Good cheaper impact wrench?

Fallon · Mar 15, 2020

My current impact wrenches have left me lacking on some recent projects. I have a Ryobi One+ 1/2" drive cordless, but it's not that serious of a gun. Neither is the Kobalt? Air powered one that came in a cheap tool kit. Both usually do ok for lugnuts, but I have to bust out the 18" breaker bar a bit.

At the moment I have a 20-30 year old generator trailer. Weighs 200-300lbs with 20-30 year old rims & tires. Neither impact gun cuts it & the trailer is to light to stay put with the breaker bar. No way to jam the rim against the frame either. I end up with similar problems a few times a year.

It would really only get used in the barn where I have good compressed air. So not terribly concerned about portability.

Any recomendations for a good cheap 1/2" impact gun to be used a couple dozen times a year?

ericm979 · Mar 15, 2020

The HF "earthquake" gun works pretty well and does not cost too much. 1/2 in. Aluminum Air Impact Wrench It's noticeably more powerful than the old Chicago Pneumatic (cheapo HF) gun I use for most smaller things. Also make sure you have good flowing 3/8 hose to the gun. I swapped my cheap HF quick connects for Milton V high flow ones. I made some other changes at the same time so I don't know if it was them but the difference was huge. They also connect more readily. A Quick Guide to Air Line Couplers and Plugs

Egon · Mar 16, 2020

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One of these??

Chances are a good impact wrench is more expensive and also requires proper air pressure & volume.

Jchonline · Mar 16, 2020

I have the Milwaukee M18 high torque tool. It is fantastic. Not cheap, but well made and super portable.

EddieWalker · Mar 16, 2020

First time I had to change the blades on my 6 foot rotary cutter, I realized that I needed a better impact wrench that what I had. They are torqued to something like 300 pounds, so I had to find something that could deal with that. I bought an Ingersoll Rand Titanium. It wasn't the cheapest, but it had good reviews, and it got the job done. I've had it since 2003 and it works every time I need it.

Texasmark · Mar 16, 2020

Over the years I have purchased HF impacts because they are cheap. Ever so often I buy another thinking the ones I have are or will soon be worn out. I'm up to 4 ½ inchers and they all still work very well. For a commercial operation/operator I might consider high dollar, but for my farm HF suits me.

downsizingnow48 · Mar 16, 2020

I also have the Ingersoll Rand titanium. I don't often need it but never fails. I also have a Makita cordless 1/2" impact that does about 95% of what I need.

Sonny580 · Mar 16, 2020

I have a Earthquake 1/2" model,---from HF. Something like 12 or 13 hundred power, so far everything I put it on either comes loose OR breaks off!---it'll snap a 5/8 bolt in a flash. I had to set power down and that's a first as my old Campbell never would take lug nuts off real good. Think the HF was on sale when I got mine, then I got some discounts tossed in so final price was around $109 and some change. They are higher now but this model does work. Also a lot different feel when using it, not hard on hands like others!

chim · Mar 16, 2020

On another thread I did a head-to-head with red and yellow. See post# 74:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/408301-snapon-brand-question-vs-others-8.html

Fallon · Mar 17, 2020

ericm979 said:
The HF "earthquake" gun works pretty well and does not cost too much. 1/2 in. Aluminum Air Impact Wrench It's noticeably more powerful than the old Chicago Pneumatic (cheapo HF) gun I use for most smaller things. Also make sure you have good flowing 3/8 hose to the gun. I swapped my cheap HF quick connects for Milton V high flow ones. I made some other changes at the same time so I don't know if it was them but the difference was huge. They also connect more readily. A Quick Guide to Air Line Couplers and Plugs

Ya, I have plenty of plumbing capacity. 3/4" RapidAir hardline, 1/2" hydraulic hoses connecting the compressor. The retractable reel is only 3/8" hose though. Milton Vs on any places I use QDs.

Not sure how the super cheapo gun I have would compare to some of the HF guns. I'm fine with HF quality for the occasional usage I'd give it. Just not sure how it compares for oomph.