Impact wrenches... Which one?

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:43 pm

Anyone any recommendations?

Got to play with an Impact wrench yesterday. I'm a big child and they amuse me no end & they are ridiculously handy to use.
maggspower
Turbo Farmer Tractor Driver
Posts: 2376
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Nowhere near South Wales, ok butt

Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:45 pm

Air or battery?
bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:46 pm

maggspower wrote:Air or battery?
Battery, Don't have the space for a decent compressor :(
maggspower
Turbo Farmer Tractor Driver
Posts: 2376
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Nowhere near South Wales, ok butt

Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:50 pm

bab-91 wrote:
maggspower wrote:Air or battery?
Battery, Don't have the space for a decent compressor :(
In that case the snap-on one is the finest. But it is a bit eye watering in the cost department :D
Quaser
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2622
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: West London

Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:51 pm

I've been looking at these recently / my friend has a dewalt dw059 which was good for around £150 + battery and charger rated at 300lb/ft

The snap on which most people rate is around £500 I think rated at 400lb/ft

I have been looking at getting a Milwaukee rated at 450lb/ft imported from America for £450 with 2 li-on batteries, 110v charger, a smaller 3/8 drive and a torch :)

Group buy any one :)
BMW E30 2.0 Convertible (M52B28)
BMW E30 2.0 2 Door (M20B28 Turbo project to start)
BMW E36 328i Sport (M52B28 Turbo Project)
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=68663
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:01 pm

i bought the clarke one from machine mart ,if you subscribe to the cataloge online they send you vat free offers with a code so mine cost just .... £119

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ess-impact
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
User avatar
rhubarb
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 509
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Eastbourne East Sussex

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:04 pm

magpie wrote:i bought the clarke one from machine mart ,if you subscribe to the cataloge online they send you vat free offers with a code so mine cost just .... £119

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ess-impact
How long you had it?

My one of those, one battery failed after a month and the trigger burnt out after 3 months.

2 years on it still works(after I repaired it) but I only use it for speed not cracking things undone :wink:
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:13 pm

had mine about 6 months now ,i'm sure with most of these and e30's you need to crack certain nuts off manually first like the rear subframe ones and downpipes at the manifold etc .

these things kill loads of spanner action for me :D
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
billgatese30
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 10989
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Tyne & Wear

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:13 pm

rhubarb wrote:I only use it for speed not cracking things undone :wink:
I have a Makita one for the same purpose. Not the strongest windy gun ever, but its amazing how quickly you can get things done. :cool:
magpie
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 28035
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Consett,Durham.

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:14 pm

Look up Chris :D
Image
m52 b30 stroker 6-speed 318is Galvanizer
m42 touring
+ a yard full of scrap turds :)
billgatese30
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 10989
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Tyne & Wear

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:21 pm

I know, I usually crack the nuts with the breaker bar/torque wrench and a normal socket, then have the Makita with the same size impact socket for the unspinning/spinning up.
User avatar
rhubarb
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 509
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Eastbourne East Sussex

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:28 pm

magpie wrote:had mine about 6 months now ,i'm sure with most of these and e30's you need to crack certain nuts off manually first like the rear subframe ones and downpipes at the manifold etc .

these things kill loads of spanner action for me :D
This one is used daily, up until burning the trigger out I was using it for undoing wheel nuts on cars :wink:

But using it for speed is what it's good for.
maxfield
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 15186
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mansfield

Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:33 pm

The snap on one is well worth the cash, have used mine daily for 5 years never failed once. And doesn't really struggle with undoing much.
Image
bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:49 pm

Snap on is never happening unless I win the lottery tonight :cry:

Friend's impact wrench was an Ryobi, Everything was loosened manually before hand. It did the job. He paid £120 and it came with two batteries.

Hmmm would it be worth buying snap on or Milwaukee second hand?
maxfield
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 15186
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mansfield

Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:52 pm

bab-91 wrote:Snap on is never happening unless I win the lottery tonight :cry:

Friend's impact wrench was an Ryobi, Everything was loosened manually before hand. It did the job. He paid £120 and it came with two batteries.

Hmmm would it be worth buying snap on or Milwaukee second hand?
I'd buy a snap on impact second hand.

I use it everyday, and use snap on tools everyday.

You get what you pay for IMO
Image
bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:11 pm

The Internet - It has proven to be worthless, and is nothing but a repository for perverts.

IG - bab91
capnmchl
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1141
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: Exeter, Devon

Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:26 pm

Just be aware that the snap on batteries aren't covered by a lifetime warranty, and they're not cheap to buy. Around £100 a battery last time I asked.

I haven't got one, but someone I worked with had one. That thing had some power behind it. Never tried any other brands though. I wasn't convinced by the electrics because I always had access to a compressor, and didn't have to worry about the batterys dying. But I can see why they're useful.
User avatar
sanitroc1
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 244
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: North Somerset

Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:11 pm

I have the same Snap on one as the ebay link and have just bought the Dewalt 18v one second hand . I bought the Dewalt one as nearly all my work kit is Dewalt and I have loads of batteries and the Snap on charger has died . So far the Dewalt is impressive but so far I have only changed some wheels .
bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:23 pm

The snap on listed went for £180, even if the battery would of need replaced its still a good deal. Unfortunately was put off it because you had to charge it from a cigarette lighter. I'll keep an eye out and see what comes up! :cool:


Thanks for the advice folks!
The Internet - It has proven to be worthless, and is nothing but a repository for perverts.

IG - bab91
User avatar
Chris_B86
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1167
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:00 pm

Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:30 am

Strap-On CTU6850 cracking bit of kit
Image
1990 E30 325i Sport Sterling Silber
1999 E36 323i Sport Touring Techno Violet
snakebrain
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3685
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:00 pm

Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:01 am

Chris_B86 wrote:Strap-On CTU6850
8O
User avatar
Chris_B86
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1167
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:00 pm

Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:05 am

snakebrain wrote:
Chris_B86 wrote:Strap-On CTU6850
8O
What?
Image
1990 E30 325i Sport Sterling Silber
1999 E36 323i Sport Touring Techno Violet
snakebrain
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3685
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:00 pm

Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:12 am

Chris_B86 wrote:
snakebrain wrote:
Chris_B86 wrote:Strap-On CTU6850
8O
What?
I just find the idea of bab armed with an 18v strap-on worrying for some reason...
User avatar
Chris_B86
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1167
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:00 pm

Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:14 am

haha, yeah might cause some damage
Image
1990 E30 325i Sport Sterling Silber
1999 E36 323i Sport Touring Techno Violet
pacerpete
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 18168
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Iver heath. South bucks.

Mon Feb 11, 2013 12:32 pm

snakebrain wrote:
Chris_B86 wrote:
snakebrain wrote: 8O
What?
I just find the idea of bab armed with an 18v strap-on worrying for some reason...
Pics needed ! ! :D
User avatar
Clarkey1988
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:00 pm

Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:09 pm

Use a snap on one in work quite abit. Its the only one id recommend if your after something with good break away torque to undo bolts. Or just buy a small single phase compressor and a decent air gun.
User avatar
irish320i
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 431
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Co. Monaghan, Ireland

Tue Feb 12, 2013 12:01 am

Have a snap on cordless as well serious bolt loosening power, would probaly cost 200+ to buy an airgun with equivalent power
Al
89 316i s50b30, 00 subaru imperza turbo(gone) 2005 range rover td6,
bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Tue Feb 12, 2013 6:16 pm

snakebrain wrote: I just find the idea of bab armed with an 18v strap-on worrying for some reason...
I'm always gentle :wink:
User avatar
Clarkey1988
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:00 pm

Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:04 pm

irish320i wrote:Have a snap on cordless as well serious bolt loosening power, would probaly cost 200+ to buy an airgun with equivalent power
With an air compressor yes. But any air gun over 200 quid has alot more power than the snap on cordless. Ive got the snap on air gun cost me about 330 and that thing has some serious power id say about double the cordless gun with a decent compressor.
Quaser
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2622
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: West London

Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:07 pm

Ive just ordered the Milwaukee combo kit so we shall see how it goes (yes, I went a bit overboard but I needed to get a combo kit and it makes sense to buy the whole lot rather then 1 at a time)- they also have a 12v ratchet which looks quite good and is cheap from usa (under £100 for the bare tool delivered)
BMW E30 2.0 Convertible (M52B28)
BMW E30 2.0 2 Door (M20B28 Turbo project to start)
BMW E36 328i Sport (M52B28 Turbo Project)
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=68663
User avatar
Clarkey1988
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:00 pm

Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:13 pm

One bit of kit i would recomend is the dewalt 3/8 drive cordless Impact gun. Very small to get into tight places and is brilliant at undoing things like manifolds sumps etc.
Quaser
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2622
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: West London

Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:20 pm

BMW E30 2.0 Convertible (M52B28)
BMW E30 2.0 2 Door (M20B28 Turbo project to start)
BMW E36 328i Sport (M52B28 Turbo Project)
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=68663
User avatar
Clarkey1988
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:00 pm

Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:45 pm

No mate its actually drill shaped but very small. I was really surprised by it.
bab-91
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7177
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:55 pm

Revisiting this after destroying my right hand :(

Friend recommended a 3/8 dewalt, I was pawing over a 1/2 snap on because it had more powarrrr!


Being a buzzkillington, he recons 3/8 is more than enough powarrrr and its obviously cheaper! Would this be up to scratch?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEWALT-XR-LI- ... 4544535%26
The Internet - It has proven to be worthless, and is nothing but a repository for perverts.

IG - bab91
faze30
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 391
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire
Contact:

Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:00 am

snap on are good but expensive. ebay do good deals
Image
Post Reply