Electric Impact Wrench?!

[fj1289]

Anyone have experience with one?  How do they compare to the home/hobby pneumatic versions?

I don't own a large compressor anymore and also like the idea of being able to power it from a large inverter connected to the truck battery when at the track.   

[big r]

Some of the hd mechanics I know use them. They can produce up 400 ft lbs of torque in a 1/2 in drive gun. You can also get them in a 3/8 in. version. There a few manufactures of them such as snap on Mac tools and blue point which is a cheaper version of snap on. I think you can also get them from Craftsman. Big R

[FJ1100mjk]

I bought one at Harbor Freight last fall, so I could loosen and tighten the countershaft sprocket's nut. With a coupon, I picked it up for $38. For what I bought for, it was money well-spent. Unlike pneumatic ones I've owned in the past, it's non-adjustable for output.

[CatTomb]

I got the Harbor Freight one too. It works great for what I paid for it.

[ribbert]

I bought one at Harbor Freight last fall, so I could loosen and tighten the countershaft sprocket's nut. With a coupon, I picked it up for $38. For what I bought for, it was money well-spent. Unlike pneumatic ones I've owned in the past, it's non-adjustable for output.

I'm not picking on you specifically here but you raise a point that is worth commenting on.

I own 2 air guns, an adjustable electric one, a couple of air ratchets and I can use them all with the finesse of a surgeon, but, I NEVER tension anything up with any of them. I might spin up a nut or bolt just to the point of making contact, but NEVER use one to tighten anything. (maybe wheel nuts on the car, but even then only if you have a very good feel for your gun and still do the final torquing by hand)

The advice and suggestions (or the manner in which they are delivered) I give on line are not always received in the spirit in which they are offered and I increasingly try and stay away from specific problems but this has to be said before we have a wave of members running out buying rattle guns. Having a new impact gun as your tool (toy) of choice can lead to only slightly less damage to your bike than a 12 gauge shot gun can inflict.
The very nature of these tools is such that they offer very little, if any, feedback until they stop turning, which is great if you want everything torqued to 250 ft/lb. Unless you want to spring for a digital adjustable one.

Groan if you will at this advice (but no PM's thanks) but there are plenty out there that probably need it and I have seen (fixed) the damage these things can cause in hands of an over enthusiastic owner who has usually just acquired one and wants to use it on everything, and it's always messy.
I only occasionally use any of mine, I have a  preference for removing nuts and bolts by hand where practical because that too sometimes tells a story.

Other than on wheels, you rarely see or hear one being used in an auto repair shop.

Noel

[gumby302ho]

 I have used them, they are a little under powered depending on what you are undoing, I dont think the average electric impact goes beyond 400ft lbs. They are great for blasting off car tires with no hose or compressor to charge up but they are big and heavy and a pain in the ass in tight spots. Strong wrists are in order if its in your hands for a long period of time. Thats my 3 cents. 

[Harvy]

Chris, I have a Ryobi IW1400 that I use on cars to loosen crankshaft front pulley bolts when my air gun fails to move them, but never used it on the bike.
Anyone intending to use an impact gun please make sure the socket you use is impact gun rated - I've seen sockets shatter if they are not so rated.
Works a treat, not cheap tho - secondhand was around the $200 mark from memory.


Harvy

[Mark Olson]

Groan....

Damn Noel , you guys must charge by the hour and not the job then. 

All kidding aside it is best to know your tools, electric or pneumatic , and use them with care . If you are not comfortable with running up a bolt or removing one then don't, it is you prerogative . The ones with adjustable power settings work the best to keep you out of trouble, and always use with impact sockets when possible .

In conclusion , An electric Impact wrench is a useful tool to have . 

[Capn Ron]

In conclusion , An electric Impact wrench is a useful tool to have . 

Yep!  A buddy of mine brought one along with him to Moab.  Was excellent for doing trail repairs on the rock crawlers!   

[fj1289]

Thanks all

Sounds like it would be a worthwhile purchase for what I need to do. 

[novaraptor]

I'm with Ribbert on this one. Great tool for REMOVING stubborn nuts, but unless it's adjustable, shouldn't be used for tightening instead of a standard torque wrench.. 'cause your are just guessing with it..

[ZOA NOM]

or, grab a set of these to use with it and get close...

[FJ1100mjk]

I bought one at Harbor Freight last fall, so I could loosen and tighten the countershaft sprocket's nut. With a coupon, I picked it up for $38. For what I bought for, it was money well-spent. Unlike pneumatic ones I've owned in the past, it's non-adjustable for output.

I'm not picking on you specifically here

Noel

Of course not. Who would think that?

Here's my hammer and chisel set. You can have some fun with them too...   

[ZOA NOM]

I bought one at Harbor Freight last fall, so I could loosen and tighten the countershaft sprocket's nut. With a coupon, I picked it up for $38. For what I bought for, it was money well-spent. Unlike pneumatic ones I've owned in the past, it's non-adjustable for output.

I'm not picking on you specifically here

Noel

Of course not. Who would think that?

Here's my hammer and chisel set. You can have some fun with them too...   

Hahahahahaha!!  ROFL!

[Charlie-brm]

I have used them, they are a little under powered depending on what you are undoing, I dont think the average electric impact goes beyond 400ft lbs. They are great for blasting off car tires with no hose or compressor to charge up but they are big and heavy and a pain in the ass in tight spots. Strong wrists are in order if its in your hands for a long period of time. Thats my 3 cents. 

Pretty much everything said there. So now you have 6 cents

I did find mine surprisingly heavy in use, i.e. trying to work with it in awkward places or for any length of time or with your arm extended.
Mine is full torque only on reverse, digital adjustable on tightening.

I'd never consider using it on any fastener on any motorcycle. Farm wagon wheels and car wheels is all the action it has seen. Even then I finish off with a lug wrench.
The small and long 3/8 ratchet drivers are pretty handy if you have a lot of fasteners to remove in series but mine can be wimpy on breaking the thread free so I end up using an extension bar to get the nuts moving. By that time I would be further ahead getting a 3/8" drive adapter chucked up in my cordless drill instead of firing up an air wrench.