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All I've ever used as well, but recently I did a transmission swap with only handtools and that was a PITA. Not doing that again.
Impact wrench or rachet or both?
- Thread starter RottenWillow
- Start date
All I've ever used as well, but recently I did a transmission swap with only handtools and that was a PITA. Not doing that again.
Metaltn
New member
With an air ratchet I've always been taught to never break a hard bolt(head bolt,etc.) loose with it. Do that using a handtool/breaker bar to loosen the bolt/nut then use the air ratchet to finish. This is where I could see your impact coming in handy. 60$ is a pretty decent price.
Right that's always been my understanding as well. It'll burn out the motor prematurely. So couldn't I just ask for a butterfly impact wrench and forget the air ratchet?
Yeah Sears has some very good Christmas sales on right now on some of their Craftsman stuff. They have the two products pictured in an earlier post marked down 50% right now.
Metaltn
New member
Yes, honestly. After all you still have your hand tools if you need them.
Just try not to forget about tensil strength when using an impact, it can sneak up on you. What I mean is old or worn bolts loose there tensil strength overtime and can break off with an impact. So a good WD40 or PB blaster sprayed onto the bolts before removal is always a good backup idea, also don't get too trigger happy either. Prabably won't happen to the average joe working out of their garage, but I see it in mechanic shops almost everyday. Just always good to overkill in my opinion. Saves alot of headache in the long run.
Short answer: Get the impact, use good judgement, and have fun.
gstacker
New member
I love my cordless impact gun, looks almost jus like a cordless drill and it's great for puttin shit together around the house... Barbaques, bikes, entertainment centers n you can use it for light duty shit on Cars like oil pans or diff covers... Not goin to take any lug nuts off tho
the picture of a vacuume and frying pan had me week... Was going to post ip a iron but I'm on my iPhone haha
the picture of a vacuume and frying pan had me week... Was going to post ip a iron but I'm on my iPhone haha
see, I dunno
I have a big blue point impact gun and a blue point air ratchet...
I only ever use the air ratchet on body panels/door work...it isnt good for much else
and the impact only gets used for wheels and suspension parts (I have torque sticks so you never under or over torque wheels)...again its a big impact.
honestly on a transmission or engine, Id only use a breaker bar (btw a little propane torch can be enuff to heat up a fussy nut to break it loose no need for "hot wrenches"aka full size torches) and regular ratchets....tight spots Ive been known to break a ratcheting wrench...or four
I def use my wobble sockets and various universal joints + extensions more then anything. My wobbles are also my most borrowed tools.
BUT if your intent on air toys...Id get the impact, but Id go for a big impact, you'll burn up one of those little caftsman butterflys quick.
also....find out if it needs air tool oil...some of the newer homeowner stuff doesnt, but the oiled stuff holds up longer
I have a big blue point impact gun and a blue point air ratchet...
I only ever use the air ratchet on body panels/door work...it isnt good for much else
and the impact only gets used for wheels and suspension parts (I have torque sticks so you never under or over torque wheels)...again its a big impact.
honestly on a transmission or engine, Id only use a breaker bar (btw a little propane torch can be enuff to heat up a fussy nut to break it loose no need for "hot wrenches"aka full size torches) and regular ratchets....tight spots Ive been known to break a ratcheting wrench...or four
I def use my wobble sockets and various universal joints + extensions more then anything. My wobbles are also my most borrowed tools.
BUT if your intent on air toys...Id get the impact, but Id go for a big impact, you'll burn up one of those little caftsman butterflys quick.
also....find out if it needs air tool oil...some of the newer homeowner stuff doesnt, but the oiled stuff holds up longer
I'm just intent on a tool that saves me a full hour of tedious loosening and tightening 9 different jumbo bolts in tight spots.
hehe
look into a really nice fine tooth flex head ratchet with a plastic grip, like a screwdriver
the fine teeth= greater travel in both directions in tight spots....and the flex head is just greatness
I wouldnt use any kind of impact on this soft cast aluminium (heads, transmissions)
and I don't know that Id trust an air ratchet to get the torque w/o going a full turn or more by hand
next time you have a steel bolts in an alum part (always somewhat unpleasant)....spray the sheeit out of em with blaster the day before you even touch em
look into a really nice fine tooth flex head ratchet with a plastic grip, like a screwdriver
the fine teeth= greater travel in both directions in tight spots....and the flex head is just greatness
I wouldnt use any kind of impact on this soft cast aluminium (heads, transmissions)
and I don't know that Id trust an air ratchet to get the torque w/o going a full turn or more by hand
next time you have a steel bolts in an alum part (always somewhat unpleasant)....spray the sheeit out of em with blaster the day before you even touch em
