Air tools question...

[Martinjmpr]

After having to do some work on my Suburban last month that required me to remove the wheels and tires, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to invest in an air impact wrench. Can anyone recommend a good one that isn't crazy expensive? I'm pretty much an amateur so I couldn't see doing much more than using it to take wheels off and put them back on, remove shock bolts or sway bar bolts, etc.

Also, currently I have a compressor that is about a 6 gallon, "pancake" type like this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CABL...SABEgKqVPD_BwE

Probably 1hp or less. Am I right in thinking I'd need a bigger/more powerful compressor to run air tools?

[Martinjmpr]

I guess a follow up question would be whether an air impact wrench would be the right tool for the job or if a casual user like me might be better off suited with a battery powered or electric impact wrench. Any thoughts on that?

[cstone]

I am thinking about getting a 1/2" Milwaukee M18 Fuel impact. Not cheap but much more portable than any pneumatic.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-...rdless/2763-22

[SouthPaw]

I am thinking about getting a 1/2" Milwaukee M18 Fuel impact. Not cheap but much more portable than any pneumatic.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-...rdless/2763-22

For the price of a 'decent' air impact, you could be a nice electric one.

https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-3-Speed...s=1%2F2+impact

[cstone]

The biggest hesitation I have on any battery tool is choosing which battery system. The second question is how many tools do they offer that I might one day use. There are many good choices but I would not want to get into multiple battery systems.

[BPTactical]

The biggest issue you are going to have is a lack of volume from a pancake compressor.

+2 on the electric.

[buffalobo]

The biggest issue you are going to have is a lack of volume from a pancake compressor.

+2 on the electric.

+1, for light use go electric.

[Erni]

Another vote for electric.
But if you dont use the impact wrench too often get the impact driver and a socket adapter. Break by hand, drive with the driver, torque by hand.

[Grant H.]

The Ridgid 1/2" 18v impact I bought on here pulls lugnuts with any issue.

For your use case, if you decide to go with air, I'd go buy one of the Earthquake impacts from harbor freight. They're cheap, they produce a lot of torque, and they hold up just fine for home and lite business use.

[Grant H.]

Another vote for electric.
But if you dont use the impact wrench too often get the impact driver and a socket adapter. Break by hand, drive with the driver, torque by hand.

Even with a big impact, one should always torque lugnuts with a real torque wrench.