Topic: Please recommend a good impact gun

[DaveL]

Sole use? Changing out tires seasonally. (4 cars)
I have a Cdn Tire cordless; doesn't work. I need to use an armstrong bar to break the lug nuts/bolts free. Might as well keep going!
I have Cdn Tire 1/2 inch impact sockets. Are they adequate?

Cordless would be perfect (if I remember to charge the batteries.)

By the way, I don't enjoy swapping wheels on a euro car with lug bolts. Lining up the holes and inserting a lug bolt with wheels and tires that get heavier every year...

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best
DaveL

[wing]

Don't use it often?  Get the impact they have on sale at CTC consistently for about $50, I think it is $100 regular price.  7.5W if I remember correctly.  Good for 240lb/ft (foot pounds or pound feet depending on your nationality ).  It's a great tool!

BUT you still have to put them on by hand, gun is for taking off not applying!

[Gardiner Westbound]

I have the Canadian Tire Mastercraft 54-2734-4, ½" Dr 7.5A Impact Wrench. Been using it for several years. Works great! Was on sale last week for $45. Goes on sale at that price about every three months. Worth waiting for. Might be the same one Wing mentioned.

For tightening lug nuts team it up with a ½" Dr Torque Limiting Extension Bar in the ft-lb specification(s) you need. Princess Auto, $8 on sale, $20 otherwise.

See attachments.
 

[Art]

I have used the electric impact and it works well for wheel removal and installation.  Just don't let it hammer the nut after it spins up "tight"; and a torque wrench will finish the job nicely.

I prefer an air impact because it is more powerfull and able to remove high torque nuts/bolts.  The torque can be controlled by the air pressure for tightening below the torque value.  I have an Ingersol Rand 2100G that has 550 ft lbs of max torque in reverse, less in forward.  It has 2 torque value settings and on low will remove wheel nuts set at 100 ft lbs easily and tighten to below 100 ft lbs if it just spins up and does not hammer for too long.  A torque wrench then  finishes the nut to 100 ft lbs.

The advantage of an air impact is that you have an air tank as a source of air for adjusting air pressure in the tires at changeover and through the year.  Any air impact and tank will handle wheel nuts.