Impact driver recommendation request

[oldapeman]

Just a shade tree weekend mechanic here looking for a recommendation on an impact driver for relatively infrequent use. As you all know, using an impact driver is necessary for working on older bikes, especially if there is any corrosion on the fasteners.

I have a cheepie from an auto supply store that is a piece of crap that jams all the time. I would like to get something that is more durable, without spending an unreasonable amount of $$. The traditional non-powered hit-it-with-a-hammer style is fine with me, but I would consider an electric version if they do the job and the price is right. (I do not use air tools since I do not believe it is appropriate to expose my neighbors to the incessant noise pollution from an air compressor, and dragging hi-volume air hoses around a rather crowded garage workshop is annoying.)

So, does anyone have a recommendation? Used old school, or new from somewhere? Electric, or hammer type?

 

[kingmoochr]

picked up a hitachi impact driver from a pawn shop for 50 bux, has handled almost everything ive thrown at it. you get what you pay for with power tools.

 

[HondaFreak]

I have both the "hammer type" and cordless electrical.
I have to recommend the DeWalt 1/2" driver. The thing is simply AMAZING!
I have had friends that could not remove axle nuts with 3 foot extension bars. I gave them my DeWalt and watched their jaws drop when it removes it. It's got 300ft lbs of torque. Simply AWESOME tool. It runs around $125-$150, but you have to shop around. Last impact driver I will ever need.

http://dewalt.com/tools/cordless-impact-driverswrenches-high-torque-wrenches-dw059b.aspx

Christian

 

[auntiebling]

i wish there was more in the CORDED electric impact market. i don't use it enough to keep the batteries charged, and eventually even the best batteries loose charge and aren't available anymore

i have the harbor freight corded one, it's so-so. have only tried lug nuts thus far. i think a countershaft nut would win.

get what you pay for

 

[stangmx13]

theres no substitute for a hammer impact driver. my $20 Craftsman one works just fine, though i dont use it that often anymore.

 

[afm199]

I use both the hammer type ( work fine for smaller stuff) and a Harbor Freight $50 electric which has yet to fail me on anything including frozen countershaft nuts. They last several years and then stop working in my experience.

 

[morthrane]

I have both the "hammer type" and cordless electrical.
I have to recommend the DeWalt 1/2" driver. The thing is simply AMAZING!
I have had friends that could not remove axle nuts with 3 foot extension bars. I gave them my DeWalt and watched their jaws drop when it removes it. It's got 300ft lbs of torque. Simply AWESOME tool. It runs around $125-$150, but you have to shop around. Last impact driver I will ever need.

http://dewalt.com/tools/cordless-impact-driverswrenches-high-torque-wrenches-dw059b.aspx

Christian

Dunno about amazing, but the one I got is almost identical... except not cordless. Does the job with no fuss.

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/fastening-impact-wrenches-dw292.aspx

Fuck getting a battery for a tool I use once every couple months. :laughing

 

[JimE]

I use the DeWalt electric corded one. It works great. I also have a 1/2" drive Ingersoll Rand air powered one but really don't use it much because it's a hassle pumping up the compressor and all (and noisy). That said I keep it around in case the DeWalt can't handle something which so far has only been a few things like tie rods on trucks and stuff. Most often the corded comes out to spin stuff off and the torque wrench puts it back on. IMHO it's been a great investment. Since owning it I have rotated tires on vehicles a minimum of 35 times (and done a bunch of other stuff). Paid for itself.

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Air compressor and 1/2" drive air impact wrench. It will change your life.


youtu.be/6XUg5cfwilI

 

[oldapeman]

There is some good information here. Thank you all for your input. If anyone else has anything to add, i welcome that. Once again, I am not interested in anything that requires an air compressor. Also, since most of my hard core mechanical work is for my motorcycles, I do not have need of something that could knock the axle nuts off a bus. (If I did the DeWalt guns sound like they are about the only ones that could do the job.) I am inclined to go with a less costly alternative, especially since I only really need to use one maybe a dozen times a year.

 

[kingmoochr]

pawn shops ftw, its one of those novelty tools thats first to go since it has limited applications for someone who doesn't run a compressor

 

[OaklandF4i]

get what you pay for

I own and have used the corded electric harbor freight impact wrench for a number of years. Will take care of any nut on a motorcycle and more. While I generally buy quality snap on or craftsman tools that I use often, for something that is used as infrequently as an impact wrench the harbor freight one has been fine for my use. From tough countershaft sprocket nuts to the big crankshaft nuts when rebuilding a motor - hasnt failed yet. But I'm not a daily power user like a proffesional. I also have and use a small inexpensive hand held/hammer one too. Both are very useful.

 

[morthrane]

Both are very useful.

If your bikes are anywhere from a decade old to a quarter century or older... you'll need both. Not optional. :rofl