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Question About Impact Wrenches

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by radshooter, Mar 21, 2019.

  1. Mar 21, 2019
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    191
    I have a small Milwaukee 18V and a Porter Cable 3/8 drive air impact my Dad gave me because he doesn't have an air compressor. It was a "bonus" with something else he bought.

    My air compressor is only 20 gal and maxes out around 120psi so I can't run any air tools for very long at a time.

    Question.....of these two impact wrenches, which has the most bang for a stubborn nut? They both do good on lug nuts, but on bigger stuff like carrier bearings in a differential for example I usually have to get out the breaker bar. Is this common? I really don't do enough stuff to justify a bigger impact.

    Just curious.

    Thanks.

    Steve
     
  2. Mar 26, 2019
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    Impacts don't use a lot of air volume unless your really hammering something, and most should run at about 80-90 psi. It would be best to look up the model numbers and get the exact torque specs as to which is better. I don't run any bat tools other than a drill.
     
  3. Mar 26, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    A 3/8" drive probably isn't rated as high as you want.
     
  4. Mar 26, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Is the Milwaukee an actual 1/2" drive impact wrench? Or a 1/4" "impact driver"?

    It comes down to the size of the hammers inside the unit. If it's an actual impact wrench, it should pack some punch. If a 1/4" driver, not so much.

    The 3/8" unit, as awesomely useful as they are, is more for light assembly/disassembly work than really driving things home.

    Check pawn shops or thrift stores for 110v plug-in-type 1/2" impact wrenches. They are great substitutes for the air-driven type.
     
  5. Mar 26, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Yes. My Dewalt is a brute and I use it almost daily. It hits harder than my air tools.
     
  6. Mar 26, 2019
    tomasinator

    tomasinator Member

    Redmond, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2015
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    415
    I have a cordless Dewalt, too, and it hits harder than a 120vac Harbor Freight impact wrench.
     
  7. Mar 27, 2019
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
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    191
    ITLKSEZ asked "Is the Milwaukee an actual 1/2" drive impact wrench? Or a 1/4" "impact driver"?"

    [​IMG]

    This is the Milwaukee. Maybe "driver" is a better name. It sure is handy for small projects. It does have a little oomph though. When I was first getting the feel of it I managed to twist off a couple 1/4 and 3/8 diameter bolts. It came in a package deal with a hammer drill.
     
  8. Mar 28, 2019
    windyhill

    windyhill Sponsor

    PA
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    Nov 4, 2006
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    radshooter and ITLKSEZ like this.
  9. Mar 29, 2019
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
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    Jan 10, 2014
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    Thanks windyhill! I will have to check out that link. Looks interesting!
     
  10. Mar 29, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    I have a compressor, and I bought an impact wrench to work on my car wheels. But I could not unscrew the wheeels, not enough power. I checked at my pro shop, where they work on my car, and their compressor has a bigger power than mine, it is a pro compressor! The lesson is clear.:madwife:
     
  11. Apr 2, 2019
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
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    Apr 27, 2017
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    I use the Dewalt cordless version of the Milwaukee linked to above. These new cordless 1/2" impact guns are really nice. It has no problem removing pinion nuts and other stubborn fasteners.

    Mike
     
  12. Apr 6, 2019
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Kid i work with just got one of these last week. Pretty impressive.
     
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  13. Apr 11, 2019
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    That's an impact driver. Mine gets used 90% for construction and household chores. I have 1/4" and 3/8" socket drive bits for them. They are good for putting mechanical things together, but they definitely need to be properly torqued afterwards.

    I also have a 3/8" air impact wrench which has a lot more torque than my cordless impact driver and it works great for automotive needs. But it still doesn't even get close to enough power for the big automotive projects (like carrier nuts etc).
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
    radshooter likes this.
  14. Apr 11, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Ya Know ... In the old days, it was all about the CFM's. Still is when it comes to air tools .:) Steve , If you could locate & rig a holding / storage air tank , say 40 gallon , in series & above your 20 Gallon, your air tools would work of that first while your compressor replenished both. It's kinda like an extension. Just say'n ----- Lockman
     
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  15. Apr 12, 2019
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
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    847
    That Milwaukee Fuel is a beast. Not cheap, but a tool you buy once.
    Know a lot of people who hammer on them daily and the just want more.
    Picked up two Bosch lithium Ion on sale at Lowe's taped together for $50. Great deal.
    Have proven to be very useful. One is an impact, the other a drill.
    Not as tough as that Fuel, but they haven't faltered.
    At the same Lowe's found 2 Metabo 4 1/2" grinders for $60. Looking forward to using them.

    The Makita cordless driver drill has not faltered either.

    Dave
     
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