Electric Impact Wrench...are they good?

[suburbanstevie]

OK Friends,
I've been looking at impact wrenches predominently for removing tires (rotating & brake-jobs). The only compressor I've got is a little 6 gallon pancake type. So I doubt it could properly drive a 1/2" pneumatic wrench when removing the tires off my Suburban (although I could be wrong?). So a friend told me about the Harbor Freight electric wrench he bought and said it is wonderful, ( http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...nch-45252.html ). I know there are more expensive verwsions out there, but can't justify the expense for only something that will be used maybe 3 time a year.

My questions are:
1. Are electric impact wrenches just as good (or better) than pneumatic versions?
2. Do electrics work in the same manner as pneumatics?
3. Would my pancake compressor (Porter-Cable) be adequate with pneumatic wrench?
4. any suggestions on where to buy the impact sockets?

thanks...

[534BC]

1 No, they are not as good or better. (unless you compare to the $19 HF one)
2 They work nearly identical way as air wrench
3 Your compressor will work , but you may have to wait between single uses.
4 Harbor Freight is good for impact sockets for home use.

I've owned and used the electric one from HF for over 20 yrs. I'm happy with it. I've also ruined 2 of the cheap air ones. Only use it at home though.

[534BC]

1 No, they are not as good or better. (unless you compare to the $19 HF one)
2 They work nearly identical way as air wrench
3 Your compressor will work , but you may have to wait between single uses.
4 Harbor Freight is good for impact sockets for home use.

I've owned and used the electric one from HF for over 20 yrs. I'm happy with it. I've also ruined 2 of the cheap air ones. Only use it at home though.

[suburbanstevie]

Hello 534BC,
Thanks for response. Quick question... You seem to favor the pneumatics over electric, but for my case with the little compressor would the electric be the wiser choice?

thanks,

[534BC]

Yes, I think so. I find that when doing car tires I pick the electric and I have the choice with built in air plumbed throughout the garage. It may be because I don't like starting the compressor though.

[BullShifter]

Electric impacts are much larger than 1/2" air guns, they are hard to fit in some places.

[Poff]

I like electric guns a lot for certain things. Air guns are half the size and twice as powerful. I would not bother trying to run an impact off a pancake compressor. We use electric guns at work for crating up product, they are not as durable as a good air gun.