1/2" Air Impact Suggestions
 

I am going to buy a 1/2" impact gun this weekend. I would like to keep it under $150 and still have all the great features: adjustable, up to 450 lb-ft, etc. Anyone have some suggestions on what to get?

I have always loved the IR ones I have used in the past, but it seems you can't get one for under $190.

World's bestest impact wrench, four-de-nine dollar.
$49 Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) 1/2", 240 Ft/Lbs

I have this electric impact gun. It was dirt cheap but works very well. (The tire guys always ask who the monkey was that tightened my lug nuts to 1,000,000 Mile/Tons.) I really prefer the electric gun over my air gun. Unless I feed the air gun at least 125 PSI, the cheap electric one outpreforms it, and, (this is the best part,) I don't have to lug that stupid air compressor all over the place. A 100 foot extension cord is all I need.

Air tools are like, so yesterday. :)

You are aware that over torquing your lug nuts causes rotor warpage, right?

I've used the electric ones. They just don't do it for me when trying to bust loose suspension bolts. I need something with MORE POWER:D

I have a crappy impact that probably only puts out about 150 lb-ft @ 90psi. It isn't nearly powerful enough.

Hey Collin
 

Watch Sears holiday ads for specials on their Craftsman branded IR impacts. I picked mine up on sale for $139 (normally $189) and I had an instant rebate coupon for $20 off the purchase ($119 + tax)

:D

Todd

so I guess this is the real reason you're not buying the heads, eh? :p

Northern Tools has sales all the time. Keep an eye out, you could potentially save 40% off tools. :D

They carry IR, Chicago, etc.

Re: Hey Collin
 

This one is going in dad's toolbox....

I wish it were mine!;)

Wish I could buy the heads, but I just change my mind too much! That and I can't justify the expense to myself:o

No so. Unevenly tightening them can potentially cause warpage if there is debris on the seating surface, but not as a general rule. The worst that can come of it is galling the threads, the seat on aluminum wheels, or break the stud. All are fairly evident when they happen, and I've never experience any of them on my car. Under tightening them on the other hand... That can really mess up your day.

I've no doubt that electric impact guns vary considerably. I've just had good luck with mine. I do confess that my electric does not perform as well as the air wrenches fed by 1/2" air line or the ones using 175 PSI, but that's serious money. I've also found that while the big units will twist the axle right off the car, the small units do a very nice job of massaging things loose. A drop of penetrating oil also helps. I've loosened several very large and rusty nuts from hubs, flywheels, and other things by just letting the impact gun rattle away for a few minutes. Eventually they start turning - slowly at first - and then come right off. I imagine that the rattling breaks up the rust. If I had just outright twisted on it without the massage, I'm fairly certain I would have broken something.

Some of these things were over 2" threads, with my little 1/2" impact gun. I remember breaking loose a rear hub nut on a 60's VW Beetle. The 1" breaker bar and 12' extension was literally lifting the front wheels off the ground. (Keeping the axle from turning was a challenge. Fortunately it was rusty too.) Fifteen minutes with the electric impact gun and some penetrating oil broke it free.

craftsman, MAC or snap-on

Re: Re: Hey Collin
 

Focus man, focus. :D

Besides, what man wouldn't LOVE heads for Christmas!

Todd

Re: Re: Re: Hey Collin
 

Hey Todd.... this is a family sight:eek: :eek: :eek: ;) :p

i'm impressed
 

snap on cordless impact wrench.

it's a bit pricey, but great for emergencies.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

i'm going to get me one when they have one of those 40-60% off sales. :D :D :D

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...atchallpartial

Wow good deal at toolbarn

http://www.toolbarn.com/cgi-bin/grou...ordless-impact

Wow, wish I could afford that too. I ended up with an IR classic 231 from Sears. It is a beast! At least compared to my old one. Worked very well.

day late and a dollar short, but I just saw a $99 Stanley 450 ft lb (125 psi, 9.8CFM), 1/2" air impact at Wally World. Have no idea if Stanley makes good air tools or not.

BTW, my Craftsman electric out torques my cheapo Harbor Freight air.

don't know about Stanley, but i do break alot of their screwdrivers. i have a Chicago Pneumatics air impact about the same specs that was about $100. there hasn't been a bolt i haven't been able to break with it yet and i easily removed rusted strut bolts from a PA car. ;)