Impact wrench recommendations

Kinja'd!!! "Dr_Watson" (dr_watson)
07/27/2020 at 18:10 • Filed to: Toolopnik

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I inherited a big ass air compressor when my Father-in-Law died. Aside from using the air nailers that came with it I have not been tapping it’s potential for labor savings.

I swap my wheels seasonally and soon I’m going to also be swapping wheels every time I go racing. After 10+ years of grunting lugs by hand I’m getting pretty sick of it and not really looking forward to adding multiple extra changes to the workload.

So... I think I should get an air wrench. Any recommendations? It’s primary job will be wheel duty so if they make them with a built-in torque regulator that would be handy.


DISCUSSION (32)


Kinja'd!!! Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 18:19

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Check on eBay for used or new old stock


Kinja'd!!! facw > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 18:23

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I bought this on sale earlier this year, and it was super handy when I did my shocks and struts (would have hated that job doing it by hand):

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Since it’s not an air impact, it’s a pretty useless recommendation for you. It did also fail to remove one nut (though after I had mangled it a bit with my breaker bar, the impact did a fantastic job rounding off what was left of the nut).


Kinja'd!!! MM54 > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 18:23

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A while ago, I bought an impact from harbor freight (which is very unlike me... I like nice tools) but it was the smallest I could find (it’s only like 4" long). I didn’t have much expectation for it, but if it fits where no other one will, it’s better than nothing. Turns out the thing is very good and impresses me every time I use it. I’m not sure of the part number (or if they still make the same one) but if you’re just changing wheels (and often enough the nuts aren’t rusted on) , a relatively inexpensive one should be more than adequate.


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/27/2020 at 18:30

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so basically all air tools are good? 


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > facw
07/27/2020 at 18:31

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Lol. nice. I think I’m married to the air tool idea to make use of the compressor. And there’s the “i’m a real mechanic” romance of having an air wrench. 


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > MM54
07/27/2020 at 18:33

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cool, so basically any air wrench will get me what I want. 


Kinja'd!!! Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 18:36

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Just as long as it’s got balls behind it, pretty much 


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 18:54

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CP734HD.  You will thank me.  


Kinja'd!!! gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 18:58

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I don’t know if you really want to rely on the selector when applying wheels. I recall an old ave on how much variation can exist with hoses/fittings and input air pressure.

Safer to use a torque wrench.

Probably .5” would be good.  I would looks the spec Depending how much you want. I would also look for a set of impact sockets. 


Kinja'd!!! atfsgeoff > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 19:03

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What are the specs of your air compressor?


Kinja'd!!! MM54 > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 19:05

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Yeah most any air impact should handle lug nuts. I used to do them with my 18v cordless dewalt impact that’s really meant for driving screws, and most of the time it could keep up as long as they weren’t too stuck (and if so, 1/4 turn with a breaker bar then it would take them the rest of the way)


Kinja'd!!! VincentMalamute-Kim > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 19:15

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That’s my impression. I got a name brand - Ingersoll Rand. Not sure if I’m impressed with it or not. I’d probably just get Harbor Freight if I need any more impact wrenches. Given how little I use them, the other HF air tools I bought have been fine.


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 19:18

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I found a used Snap-On for about the price of a new something or other, but for your purposes anything decent will do. 


Kinja'd!!! whatisthatsound > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 19:19

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My only advice is never torque your lug nuts with the gun. I'll use it to get it spinning but then I torque with a wrench after. I've seen a few broken studs that way and I also know people who have been doing that for years just fine. They do make torque sticks but they can be questionable. 


Kinja'd!!! MoCamino > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 20:06

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The key is to check the SCFM/PSI rating the tool needs and whether your compressor can supply it. If it doesn’t get enough air it won’t work well (or at all). My wife got me this one for Christmas. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-0-5-in-1000-ft-Air-Impact-Wrench/1000404871

I love it but it needs all the air my 30 gallon compressor can push.  


Kinja'd!!! Brickman > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 20:28

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All I ever used is Ingersoll Rand. The 231C is built like tank, but h as a little torque regulator by the trigger , but not very user friendly. I always use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels and anything that needs precise torque.

This one has a power regulator knob on the back and lightweight.

https://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2135QXPA-Impactool/dp/B00PPGE8DE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > MoCamino
07/27/2020 at 20:29

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cool. The compressor is a 33gal Craftsman unit. says it’s 6.4 SCFM @ 90 PSI


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > whatisthatsound
07/27/2020 at 20:31

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So if it’s got a regulator, set that low and then finish them with the torque wrench? 


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > atfsgeoff
07/27/2020 at 20:32

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It’s a 33 gal Craftsman unit. (model 919.167342) 2HP

8.6 SCFM @ 40 PSI

6.4 SCFM @ 90 PSI

150 PSI max pressure


Kinja'd!!! MoCamino > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 20:33

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It should   handle the Kobalt.


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/27/2020 at 20:33

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google doesn’t know that model#, what brand? 


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > Brickman
07/27/2020 at 20:34

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Cool, that does seem to be the recommendation from other’s as well. Spin them initially with the gun  and then finish them off with torque wrench. 


Kinja'd!!! The Snowman > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 20:45

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You’ll feel them snug up then stop. Like half an ooga dooga. Also I bought a harbor freight earthquake gun and it's pretty good for the money.


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 20:53

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Sorry, no D on the end, should just be a CP 734H.  CP is Chicago Pneumatics


Kinja'd!!! atfsgeoff > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 20:58

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The big tank will let you get some good long hits on a 1/2" drive impact wrench but it won’t keep up with one when the tank gets low.

https://www.amazon.com/AIRCAT-1150-Killer-Torque-2-Inch/dp/B007WQQ90A

I recommend this aircat, but a HF earthquake will work OK too for a bit less.

https://www.harborfreight.com/credit?cid=sitebanner_hp_main_plcc_d

Also, how far from the compressor will you be working on your car? If within 50 feet, you can go with a 3/8" air hose. If you’re gonna be 75 feet or more, you want 1/2" air hose to keep from bottlenecking your CFM. Also use high-flow fittings.


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/27/2020 at 20:59

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Looks pretty compact and that’s a hell of a good price.

Should I be concerned about this:

Actual air consumption 15 cfm

Average air consumption 3.75 cfm

33Gal Air tank says 6.4 SCFM @ 90 PSI


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > atfsgeoff
07/27/2020 at 21:06

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Thanks for the tips. I’ll be right near by. Tank has a wheelie cart. So I keep the hose length short. I think it’s only around 25ft right now. 


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 21:24

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It just means that if you get a bolt thats reaaaally stuck, it will probably peter out before it could reach peak torque to break it loose (or break something else). 


Kinja'd!!! whatisthatsound > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 22:44

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exactly what i do


Kinja'd!!! old-busted-hotness-still-cant-comment > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 22:50

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I’ll let you in on a little secret: The impact wrench itself isn’t nearly as important as how much air it gets. Use these instead of the usual fittings:

https://www.amazon.com/ColorFit-Milton-HIGHFLOWPRO-S-314VKIT-Coupler/dp/B077Y7P9PW/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=air+hose+quick+connect+v+type&qid=1595904343&sr=8-3

The opening is about twice as large as a normal fitting, which lets in more air. Air tools don’t just run on pressure, they run on volume too. And a cheap impact that can breathe will do a lot more than a good one that can’t.


Kinja'd!!! Urambo Tauro > Dr_Watson
07/27/2020 at 23:56

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I’m just beginning to grow my air tool collection, but already have an electric impact, so I haven’t been in much of a hurry to settle on a pneumatic version. Sitting at the top of my candidate list right now are low-profile Astro Pneumatic tools like the 1822:

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I love that killer low profile, and it’s rated for 450 lb ft of torque!


Kinja'd!!! Dr_Watson > old-busted-hotness-still-cant-comment
07/28/2020 at 00:08

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sweet, thanks for the tip.