Home Use Impact Wrench

[dawgs 73]

I have to invest in an air drive impact, 1/2 inch, for my garage. I don't need any of the really high dollar impacts, just something usable. Won't be used all that often, but I still want something that isn't junk. Any ideas or suggestions, either for or against, would be appreciated.

[360 'CUDA]

Don't knock the cheap stuff for home use.  A cheap 1/2" drive has worked great for me on  wheels and such for years. I just put a little lube in the air fitting every once in a while and it's good to go.

I do have a nicer 3/8" from Craftsman for the more critical stuff and it's really quiet too but I leave the SnapOn and Mac tools for the professionals

[dougs bs23]

I'd say you could pick up a middle of the line craftsman for under a hundred bucks that will serve all you home needs.  With proper care a little oil and dry air it should last you a long time, or you could check out the "Husky" line of air tools at Home Depot, they aren't all that bad from my experience, I have a Husky  cutoff and angle grinder that gets alot of use and are still holding on strong, Another option may be harbor freight or even cummins tools for your light duty stuff.

[moparmaniac59]

Personally, I got tired of cheap impacts that wouldn't even bust a 1/2 inch slightly rusted nut loose. I worked in the  shipboard world as a marine machinist for over 20 year and have had ample opportunity to try all kinds. We have used impacts up to 1 & 1/2 inch drive fed by two industrial air hoses. I invested in an Ingersol "Titanium" 1/2 drive impact that will hit up to 1000 ft/lbs of nut breaking torque. It is small & compact and the hardest hitting 1/2 drive impact on the market. It is well worth the money, especially if you are a serious car enthusiast or do your own repairs. It cost over $200 bucks but will last a lifetime!!! I use tools for a living an am of the opinion that why buy cheap crap that you'll end up replacing or just won't do the job. Go for the Ingersol. You won't regret it!!! Just my 

                                                       Matt B.

[Travis72]

For a good lower priced impact, I've heard really good things about the Nitrocat (1000 ft-lbs).  They seem to run like 160 on eBay.  If I didn't already have an IR one, that's what I would buy.

I use one of the IR titanium quiet models.  It's really nice and blows the CH one I had out of the water.  I would recommend that you get a decent one, otherwise you'll just end up getting a nicer one later....

Travis
72 Cuda

[gkring]

If you are only going to swap tires the $50 home depot work just fine. I got tired of using breaker bars on the tough bolts when the cheapies would not cut it and replacing the impact every three years. I treated myself to a Ingersoll 2035Ti last Christmas. It's the first impact I actually have to use different speed settings instead of full power.

[heminut]

I'd say you could pick up a middle of the line craftsman for under a hundred bucks that will serve all you home needs. 

That's what I did, and it has worked great for me. I've had it for about 10 years now. Stay away from the Harbor Freight impacts, they're trash. My son cheaped out and bought on and it wouldn't work for crap!