Thread: Confused on impact wrench vs impact driver differences

Hey guys Im just curious as far as removing stubborn bolts or lugs hypothetically let's say you had a 100ft lb impact wrench and a 100ft lb impact driver with the socket adapter on it. Is there any difference? Does the impact wrench provide harder impacts or could they remove all the same stubborn bolts since they're rated at exactly the same torque? Thanks guys

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I was looking at M18 power tools. There were two main things I read asking the same question.

1) Power source. A battery driven tool, even a brushless one, wears down the battery during the first use. Corded tools lose efficiency to heat. Big compressors have a more linear power delivery.

2) Work space. Milwaukee M12 is very small for tighter spaces. Lugs and struts have room, so why not use the tool for the job an go pneumatic?

Torque numbers are similar, so you're on track there. I noticed that more electric tools were rated in Inch Pounds, however.

An inch pound could be the same as a foot pound depending on the conversion, just saying.

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

They are Two different tools.....

Impact Driver: 1/4" drive, screws, lag bolts etc, lighter ft/lbs.
Impact Wrench: 1/2" drive, larger nuts n bolts etc, higher ft/lbs.

You need one of each.

Ya I like the newer craftsman one with the tri led. I actually have the 18v ryobi 1/2" impact that's 300ft lb and I love it and it works great. I was just looking for something like the milwaukee 3/8 fuel impact just because it's so tiny and can fit in a lot more spots. I have there m12 impact driver though which is only 17ft lbs less of torque which is where my question stems from because I'm not going to spend the 150$ if the only difference is 17ft lbs.

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Originally Posted by SgtMarshal

An inch pound could be the same as a foot pound depending on the conversion, just saying.

there's 12 inches in a foot in case you were wondering

To get more into it.. if you are looking at lugs and crank bolts, you want about 500-600 ft lbs in reverse.

Originally Posted by Monday

To get more into it.. if you are looking at lugs and crank bolts, you want about 500-600 ft lbs in reverse.

What lugs are you taking off!? Lol I live in az so I don't normally have to worry about too many super seized bolts. Also the last time I had to remove my crank bolt it took a torch and an 1100ft lb impact. My dad's 600ft lb impact had no way in hope of getting that piece of sh*t off.

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Originally Posted by idrivejunk

I thought the confusion was ratchet vs impact when I read the title. Still lost. I use air. Carry on...

The most noticeable difference is the impact driver has a 1/4" hex anvil as opposed to a standard impact wrench that has a 1\2", 1/4", or 3/8" square anvil.

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The impact driver I have currently is 100 ft lbs but the m12 impact wrench I wanted to get is 117ft lbs

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I wasn't talking about crusty.. but when you want to take off wheels etc, there can be expansion when something is hot from driving. And yes your car is 100ft lbs for torque... one day you might want to help a buddy with a truck or something. I came across one crank bolt that sounds like the brother to the one you fought. That was one out of probably around 100 or so.

My cheapy 1/2 impact (air) will do 600R and 500F. As you use stronger guns you need to work the throttle and not simply squeeze the trigger and go for broke.