Impact Wrench Recommendation

[Cajun1]

Thanks to everyone for the valuable information!

[ano0oj]

If a impact wrench has 250ft/lbs torque...is over torquing a problem for you if they have to be torqued at 105?

[ibimmer954]

Yes, which is why you want one with an adjustable torque setting.

[MaynardZed]

Originally Posted by ano0oj

If a impact wrench has 250ft/lbs torque...is over torquing a problem for you if they have to be torqued at 105?

Yeah, like with the M18 Fuel big boy I have, you have to use the low torque setting. Never torque lugs on setting #2, gotta use setting #1 and finish with a torque wrench.

I have a few impact wrenches for various jobs. I also love the M12 brushless 3/8" power ratchet. Even it can torque to 55lb/ft.

[clutchdj]

Love my M12. Have had it for for 5 years so far and they are pretty much indestructible; love how the battery goes hard until the last 1% of life. Use it for everything. Going to get an M18 shortly for breaking lugs.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ano0oj

If a impact wrench has 250ft/lbs torque...is over torquing a problem for you if they have to be torqued at 105?

It's not a problem at all, you just have to use it smartly when putting the lugs on. Be very gentle with the trigger when engaging the thread to ensure it does not cross thread. Then don't press the trigger all the way when screwing in and release as soon as it is seated. I've been doing this for years and never cross threaded nor overtorqued any lugs.

[allinon72]

Milwaukee Fuel for everything battery powered.

[MisterF80M3]

I use Dewalt Impact Wrench.

Honestly, I've seen people use Harbor Freight Impact wrench and it works just fine.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by Kev608

I have Ryobi brand 1/2 inch and bit lock impact drivers. Home Depot has these for half price or less on Black Friday every year. I actually picked up a second bit lock with two of the max capacity batteries last year. It's nice to not have to pop bits when doing jobs. I can load the three sizes I need and go!

As for the tools, they've held up extremely well. I don't abuse them, but I'm not real careful either. I've never met a bolt that the 1/2 inch couldn't tackle. Make sure you hold on tight if you're at top speed.

Originally Posted by Gomeler

I've been using a Ryobi 18v 1/2" impact for about 3 years. Absolutely perfect for everything from ~30ftlb 12mm fasteners up to axle nuts and rusted up suspension bolts. Bought a set of impact sockets that range from 10mm to 27mm or so, and I use this thing for everything. Bought a pair of the high capacity batteries, and I use them for the impact, air compressor, and weedwhacker. Zero complaints for all three tools.

I also have the Ryobi 18V impact gun that I've been using since we first tracked my wife's 2011 335is Coupe in 2012. I also have a couple of the hi-capacity LiOn batteries and take those to the track. I also take a single-battery charger for those tracks where I can rent a garage with outlets, or just take the batteries and the charger back to the hotel room and charge overnight just in case.

My wife and I both carry our track tires in the back seat of my M4 and her M3 and swap the tires the night before the first track session and again after the final session on the last day, so that's 40 lug nuts being taken off and put back on twice in a weekend. One battery has been enough without resorting to the backup battery.

I'm pretty invested in the whole Ryobi 18V system. They have some excellent lights that really help when you're working on your car. They also have a portable fan that comes in handy when you working on your car when it's hot.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It's not a problem at all, you just have to use it smartly when putting the lugs on. Be very gentle with the trigger when engaging the thread to ensure it does not cross thread. Then don't press the trigger all the way when screwing in and release as soon as it is seated. I've been doing this for years and never cross threaded nor overtorqued any lugs.

For extra insurance that they don't get stripped, I always hand thread at least one full turn before using the impact wrench to tighten. I can feather trigger it so it just snugs the nut and then use a torque wrench.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

For extra insurance that they don't get stripped, I always hand thread at least one full turn before using the impact wrench to tighten. I can feather trigger it so it just snugs the nut and then use a torque wrench.

Agreed. What you describe is the technically correct way of doing it to ensure no cross threading.

[TheBreeze]

Originally Posted by bagekko

No one beats the Milwaukee impacts overall.

2767 high torque monster impact
2852 3/8 or 2861 mid torque for great power at smaller size
M12 stubby impacts 2554 3/8 or 2555 1/2

I have almost every single impact Milwaukee makes, actually almost every tool & light they make. Lately I use the high torque impact to remove lugs and the stubby M12 to install. The only problem with the M12 stubbies is theres a big power loss if you use extensions.

Dewalt impacts are a joke compared to Milwaukee, and non of the assembled in USA BS, changing battery formats all the time, and better warranty with Milwaukee.

This. I have the 1/2 mid torque and it's a perfect balance of power and size. My buddy has the high torque, and it's an absolute beast power wise, but it is pretty big and heavy so not quite as versatile as the mid torque. I also own a couple of air impact guns, but I very rarely need to use them. My big air impact only comes out when the mid torque fails to break stuff loose. This only happens when idiot techs use the big air impacts and end up torquing lug nuts to 500 ft lbs. I've literally have had to use a 4 ft long breaker bar once or twice. My other air impact is a stubby which fits into some very tight spots. Good to have lots of tools :-).

[SD ///M4]

I got an e-mail from Ryobi and they currently have a special running at Home Depot where if you buy their P166 Battery & Charger combo kit consisting of two 18V 3.0AH Lithium+ HP batteries, a compact fast charger (1 hr), and a Ryobi zippered bag for $149, you get any eligible Ryobi ONE+ tool for free, and that includes the P261 18V 3-speed 1/2" Impact Wrench, which normally sells for $119.99. The impact wrench is an updated version of the one that I've used for about 7 years. A really great deal!

https://www.ryobitools.com/offerings...54c3-267453425

I just picked up this combo so that when my wife and I take both our cars to the track, we have an extra impact wrench and we don't have to wait on one another when swapping track wheels.

While I was at Home Depot, it looks like they're having a huge early Black Friday tool event, which also includes Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ridgid, Makita, and others.

The Milwaukee special includes a M18 FUEL 1/2" Impact Wrench with One 5.0Ah Battery and a charger for $269.

The Dewalt special includes a 20-Volt MAX XR Cordless Brushless 1/2" Impact Wrench with a Bonus 20-Volt 5.0Ah Battery Pack & Charger for $249.

[Cajun1]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll be heading there tomorrow!

[Cajun1]

Oh, and detent pin or hog ring?

[9M71]

Originally Posted by Cajun1

Oh, and detent pin or hog ring?

I'm a fan of the friction ring. Don't have to worry about socket orientation.

[bagekko]

Depends, most prefer the friction ring, though I hate the friction ring on the M12 Fuel stubby impacts, things fall off all the time. The pin detent is a little easier to use since they changed it. With the pin you could just put an extension on there and leave it on all the time. Few years ago there were awesome deals on some pin models so on my tool site the topic was discussed in length. For a pro constantly using it the pin can slow things down. If there was a crazy deal on the pin model, the cost savings could influence the choice.

Originally Posted by Cajun1

Oh, and detent pin or hog ring?

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by Cajun1

Oh, and detent pin or hog ring?

I'm a fan of the friction ring. They can be replaced fairly easily if yours gets damaged for some reason.

While I haven't owned a Milwaukee pin model, the DeWalts I had were terrible for swapping sockets. You had to get a tool and depress the pin from the outside in order to get the socket off.

[TulaneAg]

I was invested in the Black & Decker 20v system for my home tools so I bought the 1/2” impact and the cordless inflator. Impact isn’t strong enough to break loose lug nuts and the inflator crapped out in less than a year.

At some point I need to sell all my B&D stuff and swap to a Ryobi or Milwaukee system but I have a lot of tools so it’s a hard pill to swallow.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

I got an e-mail from Ryobi and they currently have a special running at Home Depot where if you buy their P166 Battery & Charger combo kit consisting of two 18V 3.0AH Lithium+ HP batteries, a compact fast charger (1 hr), and a Ryobi zippered bag for $149, you get any eligible Ryobi ONE+ tool for free, and that includes the P261 18V 3-speed 1/2" Impact Wrench, which normally sells for $119.99. The impact wrench is an updated version of the one that I've used for about 7 years. A really great deal!

https://www.ryobitools.com/offerings...54c3-267453425

I just picked up this combo so that when my wife and I take both our cars to the track, we have an extra impact wrench and we don't have to wait on one another when swapping track wheels.

While I was at Home Depot, it looks like they're having a huge early Black Friday tool event, which also includes Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ridgid, Makita, and others.

The Milwaukee special includes a M18 FUEL 1/2" Impact Wrench with One 5.0Ah Battery and a charger for $269.

The Dewalt special includes a 20-Volt MAX XR Cordless Brushless 1/2" Impact Wrench with a Bonus 20-Volt 5.0Ah Battery Pack & Charger for $249.

Black Friday Alert! The Ryobi package that I mentioned above for $149 is now $129. Home Depot has reductions on Ryobi, Ridgid, Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee tools. No need to go today though, as these offers run from 11/7/19 through 1/29/20!

[bigjae1976]

I use a smaller Milwaukee Impact. It gets it close to 80ft/lbs, it's smaller and uses less battery. Also removes lug nuts torqued up to 100ft/lbs-ish.

If I had to do it again, I'd consider getting a Rigid from Home Depot...lifetime warranty.

[Powerslide]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

Yeah, like with the M18 Fuel big boy I have, you have to use the low torque setting. Never torque lugs on setting #2, gotta use setting #1 and finish with a torque wrench.

I have a few impact wrenches for various jobs. I also love the M12 brushless 3/8" power ratchet. Even it can torque to 55lb/ft.

I use the same Milwaukee on setting #1 - love it!