Impact wrench

[J Gamble]

We are looking into buying an impact wrench to keep with us when traveling in case it is needed for changing tires.. Do you have any recommendations for brands and model numbers?
Thank you in advance.

[bshgto]

:

Originally Posted by J Gamble

We are looking into buying an impact wrench to keep with us when traveling in case it is needed for changing tires.. Do you have any recommendations for brands and model numbers?
Thank you in advance.

Harbor freight
At a sale price of 199.99 and a 3/4 to 1/2 inch reducer, you can't beat the torque or the price the smaller ones just might not do it. yeh I know you have one of the smaller ones and it breaks them loose all the time, until the battery is a little low. Better to much than not enough....on the side of the highway, in the dark, when it`s ☔ raining, and the wife`s already cranky.

[mlh]

I would also get a Harbor Freight impact wrench but I would get the 1/2 inch Herules because it comes with a 5 year warranty no questions ask. I have a lot of Harbor Freight tools. I can recommend them. You might wont to wait until they go on sale for 20% off and they will before spring.
Lynwood

[J Gamble]

Thank you very much! Appreciate the recommendation!

[J Gamble]

I appreciate this recommendation also!

[artfuldodger]

Using an impact wrench on these Montana wheel lugs will probably damage the chrome thin metal "hats" on them. Been there, done that.

[seasure1]

This is what I use a little more expensive but you will find more uses for it than lug nuts.

Ingersoll Rand 1/2" 20V Cordless Impact Wrench, , W7152


I use and purchase tools from Harbor Freight, but if you are counting on something when you are on the side of the road changing a flat.......

Just a quick story, last September we traveled with another family to the Outer Banks. Our friend at the time had a Tiffen Class C on a Mercedes chassis.

He discovered he had a bad tire on the rear, his low cost Impact Gun couldn't budge the lug nuts. We arrive a day later and he is panicing because no one will come out and take the tire off.

I go back to my RV and grab my Ingersoll Rand 20V impact.

Done

[Champ]

I already some Ryobi 18 volt tools so I bought their high torque impact wrench.

[RMcNeal]

I've gotten mostly Dewalt 20v tools now, so I bought their 20v impact. It's remarkably strong and will wring the bolts off, if you're not careful.

[MandK]

Another Dewalt user here.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by seasure1

This is what I use a little more expensive but you will find more uses for it than lug nuts.

Ingersoll Rand 1/2" 20V Cordless Impact Wrench, , W7152


I use and purchase tools from Harbor Freight, but if you are counting on something when you are on the side of the road changing a flat.......

Just a quick story, last September we traveled with another family to the Outer Banks. Our friend at the time had a Tiffen Class C on a Mercedes chassis.

He discovered he had a bad tire on the rear, his low cost Impact Gun couldn't budge the lug nuts. We arrive a day later and he is panicing because no one will come out and take the tire off.

I go back to my RV and grab my Ingersoll Rand 20V impact.

Done

Most if not all people who change tires carry torque multiplier tools for the harder large lug nuts. Hhmmm

[drjjj]

Been through every brand mentioned here except Ingersoll Rand. Went to Milwaukee 18v when they came out and quality cannot be beat IMHO.

[scottz]

I picked up this one from Home Depot last June. On sale, paid $250 less 10% military discount. Just make sure you use both hands; it is a beast. I think it has more power than my IR air impact. Also has some nice precision control features so you don't twist stuff off.

All the major brands are good. If you already have some battery operated tools; you might want to stick to that brand so you don't have multiple batteries and chargers. For occasional use, can't beat Harbor Freight.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...00P1/317991282

[J Gamble]

Thank you so much for all of the responses! I appreciate the input.

[RMcNeal]

As Scottz said, the existing Dewalt tools fed my desire to get that brand in the 20v Lithium Ion. However, I did learn not that long ago that there are multiple different adapters to use various battery brands on other brand tools. Look on Amazon for Dewalt to Milwaukee, or whatever other brands you may have. They are relatively cheap at $15 if you have already invested a lot of money in one brand but want another brand's specific tool.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dewalt+to..._ts-doa-p_1_13

[Mikendebbie]

Kobalt 20V from Lowe’s.

[Theunz]

I have the same Dewalt as scottz, as well as an IR pneumatic impact and agree 100% with what he says. This is a big heavy gun that WILL get the job done. While the mid size guns may get the lug nuts off most cars you need to remember that these trucks and trailers have specs up to about 150 ft. Lbs. You also have no idea how ham fisted the guy who last tightened your lug nuts was! One thing I’ve found to be true over the years is that you can’t believe the manufacturer’s stated max torque rating. In my experience they don’t even come close! When tightening lug nuts I always tighten to a low setting with the gun and then torque to spec with a good torque wrench. Something else to remember when using an impact wrench is that you have no real tactile feel for how tight you are getting your fastener and it’s very easy to over torque and break or strip your fastener. Most important of all is to remember that a battery operated impact is totally worthless if the battery is dead, so make sure it is always charged, and keep a long break over or cheater bar with you just in case!

[desertdog]

20V is best along with 2 fully charged batteries. In addition, Deep 6pt impact sockets 1/2" drive. Torque Wrench and a lug wrench just in case...

[High5er]

Originally Posted by Theunz

One thing I’ve found to be true over the years is that you can’t believe the manufacturer’s stated max torque rating. In my experience they don’t even come close! When tightening lug nuts I always tighten to a low setting with the gun and then torque to spec with a good torque wrench. Something else to remember when using an impact wrench is that you have no real tactile feel for how tight you are getting your fastener and it’s very easy to over torque and break or strip your fastener.

This is great advice, especially if you have disc brakes. Applying uneven torque can warp rotors. These days, it's hard to find someone to turn/machine rotors, so if it happens you're generally going to have to replace them.

[drjjj]

We are only "short timers" but with all due respect we started out with Harbor Freight stuff and when we needed it to work it failed us multiple times. Went to Milwaukee 18v stuff for home and the rig and so far none of it has ever failed us. I echo the comments about starting the lug nuts and then using a good quality torque wrench to tighten.