13 replies to this topic

[James100]

I saw a post the other day about using a electric impact gun and saw them on sale at Harbor Freight for $40.....Anybody used one or know about if they are worthwhile for some repairs?

[SteveO]

I use a dewalt 12v cordless impact. It has an adjustable impact setting. Great for delicate stuff or harder stuff. Always can get more torque by hand but a gentle impact can beak things loose instead of breaking things

[WhiteT5]

What kinda torque are these things capable of?

[James100]

What kinda torque are these things capable of?

Dont know much about them...but someone had one and said they liked it but I want to see what others know.....

[Geevs]

Good question. I'm also considering one. The electric 110V is capable of 240 ft./lbs of torque but they are big and heavy. There's 12V DC version capable of 150 ft./lbs which is lighter and compact like the air impact guns. I'm leaning on the 12V DC version but is this good enough for most jobs like doing the struts, springs, sway bars, etc.?

www.harbourfreight.com has both on sale.

[James100]

Good question. I'm also considering one. The electric 110V is capable of 240 ft./lbs of torque but they are big and heavy. There's 12V DC version capable of 150 ft./lbs which is lighter and compact like the air impact guns. I'm leaning on the 12V DC version but is this good enough for most jobs like doing the struts, springs, sway bars, etc.?

www.harbourfreight.com has both on sale.

I think they said they used it on the endlinks...I was thinking it would be a fast and easy way to get some of those parts off with it but I dont know much about that area......

Edited by James100, 12 March 2006 - 08:39 PM.

[NGB]

I've got a Cobalt impact gun. Works great for lugs and suspension work. Makes changing snows quick and easy!

[lcc014]

I saw a post the other day about using a electric impact gun and saw them on sale at Harbor Freight for $40.....Anybody used one or know about if they are worthwhile for some repairs?

I have the Milwaukee 110V/300 Ft-Lbs. Very useful in tires change and suspension work.

Ching-Ho Cheng

[MikeH]

Works well for those 10 year old bolts. Obvioiusly air guns are better but the electric is perfect for diy home garage. And it helped alot using it with the spring compressors today!
Dont use them to put on the bolts. Use your torque wrench.

[gdizzle]

They're great for autoxing too..

[James100]

What kinda torque are these things capable of?

They have 5 different kinds from 150 Ft-Lbs to 400 Ft-Lbs....the 240Lbs one is $40 in the store now..You can look at 5 of them here Harbor Freight Electric Impact Wrenches

Edited by James100, 13 March 2006 - 08:04 AM.

[SlowV]

20 years ago we were using Milwaukee and Black and Decker Industrial electric impacts for building of Grain bins .... thousands of fastners a day ... we would have to have them rebuilt every other year. I doubt you would get that much use out of them in a life time of DIY auto repair / maintance . They are capable of twistin 5/16" bolts in two if you hammer on them long enough. My suggestion is to get one with a Name brand so if it does need repair you'll have a chance of getting parts for it, Usually brushes /cord or switches or in rare cases an anvil. Best of luck.

[mbsl98]

I have a 120 volt DeWalt electric rated about 340 pounds. Works great so long as you can plug it in. There is a real cost saving for a 120 v. versus a cordless one of the same capacity, plus the long term savings on battery replacement. When I was researching, I wanted to get a high capacity - thought the little ones were just not worth the bother. If you want to break something free, power is where its at, IMO.