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Which cordless impact wrench to choose for the workshop?

Anyone who has changed the wheels on their car knows how troublesome loosening seized bolts can be. This happens because of stresses acting on the threaded connection combined with dust and dirt. How can you deal with such an unruly bolt? Instead of wrestling with a regular wrench, it's worth opting for a cordless impact wrench. How does it work, when is it used, and which model will work best in the workshop? Below you will find answers to these questions.

What is an impact wrench used for?

When loosening a bolt, a torque of a certain magnitude is applied to it. This must first overcome static friction and then dynamic friction to set the bolt in motion. According to the laws of physics, static friction is significantly higher, which requires using a longer lever arm.

An alternative is cordless impact wrenches. They are equipped with an additional impact that produces repetitive vibrations of the handle with a certain force. In this way the wrench strikes the bolt with high frequency, helping to break up dried-on dirt and rust. A professional cordless impact wrench thus enables loosening heavily seized bolts. It also increases work efficiency in car workshops. Its operation is also appreciated by Formula 1 pit crews, where removing, replacing and fitting wheels on a race car takes only a few seconds.

Changing car wheels is not the only task a cordless impact wrench can perform. It is also used when assembling and dismantling steel structures, mainly because of its reliability and speed. So which cordless impact wrench then should you choose? That depends on the scope of the work.

Which impact wrench for wheels?

When choosing a cordless impact wrench for changing car wheels, pay attention to the following parameters:

    • Torque, that is the maximum force with which a bolt can be loosened. The higher it is, the more efficiently the wrench.
    • Power supply method. Choose a somewhat weaker electric impact or a pneumatic impact requiring additional equipment? The decision is not so obvious; you can find more information at the end of this article.
  • A powerful cordless impact wrench is also characterized by significant weight. The weight and handle profiling are important in professional car workshops because they affect work efficiency.
  • Type of tasks performed. Wheel bolts are easily accessible, so standard bits won't be a problem. If the wrench will also be needed for assembling steel structures, consider more mobile solutions.
  • Compatibility with additional accessories. A 3/4-inch cordless impact wrench will work well with screwdriver bits of the same size. If the workshop already has a set of 1/2-inch bits, an adapter will be required.

The cordless impact wrenches available in our store perform excellently not only in car workshops but in many other applications.

Impact wrench and steel structures

Besides typical workshop uses, a cordless impact wrench is also used when erecting steel structures. It is equally useful for their dismantling. Even a small cordless impact wrench provides better operating parameters than classic wrenches. Meanwhile, when joining heavy steel elements, the tightening time matters. In the case of hard-to-reach places, a wrench that allows tightening bolts that are not in line with the tool axis is particularly useful.

It is also necessary to choose the right accessories to work with a cordless impact wrench. The best solution seems to be impact screwdriver bits. They have an additional impact zone that protects the bit from damage during operation. They are more durable and less prone to failure, which is why they are chosen by many workshop owners. However, regular screwdriver bits also perform well when used with an impact wrench.

How many Nm should an impact wrench have?

Torque is a key characteristic when loosening bolts. The most powerful cordless impact wrench 3000 Nm will handle any bolted connection. However, as power increases, so do the device's weight and price.

So is it necessary for a workshop to have such a powerful tool? In most cases a standard cordless impact wrench 700 Nm. will do the job well. It allows quick wheel changes, but a problem may arise when an off-road vehicle arrives at the workshop. A large amount of dried mud can mean that loosening those wheels will require a cordless impact wrench 1500 Nm. This is the power recommended for most car workshops.

Impact wrenches should not, however, often operate at the upper limits of torque. Therefore, for workshops specialized in servicing off-road and sports cars, a better solution will be a cordless impact wrench 2000 Nm. Also remember to choose sets of bits for impact wrenches with appropriate strength. For more powerful wrenches you should opt for impact-rated bits. They are also useful when using breakaway torque. In many models this is a temporarily available higher torque that allows, for example, loosening wheel bolts on cars.

Electric or pneumatic impact wrench?

How should a good cordless impact wrench be powered? A pneumatic impact is much more effective, which is why it is used in heavily loaded car workshops. It requires purchasing a compressor with a capacity of around 500 l/min, as well as connecting a hose with compressed air. However, the tool itself is much lighter as a result.

Meanwhile, a cordless impact wrench with electric impact is more mobile. You can take it with you on a tow truck to perform repairs in the field. A cordless impact wrench, however, has a limited amount of energy. The battery can run out at the least convenient moment, preventing completion of the job. A good solution is an additional battery for the impact wrench, which can be purchased in our store.

Author: Paweł Sokołowski

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