Question regarding Impact wrench??

Hello,

I am thinking about buying Butterfly impact wrench. Even though most torque wrench can handle upto 75lb of torque, seems like they are able to unscrew everything. Does this 75lb torque refers to only when you tighten the screw?

This is the impact wrench I am planning to buy

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Butterfly-Air-Impact-Wrench/dp/B0002WRI4C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1219959915&sr=1-6

What are you hoping to use this wrench for? If you're looking for something that will loosen lugnuts or frame bolts, this probably won't do it. Often these ratings are after x seconds of hammering. The 3/8" drive will work for changing spark plugs, removing oil drain plugs, and assembling bicycles, but I wouldn't rely on it for much more than that.

-Rod

If you're trying to do any serious work... like suspension jobs or even changing tires.... get a 1/2 inch drive impact. I bought an electric 1/2 drive impact and helped change a rear axle in a 89 ford f150. In the store in which I work customers have returned several 3/8 drive impacts due to using them in situations where a bigger driver was needed. In other words GET A 1/2 DRIVE WRENCH just for the sake of having a versitile tool

There is a big difference between the rated torque of an impact wrench and the practical 'real world' results. The mass of the socket and the nut/bolt being turned dramatically reduces the torque rating.

Over the years I have used many impact guns. The 1/2 inch drive models start at about 240 ft/lbs rating for the cheap ones. However these guns will tighten at best up to about 90 - 100 ft/lbs, max. on actual nuts and bolts.

That butterfly wrench is only useful for quite delicate work on smaller nuts and bolts. Its handy for changing waterpumps, intake manifolds etc and will not tighten up more than about 30 ft/lbs regardless of the rating.

As noted above, for your first gun for automotive work, go for a 1/2 inch drive gun rated at at least 240. They are the most useful and versatile for auto mechanical work.

I like the 3/8 butterfly or ratchet for lighter work as others suggest. Also, the power to your impact wrench goes along with your compressor can put out. Soft hoses also take away from the full potential it can put out.

Bob