Impact Wrench

Think of an impact wrench, sometimes known as an impact gun, as a power socket wrench, working with an impact socket to deliver a high torque output with little effort on the user’s part. Impact wrenches get their torque from a hammering mechanism which delivers strong concussive blows. In other words, an impact wrench works as if you were hitting a regular wrench with a hammer, except you don’t have to hit anything. Impact wrenches are mainly used for dismantling lugs nuts on car tires. They are commonly seen in auto shops and construction sites.

Impact wrenches perform the same jobs as regular wrenches, but with more speed and convenience. If you are in a job where you need to make lots of repairs very quickly, you should invest in an impact wrench.

Pneumatic, or air powered impact wrenches, run on compressed air. Since they do not require a power source to run, they are ideal for remote worksites without electricity. They are also smaller than other types of wrenches, making them the most portable and convenient for fitting in tight spaces. They also remain cool while used because the compressed air continuously cools the heat generated by rotating elements, making them ideal for assembly line work. The main disadvantage to this type is that it is difficult to adjust power, so it cannot be used in jobs which would require smaller power.

Corded electric impact wrenches run on electricity and use a cord to hook the wrench to the power source. These types are becoming rarer on the market as buyers prefer cordless wrenches, but corded wrenches still have their advantages. They can be used as long as there is power, so you don’t have to worry about running out of batteries or air. This is also the disadvantage- if there is no electricity, the wrench is useless.

Cordless electric impact wrenches run on nickel cadmium or lithium-ion batteries usually with a 12V max or a 20V max. They don’t require air or electricity to run, making these the most portable type ideal for on-the-road repairs. They have variable speed controls, making them suitable for a wide variety of projects. However, cordless impact wrenches are not as powerful as their air or corded counterparts, and the battery drains fast.

Impact wrenches have a wide range of drive sizes and torque. Torque is measured in pounds-feet, which is the force in pounds acting on the end of a lever measured in feet and refers to rotational force. Drive size refers to the amount of torque. For example, a wrench with a 1 in drive size produces a torque of 3000 feet/lbs.

The higher the drive size, the higher the torque. It is important to not have too low or high torque for your project. For small to medium assemblies and disassemblies, you want a max torque of 300 feet/lbs. For larger projects, you want around 1200 feet/lbs. Remember that using a wrench with a larger torque for a smaller project can damage your work.

A smaller drive size (1/4 -3/8 in) is better for bolts that are 10mm or below in diameter. The smaller size wrenches deliver less power but more precision and accuracy. ½ in is the most common size because it is right in the middle and can do a variety of jobs. ¾ and 1in wrenches are the least common because they are too powerful for a lot of job types. They are mostly used for construction projects.