Air impact wrench

[Pinnacle-Project]

It seems like lately this site is down more than it is up but it's up right now, so I have a question. I love tools and anytime I can come up with an excuse to buy one, I take it.

I need to replace both sway bar links on my daughter's 2000 Infiniti G20. Sway bar links are pretty cheap so it's a small investment since my labor will be free. Since she is a poor college student, this is a good thing. I am sure I could remove each of the existing sway bar links with a typical ratchet wrench, cheater bar, and PB Blaster but that's pretty boring. I do not have any air tools. Maybe that should change. An air impact wrench has more muscle than me even with a cheater bar. It is also an "impact" wrench so there is more to it than muscle. Have you found the impact aspect of an air wrench helps you out a lot with projects?

If I do get an air impact wrench, I know the prices vary widely. I will definitely not buy any crap from Harbor Freight but on the other hand, I can't justify a $500 tool either. I was browsing Amazon. This DeWalt would probably be sufficient for the infrequent use I would give it.

https://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWMT...+impact+wrench

What are your thoughts?

[CeeBee]

Air impact -> big ass compressor + thick hoses.

[74AD]

Have to say I've had good luck with harbor freight stuff. Yes it's not designed to last forever but I bought a 10 inch sliding miter saw last year, paid the extra for the warranty, cut a ton of stuff with it and then tried to get fancy and do notching I should have done with a hand circular saw anyway and broke the guide. Took it back, they looked up the warranty, gave me a brand new one and I paid $35 to put 2 year warranty on that.....Brand new saw with 2 year no questions asked warranty....I really can't complain.

[3fingersalute]

Have to say I've had good luck with harbor freight stuff. Yes it's not designed to last forever but I bought a 10 inch sliding miter saw last year, paid the extra for the warranty, cut a ton of stuff with it and then tried to get fancy and do notching I should have done with a hand circular saw anyway and broke the guide. Took it back, they looked up the warranty, gave me a brand new one and I paid $35 to put 2 year warranty on that.....Brand new saw with 2 year no questions asked warranty....I really can't complain.

Interesting. Out of curiosity what did you pay for that saw? I needed a new one and just bought a 10" sliding last week at Home Depot. We just got a Harbor Freight in my town about 5-6 months ago and I've never been in it.

[74AD]

Interesting. Out of curiosity what did you pay for that saw? I needed a new one and just bought a 10" sliding last week at Home Depot. We just got a Harbor Freight in my town about 5-6 months ago and I've never been in it.

$95 on sale then $35 for the warranty.
Got almost a year out of it.....then warrantied it.

[3fingersalute]

$95 on sale then $35 for the warranty.
Got almost a year out of it.....then warrantied it.

That's awesome. I went with a Roybi which is Home Depot's cheaper brand (like Kobalt for Lowe's) and it was on sale for $169 and I had a 15% off coupon so I got it for $144. Guess I should have checked Harbor Freight...

[Larommi]

Have to say I've had good luck with harbor freight stuff. Yes it's not designed to last forever but I bought a 10 inch sliding miter saw last year, paid the extra for the warranty, cut a ton of stuff with it and then tried to get fancy and do notching I should have done with a hand circular saw anyway and broke the guide. Took it back, they looked up the warranty, gave me a brand new one and I paid $35 to put 2 year warranty on that.....Brand new saw with 2 year no questions asked warranty....I really can't complain.

I did not know they had actual stores. I went by one over the weekend but was on my way to a car show so I did not stop.

IIRC they used to go from town to town with a semi trailer full of tools and catalog sales?

Either way, for tools I wont need very often or once, it seems like a good deal. If I hang drywall in my basement it will only be once so I won't need top shelf tools

[74AD]

I did not know they had actual stores. I went by one over the weekend but was on my way to a car show so I did not stop.

IIRC they used to go from town to town with a semi trailer full of tools and catalog sales?

Either way, for tools I wont need very often or once, it seems like a good deal. If I hang drywall in my basement it will only be once so I won't need top shelf tools

that's exactly my thought process. I don't use tools a ton so the quality is fine for me. If after 2 years my $14 angle grinder dies I'm not really upset and going and getting another $14 one still has me way ahead of buying a top shelf one for $50 or more.....

[Overdrv]

Remember DO NOT USE standard sockets with an impact. You must use impact sockets. Standard sockets will break apart rather dangerously. Factor a good set of impact sockets into your price

[Pinnacle-Project]

Remember DO NOT USE standard sockets with an impact. You must use impact sockets. Standard sockets will break apart rather dangerously. Factor a good set of impact sockets into your price

I only have standard sockets so my plan is get some impact sockets at the Amish auction I go to twice a year. The auction is not until September 8 but that's okay because I will be out of town on vacation for half of August and I am busy now. I will do this project in early to mid-September.