Chuck S

I'd like to pick up a decent electric impact for chores like removing/replacing wheels, exhaust work, etc.

Is 3/8" large enough to handle this? The darn 1/2" tools seem massive and overkill.

I'm about to pull my exhaust and while the bolts have been soaking in "PBblaster" I may need some mechanical help.

Corded is fine, I won't be doing work other than my garage.

Reconditioned is also fine and should be less expensive.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

-- Chuck

slowd16

I got a craftsman 1/2" rechargeable for about $100. Been good for 3+ years and no complaints. I would say get a 1/2", and a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer if you need something smaller.

sillyboybmxer

i asked this a while ago. Billman said the Ingersoll Rand was the BEST but they are a bit more expensive.

A. Dos Santos

I got a mastercrap 1/2 inch one for like 80$, corded, but it weighs probably close to 7lbs, so it gets tiresome when you're lying on your back doing exhaust work, holding it up for 30-45 minutes. then my little spaghetti arms start to get wobbly, and it gets harder and harder to line it up on the bolts.
but for the wheels it's perfect. I can change all four wheels in under 2 minutes, torqued and everything. I also have a reducer like slowd16 said, and that works well for stuff like suspension work.
It's not the best quality, but it sometimes struggles if the torque on the bolts needs to be over 100ft/lbs. I was changing the wheels on a friend's RX8 and I had to hold it there for a second before the bolts started spinning. so I'm not sure how well a small one would do.
(but like I said, mine's questionable quality)

If anyone knows of any cheapish (sub 200$) small impact drills that are battery powered and are decent build, I'm all ears.

SamySnead

Have the Craftsman C3 XCP impact and it's been superb. Much more powerful than any of the other Craftsmans considering the XCP battery. It usually can be found for $129.99 or so when Sears has sales. Or sign up for ShopYourWay and you occasionally receive $10 or so in Surprise points to use.

I just couldn't justify the cost for the IR or M18 Fuel for how little I use it. If you're on the Westside of Cleveland, let me know and I'll let you try the XCP out.

Chuck S

Thanks, Guys!

I see the 5-pound Sears C3 1/2" for about $160 (every day price) with battery and charger. The Ingersoll-Rand is close to $350.

I'll have to keep an eye on the sales. The 3/8" seem to have only about 130 lb-ft of torque as max.

-- Chuck (on the South Side -- Broadview Hts)

Ryuu

second on the Ingersoll Rand.. in this, you get what you pay for...

http://www.amazon.co...=ingersoll+rand

99SH

Look into the Dewalt DCF880HM2. It's a very good every day reliable impact gun. The IR above is large and heavy as hell and not recommended for light use (I have it myself). Use the right tool for the job.

CoolGuy094

I use a crappy HF 1/2" drive cordless electric impact. It spins my lug nuts off from 85 ft-lbs with no issue, which is the only reason I bought it.

B serious

I thought about buying a cheap 1/2" just to remove wheels. But then the thought came to mind that spending $100 on a tool like that, which only does one task is not as cost effective as buying a more expensive tool that I will use all the time.

I bought an Ingersoll Rand IQv20 1/2". It is the most useful tool in my box. I use it for EVERYTHING. I barely fire up my air compressor anymore. It has 1100lb-ft in reverse and weighs 6.8LB. You can find them brand new, with battery and case for about $400 from tool outlets.

Don't waste your money on the $100 and below impacts.