How "Big" of an Impact Wrench Do You Need?

[ErylFlynn]

I have a pretty strong Ingersol Rand one that back in the day I torqued a bolt for a bumper down so hard it could not remove it. Took heating it and a VERY long bar to remove.

I use a impact driver mostly, it won't over torque most bolts. I use a breaker bar or ratchet to loosen if needed then let the impact driver due the grunt work. For working on your vehicle, you are better off with something not too strong and if you have one better only use it to remove bolts.

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[Badunit]

When I use an impact wrench it is for removal and for a quick spin-on to hand tight or light torque. From there I use a torque wrench. One exception is the bolts that are torque+degrees. I use the impact to turn it the added degrees. It is far far easier than trying to do it with a breaker bar.

 

[Minty JL]

 

[Hootbro]

Yeah, another Milwaukee guy here. When Sears and their Craftsman 19.2V line stopped being made and supported, just made the jump to Milwaukee and never looked back. More pricey but the line is top notch IMHO and way more options and flexibility with it.

Their phone app and "One-Key" system tools have been great and the ability to dial in torque settings with it has been a life saver. Does not replace proper torquing, but gets it in the ball park to torque to spec.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

I use the dewalt 1/2" ugga dugga, but pretty much only for removing stuck things. I hand tighten and torque everything.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I have all Dewalt stuff and though I'm happy with it, if I were to do it again, I'd do Milwaukee. They really have the whole organization and accessory systemization down and I love that.

Dewalt is continually behind them on new devices and doesn't have as extensive of an organization system but a decent value all things considered.

 

[Rusty PW]

When you want to torque nuts and bolts. You have to use hydraulics. Need Hytorc hydraulic torque wrench. Thousands of lbs of torque.

 

[Lunentucker]

 

[Rusty PW]

I've used them for years. Steam turbines, gas turbines, BIG compressors, couplings, and gear boxes. Had a head explode one time at the power plant. Hytorc had to put out a world wide "Stop Use" order until they figured out how we broke the head.

At Elliott TurboMachinery. We had a 8ft tall Crescent wrench. Had to use a forklift or crane to use it. Bitch was heavy. To adjust the jaw. You removed 3 pins, slide the jaw to where you wanted it. Then put the pins back in. Was no thumb screw on it.

 

[Chadp82]

 

[Idlethunder]

Last year I bought a Milwaukee 2864-20 Fuel One-Key 3/4". It is overkill for most things on my Gladiator but it is adjustable so it doesn't have to be run full tilt unless you need to. It was a huge help when I installed my lift. I just don't have the strength I did 30 years ago and loosening control arms bolts with it from awkward positions was super easy. Putting things back together I still use a much weaker 18v Dewalt and a torque wrench. The Milwaukee has really impressed me. I was able to break loose the 1 5/8" blade nuts on a 8' brush hog that hadn't been changed in at least 20 years. Also had no trouble removing lug nuts on our dump truck and that usually takes two of us jumping on a 4' cheater pipe

 

[ecidiego]

I bought this when I did rear LCA skids. It's currently a 'mid torque' but more powerful than any "high torque' before it. All you need for a Jeep. Obviously buy an impact socket set to go with it. Your Harbor Freight 'my first socket set' will shatter.

 

[Lost1wing]

This one we used to install turbine and compressor assemblies. Had to pick it up with a hoist. I

I use the DeWalt 20v to remove bolts. They either come loose or shear off. Not so good when you need to put a bolt back in where it sheared off.

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