15 best impact wrenches

Best Mechanical Impact Wrenches

These simple devices are popularly called a "meat grinder" for the similarity, since they have a handle that must be rotated by hand. But they are the cheapest and most unpretentious version of the tool that can be thrown into the trunk of a car and get rid of problems, for example, when changing a wheel. Truckers know from experience about its value, since it is unlikely that it will be possible to unscrew a stuck nut on the road with ordinary keys, but easily with a wrench. The best mechanical hand wrench is difficult to name, there are a lot of them, and they all have different characteristics. Therefore, we will name several options:

• BelAK BAK.10017 is the cheapest, but at the same time reliable enough to work with cars and small trucks. Suitable for a private garage.
• DT-23 - the most powerful, provides a torque of 6300 N * m, which allows you to unscrew any nut, even a stuck nut. At the same time it is compact.
• DT21 is the most popular. A fairly functional tool for a variety of jobs.

Almost everyone has a small drawback - often there is not enough factory lubricant in the gearbox. This should be checked after purchase.

How to choose?

• Battery capacity, which is the most important characteristic for wrenches that are not connected to the mains. The operating time of the wrench directly depends on its capacity and on the power of the electric motor. The most common are removable Ni-Cd and Li-ion batteries with a thousandth charge cycle. A battery charger is always included with each such tool.
• Power Supply. Its voltage can vary between 9-18 volts.

The weight of the wrench, which also plays an important role. More weight will make the work more efficient, but it will tire the muscles much faster. The weight of light devices is within a kilogram, the weight of more powerful professional wrenches is approximately 3 times more. The faster the spindle of the device rotates, the less time it will take to loosen / tighten the nuts. If for simple devices this parameter does not exceed half a thousand revolutions per minute, then for more advanced it is three times more.
A variety of attachments that are used in the work, which also serve as a characteristic of the tool. As a rule, no more than a dozen are used for domestic use, in sizes M12-M24. When working with larger dimensions, it is recommended to use a more powerful pneumatic tool.
Reverse is the rotation of the spindle in the opposite direction to twisting. Not every model is equipped with it

Always be careful when operating such models.

• The material of the tool body also cannot be discounted. The metal body is stronger and more durable, has a higher thermal conductivity while removing heat from the motor. Also, the case is often plastic. Plastic is slightly less durable than metal, but weighs much less, which makes it easier to operate with a wrench.
• When tightening or loosening the nuts in places where access is difficult, use angle wrenches. Such devices have a specific look and are used in relatively specific areas, mainly in manufacturing. They also found wide application in the conditions of a car repair shop.

Device and principle of operation

By design, nutrunners are different:

1. Manual.
2. Electrical.
3. Pneumatic.

They have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, hand-held devices are a multiplier-type design that amplifies the torque applied by a person. This is the simplest and cheapest option, more suitable for periodic work, for example, in a personal garage.Electric wrenches are more powerful and convenient. Outwardly, they look like a drill or screwdriver, with a nut attachment. They tighten well, moreover, they do it quickly. There are different designs and sizes, mains or battery, with and without a drummer. Pneumatic requires compressed air from the compressor to operate. These are the most powerful impact wrenches yet lightweight and comfortable. Designed for large-scale work - in workshops, in production.

All impact wrenches, regardless of design, are a socket-like socket that is simply rotated in different ways - manually, by an electric motor or pneumatics. Some electric models have shock a mechanism that allows you to unscrew a fastener that is too tight or, conversely, tighten it more. In addition, there are hydraulic and gasoline options, but they are very cumbersome, used in specific conditions, are rare, so they will not be considered. Most people have never seen such people.

Best cordless impact wrenches

Cordless tools are handy where there is no outlet. Which wrench to choose this type? The choice is very large, so let's name several models that stand out against the general background:

• Bison 3GUA-12-Li KNU - despite the strange name, this is a good wrench with impact functions, moreover, it is quite budgetary. It can also be used as a screwdriver. Equipped with a Li-ion battery without self-discharge, which is a big plus.
• Ryobi ONE + R18IW3 3002436 - equipped with a very capacious 5 Ah Li-ion battery. Has a pulse mode. This tool allows you to install dozens of wheels from a passenger car without recharging.
• Makita TD110DWAE is a universal tool for working with all types of fasteners, from self-tapping screws to bolts and nuts. Has an electronic speed control system.
• DeWALT DCF 899 P2 - very powerful, provides high torque. Heavy, but can handle almost any nut.
• Metabo SSW 18 LTX 600 - features a high-capacity battery for long-term operation. At the same time, it has a shock function.

It should be borne in mind that with prolonged operation, as the battery charge decreases, the power of the device decreases.

Purpose and principle of operation

When the wrench is turned on, power is supplied from the battery to the motor. He transforms it into mechanical energy and transfers it to the gearbox, which makes the chuck work through the shaft. By the type of impact on the nut, nutrunners are divided into impact and non-impact. The impactless impact wrench cannot boast significant torque, but it is easier to use in operations requiring precise use of the device.

Electric motors of impact wrenches are equipped with special impact devices that maximize the torque. They are distinguished by the peculiarity of the impact on the nut: if it is screwed on easily, it is subjected to tightening by long blows, and tightening is done in jerks with increasing force. With the help of such hammers, even the most "stuck" nut is easily broken off, and it is much easier to tighten a large connection. That is, a slightly different principle is applied here: the shaft does not rotate constantly and evenly, but in jerks, acting not on screwing, but to the side. In addition to increasing the efficiency of the tool, it also does not strain the worker's hand muscles.

Wrench selection parameters

It is very difficult to give specific advice on how to choose a wrench - there are many models from different manufacturers, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. And users leave very conflicting reviews about them. The fact is that when choosing a tool for yourself, you need to be guided by your requirements, and choose the best option for yourself, and not just buy "more expensive and more expensive." The following points should be considered:

• Power determines the tightening torque. It is necessary to assess what work will be done.Don't take an overly powerful tool for small tasks.
• Drive - here you need to look if a hand wrench is enough or, better, electric. For workshops with a compressor, a pneumatic option can also be considered.
• Power supply - sometimes the mains supply is enough, and sometimes the battery option is preferable.
• Cartridge - There are options for a bit, and the most common is with a ½-inch square. A matter of taste and compatibility with the existing instrument. The square allows the socket heads to be mounted without problems.

So, the choice of a wrench for a garage is not particularly difficult - most common middle-class models will do. The most difficult question is at what point it is better to choose a wrench. It is not necessary to take the most powerful one - it can simply break the thread, or tighten it so that without such a tool it will not be possible to unscrew it again. Therefore, models are preferable in which the torque can be adjusted, like in a screwdriver, using a ratchet mechanism.

The best network impact wrenches

Electrical tools are perhaps the most diverse and functional. They can work for a long time with the same performance, but require an electrical outlet. Therefore, they are used more often in garages, in workshops, in production. Rating of electric impact wrenches that stand out among others:

• Bison 3GUE-350 is the cheapest, but unpretentious and reliable enough. Not a bad choice for a home or personal workshop.
• Makita TW-350 is a great option for car service. It has an impact mechanism and provides good torque. Can handle difficult cases.
• The Hitachi WR 14VB is perhaps the lightest impact wrench available. But it has two speeds, which allows you to choose the optimal mode.
• The Metabo SSW-650 is expensive but very powerful. Can handle stuck fasteners in the most severe cases.

Pneumatic models are also network models, since they require connection to a compressed air source - a compressor or a special outlet. They are less common, and are usually used in large workshops or in manufacturing, but provide high power. It is especially useful for the owner of a large truck to have such a tool. Which pneumatic impact wrench to choose for your garage? There are many options:

• Caliber PGU-1631A is the most budgetary option, while it is able to easily unscrew any nuts of a car. It can work for a long time and continuously.
• Thopvik AIWI-1261 - has a high motor life and has a metal case. It can be used for servicing small trucks, i.e. it is optimal for garages or garages.
• Fubag IW-720 is the most powerful budget model. Cope with nuts of both cars and trucks.

As you can see, there are a lot of different models for different purposes. Therefore, when you think about which impact wrench to choose for your garage - a pneumatic impact wrench or an electric one, think about the exact purpose for which you need it.

The best network impact wrenches

The internal structure of the network nutrunners is similar to the battery ones, but a constant connection to a single-phase 220 V network allows them to work indefinitely. In terms of power, the power tool can have indicators from 300 to 900 W, which determines the torque and rotation speed.

This is a good option for a stationary work place for assembly and disassembly processes. The range of use is limited by the length of the wire and an additional extension cord is often required. Which wrench is the best among this category, choose based on the tasks ahead.

Makita TW 0350

It has a power of 400 W and a torque with a maximum of 350 Nm. Impact function with a frequency of 2,000 per minute facilitates easy loosening of old bolted connections.

+ Pros of Makita TW 0350

1. Good balancing due to the T-shape.
2. Built-in overheating protection.
3. The spindle rotates at 2000 rpm, which speeds up processes.
4. Supplied with a carrying case.
5. Copes well even with sour bolts.
6. It is used by many owners every day and serves for several years without breakdowns.

- Cons Makita TW 0350

1. Quite large dimensions - it is problematic to get into a bottleneck.
2. The hand gets tired faster from a weight of 3 kg.
3. With prolonged exposure to fasteners M12 breaks bolts.
4. The rubber pad is just on the back of the handle - the front is bare plastic that slips.

Output. A good wrench is distinguished by a rubberized part on top of the gearbox, which protects the body from impacts against metal assemblies and parts. The range of accessories 12-22 will allow the tool to be widely used for repair and installation.

Metabo SSW 650

German network type wrench made in Taiwan. The fully metal gearbox housing is reliably protected from damage. 650 W of power with 600 Nm of torque gives high performance.

+ Pros of Metabo SSW 650

1. The plastic parts of the body are rubberized at the corners.
2. The finger does not slip to the start button in the heat.
3. The spindle speed of 2100 rpm helps to drive more screws into the roofing material in the same amount of time.
4. Intelligent air cooling for longer runtime.
5. The long cable of 5 meters allows it to be used in a stationary workplace without carrying.
6. Recoil when hitting and pulling is almost not transmitted to the hands.

- Cons of Metabo SSW 650

1. The hand quickly gets tired from a heavy tool.
2. High power tears thin bolts when tightened.
3. When unscrewing old connections, it knocks for a long time (up to 30-60 s) to move the fasteners from their place.
4. It comes without a case, which many people lack to keep and transport the wrench neatly.

Output. One of the most powerful network impact wrenches with 600 Nm torque. Suitable for permanent assembly at a stationary workplace.

Output

Having considered seven models of wrenches, we opted for electrical devices, since they are the most powerful and can be used both in everyday life and in production. All provided wrenches are impact-resistant and have a different torque. Almost all rating models can operate on both mains and rechargeable batteries. Buying a universal tool, the consumer saves a lot. Explore our rating to make the right choice.

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