Hello to all:
I dont understand something.
I am looking to buy a cordless compact impact wrench.
I have narrowed my choice down to to. The dewalt dw051k, which is a 3/8
inch 12 volt, and the dewalt 053k, which is a 1/2 inch 12 volt.
The only differences that I can see, is that the 1/2 is a few ounces
heavier, and its maximum torque is about 20 percent more.
Plus the 1/2 inch uses a detent pin retention, the 3/8 uses a hog ring
retention.
The question I have is, it seems that there is a huge greater range
of accessories for the 1/2 inch, which in my opinion makes it a logical
choice, especially with the bit added torque, but in a lot of place the 1/2
inch, is priced less then the 3/8 inch, and this surprises me, and thats
why I am questioning this.
Is there something I dont understand?
I am leaning towards the 1/2 inch, but is one retention method better
and thats why they are of equal cost, or even the 3/8 is more expensive.?
It doesnt seem logical.

Much regards Jerry

On Apr 21, 7:29 am, "J.Lef" wrote:
Hello to all:
I dont understand something.
I am looking to buy a cordless compact impact wrench.
I have narrowed my choice down to to. The dewalt dw051k, which is a 3/8
inch 12 volt, and the dewalt 053k, which is a 1/2 inch 12 volt.
The only differences that I can see, is that the 1/2 is a few ounces
heavier, and its maximum torque is about 20 percent more.
Plus the 1/2 inch uses a detent pin retention, the 3/8 uses a hog ring
retention.
The question I have is, it seems that there is a huge greater range
of accessories for the 1/2 inch, which in my opinion makes it a logical
choice, especially with the bit added torque, but in a lot of place the 1/2
inch, is priced less then the 3/8 inch, and this surprises me, and thats
why I am questioning this.
Is there something I dont understand?
I am leaning towards the 1/2 inch, but is one retention method better
and thats why they are of equal cost, or even the 3/8 is more expensive.?
It doesnt seem logical.

Much regards Jerry

Both of those impact cordless wrenches are toys as far as automotive
work is concerned. Neither one gets close to the torque you need to
spin off a rusty lug nut. Compare them to the 600 ft. lbs. or more of
a typical Ingersol-Rand, CP, SnapOn, or Matco air impact that a pro
mechanic will have in his toolbox. The old adage is always true: there
ain't no substitute for torque and cubic inches. Air power rules in
that field.
As for the kiddie toy DeWalts, it's a toss-up. If you buy the 3/8" you
can use a 3/8 - 1/2" adapter to use your 1/2" socket set. And if you
buy the 1/2", the reverse is true. If compact size is important get
the 3/8". in any case, buy a 1/2 " Craftsman breaker bar in the
longest size they have to start the tough nuts turning before you
abuse the baby cordless.
If you really need to get some work done, get the best air compressor
you can afford and an Ingersol-Rand 1/2" 231 or 3/8" 212 series. IR
has hairier ones than these. but this is a good place to start. HTH

Joe
Retired ASE Certified Master Mechanic

..

J.Lef wrote:
Hello to all:
I dont understand something.
I am looking to buy a cordless compact impact wrench.
I have narrowed my choice down to to. The dewalt dw051k, which is a 3/8
inch 12 volt, and the dewalt 053k, which is a 1/2 inch 12 volt.
The only differences that I can see, is that the 1/2 is a few ounces
heavier, and its maximum torque is about 20 percent more.
Plus the 1/2 inch uses a detent pin retention, the 3/8 uses a hog ring
retention.
The question I have is, it seems that there is a huge greater range
of accessories for the 1/2 inch, which in my opinion makes it a logical
choice, especially with the bit added torque, but in a lot of place the 1/2
inch, is priced less then the 3/8 inch, and this surprises me, and thats
why I am questioning this.
Is there something I dont understand?
I am leaning towards the 1/2 inch, but is one retention method better
and thats why they are of equal cost, or even the 3/8 is more expensive.?
It doesnt seem logical.

Much regards Jerry


Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will pay
for it..

What are you going to use it for?

Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will pay for
it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in Iraq, a
week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for when I
want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some household use, or
occassionally if I need it to work on a motor. (Light stuff only).
I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Much regards

On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:24:22 GMT, "J.Lef" wrote:


Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will pay for
it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in Iraq, a
week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for when I

I've never used an impact wrench, but isn't the kick just or almost as
great as the force you would have to use to undo the bolt by hand?

I would like to ask, but I don't, the guys who replace my tires to
tighten them by hand, so that I can get them off when I need to. But
I think it would be asking very little from someone who has an injured
back, and even more so from someone who injured it in Iraq. If I were
a mechanic, it would be an honor to do a little favor like that for
you.

want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some household use, or

I wouldn't bother rotating my tires until my back healed. Of course,
I hate to say it here, but I don't rotate my tires now. So far I
haven't noticed any bad effects from not doing so. Of course I don't
drive that much, but I also keep the tires longer because of that.

occassionally if I need it to work on a motor. (Light stuff only).
I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

I have had lug nuts that were on so tight, I had to stand on the
wrench to get them off. Would an impact wrench help in that
situation?

OT And once when I was having surgery on December 15, I parked my car
while missing one wheel cover. It snowed and then the snow plow put
snow even higher against the wheel. I didn't drive the car at all for
8 weeks (and there was still snow on the ground then). Four months
later I was dropping my brother off at the Newark airport on a Sunday
evening when I got a flat. I had to stand on the wrench for probably
every lugnut, and I broke four of the five studs in the process.


Much regards

J.

Sorry to hear of the bad back. These cheap impact wrenches are not a
solution to lug nuts. As mm suggests, get a breaker bar and the correct
socket, stand on the breaker bar, and bounce up and down. I'm pretty light
and this always works. Once you've moved the lugs use a ratchet to get them
off. The danger to your back will be in putting the tire in the trunk.

Dave M.

I have a 1/2 inch 110V impact wrench that I use around the shop. I find it
just great for removing lug nuts and such. I use it quite a lot to remove
the Crank nuts, upper and lower, on lawn tractors and mowers. If a supply of
110V power is readily available and you don't have a fairly large volume air
supply compressor then I would go with the 110V electric over the battery
operated one. As another poster has said, there are battery operated ones
that will do the job for you, however they are a bit pricey. You can get a
fairly good 110V, 1/2 in. drive for under $100.
Good luck.

"Tekkie®" wrote in message
. ..
J.Lef wrote:
Hello to all:
I dont understand something.
I am looking to buy a cordless compact impact wrench.
I have narrowed my choice down to to. The dewalt dw051k, which is a
3/8 inch 12 volt, and the dewalt 053k, which is a 1/2 inch 12 volt.
The only differences that I can see, is that the 1/2 is a few ounces
heavier, and its maximum torque is about 20 percent more.
Plus the 1/2 inch uses a detent pin retention, the 3/8 uses a hog
ring retention.
The question I have is, it seems that there is a huge greater
range of accessories for the 1/2 inch, which in my opinion makes it a
logical choice, especially with the bit added torque, but in a lot of
place the 1/2 inch, is priced less then the 3/8 inch, and this surprises
me, and thats why I am questioning this.
Is there something I dont understand?
I am leaning towards the 1/2 inch, but is one retention method better
and thats why they are of equal cost, or even the 3/8 is more expensive.?
It doesnt seem logical.

Much regards Jerry
Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will pay for
it..

What are you going to use it for?

J.Lef wrote:
Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will pay for
it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in Iraq, a
week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for when I
want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some household use, or
occassionally if I need it to work on a motor. (Light stuff only).
I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Much regards



Well, being in a similar situation as you I perhaps shouldn't make this
discourse public but too late now... I will be blunt and it's not a
reflection upon you so please take it that way.

You WILL have to get used to not being able to do MANY things that you
did before. I didn't and only hurt myself more! Don't do it to
yourself. It's a sad day when it hits you but you must move forward.

My solution to your problem: AAA and cell phone. Changing tires is a
past activity. Have your tires rotated at inspection time or just go to
a tire dealer that does it cheap. Say $10 -$20 a year is cheaper than an
impact wrench that you KNOW in your heart will NOT be charged when you
need it.

Thank you for your service to our country, there is NO way I could
express my gratitude. Please take advantage of any and all help
available to you.

Take care

snip

I've never used an impact wrench, but isn't the kick just or almost as
great as the force you would have to use to undo the bolt by hand?

Of course not. All the force on the hammers is transmitted to the nut
or bolt being removed. It's all in the clever application of simple
physics in the design.

I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Many pros use torque limiting extensions on lug nuts or bolts.
Personally, I set the the air control on my impact to a low number,
check the resulting torque with my torque wrench, then finish the set.
With a well regulated shop air supply, the impact wrench setting will
seldom need changing and over-torquing doesn't happen. This is a
concept that takes a while for an apprentice mechanic to understand
and some places like Whoopee Lube never get it.

I have had lug nuts that were on so tight, I had to stand on the
wrench to get them off. Would an impact wrench help in that
situation?

It's the only thing that will do it for you. Even the most carefully
torqued nuts and bolts can build up corrosion enough to act like they
are welded on. reiterating, don't send a boy to do a man's job. Get a
tool with the guts to do the job. HTH

Joe

On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:24:22 GMT, "J.Lef" wrote:


Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will pay for
it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in Iraq, a
week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for when I
want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some household use, or
occassionally if I need it to work on a motor. (Light stuff only).

Another thing I have done, once when it was raining, but I was
supposed to be at an important meeting representing my employer, a
congressional candidate in a primary, looking well-dressed, in a
make-or-break situation, was to drive 3 blocks on the flat tire to a
gas station. Yes, it ruined the tire. They changed the tire in 5
minutes, iirc.

And another time, when the tire hadn't been in the snow at all, I
couldn't get it off even by jumping on the wrench, and I tried over
and over for a long time, again I drove it about 5 blocks, and again I
ruined the tire.

I don't buy expensive tires, and they weren't new either, so that made
it easier.


Of course I have no idea how badly you were hurt.

And I know on two occasions when my back hurt, once for so many months
that I went to an orthopedist, it was never hurt badly.

But despite that, in one case it took 4 years for it to be back to
normal, and in the second case it's been a little over two years now
and it's pretty good.

So don't give up home on your back improving, maybe even getting
better, although maybe that can't happen in your situation.


I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Much regards

"J.Lef" wrote in news:qHzWh.2411$sb.1712@trndny05:


Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will
pay for it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being
in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in
Iraq, a week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier
for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for
when I want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some
household use, or occassionally if I need it to work on a motor.
(Light stuff only).
I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to
prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a
manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Much regards



Harbor Freight has a 1/2" drive 12V impact driver that plugs into the
cigarette lighter outlet,240 ft-lbs,but a low striking rate. Sells for
around $20 USD.It's intended for wheel lug nuts.
Then you don't have the battery problems of seldom-used cordless tools.


--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"jacko" wrote in
:

I have a 1/2 inch 110V impact wrench that I use around the shop. I
find it just great for removing lug nuts and such. I use it quite a
lot to remove the Crank nuts, upper and lower, on lawn tractors and
mowers. If a supply of 110V power is readily available and you don't
have a fairly large volume air supply compressor then I would go with
the 110V electric over the battery operated one. As another poster has
said, there are battery operated ones that will do the job for you,
however they are a bit pricey. You can get a fairly good 110V, 1/2 in.
drive for under $100. Good luck.


Harbor Freight has one of these corded 1/2" impact drivers on sale for
$40,from time to time.Regular price is IIRC,~$90.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

J.Lef wrote:
Hello to all:
I dont understand something.
I am looking to buy a cordless compact impact wrench.
I have narrowed my choice down to to. The dewalt dw051k, which is a 3/8
inch 12 volt, and the dewalt 053k, which is a 1/2 inch 12 volt.
The only differences that I can see, is that the 1/2 is a few ounces
heavier, and its maximum torque is about 20 percent more.
Plus the 1/2 inch uses a detent pin retention, the 3/8 uses a hog ring
retention.
The question I have is, it seems that there is a huge greater range
of accessories for the 1/2 inch, which in my opinion makes it a logical
choice, especially with the bit added torque, but in a lot of place the 1/2
inch, is priced less then the 3/8 inch, and this surprises me, and thats
why I am questioning this.
Is there something I dont understand?
I am leaning towards the 1/2 inch, but is one retention method better
and thats why they are of equal cost, or even the 3/8 is more expensive.?
It doesnt seem logical.

Much regards Jerry


Even better than a breaker bar is a piece of iron pipe that you can slip
over the end of the lug nut wrench. Get the longest piece that will fit
in the trunk of your car - perhaps 3-4 feet. You won't have to stand on
it to move the nuts.

Bennett Price wrote:

Even better than a breaker bar is a piece of iron pipe that you can slip
over the end of the lug nut wrench. Get the longest piece that will fit
in the trunk of your car - perhaps 3-4 feet. You won't have to stand on
it to move the nuts.

And you will quickly learn whether the wrench was built with cheap steel or the
lug studs have stood up to time!

--
"Tell me what I should do, Annie."
"Stay. Here. Forever."

I tried these 12V cigarette lighter plug in impact wrenches and found them
to be quite useless. They are lighter to handle than the 110V, but don't
have near the power.
"Jim Yanik" wrote in message
...
"J.Lef" wrote in news:qHzWh.2411$sb.1712@trndny05:


Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will
pay for it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being
in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in
Iraq, a week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier
for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for
when I want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some
household use, or occassionally if I need it to work on a motor.
(Light stuff only).
I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to
prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a
manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Much regards



Harbor Freight has a 1/2" drive 12V impact driver that plugs into the
cigarette lighter outlet,240 ft-lbs,but a low striking rate. Sells for
around $20 USD.It's intended for wheel lug nuts.
Then you don't have the battery problems of seldom-used cordless tools.


--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Thanks to all that have responded.
Standing on a lug wrench and jumping on it, or waiting hours for help
and not being self reliant, is not my best solutions.
I purchased the tool at a place that seems to have great prices on
line, and appears to be very reputable.
They said if it doesnt work out, keep the packing material , send it
back, and they will refund with no problem, less my return shipping.
It seems I have nothing to lose by trying.
Much thanks for the various public and private sentiments also. Much
appreciated.

"jacko" wrote in
:

I tried these 12V cigarette lighter plug in impact wrenches and found
them to be quite useless. They are lighter to handle than the 110V,
but don't have near the power.


Of course,the specs tell you that;the 120VAC driver draws 7 Amps,for about
800watts,while the 12V driver will not draw more than ~15A for 180
watts,and also has far fewer beats per minute.

the big question is.. will they do the job the original poster wanted?


"Jim Yanik" wrote in message
...
"J.Lef" wrote in
news:qHzWh.2411$sb.1712@trndny05:


Snap-On has a new cordless impact that has some ummph but you will
pay for it..

What are you going to use it for?

Thanks for the two replies so far.
The problem is, that I just got out of the military after being
in for
nine years, and serverly injured my back during my second stint in
Iraq, a week before I was due to rotate back to the states.
Basically, I am just looking for something to make it easier
for me
in case I need to change a flat tire on my vehicles, and to use for
when I want to rotate tires on my vehicles, as well as for some
household use, or occassionally if I need it to work on a motor.
(Light stuff only).
I have to adapt to my present capabilities and need to
prepare for
how to best handle a situation.
I will only use the wrench to take off the lugs, and use a
manual
torque wrench to properly put on the lugz.

Much regards



Harbor Freight has a 1/2" drive 12V impact driver that plugs into the
cigarette lighter outlet,240 ft-lbs,but a low striking rate. Sells
for around $20 USD.It's intended for wheel lug nuts.
Then you don't have the battery problems of seldom-used cordless
tools.


--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net






--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:55:01 GMT, "jacko"
wrote:

I tried these 12V cigarette lighter plug in impact wrenches and found them
to be quite useless. They are lighter to handle than the 110V, but don't
have near the power.

Long ago, I had a cigarette lighter soldering iron, that never got hot
enough to solder. Maybe if we could get 10 cars together, we could
ahve 120 volts.