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Remove Tightened Bolt Nuts With The Best Air Impact Wrenches

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Last Updated: May 3, 2024, 1:11 p.m.

Machine-tightened bolts fitted in wheel caps or lawnmowers are often a pain to loosen up. While they are manageable to remove with a standard wrench, it takes time and struggle. Fortunately, an easy solution to these pesky bolts was here all along; an air impact wrench. Air impact wrenches provide enough torque to quickly loosen or tighten any bolt without requiring much effort from your end. These wrenches can be used on wheel caps, engines, bikes, and any other heavy tools which need a bigger bolt to secure them. Unfortunately, things can often become confusing when looking for an air impact wrench due to the array of features to consider. So, to help you search for the perfect addition to your arsenal of tools, we’ve prepared a list of the top air impact wrenches of 2023.

Buying Guide: Air Impact Wrench

While an air impact wrench can be a helpful tool in your arsenal, people often get confused when deciding which one to buy. Luckily, we have compiled a buying guide to summarize everything you need to consider before purchasing your next air impact wrench.

What To Look for When Buying Your Next Air Impact Wrench

If you’re looking for the perfect air impact wrench to add to your armory of tools, here are some essential factors to consider, along with some terminology you should be comfortable with:

Drive size

Before purchasing your wrench, ensure it fits your required lug nuts and bolts. Usually, air impact wrench come in three different sizes; ½-inch, ⅜-inch, and 1-inch. The ½-inch driver can easily remove any car's lug nuts or tightened bolts on household tools like rusted fasteners and lawnmowers. On the other hand, the ⅜-inch air impact wrench is more compact than its counterpart and can be used in situations that don’t require high torque. These are smaller and can be used where high torque is not needed. We recommend getting a 1-inch air impact wrench if you regularly work with larger vehicles such as tractors and buses. This fact is due to larger vehicles having larger bolts than regular cars.

Torque

When considering your torque options in the air impact wrench, you’ll be met with two types: forward and reverse. Forward torque is the maximum force needed to tighten a bolt, while reverse torque focuses on loosening your lug nuts. The power value for these torques should lie between 400 to 1000 foot-pounds if you want to use them for household tasks.

Speed

Speed can be considered in two different forms: RPM and IPM. RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) refers to the rotations of your wrench’s head per minute, while IPM (Impacts Per Minute) points out the number of hammer-like impacts your wrench can make in under a minute. The greater these speed specifications are, the more strength your air impact wrench will have against unscrewing pesky bolts. Generally, you should try to get a wrench with varying speed limits to use in various circumstances. But if one isn’t available, you should look for an impact wrench with at least 7000 RPM and 1000 IPM to work on household projects effortlessly.

Handle

When you’re using a heavy power tool for half of the day, you definitely want the handle to be ergonomic and vibration-less. This will allow you to have a firm grip over your tool without it straining your hands at the end of the day. You can also opt for wrenches hosting a handle exhaust, so you don’t get blown up with dust and debris while working on your project.

Build

There are usually two types of air impact wrenches: stubby and standard. Stubby air impact wrenches, as the name suggests, are lightweight, compact, and easily able to fit into confined spaces. Since they are usually used one-handed, they offer ergonomic support and a sturdy grip. Unfortunately, stubby air impact wrenches lack the torque to work on larger machines like tractors and buses. This crossroads is where standard air impact wrenches come into play. Although these are heavier and larger, they can withstand rough usage and work efficiently on heavier machinery.

Air consumption

Apart from torque, the strength of your air impact wrench also depends on how much air it can receive through its compressor. You need to consider two factors to determine whether your air compressor can provide enough air to your air impact wrench: CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) and SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute). CFM indicates the amount of air your tool needs, while SCFM indicates how much your air compressor can provide. The general principle is that the SCFM should be 1.5 times the CFM rating to provide your air impact wrench with enough air to operate.

How To Maintain Your Air Impact Wrench

To keep your air impact wrench up and running, it is essential to maintain it regularly. Here is everything you can do to extend the life of your air impact wrench:

Inspect the cords regularly

Before every use, you should ensure that your air impact wrench cords aren’t cracked and broken. If you see a crack, avoid using the air impact wrench until the damage has been repaired. We suggest taking the air impact wrench to a qualified service technician every few months to get it checked and serviced.

Use recommended cleaners and grease

Following the user manual when cleaning your air impact wrench at home is best. To properly oil your air impact wrench, we recommend you open the wrench and lubricate the area in contact with the hammer. This precaution will reduce friction in the air impact wrench and increase airflow, allowing it to keep performing efficiently.

Never apply excessive torque

When using an air impact wrench, try not to apply excessive torque to loosen a stubborn screw, as this will damage the hammer and sockets within your air impact wrench, causing it to break down. Instead, we recommend being patient; although it may take more time, exercising patience will prevent any damage to your air impact wrench.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Ingersoll Rand Air Impact Wrench
Most Versatile: Acdelco Air Impact Wrench
Most Convenient: Craftsman Air Impact Wrench
Most Compact: Sunex Tools Air Impact Wrench
Best Value: Tztool Air Impact Wrench

Reviews

Best Overall

Ingersoll Rand Air Impact Wrench

Pros	Cons
Can be used for an extended period Not limited by tight corners Lightweight and easily maneuverable	Not as portable as a household wrench

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Most Versatile

Acdelco Air Impact Wrench

Pros	Cons
Useful for multiple purposes Comes as a complete package Includes a one-year warranty	Not suitable for bigger vehicles

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Most Convenient

Craftsman Air Impact Wrench

Pros	Cons
Incredibly lightweight Speed can easily be changed during work Features a built-in muffler for noise reduction	Could be more powerful for the price

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Most Compact

Sunex Tools Air Impact Wrench

Pros	Cons
Fits into tight spaces Can be used with one hand Lightweight and easily portable	Lacks power for larger vehicles

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Best Value

Tztool Air Impact Wrench

Pros	Cons
Usable on different sizes of bolts Comes with a storage case Includes extension attachments to access difficult places	Needs to be maintained regularly

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FAQs

Can an air impact wrench with a lower torque be used for jobs that require higher torque?

Yes! That said, a wrench with a lower torque output might get the job done, but if you keep using a lower torque air impact wrench for jobs with higher requirements it is bound to wear out.

What will happen if I do not oil my air impact wrench regularly?

If you don’t oil your air impact wrench regularly, the friction produced between the moving parts in your wrench can cause it to wear down and eventually break. If you’re using the wrench regularly, it’s advised to oil it every couple of hours.

Can an air compressor with a lower air production be used for an air impact wrench with a higher requirement?

Using a lower air production air compressor is the same as running your air conditioning on half the voltage. It will work, but it will not perform as it should.