Looking for a great cordless impact wrench? Here I will soon be going over 3 great choices. The Hitachi WR18DL, the DeWALT DW059K-2 and the Milwaukee 2662-22. I'm not sure what your financial allowance it for buying a new impact wrench, but I actually do want to caution you that with cordless impact wrenches, you receive what you purchase! If you get a great one from the start, it'll be with you for quite a while, the place where a cheap one will quickly take the trash!
The first, and priciest cordless impact wrench is the Hitachi WR18DL at $259.99. The typical specs from producer are:
- 1/2" drive
- 1,950 in-lb torque (or 162.5 ft-lb)
- 2,600 RPM with no load
- 3.5 lbs (shipping weight is 12.2 lbs with wrench, 2 batteries, charger and carrying case)
- Hitachi HXP lithium ion batteries
This is a pretty lightweight impact wrench, 3 lbs and 4 lbs lighter compared to the other wrenches that were tested.
With that said, it's also got minimal amount of torque, and it struggled a bit with the lug nuts on a friend's F-150 (I did see analysis someone saying that on a completely charged battery they got 710 in-lbs, or 59 ft-lbs).
It includes a funny little work light, but it really works surprisingly well if you learn yourself working in a dark place!
The lithium ion battery is quite good too.
Overall this is a great quality, light cordless impact wrench, and so long as you don't have to torque down anything a lot more than 80-100 ft-lbs, this is actually the torque wrench for your smaller tasks.
Another impact wrench is the DeWALT DW059K-2, going for $232.25. Here will be the specs:
- 1/2" drive
- 3,600 in-lb torque (300 ft-lb)
- 1,650 RPM with no load
- 7.55 lbs (15.4 lbs shipping weight with wrench, 2 batteries, charger and carrying case)
This wrench is a step up in power (300 ft-lbs), and has plenty of for working on cars and light trucks.
The battery life is excellent, and can last a whole weekend out at the track, but they're Ni-Cad batteries (which accounts for this being the heaviest impact wrench in this article)
This is a quality wrench. The downsides worth mentioning are that there is no variable torque, no electric brake, and it's a bit heavy, but there's no mistaking the fact this really is a well built, quality tool.
The past impact wrench is the 2662-22 from Milwaukee, going for $320.00. Here will be the specs:
- 1/2" drive
- 450 ft-lb torque
- 1,900 RPM with no load
- 6.7 lbs (shipping weight is 13.9 lbs with wrench, 2 batteries, charger and carrying case)
One of many things that accompany this wrench is really a "pin retent", that is more or less a rounded pin that's there to help keep your sockets from falling off. It works, and it keeps your sockets on the website, but it's a bit of a pain if you have to improve sockets frequently.
The 450 ft-lbs of torque spec seems reliable, and it's taken off bolts that were tightened down to 330 ft-lbs and 375 ft-lbs.
The lithium ion battery held its charge, and there's variable speed/torque that is nice.
This is the high power wrench of the bunch.
Overall, the main thing about buying a direct effect wrench is obtaining the torque you need. If you're buying a great wrench for those smaller tasks, the Hitachi WR18DL is a great choice. If you'll need a lot of torque, the 2662-22 from Milwaukee will be a great addition. And if you're searching for mid range power, with enough to focus on the cars although not overkill, DeWALT's DW059K-2 is a great choice, that'll last you a lengthy time.
DIY Car Repair - Understanding Torque Values
In some instances when torquing a fastener, whether it's a lover or a bolt, it is very important to attain an amount of accuracy. If you are attempting to correct your car or truck yourself there are some basic techniques that can save you both time and, in the long run, money. By understanding and applying some basic car repair techniques the typical average person is going to increase their chance at performing an effective car repair.
Car repair tools are something to consider - they could either provide a solution or, if used improperly, or in the event of Torque related tools, if not used at all, may make the automobile problem worse. You might not realize it but you might already own torque related tools. Maybe you have wondered why the 10mm wrench is shorter when compared to a 14mm wrench? Why does the ¼" drive ratchet typically only have sockets around about 15mm? There is a great reason for both. If you utilize a 10mm wrench to tighten down a 10mm fastener, and aren't over "torquing", you are going to get the appropriate torque. In the event that you used a wrench that is two times as long to accomplish the same thing your chances of over torquing, breaking or compromising the fastener are vastly increased. Using a ¼" drive ratchet to tighten a 10mm fastener is a lot safer than employing a ½" drive ratchet to tighten the same 10mm fastener. This is a simple matter of understanding the forces of leverage and torque, the longer the tool the more leverage you receive and the easier the torque is applied. As a guideline, make use of a ¼" drive ratchet to tighten fasters if the bits are available. In most cases there's no reason to use a larger ratchet to tighten the fasteners below 15mm.
There is another car repair tool that'll enable you to get the appropriate torque everytime; provided the tool works properly. It's the torque wrench. What does a mechanic have that you don't? Well, for the absolute most part, experience. Gaining a sense for how tight a bolt needs to be is the first step to getting the appropriate torque. This really is simple to apply, and it's easily gauged with a torque wrench. You can find certain instances that employing a torque wrench is incredibly important. Rotating parts is one of them. You don't want a spinning part to loosen the nuts or bolts that hold it in place. So torque your axle nuts and flywheel bolts. Any time there's a gasket or a lover or bolt that is a "Torque to Yield" it is very important to obtain out that torque wrench to ensure proper installation and operation.
Be sure you replace a the bolt or nut when it is recommended with a Car repair manual. This is because that bolt or nut has to be, and has been, torqued to yield. This means that the fastener is clearly getting stretched to it's proper torque. It entails that when that specific bolt/nut is removed you will not manage to reassemble using that previously torqued bolt and achieve the same required torque that assures both fit and function. Now once we are talking torque, let's consider several other factors. When the automobile repair manual says to oil the bolt before torquing they're further modifying the manner in which that bolt gets torqued. The friction is reduced from the addition of the oil and which means more force is now being applied to the bolt for that set torque value. Now let's think about a dried bolt at the same torque - it's not going to obtain turned enough to accomplish what producer designed to do at that torque. What is a whole lot worse is when there is a bunch of dirt, rust or any contaminants on the threads. So now that there is a bunch of dirt on the threads, you are increasing the friction and ultimately under-torquing your bolt. Do that on a brand new hub bearing assembly and you are going to have a separated wheel bearing that has too much play.
To get a better understanding of the importance of following torquing guidelines let's consider a scenario like replacing a gasket that holds oil or coolant - an example is really a valve cover gasket; the factory wants you to apply 10 foot pounds of torque to "most" valve cover gaskets. What happens in the event that you over-torque? You squish the gasket too much and that creates the potential for oil to escape, this compromises the gasket and the required seal.
Listed below are a few charts to provide you with an idea of the relative torque values that are typically applied to different sizes of bolts. They're guidelines only and these records hasn't been verified.
Bolt Assembly Torque (ft-lb)
Values are on the basis of the use of lubricated threads
bolt size Grade 8.8 Grade 10 Aluminum
M6 5 10 4
M7 9 14 7
M8 17 25 14
M10 33 50 25
M12 60 85 40
M14 90 133 65
M16 140 200 100
M18 200 285 135
The above chart is for lubricated threads and only provides typical torque values - This chart is to not be followed for any torque to yield bolts or nuts and doesn't provide proper torque values for a bolt or nut that is holding a gasket surface. Gaskets are constructed of different materials and the manual pertaining to the precise application is the only source that ought to be used in determining the appropriate torque for these gaskets.
Note: size: 10mm doesn't reference the bolt head it identifies the diameter of the shaft. Typical 10mm bolts have a 13mm or 14mm heads.
The following chart shows slightly different torque values, and isn't centered on lubricated threads. M8x1.25 is definitely an 8mm diameter with a 1.25 thread pitch - the reduced the quantity the finer the threads.
Hex head Cap Screw
bolt size Grade 8.8
M4 x 0.7 1.65
M5 x 0.8 4.13
M6 x 1.0 7.1
M7 x 1.0 12.0
M8 x 1.0 18.0
M8 x 1.25 17.0
M10 x 1.0 39.0
M10 x 1.25 36.0
M10 x 1.5 34.0
M12 x 1.25 65.0
M12 x 1.5 63.0
M12 x 1.75 59.0
M14 x 1.5 102.0
M14 x 2 94.0
Anther consideration is that proven fact that torque specification is dependent upon the kind of material used - 8.8 grade steel is the most frequent, but stainless fasteners are a tougher alternative, whereas, aluminum is a much softer metal and will need a different torque. Always check the manufacture's manual for proper torque specs. No chart that is provided in this document has been validated for accuracy. Most factory service manuals will show a torque specification chart simply based off how big is fastener, however this would only be described if the precise torque application isn't provided.
After scanning this you ought to feel a little more confident and a little more worried. Continue to do your research and accept the automobile repair jobs within your means. Ultimately, it's the ability that is required and some failures can be great learning experience so practice first and take your time.
