It makes you smarter and richer.

Your time has value.

I have a garage full of tools.

Some I only bought for one job around the house.

Often they come in handy again later.

Time is the only thing you can't buy no matter how rich you are.

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
I don’t know why that would make you a wuss.
Work smarter, not harder.

Just think of how much quicker you’re going to be! How many more jobs you can do!

It’s a double edged sword

Yeah, I looked at all the work I did yesterday then realizing that I’d be doing it again and decided I need the impact wrench to be more efficient.

I have no regrets after going with a 1/2 pneumatic impact driver. I have 2 recommendations:

1. Use hearing and eye protection.
2. Use impact rated sockets/extensions, 6-pt preferred. Don't use normal sockets if it can be avoided.

This topic reminds me of a meme I saw a day or two ago:

I need to change the sacrificial anode in the hot water heater. Maybe I will be buying an impact wrench.

I turned wrenches in the Army for 8 years, our shop in Germany had air compressors but nobody had air tools. I stole a 3/4 inch impact from a shop down the street that had civilians working in it. I was a KING

I currently have a 1/2 inch Ryobi 18V and if the bolt wants to get squirrely with me I have a 110V Dewalt that will certainly handle it

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Let a 1” impact grab you the wrong way? Will make a gorilla seem weak.

No thank you. I’ll just take your word for it.

What were you wrenching on that needed that? Caterpillar’s?

And congrats trapper. Hope it saves wear and tear.

Used it on anything and everything when I worked in paper mills. Mostly large flanges and manhole covers.

Time to time we had to break out the hytorq. Fingers beware!

quote:

Originally posted by mr kablammo:
I need to change the sacrificial anode in the hot water heater. Maybe I will be buying an impact wrench.

Oh, shit. My 1/2" impact didn't do a DAMN thing in this situation. I had to get a 6ft cheater bar. The biggest pain in the ass is keeping the damn water heater stationary while you are wrenching on it so hard. Have fun!

I have a couple of pneumatic impacts, but I'm lusting for a cordless so that I don't have to fire up the compressor and pull the hose. Of course, Tim Taylor wisdom says that more is always better, but what level of ft. lbs. should I be (reasonably) looking for in a ½" mandrel? And, any hints on specific brands/models? My CP and IR impacts spec. out the same, but there is a world of difference in how well they work. I'm already in the DeWalt battery trap, so there is that too.

I'm pretty sure that any job that requires a new tool is an investment.

If it saves me time and or energy then it's money well spent. And as others have pointed out it's safer.

Best of luck!

Cheers~

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
You ain't a wuss, you're SMART.

Yup. Skip the impact wrench and keep doing everything by hand/arm strength as you age, and get a torn tendon or two in your arm(s). They take forever to heal and that’s with PRP or stem cell injection. Ask me how I know.

Very wise decision.

After I saw the tire store I go to using Milwaukee cordless impacts I went out and bought a DeWalt 20v. It stays in my truck tool box 24/7. Too old and week for lug nuts anymore.

I learned the value of having an impact wrench when trying to change the blades on a 6' Bushhog finishing mower. Buying one was one of the best decisions I've ever made. No more bleeding knuckles. You're not a wuss.

Do you have little tiny T. Rex arms?

quote:

Originally posted by mr kablammo:
I need to change the sacrificial anode in the hot water heater. Maybe I will be buying an impact wrench.

1 1/16” socket, a looong cheater bar (don’t empty the water) and a friend to hold the tank. Because they have a gorilla at the factory that puts them in.