Rene

Has anyone used a cordless impact wrench at the track? I am trying to decide what brand & type to buy. What is the best tool & best value. Do the batteries last long? I run DE's & swapping tires between sessions is a big pain with out a impact wrench.

Adam Richman

We use the Snap-On 14.4v impact. I've had it for two seasons now and have loved it. They now make an 18v IIRC and I can't imagine you could go wrong with either. They (my 14.4) recharge very quickly, they last a good amount of time on a charge, it is something around 260 ft/lbs. (I take off hub nuts with it).

mooty

i got a sanp on 18v. once you have one of these, you will never use anything else. it was like $500 ish and worth every cent.

dwe8922

Yes, I have the snap on 18V as well. It's my favorite tool. It will break lug nuts loose with the car jacked up, and one battery will last a 3 day weekend with 2 cars using it, and its a good bit lighter than anything of similar strength (I bought the makita first to save money, then returned it). Spend the extra money on the 2nd battery. You won't be dissappointed.

David

Anir

Rene,

I'd also recommend an 18V model. I've used the Milwaukee 18V for over a year, and am very happy with it. Paid around $220 new.

It will generate something like 240 ft-lb of torque, so it is more than strong enough to break the lug nuts loose with the car jacked up. I did buy a second battery, but I've never had the 1st run out of juice during a track weekend, despite the fact that all my buddies were using it many times per day.

dwe8922

I'm sorry, it was the milwaukee above that I bought and returned. I thought it was too big and too heavy. It is about half the price of the snap on though.

rdstemler

That sounds like what everyone tries to do at the track!!!!

Increase performance and decrease weight!!

DJF1

I bought on ebay the cordless Chicago Electric Tools 19.2V 220lb.ft cordless. This thing breaks loose the torqued lug nuts off a 993 like there are screwed in by hand...That easy... You should see the faces of a couple of guys at a tire shop somewhere in Missouri when we had a flat tire on the trailer and used the tool to break loose the lug nuts...
Besides that its an awesome tool, the best part about it? Its 130bucks at harbor freight!!!! Yes 130 bucks!!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46701

Robert Henriksen

I liked Danny's Harbor Freight model so much I bought one as well. Another guy just bought a Makita version that includes a little light to illuminate what you're screwing -- $300. His is a LOT lighter than our bargain model (and came with two batteries) -- but, yikes, > 2x the cost... I can live w. my heavy model. We're about to use his a LOT this weekend, I'll be interested to see how long the batteries last.

Mark in Baltimore

Danny and Robert - how long have you guys been using the Chicago model? The price sounds great.

DJF1

To be honest I used it with Robert on the club racing weekend we had in Putnam. We used it a lot and a couple of other turttles borrowed it as well because it breaks the nuts loose. For 130 bucks it is a bargain and looks solid as anything else. As a matter of fact before that I had tried a Snap On and was very dissapointed that it could not break the torqued nuts loose. Maybe that particular model was not powerfull enough, but you can imagine how thrilled I was the first time I used the cheap tool and took off the torqued nut without a sweat...

BrandonH

One year now with the Milwaukee 18v. Bought the kit from toolwarehouse, came with the extra battery. It's big and heavy, but not as big/heavy as a compressor. Now my 10 year old son easily helps change tires.
Brandon

Mark in Baltimore

Thanks, Danny, I'm sold.

Too bad my accountant just emailed me with my tax projections...

C4FDR

I have the Harbour Freight one also and it has been great. I've been using for at least 9 months. The have them with a hard case and without. I would consider getting the replacement warranty. I also purchased nylon encased impact sockets which are wheel freindly, come with 17mm, 19mm and 21mm sockets in a case for $15.00.

jerome951

I bought the Harbor Freight model and used it this season. One of the best tool investments I've ever made.

Battery seems to last quite a while, but take the charger with you just in case. Never has failed to remove a lug nut.

Besides weight, only drawback I've noticed is the wrench casing seems to get dirty easily and is hard to clean.

Yes it's heavy, but the price is hard to beat.