Cordless impact

[razel]

Wanted one last year. Tried the Ryobi 18v impact driver. Did not work. This year I got the Black & Decker Matrix impact driver that's corded. Did not work, but I kept it since I love it's air inflator attachment. It's very efficient and vibrates/heats up the least of all the inflators I've used.

Then I noticed that Craftsman has an impact WRENCH Bolt-on that works with the Matrix. FINALLY! I can use a tool to loosen bolts off my cars. I've tried it as high as 100lbs. It takes a 3-5 seconds of impact, but it will come loose. Also NEVER loosen a bolt without a jack with an impact. Impacts as spin fast enough that you can pop a nut right out. Unlike by hand, where you just want to crack it loose. I see such YouTube videos of impact driver reviews. Of course with the tire bearing it's full normal weight without a jack it'll be harder to loosen a bolt.

Apparently you get more power off the Craftsman Bolt-on cordless than the BD Matrix corded. Those tools are also currently on sale so you can get a cordless 20v drill and impact for less than $90. Remember, it's the impact wrench. You can tell since it'll have a male socket (square) as opposed to the impact drill which is a female hex (drill bits). I used a hex to socket adapter when I tried.

 

[John_Conrad]

good info razel

i think i've got my eyes on the craftsman, this thread has help me!

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: John_Conrad
i like the craftsman someone posted earlier, but then again i have an electric impact and air impact in my garage...

when i travel i take a 1/2 drive breaker bar, a 4 way breaker tire tool and a pipe cheater for leverage.

edit: and hopefully my son is with me, who is pretty dang strong .


The issue with a breaker bar and a pipe is something is going to give with enough leverage. It just might be the stud. I think an impact wrench has a better chance of getting a nut or bolt off without snapping something.

 

[John_Conrad]

at home i use the impacts, but on the road i carry what i mentioned, just in case you get a stubborn one...but i never let my bolts on wheels get that bad, either my shop uses anti seize or i will add anti seize.

but that is why i like the idea of the cordless impact as an addition to the tools list!

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: John_Conrad
at home i use the impacts, but on the road i carry what i mentioned, just in case you get a stubborn one...but i never let my bolts on wheels get that bad, either my shop uses anti seize or i will add anti seize.

but that is why i like the idea of the cordless impact as an addition to the tools list!


If you use anti-seize you need to be careful and put in only on the threads and not where the nut contacts the wheel.

 

[John_Conrad]

roger that. now that having been said....and sorry for the thread jack:

but are there any tricks to keeping the the impact socket from damaging or better word is denting the rims....

i always make sure to back a way an eight or two so as not cause damage.

am i overthinking this!

one thought was to use some kind of insulation sleeve on the impact socket.

 

[Vikas]

That is exactly why there are impact lug nut sockets are sold. Even HFT carries them and I am sure if you want the best Snap-On etc probably have them too.

 

[John_Conrad]

thanks for that tip. thread jack over! carry on...

 

[Rand]

good electrical tape. or buy specialty sockets.

Its odd how they over-rate the battery models.

I have a 300# rated CORDED IR impact and it seems more powerful than a few cordless I borrowed that were in the 400#+ range.

Is there some way to rig the torque test...

like how cheapo amps are rated in peak watts instead of RMS?

 

[Vikas]

I guess you could rig up such a test if you want but it will not be easy. With an impact wrench, a fastener removal always depends upon the time it keeps on hammering. There is a documented case of a corded impact hammering for more than eight minutes until it successfully removed the dreaded Honda crank bolt. I might be able to find a reference to it somewhere in my stash. But most users of an impact wrench will not have the patience not should they be waiting that long to take off a fastener. You can definitely see one wrench removing something after three solid (l o n g) seconds of impacting versus another gun which would remove the same in a blink of an eye.