Can anyone recommend a good 3/4" impact wrench?

belfert · June 17, 2012, 09:34:38 PM

I need to get a 3/4" impact wrench to remove my wheels. Will I regret getting the IR259 or 259G that only need a 3/8" air hose? I would prefer not to re-plumb my compressor for 1/2" air hose.

eagle19952 · June 17, 2012, 10:44:19 PM

i retired is 2004 after 35+ years wrenching,then IR was top of the line.when I started Cleco made good stuff...CP made good stuff...today if i knew nothing more than I do I would not feel bad about an IR they all need volume...

TomC · June 18, 2012, 08:29:16 AM

Don't bother with a 3/4". Most wheel sockets are 1". Lots of long anvil (extension to reach the inner wheels) 1" impact wrenches made-IR is a good one. Good Luck, TomC

Lee Bradley · June 18, 2012, 08:54:04 AM

The Chicago Pneumatic CP 772H HD has Working Torque Range ft.-lb: 150-700 and Ult. Torque @ 90 PSI Fwd/Rev ft.-lb: 1000. I find 3/8" line works but use 3/8" couplers the 1/4" just does not pass enough air.

belfert · June 18, 2012, 12:55:00 PM

I really don't want to go 1". They weigh a ton and they require a 1/2" air line. I already have 3/4" drive sockets for working on the wheels.

Jerry32 · June 18, 2012, 01:37:47 PM

You could go electric and they still wiegh a ton but dont take any air.

luvrbus · June 18, 2012, 03:50:05 PM

Regardless of what is on the net and people tell you the 259 is a air hog under a load and a 3/8 hose I don't believe will supply you with 30 CFM I had to go to a 1/2 inch to get full power from mine fwiw they are a good impact all my guns are IR except for 1 Mac

good luck

gus · June 18, 2012, 05:24:14 PM

I use a 1/2" 600 ft-lb max I got from HF with adapters, it is heavy enough for me and it won't strip wheel studs. I don't ever want to replace any more of those!

For nuts the air wrench won't remove I use a 60:1 manual torque multiplier that will remove anything!

Low Class · June 18, 2012, 05:38:44 PM

I know this is not what you want, but may want to look anyway.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ingersoll-Rand-1-electric-impact-wrench-/140774627034?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item20c6d256da&vxp=mtr

It is IR 8056 1 inch drive electric. I have one and it works well for wheel lugs. Not good for much else, as it weights 40 pounds with extension and bud socket. Price new is $2000ish.

I am not connected to this sale in any way.

zubzub · June 18, 2012, 08:26:24 PM

Don't think you will get much power with anything on a 3/8 line. Even my 1/2" impact prefers a 1/2" line. I have a nice light 3/4" SK impact, it is useless on 3/8" line. FWIW a 5 gallon punk tank with a 1/2" line to the gun, while awkward will allow you avoid re plumbing you air system. I have used this successfully to remove stuff when I haven't had my big compressor with me.

FloridaCliff · June 19, 2012, 04:09:02 AM

Quote from: zubzub on June 18, 2012, 08:26:24 PM
Don't think you will get much power with anything on a 3/8 line. Even my 1/2" impact prefers a 1/2" line. I have a nice light 3/4" SK impact, it is useless on 3/8" line. FWIW a 5 gallon punk tank with a 1/2" line to the gun, while awkward will allow you avoid re plumbing you air system. I have used this successfully to remove stuff when I haven't had my big compressor with me.

Zub,

That is a great suggestion, I saw a friend do this and "borrowed" the idea for myself.

Such a simple way to expand your system for the occasional wheel wrencher.

Most of us only need this capability once in a while and the "punk tank" will do the trick.

Cliff

buswarrior · June 19, 2012, 07:17:48 AM

Yes, one of the easiest ways to give your gun a quick blast of big volume at low cost, any old tank with the big fittings to feed the gun, and your regular smaller fittings to feed the tank.

You may have to wait a bit for the tank to catch up to hit the next fastener, but can be scrounged together out of free stuff. Only cost might be the set of big fittings to connect to the gun, the other end on the tank can be plumbed straight in with what fittings you already have lying around.

A busnut has to apply funds as directly to the coach as possible!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

chev49 · June 19, 2012, 07:35:27 AM

i have 2 ir's and a few months ago bought an earthquake one on cl cause it was 50 bucks... its cheap, but removes the lug nuts.. and weighs half as much as the ir's... its in the compartment along with the 1 in tool box.
extra tank in line is the best way to go...

belfert · June 19, 2012, 02:10:46 PM

I would like to be able to run an impact off of my bus air. Would the best way be to run a 1/2 line directly off the main tank in the rear? I have a main tank, primary A, and primary B tanks in the rear. The air from the dryer goes into the main tank first.

I took a look at the air compressor in my garage. It is an Ingersoll-Rand and does 12 CFM. Is that enough for a 3/4" impact wrench? The motor says it is 5 HP, but it also only takes 15 amps at 230 volts. That doesn't seem like enough amps for true 5 HP.

gus · June 19, 2012, 03:10:57 PM

15 amps at 230 volts = 4.6 HP with no loss, which is impossible, but the loss is not much.

However, electric motor HP ratings are usually exaggerated, often the rating is the amount of electrical power it uses, not its output, and sometimes it is the peak HP which is time limited.

Generators and welders have this same rating system, makes good marketing.