I came across a “How It’s Made” on Impacts last night that triggered this.
Recently I was working on a car where I used a corded electric Impact Wrench. I never used one before that day. I was curious about them so I did a little research…the same way anyone these days does it…copy and paste from Google.
Air Impact Wrench
The air impact wrench is the traditional tool of the auto mechanic. These tools use compressed air to power the wrench, so you need to either have a direct connection to an air source, or a bottle of compressed air attached to the tool itself. Modern air impact wrenches have been designed with an ergonomic layout, which reduce the amount of stress on the user, despite hours of work. On the downside, the wrench is very powerful but hard to regulate. You may be able to remove large, over tightened or rusted bolts, while being unable to move small pins or other delicate objects.
If you are looking for a traditional tool, that will allow you to work for long periods of time, then the air wrench is a good choice, but if you may need a wrench which can operate at several different levels, or if you don’t have room for a compressor, then you may need to look at the electric impact wrench.
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Electric Impact Wrench
The electric impact wrench, either wired or cordless, has become very popular in recent times. The corded wrench has a similar speed and capacity to the air impact wrench, and they are also capable of removing large screws. The downside to the corded electric impact wrench is the electrical cable, which may prevent ease of movement into another location, and can make the tool very heavy.
Some modern electric wrenches are cordless. The cordless wrench has fittings which allow you to remove small screws, rather than just large bolts, and is much smaller than a drill equivalent. They are perfect for use in confined spaces, such as you may find when trying to restore a car. On the downside, they may run out of power quickly, forcing you to wait while the battery recharges, and they are less powerful than the air impact and corded electrical wrenches. If you need a quick, simple tool to do infrequent small jobs, then the cordless impact wrench is ideal, but if you need something which can work for long periods of time, and on larger jobs, then you should consider an air impact wrench.
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Impact Wrench Sockets
Different size sockets are a welcome accessory for your tool. These sockets can alter the size of the wrench, so you can screw or unscrew a range of different size nuts and bolts. You can buy the individual sockets separately, or as part of a set. Socket sets can be bought in carrier boxes, and are considerably cheaper than purchasing them on an individual basis.
Drill Chucks
The drill chuck converts the impact wrench into a hammer drill, so you can use it for drilling into tough materials like concrete and stone.
Universal Joints
Universal joints allow the tool to be used around corners, and give it greater flexibility in tight spaces. The joint is maneuverable, which means that you can plug the joint into the item being unscrewed, position the connection at the proper angle, and then attach the impact wrench, rather than having to manhandle the tool in a small area. These joints can make working much simpler and easier.
Extensions
Like the joint, the extension gives the impact wrench greater maneuverability, so you can reach into spaces that the tool would not otherwise be able to go. The extension simply fits on the anvil like a socket would. It has a secondary anvil on the extended end, so you can set the socket on the extended anvil use the impact wrench in the normal way.
Recharging Kits
If you use a cordless impact wrench, you need at least one recharger and one extra battery to keep the tool running for as long as you need it.
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The Pneumatic vs Electronic Impact Wrench: Which Suits Your Needs?
An impact wrench is a tool that is used in all sorts of work, especially automotive work. However, there are many reasons why the average do-it-yourselfer may need an impact wrench. If you are working with wood and building a deck or any sort of structure, an impact wrench will definitely come in handy. Impact wrenches are most commonly found in the pneumatic version. This means that the impact provided by the wrench is powered by compressed air. There are impact wrenches that are powered by electricity. It is hotly debated which of the two impact wrenches is best, however, you should decide which one works best for you.
The Professional Choice
The pneumatic impact wrench is considered the professional grade impact wrench. It is also the wrench chosen by do-it-yourselfers that work with automobiles. This is because the compressed air provides more torque than can be produced by the electric models. However, most do-it-yourselfer are going to find that they don’t need such a high level tool for the jobs that they want completed around their home.
Higher Torque
It has been established that the pneumatic impact wrench is going to provide more torque. What does that really mean? It mean that’s the impact wrench powered by compressed air is going to provide more power with every impact. While this can be very important, the average do-it-yourselfer is not going to need super powered torque for the odd jobs that they will be completing. In exchange for the higher torque of the pneumatic impact wrench, the electric model is not going to require the use of an air compressor. This makes the electric wrench much more convenient to use and it means that it can be used in situations where an air compressor many not be available, such as changing tires on the side of the road.
Easier to Use
The pneumatic impact wrench is going to be easier on your body. It is lighter in weight and usually smaller to hold in your hand. This is because much of the power source is going to be housed in the air compressor. The electric impact wrench is going to house all of the necessary equipment inside the wrench itself and therefore, it is heavier and bulkier. Because the electric impact wrench is going to be heavier and larger, you may find that is can cause fatigue when using it for long periods of time.
Price
Impact wrenches, both pneumatic and electric, are found at a variety of price points. You can buy one for $50 or $250. It is advised that with any power tool, you don’t buy the cheapest model. This is exceptionally important if you are selecting an electric impact wrench. Because electric impact wrenches are going to be run off of battery, you want to make sure that the battery is high powered and long lasting. The best battery available today is the Lithium Ion battery. These batteries are lighter weight and long lasting. However, they are the most expensive of any battery, therefore they can increase the cost of your pneumatic impact wrench.
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