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This means a 3-gallon pancake air compressor and a 1/4-inch hose probably won't cut it. Make sure you invest in an adequate air source before investing in air tools. These tools are offer some serious torque and versatility, and we've rounded up the best air impact wrench options for every need and budget below so you can get the job done right.
Pair your tool with an air compressor that delivers the airflow and power your air impact wrench needs. Check the requirements of the tool to make sure the air compressor can deliver the correct psi pressure the tool requires, as well as the cubic feet per minute of the air supply. A 3/8-inch drive or 1/2-inch drive impact wrenches usually needs 20 to 30 CFM of air supplied at pressure to run at peak power. The rate at which an impact driver spins is measured in revolutions per minute. As a rough guideline, most cordless impact wrenches have maximum speeds of anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 rpm, with the middle of that range being average. Some impact drivers have variable speed controls so you can choose from two or three different settings depending on your needs.
PORTER-CABLE PCE211 7.5-Amp 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
Our top pick for this list, for example, is rated for more than 25,000 duty cycles for the life of the tool. Air impact wrenches come in all shapes and sizes, but the angled format is particularly useful for reaching into those super tight spaces that a normal air wrench couldn't clear. This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. For this roundup, she considered dozens of impact wrenches, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and customer feedback. Kyle Shirley, owner of Sol Vista Roofing, offered further input and advice.
Some manufacturers state the torque in foot-pounds of force, while others use inch-pounds. Don’t automatically assume that you need the highest amount of torque; too much torque and you’ll find your fasteners snap in half. The tool has a one-hand operation trigger with three position settings that come in both forward and reverse.
What to Look for in an Impact Wrench
It is one of the more powerful wrenches on the market for its size and has 1,000 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 1,400 ft-lb of nut-busting force. "An air impact wrench has a higher power-to-weight ratio than a cordless electric impact wrench," said David Dobersztyn, global product manager for Ingersoll Rand power tools. "The power-to-weight ratio is the foot-pounds of torque the tool can generate, divided by the tool's weight. Air and electric tools weigh about the same, but the air impact still delivers more power due to the limitation of compact batteries."
The “impact” in an impact wrench is a burst of additional power that adds to the tool’s turning strength, and is measured in impacts per minute. As a general rule, most cordless impact wrenches deliver anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 impacts per minute. The tool is just over 8 inches in length; it's one of the most compact impact wrenches in its class, but that certainly doesn't mean it lacks power. The friction ring cuts back on difficult socket changes, and the Redlink Plus intelligence prevents the tool from overheating or overloading, which could damage the many moving parts.
What kind of air impact wrench is right for me?
Compact and stubby impact wrenches are -- you guessed it -- smaller than your typical pistol-grip air impact wrenches, which gives them an advantage in confined, hard-to-reach areas. A ½-inch anvil with a detent pin makes the wrench resistant to breakage and the annoying shearing that so often comes with lug nut removal. It can handle drops from as high as 8 feet with its compact design and durable casing. This impact wrench also has an LED light with a 20-second delay for use in dark spaces. If you've ever been anywhere near an automotive shop or watched a pit crew at just about any race, you've probably seen -- or heard -- one in action. A general rule of thumb is that most air tools need around 90 PSI of continuous pressure to do the job they were designed for.
These are our picks for the best air impact wrench across a number of categories. We've chosen them based on customer reviews, expert opinion and hands-on experience. Unless otherwise stated, prices given are for the pneumatic wrench tools themselves; kits that include impact sockets and other accessories may cost more. From assembling the patio furniture to removing stubborn lug nuts on vehicles, the Milwaukee Fuel High Torque 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench can handle almost any job. The cordless high torque wrench has a four-mode drive control with bolt removal that makes it a stellar choice for serious weekend warriors.
Best heavy-duty air impact wrench
The steel of an impact wrench socket is slightly softer than the steel used for regular sockets. The brittle steel of a standard socket is prone to cracking or shattering when exposed to excessive force but is well-suited to the power of your handheld ratchet. They help tighten or loosen nuts, bolts, and other threaded fasteners on large machinery during construction or remodeling. Corded impact wrenches are next in line when it comes to power, but tether you to the closest electrical outlet. Still, if you need a lot of power and don’t want to be bothered keeping track of a battery’s charge level, this could be the right choice for you. Dobersztyn also mentioned that air tools can usually be serviced and refurbished more easily, which means buying used can be a viable option depending on how much the tool was used and maintained through its life.
The tool has 130 ft-lb of maximum torque and 2,700 ipm that works on fasteners in even tough wood, masonry, and metal in no time. It is a breeze to use in small spaces, and cuts through rusted bolts or oxidized lug nuts quickly and easily. It is also stocked with items for long-term use in places that may not have easy access to power. Dobersztyn said that while electric impact wrenches have increased significantly in power and torque during the last decade, they still can't match the power an air impact can deliver. As battery technology continues to improve with technical innovation, electric tools will continue to become more robust. Whether you're a car hobbyist or a professional mechanic, you need the right tools to get the job done.
Our top pick is the DEWALT 20V Max XR Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench because it has 700 ft-lb of maximum fastening torque, 1,200 ft-lb of nut-busting torque, and a brushless motor that will extend its life. The kit includes two 20-volt lithium-ion batteries with built-in fuel gauge so you can go longer and faster on those difficult jobs that put you in a tight squeeze. It’s also one of the smaller impact wrenches with the most torque at 3.4 pounds. The Ingersoll Rand 36QMAX ½-Inch Ultra-Compact Impact Wrench is an absolute workhorse.
Cordless impact wrenches are the most popular type for homeowners, DIYers, and those who do car repair as a hobby. On the plus side, these tools give you the utmost in freedom to use them wherever needed. On the downside, you’ll need to keep track of the battery life, cordless tools tend to be heavier than the other two styles, and they are a little less powerful when it comes to torque. This wrench boasts three speeds with convenient one-handed forward/reverse control. For jobs that require power but no fuss, the DEWALT 20-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench Kit offers maximum torque without the inconvenience of a long cord.
Pneumatic, or air-powered impact wrenches, are standard in auto-repair shops, but aren’t so popular for at-home or DIY use. These tools are very powerful, lightweight, and generally less expensive than electric impact wrenches, but require an air compressor to work and are generally more tool than required outside of a professional auto shop. If you're looking for a high-performance tool that is lightweight but still able to pull off big jobs, the Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX Drive Air Impact Wrench is a great option.
Probably one of the best-known automotive mechanic's tool brands in terms of name recognition, Snap-On has a reputation for making quality tools with prices to match. The MG725A features a machined magnesium housing and produces 1,190 pound-feet of breakaway torque and 810 pound-feet of working torque. For those just starting out or who want to buy an all-inclusive starter package that includes the battery, charger, and carrying bag, this wrench kit deserves attention. Designed for comfort and power, the DEWALT DCF899M1 20V Max XR Brushless High-Torque Wrench Kit packs a punch. And it has all the high-end features that you would want in a wrench kit.
When it comes to tightening lug nuts using an impact wrench, he recommends using the impact wrench to snug-tighten the nut and then use a calibrated manual torque wrench to set the nut to factory specs. Air impact wrenches also have high duty cycle ratings -- meaning they last a long time and can perform many duty cycles. For example, if you take a nut off and the tool runs for 10 seconds, that's one duty cycle.
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