Another impact gun question
Discussion
Has anyone used a cordless impact gun for dual duties? I've seen people buy impact drivers for carpentry and general DIY, but these tend to be much smaller than the 1/2" drivers used on cars...
If I bought something with around 1,000Nm tightening torque, am I just going to end up snapping screws, or do they allow decent fine control?
I've already got twist drill/drivers so no big deal if they don't work that way, just good to know it has a secondary use.
I'm long bought in to the Hikoki/Metabo 18v and 36V system, so would be going that route (if it makes any difference).
If I bought something with around 1,000Nm tightening torque, am I just going to end up snapping screws, or do they allow decent fine control?
I've already got twist drill/drivers so no big deal if they don't work that way, just good to know it has a secondary use.
I'm long bought in to the Hikoki/Metabo 18v and 36V system, so would be going that route (if it makes any difference).
I have a Dewalt 899 with a 1/2" anvil for mechanical stuff, and a Dewalt dcf887 impact driver for woodworking and general DIY duties. I wouldn't like to use the big one on screws as while it does have three torque settings and a proportional trigger, it's MUCH bigger and heavier and you'd need adapters or bits with a 1/2" socket, while the impact driver takes normal hex bits. It's also a lot more responsive on the trigger, and you have finer control.
Using the big one to do DIY really is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You might crack the nut, but will there be anything edible afterwards?
Using the big one to do DIY really is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You might crack the nut, but will there be anything edible afterwards?
Horses for courses. You wouldn't use a 1/2" ratchet on a 6mm nut. There are smaller impact drivers for smaller screws and bolts. The big 1/2 one is great for removing axle nuts and wheel bolts but it's not supposed to be used for something small like a thermostat housing or water pump. The smaller drivers are perfect for that kind of work.
I used a 180nm Bosch impact driver for car stuff with one of those cheap hex socket adaptors and I never broke them.
It was useful but it wouldn't undo a wheel bolt or anything, it was more of a time saver than anything else - i.e. when you've got a rusty fastener you can undo with a ratchet, but it's hard work every turn.
But very useful for DIY.
I've since got a 950nm Dewalt 899 impact wrench and for car stuff it's transformative - breaker bars rarely come out and bolts just fly off.
I do a quality 1/2" to hex adaptor (which isn't cheap btw) and I have tried using it on a stuck screw because I couldn't be bothered to get the right tool and it just snapped the (impact rated) bit instead.
It's also massive.
TBH with something so powerful, it's asking for trouble using it on anything small.
It was useful but it wouldn't undo a wheel bolt or anything, it was more of a time saver than anything else - i.e. when you've got a rusty fastener you can undo with a ratchet, but it's hard work every turn.
But very useful for DIY.
I've since got a 950nm Dewalt 899 impact wrench and for car stuff it's transformative - breaker bars rarely come out and bolts just fly off.
I do a quality 1/2" to hex adaptor (which isn't cheap btw) and I have tried using it on a stuck screw because I couldn't be bothered to get the right tool and it just snapped the (impact rated) bit instead.
It's also massive.
TBH with something so powerful, it's asking for trouble using it on anything small.
Jakg said:
I used a 180nm Bosch impact driver for car stuff with one of those cheap hex socket adaptors and I never broke them.
It was useful but it wouldn't undo a wheel bolt or anything, it was more of a time saver than anything else - i.e. when you've got a rusty fastener you can undo with a ratchet, but it's hard work every turn.
But very useful for DIY.
I've since got a 950nm Dewalt 899 impact wrench and for car stuff it's transformative - breaker bars rarely come out and bolts just fly off.
I do a quality 1/2" to hex adaptor (which isn't cheap btw) and I have tried using it on a stuck screw because I couldn't be bothered to get the right tool and it just snapped the (impact rated) bit instead.
It's also massive.
TBH with something so powerful, it's asking for trouble using it on anything small.
Useful post, thank you! I reckon the big Hikoki will give a similar result. I'll have to wait until I've got a job coming up where I can definitely use a big impact then, to justify new toy time.It was useful but it wouldn't undo a wheel bolt or anything, it was more of a time saver than anything else - i.e. when you've got a rusty fastener you can undo with a ratchet, but it's hard work every turn.
But very useful for DIY.
I've since got a 950nm Dewalt 899 impact wrench and for car stuff it's transformative - breaker bars rarely come out and bolts just fly off.
I do a quality 1/2" to hex adaptor (which isn't cheap btw) and I have tried using it on a stuck screw because I couldn't be bothered to get the right tool and it just snapped the (impact rated) bit instead.
It's also massive.
TBH with something so powerful, it's asking for trouble using it on anything small.
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