Impact Wrench Recommendation

[Cajun1]

Any particular brand or model I should be looking for? I'd like to have enough power to arrive at the track, swap wheels/tires then back again. Also would like it to work well for most auto related projects in the garage. Thanks guys!

[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.

[dvas]

I use a Dewalt. No issues after two years. Great battery life. Lasts for weeks even when I forget to recharge between track days. Only regret is I would have gotten the smaller version had I had to buy another one.

[FaRKle!]

The Milwaukee M12 1/2" stubby is a great compact wrench.

If you need something for more serious work at home though (breaking stuff 150ft-lbs or more), you'll probably want an M18 fuel 1/2" mid-torque.

It's also important to mention that battery discharge rate (typically tied to capacity) affects tool performance. Larger capacity batteries can output more current, which is what you need for more torque. For example, the M18 2.0AH battery is my go to, because it keeps the tool nice and light, but if I need to break bolts 150ft-lbs or greater, I throw on the M18 6.0AH battery.

The M12 stubby should really be used with an M12 XC 3.0 or M12 XC 4.0 battery (or greater).

[bimmerboyE92]

Use the 1/2” impact that matches whatever battery system you have. Whether Ryobi, Dewalt, Rigid, etc - they have plenty of power for most passenger vehicle lug nuts.

If starting from scratch, I’d stick with any of the brands from Home Depot as they seem to be the most stable in terms of ongoing support. Ryobi, Rigid, or Milwaukee. I’ve settled on Milwaukee 12V stuff and Rigid 18V stuff. The 12V stuff I use a lot at home. Drill, 1/4” impact, flashlight, mini sawzall, and even mini circular saw. I use the 12V for those 15min honey do jobs. More lengthy projects I pull out the 18V Rigid gear or use corded tools from various makers. I do use the 1/2” rigid impact for lug nuts mostly.

[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.

[bagekko]

The M12 stubbies only work well for perfectly torqued lug bolts that have not been on long, unless you only use a socket. They have a lot of power loss with extensions and even may not remove a lug bolt using a deep socket with a wheel lock key. I did a massive Milwaukee impact test earlier in the year, I will post if I can find it.

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

The Milwaukee M12 1/2" stubby is a great compact wrench.

If you need something for more serious work at home though (breaking stuff 150ft-lbs or more), you'll probably want an M18 fuel 1/2" mid-torque.

It's also important to mention that battery discharge rate (typically tied to capacity) affects tool performance. Larger capacity batteries can output more current, which is what you need for more torque. For example, the M18 2.0AH battery is my go to, because it keeps the tool nice and light, but if I need to break bolts 150ft-lbs or greater, I throw on the M18 6.0AH battery.

The M12 stubby should really be used with an M12 XC 3.0 or M12 XC 4.0 battery (or greater).

[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.

[FaRKle!]

While we're on the topic of Milwaukee, I also highly recommend the M12 inflator. It's compact, cordless, and inflates quickly. Pair it with a schrader quick connect/disconnect fitting and it's even more handy. I keep a 3.0 XC battery on mine and it lasts forever.

I use this all the time at the track for adjusting pressures. You'll still want to use a high quality pressure gauge though to really dial things in.

[9M71]

Ingersoll Rand Electric impact for stubborn bolts, wheels, or heavy duty things.

Milwaukee m12 stubby for exhaust, suspension, and other jobs I don't want to be lugging the heavier IR impact around on. the m12, at times, is not strong enough to break wheels, especially when you have to use some sort of lug nut adapter or key.

the IR has been abused for 6+ years and is going strong. got the recommendation from a 24/7 tire guy, whose shop switched from air to almost exclusively electric impacts.

[DentistRodman]

Ridgid gen5x brushless impact wrench ftw. On sale at home depot for $150 right now btw. Ridgid lifetime service includes replacement batteries for life.

Been using it for over a year and there has only been 1 bolt it couldn't remove. The bolt couldn't be removed by a Milwaukee M18 fuel either and broke 2 breaker bars. Damn crank bolt on 2jz...

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

tools are disposable. harbor freight + 20% off coupon

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

While we're on the topic of Milwaukee, I also highly recommend the M12 inflator. It's compact, cordless, and inflates quickly. Pair it with a schrader quick connect/disconnect fitting and it's even more handy. I keep a 3.0 XC battery on mine and it lasts forever.

I use this all the time at the track for adjusting pressures. You'll still want to use a high quality pressure gauge though to really dial things in.

just bought the inflator, thank you!

[bagekko]

Advance Auto stocks the Slime connector cheaper than Amazon, also Pep Boys.

The M12 inflator is ok, wish they would make a more powerful M18 one also.

One thing about the inflator, it is not recommended to use for more than about 15-20 continuous minutes. If used for 15-20 minutes it should be allowed to cool down for the same amount of time. Plumbers were blowing up the inflator all the time initially as they were using to pressurize systems. Topping off tires is easy, but if you need to add 25+ psi for a completely flat tire it does take quite a while.

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

While we're on the topic of Milwaukee, I also highly recommend the M12 inflator. It's compact, cordless, and inflates quickly. Pair it with a schrader quick connect/disconnect fitting and it's even more handy. I keep a 3.0 XC battery on mine and it lasts forever.

I use this all the time at the track for adjusting pressures. You'll still want to use a high quality pressure gauge though to really dial things in.

[Cajun1]

[ Make sure you hold on tight if you're at top speed.[/QUOTE]

Question for you, do any of these tools have adjustable torque settings? It would be great to run lug nuts up to about 65ft/lbs with the impact then finish with the torque wrench.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Cajun1

[ Make sure you hold on tight if you're at top speed.

Question for you, do any of these tools have adjustable torque settings? It would be great to run lug nuts up to about 65ft/lbs with the impact then finish with the torque wrench.[/QUOTE]
That's why I use a snapon. Nice and light, battery lasts a long time and it leaves the bolts nice and ready for the torque wrench

[Gomeler]

Originally Posted by Cajun1

Question for you, do any of these tools have adjustable torque settings? It would be great to run lug nuts up to about 65ft/lbs with the impact then finish with the torque wrench.

Torque limiting extensions work pretty well. Used them once or twice during 24-hour race since we were doing a tire and brake swap. There was some combo of a low-torque stick + socket + electric impact setting that was yielding mid-70 ftlb that you'd then follow up with a wrench. Good for racing, would probably be nice to have in the garage but I haven't bothered.

[bagekko]

Most of the Milwaukee M12 & M18 have 3-4 different modes, problem is they wont tell you the ft-lb rating of each mode. The M12 stubby I use to install lug nuts I use on Mode 2 and it gives about 75-85 ft lbs which then allows me to finish with a TW.

There are one key models of some of the M18 impacts which allow you to set custom power settings, a few of mine are the OK models but I havent really messed with the settings despite having them a long time.

[CanAutM3]

Mastercraft 20V Brushless Cordless 1/2-in Impact Wrench, 2.0Ah is what I use. One charge lasts me well over a 3 day track event and the quick charger gets the battery back to full charge in less than an hour. With 190lb-ft, it never struggles to get the lugs undone.

[OhioRiderAaron]

I also use the Ryobi impact. Works great for my needs and has plenty of torque for everything I throw at it without a hiccup. However, those higher torque guns are pretty impressive and are quite a bit more powerful from the Ryobi. No complaints if you'd on a budget like I was.

edit: Another great thing about the Ryobi is that they frequently have batteries on sale and I use their inflator with the same battery as the impact so it serves two purposes now.

[ibimmer954]

I use an AC Delco impact gun like the ARI2036 that is absolutely awesome. Selectable torque settings and absolutely solid construction. I set the torque to "110" but it really does about 95. Then I just have to give a little extra by hand with my torque wrench up to the specified 104.

[ellipsis212]

I've got the Milwaukee fuel 1/2" as well as their impact driver and electric ratchet.

Absolutely love them. The battery seems to last forever and they never fail to turn a bolt.