Electric impact wrench vs. Air Impact. Experienced persons opinion sought.

[B72011]

Ok so if you have USED both of these tools and understand what they're capable of...I'd love an opinion. If its speculation on your part.....that does me no good.
I've offered to help a buddy do the timing belt on his Hyundai Elantra. Job looks simple enough but it requires an impact wrench to remove the crank bolt to remove a pulley to access the TB itself. The specs are 140ft lbs and the belt has never been changed. So if we assume the factory torqued to that spec......will my electric wrench get it off? And most importantly...will the wrench get it back on sufficiently tight? Or will only air tools get the job done?
I love to hear from folks who KNOW both tools. Thanks in advance.

[aluthman]

What kind of electric wrench do you have? There are huge variances in impact wrenches for both air and electric. You can't simplify it down that much. A $30 Harbor Freight air impact will be weaker than a good cordless impact like a Snap-On and a nice IR air impact will be better than a cheapo cordless impact. It's all in what you have. For something like a crank bolt though, you could probably use either to take it out, but I would use a torque wrench when putting it back in and not an impact of any kind.

[moyenecorniche]

^ +1 .... Cordless impacts are good but they are going to cost around $200 - $300 for a professional quality tool. One that is capable of loosening bolts that are torqued down to 150+ lbs when you consider corrosion and the fact that many bolts become seized over time.....
Having used both, cordless electric impacts with Lithium batteries which I predominantly use in remodeling renovating old Colonials / Capes and Victorian homes.
Air powered impact I have used when we ( family ) had our Excavating Construction Company.. We did 90% of our maintenance on our heavy equipment....

If you are going with air impact, it is going to be expensive, you will need an air compressor up to the task, lines that are rated for 200psi+ multiple impact sockets, You can use a portable ( somewhat ) air compressor, i use the Hitachi compressor that I have for my nailers ( framing and finish ) but it's cumbersome heavy, about 60lbs wheels about but ....
If you have a garage than look into a compressor unit that fits in a corner, also needs to be bolted down to the cement floor....
Most importantly if a portable AC then it absolutely must be able to deliver a consistent air flow.... So don't even consider oil less small compressors, I have used one for minor things but they are not very good when spinning bolts on or off.....
Unless you are wrenching 90% of your maintenance having your own impact tool set is a serious expense, but well worth it when it comes time to serve / repair...

BTW.... Air impact tools are often smaller than an electric cordless so keep in mind access is also a key factor...

[B72011]

Yeah, shoulda clarified. My old man got me a Harbor Freight impact, never used it. Tough enough to get it on and off? Problem getting it back on w a torque wrench is that the whole mess spins. I guess Hyundai as a special tool to hold the pulley in place. Some people have removed the starter and held the flywheel in place somehow. That is my only concern at this point......making sure that pulley nut is tight enough.

[aluthman]

Yeah, shoulda clarified. My old man got me a Harbor Freight impact, never used it. Tough enough to get it on and off? Problem getting it back on w a torque wrench is that the whole mess spins. I guess Hyundai as a special tool to hold the pulley in place. Some people have removed the starter and held the flywheel in place somehow. That is my only concern at this point......making sure that pulley nut is tight enough.

Put it in gear with the e-brake on.

[vvenom800tt]

I have an Ingersol rand Titanium (air) at work and itll break loose anything. If you have a compressor get an air one. If not then do some googleing and find a good electric. Youll probably need to shell out at least $250 for anything decent either way.

Id stick to this list though.

Pneumatic:
Ingersoll Rand
Snap On
Matco

Electric:
Ingersoll (expensive)
Milwaukee
Dewalt

If youre on a budget, go to harbor freight,

my dad has one of their $100 cordless ones and lugnuts are flying off his jeep all day every day.

[russkieA4]

I have an Ingersol rand Titanium (air) at work and itll break loose anything. If you have a compressor get an air one. If not then do some googleing and find a good electric. Youll probably need to shell out at least $250 for anything decent either way.

Id stick to this list though.

Pneumatic:
Ingersoll Rand
Snap On
Matco

Electric:
Ingersoll (expensive)
Milwaukee
Dewalt

If youre on a budget, go to harbor freight,

my dad has one of their $100 cordless ones and lugnuts are flying off his jeep all day every day.

most of the guns Mac and Matco have are IR rebrands. All 3 are basically the same and are awesome air impacts.

I would stay away from the Snap-On gun. I had one (MG725) and it shit the bed on me just outside of warranty. The other guys at work had similar issues with that same gun. They swear by Mac, Mactco and IR. I decided to take their advice. Love my new Mac gun

[turbowop]

Probably the best all-around air impact for the money and for guys just doing automotive work as a hobby, IMO: http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand.../dp/B0002SRM3I

[Axis]

I have more power in my arm then an electric impact, well at least more then the one I own. It as been collecting dust since I last tried it.

[JPT]

My harbor freight 750 ft lbs pneumatic impact has been serving me well. When I had my jeep and was wheeling it was easily able to undo my 36mm axle nut after breaking a u-joint. We tried using breaker bars but broke 3 craftsmans. I have an electric impact, it is useless for anything other than lug nuts (spent $400+ on it).

[vvenom800tt]

Probably the best all-around air impact for the money and for guys just doing automotive work as a hobby, IMO: http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand.../dp/B0002SRM3I

Dont cheap out , get the titanium, it so much lighter and more ergonomic.

[Seerlah]

What year? I ask because the power of Google. Went to research it before giving my opinion, and to me it looks like an air impact is the way to go with this one. Here is a video for a TB change on a 99-06 Elantra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYybUWnOlvM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2yZB3z6X0s

And after watching that video, I would be charging my friend for that job. Just saying. My 1.8T looks easier than that. But maybe...because it is . Good luck!

[turbowop]

Dont cheap out , get the titanium, it so much lighter and more ergonomic.

Meh, if I were a tech that used the thing constantly throughout the day, I'd spend more coin to get something lighter and more ergonomic. But considering I use mine maybe a couple times a month if that, the cheaper one works great.

[vvenom800tt]

Meh, if I were a tech that used the thing constantly throughout the day, I'd spend more coin to get something lighter and more ergonomic. But considering I use mine maybe a couple times a month if that, the cheaper one works great.

I use mine everyday, but i got it for free so win win.

[allstock]

I have an electric with cord impact drill and it works superb. An industrial version by Chicago electric tools. It's torque is just as strong as an air if not stronger. Had it over five years. I didn't have room for a good size compressor so I went with it. If you opt for electric, I personally wouldn't get cordless. There's a youtube video of comparisons of the air, electric, and cordless electric.

[_muppet_]

I have the bosch nicad version cordless, an older IR air, a cornwell air, and some cheap off brand air impact, the air impacts never even come out of the drawer any more. The nicad version does 350ftlbs, the new lithium ion version does 500ftlbs I will be picking one of these up some day soon, the bare tool runs about $260 on ebay, batteries vary in price. It's great when you want to work on friends cars that don't have a compressor, or for putting slicks on at the track.

[JPT]

I have an electric with cord impact drill and it works superb. An industrial version by Chicago electric tools. It's torque is just as strong as an air if not stronger. Had it over five years. I didn't have room for a good size compressor so I went with it. If you opt for electric, I personally wouldn't get cordless. There's a youtube video of comparisons of the air, electric, and cordless electric.

Might have to disagree with this. It may work well for you BUT. There is NO way it is as strong or stronger than pneumatic impacts. A lot of times people do not have the correct air supply. If you have the correct air supply (I do) the top of the line electric is only as good as the lower end pneumatic. This is because electric components are expensive.

This is cheap and works. Just be sure to drop a few drops of oil in the air line before use to keep the internals lubricated (unless you have oiled air lines)
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-P...ODM4MiJ9%0D%0A

[konarider94]

I do agree many people aren't getting the most from their air tools because of their setup, but Milwaukee makes some badass electric impacts. My friend uses cordless impacts in his diesel shop all day. Their 1/2" high torque cordless is rated at 750 ft-lbs and 1200 ft-lbs break nut torque. That's right up there with the better air impact guns. I've been very impressed by the cordless guns and would never go back to air. Such a pain running an air line in and around a vehicle. In recent years cordless tools(high quality ones) have become so much better.

[JPT]

I do agree many people aren't getting the most from their air tools because of their setup, but Milwaukee makes some badass electric impacts. My friend uses cordless impacts in his diesel shop all day. Their 1/2" high torque cordless is rated at 750 ft-lbs and 1200 ft-lbs break nut torque. That's right up there with the better air impact guns. I've been very impressed by the cordless guns and would never go back to air. Such a pain running an air line in and around a vehicle. In recent years cordless tools(high quality ones) have become so much better.

The problem with investing in electric tools without air tools is that it isn't just 1 tool you need. Once you add up all the tools one SHOULD have in a garage, pneumatic is the only way to go. I use my air setup to air up tires (I used to have 35" tires on 15" wheels), reseat tires, impact, chisel, sanders, wrenches (1/2" and 1/4"), drill, die grinder set... Once you start adding up all the electric parts of the tools it is WAY more $$$. My air setup cost me maybe $400-$500 (cost of 1 good electric impact) and maybe another $300-$400 in total air tools.

It would be nice to not have to have to pull air hoses around, but even if I had electric (corded or cordless) I would still want a good home air setup.

[SummitP]

If money was no object for me, I would get a bigger air compressor, and get an air impact. BUT, since I used to race, and needed an impact at the track, I bought one of these...
http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless...-dw059k-2.aspx
Thing is a beast, and with 2 batteries, I could swap tires in no time all day long. Toss it in the toolbox and it goes with you. Highly recommended. Don't waste your money on the Chicago one from Harbor Freight, after 6 months of regular use you will wish you bought a better one.
For true power, air is the way to go.

[B72011]

I tried the electric impact from Harbor Freight...it's F@cking worthless! I put some lug nuts on my car after hand tightening ...the thing wouldn't even tighten them further. I found a rental place that rents air compressors but not the actual gun. Going to try and find one to rent. My buddy says he may buy one and then return it to get the job done. I may buy one ...not sure yet. Need to look into costs. I don't use it enough to warrant buying new but maybe off CL? Will 1/2" and say 130 lbs pressure do the job or is 3/4" necessary?