Impact wrenches-Who is Using Them?

I agree, blaze. As a general rule, I don't use it unless it's really the right tool for the job (previously mentioned large pinion or axle nuts) or I have a ton of same-sized bolts to remove (such as the 14 sub-frame bolts on a MINI when I'm replacing LCA bushings...). I have taken to using my cordless impact wrench on lug nuts, but that's partly just to cycle the battery (even more so since I've switched to a different car for auto-x and I'm not swapping wheels in the lot right now).

In a way, it comes down to one of the main reason pro-wrenchers have so many tools. For them, time is money and if a tool can cut the time of a job down substantionally, then it makes a lot of sense. I'm sort of an in-between wrencher. I work on a lot of different cars and I'm often pressed for time doing it, so I've been able to justify (to myself) the purchase of some arguably 'extravagant' tools. Some more so than others... For example, "most" DIY'ers get by fine with simple $40 strut spring compressors... however, I found these lacking when I needed to swap springs on Spitfire shocks - so I splurged on a OTC Strut Tamer... Once it's set up, it can change springs VERY quickly. However, I can't leave it permanently set-up, so that is somewhat wasted on me, so it turned out to be not one of my more intelligent purchases...

I will say; once you have your own lift, it's hard to imagine wrenching without one again...

I use air tools way less then I thought when I didn't have them. Reserved for the toughest nuts to crack, or things that are easy and repetitious. Axle nuts, crank pulley bolts, taking lugnuts off, `Even if I were to use air more, it wouldn't be any faster.

I do bmw repair for a living and use air tools constantly but almost exclusively for loosening fasteners, I can't imagine how ruined my wrists would be if I did everything by hand.

Ancient al bodied IR 1/2 impact - loosening anything and everything no matter how small or large. Air Cat 3/8 ratchet - sway links and other tight access parts Air Cat 1/4 ratchet - water pumps/thermostats and valve cover gaskets

I just ordered a 3/8 nitrocat impact since it's supposed to be incredibly quiet, I expect to use it far more than my 1/2 impact.

This is onsale for $12.99 with a coupon, or use your 20% off from The Mag.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47706

My friend was a heavy equipment mechanic. He had a little 1/2" impact wrench from Snapon that would pull giant head bolts out on the big Diesels. People just looked on in amazement.

I have 3: a 1/2" Ingersoll-Rand 231 ($50, pawn shop) a 3/8" Matco ($75 used) and a 3/8" Central Pneumatic "butterfly" ($35 used). I also finally got a 3/8" air ratchet at Harbor Freight.

I use the 231 and the butterfly all the time. If there's any way to remove a fastener with them vs. wrenches/drives and sockets I choose air.

As for air: after decades of hand-me-down oilless compressors I found a 60 gallon, 5HP, 2 stage 4 cylinder Speedair in like new shape on Craigslist. I got it for about $350. Above it theres a wall mounted reel w/ 50' of 3/8 hose. On the ceiling hung shelf is the refrigerated air dryer for blasting or spraying. The regulator is on the wall by the compressor.

I have been using air tools since I started working on cars and I love them. Saves a ton of time when you are wrenching.

All of my air tools are Craftsmen, they are several years old, don't get oiled near as often as they should and work every time!