

Full-size impacts will have larger, longer tool heads, with beefier internals, and thus higher torque specs. If the tool isn’t labeled specifically compact or sub-compact, you can assume, it is a full-sized model. There are also smaller ⅜- and larger ¾-inch drive models, with the latter being for heavy vehicle maintenance, agricultural equipment, or other industrial uses.Īmong half-inch impact wrenches, there are also tool body sizes-generally, full, compact, and sub-compact. What are we talking about when we say size? The most common size impact wrenches are ½-inch drive models-those with a square anvil measuring ½ x ½-inch, that accepts ½-inch sockets. And high RPM help drive nuts or bolts faster, while IPM kick in harder as the resistance increases. Impacts per minute (IPM) increase as revolutions per minute (RPM) increase. Think of amp hours like the volume of a gas tank-a bigger number equals more gas. Generally, 18-volt tools with advanced features and capabilities make them more versatile and easier to use.Īmp hours (Ah) equals the number of amps that the battery will discharge, continuously, for an hour. Tools with 18 and 20 volts have less difference between them.

This makes them good for smaller jobs, working overhead, or getting into tight spaces. With smaller batteries, 12-volt impact wrenches are more compact. Batteries: Volts and Amp Hours (Ah)Īll things being equal, higher voltage will give you more power-but there are cases for lower voltage. As a result, the twisting motion-known as reactionary torque-that you feel when using an electric drill is virtually eliminated. Fortunately, impact wrenches are extremely comfortable to use because the concussive blows smoothly transfer most of that high-energy torque directly to the fastener, not to your hand, wrist, or arm. However, all that brute strength isn’t very useful if you can’t control the tool. By comparison, cordless impact wrenches can easily produce torque outputs of over 250 foot-pounds, which is more than enough muscle to power-drive the fattest lags and bust loose rusty, corroded nuts.
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For example, most cordless drill/drivers produce about 50 foot-pounds of torque, and the average impact driver delivers about 125 foot-pounds. It employs both rotational force (torque) and short-burst concussive blows (impacts) to deliver an unparalleled amount of power. Unlike cordless drill/drivers and impact drivers, which excel at drilling holes and driving screws, the impact wrench is specially designed for tightening and loosening various hex-head bolts, nuts, and lag screws. What You Need to Know About Impact Wrenches How They Work
