Impact Wrench

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:23 pm

Anybody know if those 12v Impact Wrenches are any good? - they've got some in Aldi for £15.99.
They look like electric drills and I would have thought that they give a heck of a twist to the wrist if the nuts are tight?

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:46 pm

There is a joke there waiting to be told

not sure of the quality of wrench--- impact wrenches usually require a blow from a hammer, so not sure how an electrical version will do the same job

etihsbog · Post by **etihsbog** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:55 pm

I have used these to remove locking wheel nuts off alloys, when I have lost the adaptor. If the heads are too small on normal bolts then they will round them off though, before using one a good soak with some releasing oil and using a standard socket might be a better option.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:26 pm

peter humphrey wrote:There is a joke there waiting to be told not sure of the quality of wrench--- impact wrenches usually require a blow from a hammer, so not sure how an electrical version will do the same job

I think they're a bit like heavy duty hammer drills in their action - just never used one so wondered if anyone else had - could be useful for wheel nuts.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:28 pm

Hi etihsbog
I gather that they must have a fair bit of torque then - I've only use air-powered and "hit with a hammer" ones before.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:29 pm

As long as the nuts are high tensile, which they should be for the wheels

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:30 pm

Impact wrenches do not work like a drill, there is very little force transmitted through to the wrists. Each 'impact' is absorbed by the nut or bolt you are trying to undo or fasten. I've used a couple of rechargeable good quality ones and some seriously heavy 1 inch drive air versions, not used the 12v ones but would imagine they're ok for fairly low torque applications. They're cheap enough if it's not up to much.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:36 pm

ChrisEm wrote:Impact wrenches do not work like a drill, there is very little force transmitted through to the wrists. Each 'impact' is absorbed by the nut or bolt you are trying to undo or fasten. I've used a couple of rechargeable good quality ones and some seriously heavy 1 inch drive air versions, not used the 12v ones but would imagine they're ok for fairly low torque applications. They're cheap enough if it's not up to much.

Precisely what I thought - perhaps I'll treat myself.