impact wrench question

[kermita]

Anyone know how much torque an impact wrench needs to remove the 32mm clutch bolt? I'm looking at the electric models because I don't have a compressor/pneumatic setup. If anyone has any recommendations on specific models I'd appreciate that as well. Thanks!

[ZX-12R]

How much torque it will take to remove is anyone's guess since many things can affect it.

Overall I'm rather disappointed in the performance of 1/2" electric impact wrenches. There are a number out there that claim to have around 240 lb-ft of torque for under $100 which can't even break loose a lug nut. Dewalt makes one with that torque specification in the $160 range that also doesn't perform well with stubborn nuts.

There are 2 that I can somewhat recommend. One is a heavy duty version of the Dewalt I mentioned above. It claims to make 325 lb-ft of torque and managed to break loose the lug nuts on my car but it still struggled for a bit before they moved. Milwaukee makes one with a claimed 300 lb-ft and it performed similarly to the heavy duty Dewalt (removed lug nuts but struggled at first). Both of these wrenches are over $200.

Makita makes a model rated in the 260ish lb-ft range for a little under $200 but I had given up on electric wrenches before I tried it.

I have pneumatic tools but I wanted an electric wrench for when I needed to quickly break something loose and didn't want to fire up the compressor. Every one of the sub $100 wrenches were useless for everything except for driving large lag bolts. The over than $200 ones worked OK but the fact that they were working hard just to remove a lug nut really irritated me so I returned them. Not including the price of the compressor, my $150 pneumatic impact wrench is at least twice as powerful as the best of the electrics that I tried.

If your clutch basket nut is even slightly stubborn, I can promise you that the cheap electrics will not loosen it. The expensive ones probably will but for only a little more money you could buy a decent compressor and pneumatic gun which will make you a lot happier in the long run.

[ZX-12R]

On a quick side note, I have a small cordless Dewalt impact wrench with a hex drive which has been a great substitute for my manual impact driver. I use it all the time to break loose small fasteners on my car and the bikes.

[Currently]

Home Depot has a 30 gallon Husky compressor with air impact tools for $199

BTW, I have a 25 year old electric Black and Decker electric impact wrench that will take off that nut with no problems. I used to build those arched steel buildings as a sideline.

[R7]

I've got a 1/2" drive DeWalt that has taken off everything I've thrown at it, maybe I got a tool built on wednesday?
A bit pricey but Makita by far makes the best impact wrenches. They also make a 3/4 drive one that has 450 ftlbs of torque and a 1" drive that makes 750 ftlbs of torque if you're in need of some heavy duty work

[ChR1s]

Over the years, I'd wasted my time trying to use those cheap air tools and electrics. I finally ponied up for one of these, and it kicks ass ass ass.

Ingersoll-Rand 2135TI - Titanium 'n' Torque (T'N'T) Ultra Duty 1/2 Air Impact Wrench

[kermita]

The reason I'm looking at an electric impact wrench is that the electrical system in my house doesn't seem to like the load of an air compressor (flips breakers).

[catch2otwo]

+1 on ingersoll

[eboos]

The reason I'm looking at an electric impact wrench is that the electrical system in my house doesn't seem to like the load of an air compressor (flips breakers).

You may be pluging it in to a 15 amp outlet. Try to find a 20+ amp outlet. In my old appartment, I had to use the outlet in the kitchen because of this. I have a compressor that is somewhat portable, so rolling it away isn't much of a problem.

[silverbullet03]

+10 for the IR. I know your not looking for an air gun, but I work on cars and i wont touch anything unless i have my IR impact gun next to me. The cheapest/smallest IR gun has more torque then the most expensive/biggest craftsmen unit.

[ZX-12R]

I should also point out that the pneumatic motor in the IR impact guns have no problems running at 175 psi. I destroyed a cheaper brand gun after a couple of months at that pressure.

[BostonSVkid]

Makita BTD142HW 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit Drill - Description - Yahoo! Shopping

I have this its GREAT!!

I got the kit of the regular and the impact for 250

[stoinkythepig]

You'll probably find that just about any 1/2" impact wrench will spin that nut right off. It's not rusted in place like a lug nut, it's been bathed in hot oil. I bet you could apply 400 ft-lbs of torque with a breaker bar and not move it, but the first or second impulse of a cheap impact wrench will get it spinning with ease.

IR stuff IS nice tho.

[kermita]

I went with a cordless Dewalt 1/2" impact driver and it took that nut off with no problems. Thanks to all for the input...you guys are the best!

[Crash Dummy Denno]

I went with a cordless Dewalt 1/2" impact driver and it took that nut off with no problems. Thanks to all for the input...you guys are the best!

you're welcome -glad I could help!!!

[jgsxr1]

I use a snap-on 1/2 cordless impact and it has yet to let me down- ir there is alug nut it wont turn off it will break the stud

[catch2otwo]

I went with a cordless Dewalt 1/2" impact driver and it took that nut off with no problems. Thanks to all for the input...you guys are the best!

its always a piece of cake with the right tools

[kermita]

its always a piece of cake with the right tools

Indeed!

And it also helps to have input from those that have been there before and know what works and what doesn't.

[breakdirt916]

I went with a cordless Dewalt 1/2" impact driver and it took that nut off with no problems. Thanks to all for the input...you guys are the best!

where did you buy it from? and which model did you get?

[spydah]

I bought this:

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I haven't found anything it can't break loose. Including the notoriously difficult crank bolts on some of the cars I've worked on. And how can you beat $79??????

[spydah]

I just realized you said you don't have a compressor....

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

The total price still comes close to what you would pay for a high end electric impact wrench, and you now would have a lot more options for tools in the future.

Or you could try this:

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

[kermita]

where did you buy it from? and which model did you get?

I purchased the DeWALT DW059K-2 18-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-inch Cordless Impact Wrench Kit from Amazon.com.

[brendanp]

I'm old fashioned i like air...

[FireboltEric_MA]

+1 On the Snap On Impact. I use a friends when in a bind and it is VERY Strong. I have snapped bolts with it a couple times.