Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
I’m planning on buying a cordless combo kit that includes the drill-driver and impact driver for some DIY projects, but was wondering if the impact driver could double as an impact wrench. Will the impact driver work well for working on my car with a socket adapter? Or would it be worth purchasing an impact wrench as well. Mostly talking about bolts under the hood or under the car, I don’t need it to be able to take lug nuts off. Anyone have any experiences using the impact driver for working on the car?
It will likely work but not be as enjoyable. You have less power to begin with, then lose more through adapters. It will work though. Be aware of the additional length of the adapter for tight spaces though.
You can use an impact driver that way, but like Bremon mentioned you do have some limitations over the impact wrench. The difference in a compact impact wrench and impact driver is pretty much just the anvil though, but the wrench allows for a more compact tool.
It sounds like an impact driver should work just fine for what you need. I used my old FUEL to take off some lugs just for the heck of it and it did fine even with the adaptor. I think an impact driver is more versatile for DIY anyway.
Under the hood the impact driver is probably OK for loosening bolts but for fastening lots of those bolts probably should de done by hand with torque wrenches. I don’t think you need a full blown wrench unless you really work on large rusted bolts, there is a reason they spec wrenches in ft. Lbs. instead of in. Lbs like drivers, and why they mention “nut busting torque”. If you were doing lots of exhaust systems, lugs and suspension bolt I’d say you’ll be much better off with a wrench but just loosening under hood stuff the driver should be fine.
Yeah I think you would be fine with an impact driver. I have the Milwaukee 2656-80 and it does fine. Like others said tightening some of the bolts should be done with a ratchet or torque wrench. But my impact has no problem taking off lug nuts on a Jeep, however for constantly doing things like that you should have an impact wrench.
Yeah I think you would be fine with an impact driver. I have the Milwaukee 2656-80 and it does fine. Like others said tightening some of the bolts should be done with a ratchet or torque wrench. But my impact has no problem taking off lug nuts on a Jeep, however for constantly doing things like that you should have an impact wrench.
I use my DeWalt Impact Driver all the time with an adapter when working on cars. I am going to get an 20V DeWalt Impact Wrench soon though, both 3/8″ and 1/2″. I do quite a bit of automotive work on the side, so it saves me quite a bit of time.
I would say that the impact driver is much more versatile then the impact wrench, but the impact wrench will take of much larger and tighter bolt and nuts. I take a lot of things apart from lawn tractors to computers and the impact driver has done just fine, there also good for driving big lagbolts and screws into wood oh and don’t use a impact driver to tighten bolts and nuts that need to be really tight there not very good for that
this is the answer, get both!
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dwain wrote:
this is the answer, get both!
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Dwain now that’s a great answer!!
Problem solved with the Bosch 🙂
I wish the pile of red batteries I have would fit that. I looked at one at lowes last weekend. That is a nice impact.dwain wrote:
this is the answer, get both!
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PROTOOLNUT wrote:
What, there is a hyrid Bosch tool that I wasn’t aware of. Oh my gosh, somebody has got to link me to that tool somewhere’s. Not that I am going to buy a Bosch tool however, just curious about what makes up that things specs and stuff.
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/power-tool-forum/index.php?/topic/3781-bosch-18v-brushless-hybrid-impact-compact-drill-review/?http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/04/bosch-idh182-18v-ec-brushless-socket-ready-impact-with-14-hex-and-12-square-drive-kit-tool-crazy/
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/power-tool-forum/index.php?/topic/4557-review-brushless-bosch-drill-impact/?hl=%2Bbosch+%2Bimpact+%2Bwrench
dwain wrote:
this is the answer, get both!
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Wow, interesting. I was looking into Makita and Milwaukee but I’ll take a look at the rest of Bosch’s lineup
johnrainor wrote:
Wow, interesting. I was looking into Makita and Milwaukee but I’ll take a look at the rest of Bosch’s lineup
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/power-tool-forum/index.php?/topic/6700-which-18v-brandplatform-is-best-you-for-try-this-calculator/
I believe that TIA video was a sponsored one by Bosch? But either way, its a cool tool. I’m about to buy one…
dwain wrote:
this is the answer, get both!
[External image (toolguyd.com), not copied]
I need one now, they look AMAZING
Wow, that is impressive, I had no idea that Bosch was offering that tool. I am going to have to consider it when I do purchase my cordless impact wrenches.
I never thought I needed an impact wrench, until I bought 1. Now I’m glad I have it. Get. Dewalts new high torque impact wrench that thing is awesome.
How does it compare to the Fuel 2763 chad?
Most people don’t need a HT Wrench, I sold mine. If a compact wrench can remove your lug nuts, why would you need something bigger, heavier and 3-5 x more powerful?
Chad u got it already bro??chadlanthier wrote:
I never thought I needed an impact wrench, until I bought 1. Now I’m glad I have it. Get. Dewalts new high torque impact wrench that thing is awesome.
dwain wrote:
Most people don’t need a HT Wrench, I sold mine. If a compact wrench can remove your lug nuts, why would you need something bigger, heavier and 3-5 x more powerful?
I fit into that category. I ended up selling my HT wrench and getting a compact 3/8″ wrench. I have a lot more use for it and it doesn’t have any trouble pulling normal lugs.
PROTOOLNUT wrote:
People often forget that these wrenches are not just for lugs, they are for rusted CV-joints, breaks, exaust systems. See, once a vehicle gets old, the parts are often rusted, and thats where you need the power. Because if you have a lack of power, then you will have to start doing what I used to do when I had a crappy impact. You will have to use a combination of PB-blaster to penetrate the rusted bolt or nut, and then you will have to attack it with a propane torch to really heat the metal up. Then, maybe then, you will get that bolt or nut off.
But I do agree, if your not doing agressive vehicle restoration, then you don’t need that kind of power. I am not going to stand here and tell you that you need to buy the biggest and baddest wrench there is. No, I am simply saying, buy the right tool for the job, buy what you think you are going to need, and that will probably be the right answer. Cause at the end of the day, only you know what you want or need. We are just here to help you justify your purchase 😉
I agree. There are some places where that extra torque would come in very handy. I think about how useful it would be for heavy equipment. You would still need to use pb blaster and maybe heat for rusted bolts. The 2763 could just snap the bolt off otherwise.
I think the kit with the 2763, 2654, and Led light would be awesome.
Yeah big mike It came last week. I need to post a picture. It’s already dirty and got a few scratches on it from trying to get in some tight spaces.
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chadlanthier wrote:
Yeah big mike It came last week. I need to post a picture. It’s already dirty and got a few scratches on it from trying to get in some tight spaces.
Once again congrats Chad and for sure bro post some pics of that bad boy!! I hope to also pick one of these up in the future.
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C Harris wrote:
I wish the pile of red batteries I have would fit that. I looked at one at lowes last weekend. That is a nice impact.
Yeah, my thoughts too. I already have 12 and 18v Milwaukie and 18v Makita. I hate (okay, okay, am mildly disturbed) the thought of another charger and battery cost.
PROTOOLNUT wrote:
People often forget that these wrenches are not just for lugs, they are for rusted CV-joints, breaks, exaust systems. See, once a vehicle gets old, the parts are often rusted, and thats where you need the power. Because if you have a lack of power, then you will have to start doing what I used to do when I had a crappy impact. You will have to use a combination of PB-blaster to penetrate the rusted bolt or nut, and then you will have to attack it with a propane torch to really heat the metal up. Then, maybe then, you will get that bolt or nut off.
But I do agree, if your not doing agressive vehicle restoration, then you don’t need that kind of power. I am not going to stand here and tell you that you need to buy the biggest and baddest wrench there is. No, I am simply saying, buy the right tool for the job, buy what you think you are going to need, and that will probably be the right answer. Cause at the end of the day, only you know what you want or need. We are just here to help you justify your purchase 😉
When I bought my 2763 it was to replace my air impact that I only pulled out for those tight rusted nuts. I’m finding many more uses for it. This week I went to replace the blades on my lawn tractor. The bolts holding the blades where so tight that I started to find a block of wood to hold the blade as I take a breaker bar to loosen the nut. Then I thought about the 2763. I grabbed it and seconds later three blades where off.
I agree with what many have said, an impact driver will serve you plenty well..
unless your a mechanic with a need for a big impact every day you are much better off just getting the driver and having more versitaliity.. you will be able to do almost everything you might want to do to a car with it..
I use my impact driver on my truck whenever necessary.. if I run into a stubborn nut or bolt that it won’t loosen I just Crack it loose with a breaker bar first then spin it off the rest of the way with the driver.. the few extra seconds it takes doesn’t matter to me because that’s not what I’m doing all day long or to make money.