tools - impact driver

[Britcheflee]

I have been given a home depot gift card and also have a sears gift card - I have decided that a useful tool would be an impact driver - I am going to go with electric as I do not have a portable compressor and the one in my garage is old and not that great.

Would like advice regarding these - anyone have one from either home depot or sears...anyone ever buy one from harbour freight? There isnt one anywhere near me but understand they have free shipping?

Any other sources to check?

thanks,

lee
 

[Britcheflee]

[Zachary Hoyt]

I got a used Millers Falls 1/2 drive for $17.50 at an auction and
used it for a while. When it quit I got a used Makita on ebay and it
has been great. I like the rocker switch which the Makita has, the
MF had a directional switch like a drill and under vibration it would
pop back to the center unless I held it with my other hand, which
was not always convenient. Using the Makita you pull the top side
of the trigger for L and the bottom side for R.
Zach
 

[Zachary Hoyt]

I went with plug in, it depends how you imagine using it. If you will
be wanting to use it when the tractor breaks down in the field the
cordless is better. If you want real torque and not to have to worry
about the battery running out and intend mainly to use it in the
garage or shop I would get a corded one. They are what I have had.
Zach
 

[Britcheflee]

thanks, I think if the tractor breaks down or I need to do repairs in field which require an impact driver then probably would be towing it back to shop. going to swing by home depot on the way to work today.


lee
 

[Den N Ms]

Britcheflee,I have an old Black and Decker 1/2" electric impact that is 30 years old.It is still going strong and hasn't cost me a cent since I bought it.Guess what ,I haven't had to buy any replacement batterys for it ether.
 

[wes(MI)]

I have been very happy with my dewalt corded impact for the
last 4 year's. It's a little pricey at $200. I've used them at work
for 7 years, which is why I bought that one.
 

[Ncorrigible]

Before I got a good air compressor I rented a corded electric impact driver from the rents-all place. It worked, but was at about the limit of its capacity driving 5" lag bolts in wood. I use a lot of battery tools, but would never even consider a battery impact driver - if the battery powered circle saw, reciprocating saw, and impact drill are continually pushed to their limits, I expect an impact driver would hit its limit long before the corded version.

I would recommend paying the rents-all place a few dollars and see if the corded version meets your needs. I do not believe what I rented all those years ago would justify a purchase, but they have probably got better since then. (and yes, I did type that without cracking up)
 

[souNdguy]

i have a 120v corded impact driver from HF. it works good. my buddy has a cordless ome.. it struggles to take lug nuts off.. will do a shoebox sized car.. but didn't touch the nutz on my dually.. etc..
 

[Dean]

I've had a Craftsman 115VAC impact wrench for about 25 years. It has done everything that I've asked of it and given no trouble.

Dean
 

[Bob Harvey]

After reading all the 'below' posts, the only answer could be; buy an Ingersoll Rand deisel powered 200+ CFM compressor on wheels and all the tools in the world that require AIR and a tow vehicle for same, THEN, you are ready for EVERYTHING !! Hope This Helps !!!!!!
 

[Bob Purinton]

For what it's worth...
I got one of those hammer operated impact drivers from the local bike shop about 30 years ago.
It's just the thing for taking screws out of aluminum cases without damaging the screws.
Just put the proper bit in it, put the bit end in the screw to be turned, apply a little twist in the direction you want screw to turn and whack the back end of driver with a small hammer.
Same directions to tighten down a nut or screw. Once bottomed out rap it a time or two to finish.
Best $20.00 I've ever spent.
 

[Tom N MS]

Just to throw in a little free info----I have pneumatic, 120V and 12 volt impacts....12 volt will remove nuts/bolts that the others will not remove..12 volt revs up then internal clutch locks in..works same principle as the impact driver someone else mentioned. Only problem is that I have never seen a good quality 12 volt impact...all I"ve seen are the $20-$29 ones meant for hauling around in your car for lug nut removal. They definitely work but won"t last long.
 

[Edd in KY]

I have both an air impact and a 120v impact. Both from Harbor Freight, both about $50. Love the electric, much faster to hook up and go. I don't use them a lot but if I had to have only one, it would be the electric.

I gave it a workout loosening bolts on the slip clutches on my batwing. It survived.