Topic

Just tool shopping so would appreciate your advice of a choice between 2 impact wrenches.

Firstly, I have a powerful mains operated impact wrench that does up to 450nm and makes extremely light work of taking wheel nuts off, rusted exhaust parts and suspension parts and anything else that I have tried it on - eg working on my galvanised boat trailer. However, I wouldn't dare use it in the engine bay of any of my cars as it is heavy, bulky and too powerful. So I was after something smaller and cordless and would appreciate your opinions. I've narrowed it down to two:

1. Clarke CIR18LIC as won best buy in Car Mechanics. Takes 1/2 sockets, runs to 450nm at 18v but 3 speeds so I assume a degree of control. £137
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cir18lic-18v-brushless-2ah--impact-wre/

2. Makita TW100DZ. Takes 3/8 sockets, runs to 110nm with a 10v battery (not supplied but I have one) and has a variable trigger. £45
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-TW100DZ-Cordless-8-inch-Impact/dp/B00604LU9U/

(Lets assume price isn't an issue - it is and the Clarke one would be the top of my range, but I'm not basing my decision on price)

Now I think the Clarke would be the best all round tool, but I already have a mains one and from my experience, most of the sockets I use in the engine bay and for general maintenance like brake calipers etc are 3/8 sockets or even 1/4 sockets (eg engine cover on the MG). Also as it's less poweful, I'm likely to do less damage if I tighten something too much and if I need the power to undo something, I can get the bigger tool out.

So that's my thinking. Which would you go for if you already had a mains one? Go for the Clarke and then just consign the mains one to history, or go for the smaller Makita and keep the mains one?

thanks

Nick

I can't help directly but I have a Ryobi one+ impact wrench along with several other tools including drills and a grinder and several batteries.

I also have mains powered tools and wouldn't get rid of them, they are more powerful and the power source doesn't go flat.

talkingcars wrote: wrote:

I can't help directly but I have a Ryobi one+ impact wrench along with several other tools including drills and a grinder and several batteries.

I also have mains powered tools and wouldn't get rid of them, they are more powerful and the power source doesn't go flat.

Thanks. But do you think the Makita 3/8 at 110nm would be too underpowered for general use or would it be ok do you reckon?

110Nm will do M12 at a push, though realistically M10 would be the limit.

Not many bolts on a TF bigger than M10, except suspension.

If you already have an mains impact gun, then I am sure the Makita will be very handy for general use on the car. You would still need the mains one for the big stuff though!

i use a cordless screwdriver for tedious jobs, like the engine cover, which is fine, but a small impact driver would be handy!

Dont forget, only use 6 sided sockets with the impact driver, whatever you get!

I have a variety of rattle guns both cordless and pneumatic ( up to 3/4" and 1" drive monstesr, these ones not used on the cars )
I find their use a bit limiting in tighter areas found on our cars due to their bulky nature.
For these situations I have some pneumatic ratchets in differnt sizes


There are cordless versions also available

Hi there,
I think that 110 Nm is far too weak for removing say -F/TF top ball joints .
The 450 nm mains powered is too heavy to manhandle in confined spaces -I know cus I have a CLARKE one and it was very difficult to manoeuvre under the front wheel arch , but the 450 Nm did shift the afore mentioned top ball joint.

I have one of theses which good old Santa bought me.

HEAVY DUTY 24V 1/2" DRIVE CORDLESS IMPACT WRENCH RATCHET & 2 BATTERIES IN CASE Completed