Impact Wrench
 

Evening,
Moving on from my query regarding a "Breaker Bar" it was suggested that I should consider an "Impact Wrench".
Any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks.
Regards David

Hi David,

I personally don't own one, but saw Andy (trikey) use his Dewalt DCF899 when he replaced the front struts on my 75 recently. Although expensive, it's a beast of a machine and really impressive. Of course it does have a price tag to match!

https://www.toolstation.com/dewalt-d...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've been tempted to get one myself after seeing Andy's although in reality I will probably get this one which is likely to be all I will ever need.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clar...h--impact-wre/

The last time I had wheel nuts that would not budge, I just asked my local friendly mechanic to use his pneumatic rattle gun to undo them and then torque up to 110Nm. I also undo and torque up the wheel nuts every time the car has new tyres etc. so never really have any issues.

Maninder.

I have this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233927940...IAAOSwSTlgSz3n good enough for the rare occasions needed:cool: Loads on EBay;)

I chose a Milwauki. It's very expensive, but works :}

I've thought about one of these too.

I suggest you pop along to your friendly outlet and actually get to handle one, fully set up with battery. The 3.3 Kg weight (incl. battery) doesn't sound too bad - but only you will know if that's OK for you to wield around.

Back to my comment about are you a big strong bloke :}.

I know of a chap with a self rebuilt, immaculate, Series 1 E Type who swears by a 3/8" drive one because it tackles 90% of the fixings and is far more manoeuvrable. The odd things that need bigger and stronger he calls for reinforcements ;).

for those suggesting battery, if you only use the wrench once or twice a year how well does the battery stand up?
I have not used my impact wrench this year and perhaps only used it in the first half of last year. Mine is mains powered but if battery what would the state of my battery be today? Do you keep the batteries connected to the charger all the time to keep them in good condition?

macafee2

My B&D drill is now 12 years old and the battery is still fine despite infrequent use. Ditto my Nikon batteries.

Yet the battery in my 12 year old Macallister dril holds very little charge. It has had the same level of use as the B&D.

With a Dewalt, Makita, etc. I would expect the battery to last at least 10 years. With a more generic item, probably 5 years. This would be my purchasing assumption.


Li-ion batteries have a low self-discharge rate. I would top-up charge an idle drill/wrench battery every 6 months if I was really disciplined about such things.

Li-ion batteries have almost zero memory effect. They do lose about 2% of charge per month. Hence my comment about a top-up charge every 6 months so that the tool is ready for use at all times.

Remember that these newer impact wrenched have Li-ion batteries.:}

Nicads and Nimh, yes that would have been the case but even then my comment about longevity of quality batteries applies.

I tend to check capacity by fully charging and then controlled discharging until depleted whilst measuring discharge current or voltage. ;)