Impact Wrench - 1/2, 3/4 or 1" Drive?

[TacticalDad]

Hi guys, what's everyone's preference on the above? I'm starting to get more involved in HGV work. I've always used 1/2 drive and I'm in need of some new tools, I was thinking due to the larger and more torque required on the lugs etc I may need a 3/4 or 1" Drive wrench.

Is there a real difference? Or will 1/2 still be okay? TIA 🙏🏼

[Mars]

I have a 1/2" DeWalt impact driver. It's quite impressive - supposedly can handle 950Nm. It's so powerful that I never use it to do things up - only to remove them.

I don't work on HGVs, only cars but it hasn't failed to remove anything, including rusty TVR suspension components, although it did break one stud in half.

[Mars]

Also, to get the most out of them, you need to use larger capacity batteries. The theory I've read is that they have more batteries in parallel leading to higher currents.

[stinkyspanner]

I don't think 1/2" will cut the mustard, all my tools are car related and when I briefly owned a 7.5t lorry my tools were useless on the wheels and suspension components. My best 1/2" snap on breaker bar with a scaffold pole on it got laughed at by the wheel nuts, I bought a torque multiplier in the end

[Ritchie335is]

My concern is, that you are telling us you are working on HGVs but given your question posted, obviously you have no idea what’s involved with working on hgvs!
1in drive is the obvious answer.

[Griffith4ever]

Mars said:

Also, to get the most out of them, you need to use larger capacity batteries. The theory I've read is that they have more batteries in parallel leading to higher currents.

It's not just theory, it's fact ;-) The more AH (capacity) the bigger current handling / delivery as the work is spread across more cells. (connected in parallel)