cheeper and just as good qualityI’ve been using a Ruyika compact 1/2 inch impact for about a year now for a mixture of relatively light use at work (I’m an engineer) and heavier car and railway loco maintenance outside of work. Ruyika is one of the Chinese makita copy brands. It’s grand for quite a bit of stuff, but some things are just too much for it. For what I paid I’m very pleased with it. The smaller size makes it handy to get into awkward spots.
A mate is a mechanic and uses MAC Tools stuff, their impacts are made by dewalt and so are exactly the same except red instead of yellow. We’ve yet to find something the big MAC gun won’t touch. Would recommend the MAC/Dewalt for heavier work.
A mate is a mechanic and uses MAC Tools stuff, their impacts are made by dewalt and so are exactly the same except red instead of yellow. We’ve yet to find something the big MAC gun won’t touch. Would recommend the MAC/Dewalt for heavier work.
I'm interested in getting an impact gun for working on the suspension of my car.
Thing that concerns me is, as I'm just a home spanner man it will get very occasional use, so when the battery dies will I still be able to buy a replacement ?
Manufacturers like to make their stuff obsolete to get you buy new, and I'd hate to throw away a good tool in 5 years time just because I cant replace the battery !
Thing that concerns me is, as I'm just a home spanner man it will get very occasional use, so when the battery dies will I still be able to buy a replacement ?
Manufacturers like to make their stuff obsolete to get you buy new, and I'd hate to throw away a good tool in 5 years time just because I cant replace the battery !
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