Hi all, hopefully this would be the best place to put this. I dont have much in the way of automotive tools, I generally go to friends' houses whenever I need to work on something and use thier tools. Ive recently started trying to amass my own collection so that I can work on my car at my convenience and had a question for you. How much in the way of ft/lbs torque is necessary for an impact gun/driver/wrench? I dont have a compressor so most electric drivers that I have seen for under $200 are between 200-300 ft/lbs torque, is this sufficient for most applications? I dont plan on much in the way of engine building, so just for wheels/suspension mostly and the occassional DIY engine work (nothing massive, just replacing a headgasket or something).

 

Yea that should work.

I'm old school and like my air tools. I'm also a big fan of Sears Craftsman tools. I also have there 3/4" impact gun. Best tool I ever bought.

When my 1/2 impact won't work a pull out the big gun. My half inch gun has like 250 ftlbs in the off direction. It has a hard time with some lug nuts.

The 1/2" gun works fine for suspensions and brakes.

If your not going to buy a compressor make sure you buy the best electric gun you can.

I have found that you always want more power.

 

thanks alot for the quick response. I know that air is generally the way to go but if I get a good compressor with some air tools the cost would really rack up pretty quick. I saw one for a little over 200 bucks that was 345 ft/lbs, Ill probably just go for that one. And all of the guns I was referring to were 1/2 drivers, i think 3/4 might be out of my budget, although I havent seen an electric 3/4 inch driver anywhere anyways so Im not even sure if its available

 

i dont know about 2-300 being enough. a crank pulley bolt or axle nut won't come off with that, unless you're lucky. if i were u i'd either get an air compressor (it'll open a lot of doors for you for other tools) or the snap-on electric impact. it'll take off garbage truck lug nuts!

 

I plan on getting a compressor eventually but its just out of my budget right now as it is one piece that I wouldnt want to cheap out on. That snap-on is pretty appealing, the one I was looking at was ~600 ft/lbs starting torque and 400 continuous...but its also about 500 bucks, which makes it more than I want to spend. Im basically looking for a good electric impact for around 200 dollars that I can use in the mean time until I can afford a decent compressor and air tools. I think Im going with a dewalt dw292. Its a half-inch driver with a 7.5amp motor and 345 ft/lbs, that will have to do for now. plus its only 170 or so.

 

You should save your money and buy a nice breaker bar until you can get a decent compressor and nice gun. I love my 1/2" Craftsman Pro composite body impact. I use it at work all day long, without any problems. It would be more than enough for home use, and they're only about $180 or so.

 

I now thinking he should save his money until he can afford a compressor and real air tools.

In the OP he said he only wanted to do light duty type stuff.

Even the 3/4 gun has a few whacks before the crank bolt comes off.

In my 53 years you thing I've learned is save up the money and buy something once. If you buy something your not happy with because you settled, you'll not enjoy the purchase.

I suppose if you look at it as a stepping stone to the next level, may be you can justify it. Me I'd use my breaker bar for the time being. That's how I did it until I got the air tools 4 years ago.

 

yeah buy hand tools till you can get a compressor

 

Thanks for all of the responses. I already have a decent breaker bar, albeit its only 18" but I really wanted the torque wrench for the speed/convenience. I just wanted to know if it would be able to handle light duty work so I dont have to do it by hand. Like I said, I do have access to good air tools when necessary this is just so I dont have to go out of my way to go over there with a small repair/modification/project. At any rate, I found a good deal on ebay for a new dewalt with 345 ft/lbs for 135 shipped so I picked that up. Ill put it through the paces as soon as it comes in and see if it was worth it