Electric Impact Wrench?

[Antichrist]

Probably a lot safer and cheaper with cordless.
If you went with my suggestion you'd shortly realize you also need an air ratchet, air hammer, die grinder, cut-off tool, needle scaler and what I'm getting this week, a framing nailer.

 

[Pedro]

I rarely used my air ratchet. Now I use the Ryobi 18v 1/2" impact gun for bigger stuff and the 1/4" impact "driver" with the 3/8" adapter for what I would use the air ratchet on.

Up here in the northeast the lighter impact helps avoid snapping smaller bolts when they get rusty.

 

[bob91yj]

Air ratchet was my first air tool when I was an apprentice mechanic. It drifted to the back of my tool box and rarely got used. As stated above 1/4" impact driver replaced it, faster, easier to use, doesn't "catch" and pin your hand/.try to break your wrist the way a strong air ratchet can.

 

[Antichrist]

I used to pin my hand occasionally with the air ratchet when I first started using one, then I figured out how to keep that from happening by first breaking the fasteners loose by hand, and throttling it as they get near tight. I always hand tighten fasteners anyway.

 

[Pathfinder]

Cordless impact wrenches are a lot easier on your ears and your hearing when you work with one all day as my son does.

He loves his Snap On 18 v Li Ion wrench, and rarely ever uses his air wrench today.

Noise is only one of the reasons, but it is a good reason.

 

[Toolman]

I've used and compared just about every 1/2" cordless impact wrench out there from 18v to 28v...

Snap On CT6850 is by far the most powerful... 600 ft lbs of break away torque.

Most Air Impacts will be around 1000 ft lbs so they will be stronger, however there isn't enough SCFM in most air compressors or any OBA system to run one at that level of power for very long.

Also there is a 12 volt charger available which makes it very nice for me on the trail.

IMHO it is the best bang for your buck. More important ..

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

maybe I said too much.

 

[Flagster]

Found a 36v dewalt closeout on sale for 200.00 bucks...been good so far...

 

[JamesDowning]

I'm a Dewalt guy and use the 18V DW059. For an "old school" gun, it's does mighty well.

However Car and Driver's May 2011 issue has a comparison between cordless impact guns and the Bosch 18V scored higher (but it costs significantly more). The Craftsman C3 scored near the bottom of the pile, with Ryobi at the bottom <insert snicker here>.

 

[Pedro]

I'm a Dewalt guy and use the 18V DW059. For an "old school" gun, it's does mighty well.

However Car and Driver's May 2011 issue has a comparison between cordless impact guns and the Bosch 18V scored higher (but it costs significantly more). The Craftsman C3 scored near the bottom of the pile, with Ryobi at the bottom <insert snicker here>.

I will still say that the Ryobi has been great. I have run it for Stage rally service as well as in the garage when I don't want to drag out the air.

The bottom rating is strange as the specs are stronger than the Hitachi, Milwaukee, and Craftsman. Good read though. and the specs on the bosh and makita are impressive.

http://www.caranddriver.com/feature...mparison_seven_electric_models_tested-gearbox

Too bad they didn't review the ingersol rand, snapon, and the el cheapo harbor freight versions.

 

[chasespeed]

I have nothing but Red in my Van(Milwaukee), and while the "specs" may be higher..... but, in real world...most MFRs numbers are bunk.

My Neighbor used to have the green stuff.... he borrowed my Milwaukee to finish his deck.... and went out and bought one....

I am NOT knocking anyone's tools or preferences... I HAVE to make a living using my tools... and need something that WILL take a beating. I was an auto mech back in the 90s... I liked my snap on stuff... BUT, I cant rely on being able to find a snap on truck... and I hate this new warranty crap they are pulling anyway... I tossed a ratchet at the last guy.... and walked off....

Honestly, you get what you pay for. I have been looking at the Milwaukee 18v 1/2 impact.... I wouldnt use it TOO much for work, BUT, it would get used... it would also get used around my truck/car.

Get what you can justify spending. I think with tools, you get what you pay for. I know people that LOVE the Ryobi stuff..... My father wont own anything other than Makita...

EDIT, just thumbed through the review.... eh, it is what it is.... I would still go with the Milwaukee myself, because, I have all the batteries, and charger, etc... Besides.... 450lbft is enough without justifying air...

Chase

 

[Pedro]

{snip}I would still go with the Milwaukee myself, because, I have all the batteries, and charger, etc... Besides.... 450lbft is enough without justifying air...

Chase

That is the only reason I have the Ryobi impact. I don't use my tools to make a living, I make a living in the footwear biz. That is typically the biggest factor in what extra tool gets added to the kit.