Electric Impact Guns - worth it?
04-30-2009, 05:39 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
I have a real cheap one that i use for changing the wheels at the track. I think it was $60 or something like that @ PepBoys. It's got enough torque to break the lug nuts loose while the car's in the air, and enough battery to survive changing the wheels twice (1 battery charge = 1 event).
I've found that if I just crack the lug nuts loose on the ground (1/8th turn), the battery will easily last 2 or 3 events.
Also - ALWAYS use a torque wrench to do the final torque on the lug nuts. I find the impact gun gets them to about 40ft-lbs on it's own - which is enough to lower the car - but I still get typically 1/4 to 1/2 turn per lug nut before I actually get them to 90 fit-lbs with the torque wrench. I guess if I were to hold the impact gun there a while it may get them tighter, but they definitely wouldn't be torqued evenly in that case.
I've found that if I just crack the lug nuts loose on the ground (1/8th turn), the battery will easily last 2 or 3 events.
Also - ALWAYS use a torque wrench to do the final torque on the lug nuts. I find the impact gun gets them to about 40ft-lbs on it's own - which is enough to lower the car - but I still get typically 1/4 to 1/2 turn per lug nut before I actually get them to 90 fit-lbs with the torque wrench. I guess if I were to hold the impact gun there a while it may get them tighter, but they definitely wouldn't be torqued evenly in that case.
I use the exact same electric impact gun (pretty much) and have the exact same experience.
I've let a few (dozen) people use my gun at the track and they all wanted to steal it.
04-30-2009, 05:44 PM
#17
Mark
04-30-2009, 06:12 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
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I've got the snap-on HO 1/2" and a 3/8" both are very nice batteries charge in approx 15 mins and last a long time. My 3/8 will take the lugs off of about anything. We used it at the track on my cousin's diesel when he was pulling and it even pulled those.
04-30-2009, 06:24 PM
#19
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If you guys think electric impacts aren't worth much, then you haven't used a good one on a regular basis. I don't even plug in my air impacts anymore, the electrics have gotten really good. Snap on's unit torques to 400ft/lbs, with an even stronger breakaway. Granted, the cost is about $500. I have been using Bosch's 19.2V 1/2 impact, and was $240 shipped to my door new, with a 3 year warranty. I have not found anything it can not remove yet. 360ft/lbs is what it is rated at. Once you get use to using the electric stuff, you won't want to be restricted by dragging a damn hose around or tripping over it. I use them on a daily basis. Only time I kick on the air compressor now is to air tires up, or to use a die grinder.
04-30-2009, 07:42 PM
#20
Drifting
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04-30-2009, 07:43 PM
#21
Nordschleife Master
I have both a 1/2in and a 3/8 18v dewalt impact.
Use them both constantly. They're not strong enough to do rusted on things, but thats what the air impact is for.
I think I actually use the little 3/8 impact more than my half. Its light, nimble, and still powerfull enough for the Porsche lug nuts (only has 100 ftlbs. max).
Use them both constantly. They're not strong enough to do rusted on things, but thats what the air impact is for.
I think I actually use the little 3/8 impact more than my half. Its light, nimble, and still powerfull enough for the Porsche lug nuts (only has 100 ftlbs. max).
04-30-2009, 09:25 PM
#23
Race Director
04-30-2009, 09:46 PM
#24
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I have 1/2", 3/8", air ratchet Air Impact and all sorts of air tools but in order to use it I have to drag my compressor out, power it up use it then put away.
I haven't bought an electric one yet but want it for ease of use. Just plug in and play.
I haven't bought an electric one yet but want it for ease of use. Just plug in and play.
04-30-2009, 09:52 PM
#25
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Electrics are great for making little jobs go faster (like the wheel bolts..I used one on my 3pc wheels). They are also nice when swapping wheels at a track where you generally don't have a compressor. When I'm in the garage I use the air impact though. Good to have both.
04-30-2009, 11:51 PM
#27
Nordschleife Master
They really aren't for loosening really tight/rusted fasteners (The battery powered ones anyway). They just cut your R&R time in half. I honestly could not live without my little 3/8 18v gun. (Its actually the tiny 1/2 drive, but because its so small, I put a 3/8 adapter on it.) its great.
04-30-2009, 11:57 PM
#28
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