Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

[Gary C.]

Am looking for recommendations/feedback for an emergency use battery powered 1/2 inch Impact Wrench.

Since it's not an every day use, am looking for an import, low cost 4aH torque wrench.

There are a ton of "import" 1/2 inch torque wrench clones. They all appear to be basically the same.

Appreciate your suggestions and comments. Thanks,

Gary
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[Mark E.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

What kind of emergencies require a torque wrench?

[Gary C.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Mark,

Flat tire for an old man with a bad back.

Gary
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[Mark E.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Mark,

Flat tire for an old man with a bad back.

Gary
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Got it. A thought (which you probably already had): Instead of a torque wrench, pack a can of fix-a-flat, a very long breaker bar (or even better, a 1/2" ratchet with a very long handle), a short extension, and socket. The fix-a-flat may prevent the need to change a tire, but if you do, a long handled ratchet is more compact and less expensive. With your experience, you can get the torque close enough for the immediate need.

[Harry S.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Gary, I tried a Ryobi and a DeWalt battery powered unit from Home Depot. I took both back as they would not remove the lug nuts on the Corvette or the BMW. They just stalled. They were on sale for about $120.00. I ended up with a Milwaukee M18 Fuel. It never fails. It's a heavy tool. It cuts wheel removal time by 75%. Downside, it's over $325.00.

My back feels your pain.

[Gary C.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Mark,

My bad, just realized I said torque wrench and really meant impact wrench. DUH!

Have all of that, but it didn't do any good last year when a truck in front of me flipped up a 8 in wide by 6 ft long piece of aluminum with an upturned jagged edge in front of me that I couldn't dodge last year on the way to the Texas Regional.

AAA told me they couldn't respond on the Sam Rayburn Toll Road. Called the Toll Road, but no estimate of time. Luckily two of my NCRS friends from out of State were driving my truck. I took the tire off and we drove 1 1/2 mi to Discount Tire. Discount Tire installed immediately and I had the tire back on a tad bit over an hour. As I started to roll off, the Toll Way Help truck showed up and I just waved at him.

Lucky, tire rim wasn't damaged. Had just a little bit of left front fender damage and a bit of paint rubbed.

Blowout_101922.jpg

Gary
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[Gary C.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Harry,

Appreciate your sharing your experience. Was trying not to spend the big bucks $$$.

Duh just realized I put torque wrench in the title, my bad.

Checked e-bay and a lot of those cordless impact wrenches ad states they use Makita batteries. Which makes me wonder if they're really made at the same factory in China?

Gary
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[Ed S.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Get a 2.5 foot long section of pipe - use it to extend the handle of a lug wrench - you will have enough leverage to remove those lugs with ease. And you don't have to worry about keeping the pipe charged. I would think your bigger problem would be jacking the car up and man handling the spare and flat tire after you remove it - removing lugs is the least of your problems. Triple A might be a better solution.

[Gary C.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Ed,

That's a good thought. Will give your suggestion a good thought. Maybe a couple of 1 ft sections that slide together to reduce space. Thanks.

Carry a small hydraulic jack along with a small DC compressor in the spare tire tub.

Gary
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[David H.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Gary

Second: one of the inexpensive Harbor Freight 1/2" breaker bars with a "deep socket".

Might also consider a (pair of?) wheel mounting alignment pin. Pin screws on lug stud and is an aid sliding wheel/tire into position.

https://www.amazon.com/1984-2017-Cor.../dp/B06XG2D9CC

Dave

61VwExVFXNL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

[Gary C.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

David,

Good info on the wheel mounting alignment tool. Thanks,

Gary
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[Keith B.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

I have a Dewalt 20 volt 1/2' impact for removing wheels and such. the tool works great

[Gary C.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

thanks Keith

[Keith B.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

just make sure you get the bigger battery

[David R.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

I also bought the Milwaukee M18 Fuel. It works on the 1/2-ton, the 1-ton, all the cars, saves on aggravation.
David.