Cordless Impact Wrenches

Cordless Impact Wrenches

The increased availability of cordless tools has set many seasoned mechanics and weekend do-it-yourselfers on the advantages of owning one. A cordless impact wrench is just like any impact wrench. The difference is that this tool is without a cord and therefore runs on a portable type of power source i.e. battery pack. The question now is, are cordless impact wrenches worth it?

As with any tool, there are pros and cons in owning a cordless impact wrench. One glaring benefit of a cordless impact wrench is its portability. You can use a cordless impact wrench anywhere, anytime without the hassle of either lugging an air compressor or scouring for an electrical outlet. A cordless wrench is handy when doing quick jobs such as changing one tire or for removing a couple of rusty lug nuts. A cordless impact wrench is also handy for weekend DIYer who in all probability use the tool only on occasions.

What are the cons? Power for power, a cordless impact wrench delivers about less than half of its corded counterpart. A traditional ½ inch air impact wrench can deliver about 700 to 800 ft.lb of torque while a ½ inch cordless impact wrench can only deliver 250 to 325 ft. lb of torque. A cordless wrench is heavier than a traditional one because included in its gross weight is the weight of the battery pack. A cordless impact wrench is also more expensive than a traditional one. A cordless one is pegged at $300 to $500 while a corded one is from $175 to $250.

In conclusion a cordless impact wrench is ideal for quick and short jobs.
DeWALT DW059K-2 18-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-inch Cordless Impact Wrench Kit


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Which 3/8 Impact Wrenches Best Suits You

3/8 Impact Wrench

An impact wrench is also called a rattle gun or an air wrench. It is a tool most commonly used in directing torque or a rotating force to a specific object, in most cases, nuts and bolts. An impact wrench can be powered by an air compressor, an electrical power, a hydraulic power or even batteries. Businesses such as the automotive, constructions, product assembly lines, and heavy equipment maintenance industries may well be slowed down in terms of work output and production without powered impact wrenches.

Impact wrenches are available in sizes ranging from ¼ inch socket up to the large 3.5 inch socket most common in construction sites. Choosing the socket size depends on your needs. If you will use the impact wrench for simple assembly and disassembly, then a ¼ inch socket will be good enough for the job. Sizes such as ½ inch, ¾ inch and 1 inch are available in both inline (held like a screw driver) and a pistol grip where the output shaft is held at a 45° angle with the handle, like a regular gun. A 3/8 inch socket is common in pistol grip type wrenches and butterfly wrenches. A 3/8 inch inline impact wrench is not common but there are probably manufacturers who carry this product.

It is safer to use a pistol grip or a butterfly wrench when the power of the impact wrench is increased (in direct proportion to the diameter of the bolt used). The increase in torque is in part directed back to the user and the increased weight of the tool requires a bigger handle that would be hard to grip.

With a 3/8 inch impact wrench it’s best to settle for a pistol grip wrench or a butterfly wrench.
Ingersoll Rand 2115TiMAX 3/8-Inch Impactool

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