Do I need a High Torque or Mid Torque Impact Wrench?

Discussion in 'Wrenchin' Secrets' started by 12lives, Apr 4, 2022.

  1. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    I see a 600 ft-lbs and a 1000 ft-lbs cordless impact wrench. Bigger is always better, right? But I would be concerned about too much power and twisting things off. It can be adjusted for RPM, and I do not know how that affects applied torque. Thoughts?
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I have a Dewalt 1/2 electric impact. The one I have is plenty powerful. Pretty sure it 600 ft/lbs. If you want, I can get you the model number
     
  3. TAG

    TAG Well-Known Member

    Well, even 600 ft/lbs is plenty enough for cars.
    Aswell, USUALLY when upping the power, the "frame" also gets bulkier, which in turn makes it unnecessarily hard to use under car, for example.

    Your sure it can be adjusted for rpm, and not pre-set torque numbers ( which are pretty "rough")?
     
  4. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Thanks Jason - you have the same one as Larry? DCF 899?
    Well I don't have one TAG, but that's what it says on-line. If the impacts are slower than maybe it gives you more control?
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2022
  5. TAG

    TAG Well-Known Member

    Are we speaking about Ryobi? Since ive noted that they weirdly market " different speed modes", when in reality they are torque modes.

    I only have Makitas, and they also has 3 different modes, plus the "auto-mode" which spins the nut open and stops automatically. I have to say i havent noticed any difference at the speeds it turns on different modes, just difference on torque.
     
  6. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Yup - I'm looking at the Ryobi's to keep in the same battery system I already have. I thought that wording was strange too. I think they will be OK as I will not be using it every day.
     
  7. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    You will not need 1000 foot pound impact, 600 foot pound is more than enough.
     
  8. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Thanks - that's the direction I'm taking! I'll never work on the big trucks like you did!
     
  9. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Bill, thought about you the other day when I took my GS for a right and thought about the picture you took, one of my favorites! DCP_1182.jpg
     
  10. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    GS Therapy ! 20200308_174934.jpg
     
  11. BUICKRAT

    BUICKRAT Got any treats?

    Those 1000 ft/lbs ones are heavy and will vibrate enough to shatter your hands. Try one.

    Gimme my good old ingy...
     
  12. Fred Hickey

    Fred Hickey Founders Club Member

    I also bought the 1/2" Ryobi, mostly because I know I won't use it much and it will stay in the garage. I have an older 3/8" 14v Snap-on that still works ok, but batteries are getting tired. In the work truck I have an older, corded Dewalt 1/2" impact that is a beast. Fortunately most new building hardware is easily installed wit 18V impact guns. Interesting thing happened years ago, while building a large wood deck we had a mountain of 3/8"x6" and 1/2"x8" lag bolts to install. Normally the corded Dewalt would make short work of this. Since we had a good air source decided to grab one of my 3/8" Snap-on impact guns. for some reason the air tools were not able to drive the lags into the wood.
     
  13. bobc455

    bobc455 Well-Known Member

    I've been using the 3/8" (yes that's not a typo) impact for all of my car work lately - including wheels and tires.

    Are you a diesel mechanic? What do you use your impact gun for?

    -Bob C.
     
  14. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Bob - For me its just cars. I did an RV dual wheel once and it scared the bejebis out of me!
     
    bobc455 likes this.
  15. bobc455

    bobc455 Well-Known Member

    Then mid-torque is probably all you need. I've been super impressed with the Milwaukee 3/8" impact (which doesn't even qualify as a mid-torque) - it has even broken some F250 lug nuts free (I think those are 150 ft-lbs), and just about all of the rest of your work will probably be under that. If you have something really big to break free, like a 32mm CV shaft nut, then a quick hit with a breaker bar will be all you need. And by going with a physically smaller impact gun, they fit into more places (i.e. brake calipers etc.) and are lighter & more nimble to use.

    If you'd asked me two years ago I would have never considered a 3/8" impact gun - but now it's far and away my favorite.

    -Bob C.
     
    Ryans-GSX and sean Buick 76 like this.

Share This Page