help me pick an impact wrench

[racrguy]

Electric isn't going to cut it if you want more power. There are a few that can hit around 300 foot pounds but battery life is non existent.

Everyone else has either been rebadging or trying to keep up with Ingersoll Rand for years. Their lightweight impact guns are good for 780 ft pounds now in 1/2"

What are you using it for? Lots of things to consider such as speed, noise levels, reliability, weight and obviously torque. Not everyone needs a 10k rpm gun that weighs 2 pounds just like most people have no business with a 780 ft pound gun.

I've got an IR 3/8 platinum air impact and that thing is strong enough to tighten anything I need. Good for 250 ft/lb.

http://www.usatoolwarehouse.com/usatoolwarehouse/ING-IR2115TIMAX.html

As far as electrics go, I've used a cheap on from HF many times and it does what I need it to. It's not as strong as my IR, but it's also a cordless electric.

[BP]

Can't see needing more than 450-500 ft / lb power.
-J

Try setting pinion bearing preload with that and see what happens. Other than that though 500 ft pounds is pretty reasonable.

[greenbullitt]

Try setting pinion bearing preload with that and see what happens. Other than that though 500 ft pounds is pretty reasonable.

BP, thats the main reason I bought mine...it does 8.8s,9" and the gm 10 bolts all day long. I hated dragging out an air hose for a crush sleeve, so I bought the snap on.

[Doug Hatton]

My HF special is electric, non-adjustable and I don't believe incredibly strong. I had some lug nuts that were put on my truck with an air impact and it wouldn't take them off. 1/2" ratchet and 18" cheater bar and off they came. That's gotta be somewhere around 100 ft. lbs, right??