Need Advice on Battery Impact Wreches

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:52 am

G'day fellas,
I am in market looking for stronger impact wrenches - I don't know which to get and I'm hoping someone out there could tell me..

At the moment I have this Makita BTD140 with 160nm of Torque

which has 160nm of torque, It can undo wheel nuts since they're around 110nm, but I've noticed there is some bolts that it cannot undo ie. bolts on gearbox is tighter that the impact wrench above cannot undo, I can undo by hand but the impact cant.

So I am looking at one of these two below -
Makita BTW251 which has 230nm of torque

Makita BTW450 which has 440nm

My question is - if i bought Makita BTW450 will I need anything more than 230nm? or get 230nm model which is "plenty"? (I dont want to buy 440nm that, If dont need more than 230nm)

The only thing I don't like the BTW450 is pretty big and looks heavy but I haven't been to the shop to see how heavy it is, also i don't want something too "big" for areas where it is tight access ie. to undo bolts on engine-gearbox while in car etc..

It has be Makita due batteries that I have here, don't really want to buy different charger & battery etc. I do have air impact wrench but its a PITA to start up compressor, get the hose and the hose has to follow you around etc - makes me scream!

Will be used for everyday use for work and home use etc.

Thanks
Cheers
AP

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:32 am

AP I have a 24 volt 400+nm impact wrench

it is great but sometimes it still wont move bolts that are age tight

and it can be a bit big at times but thats what stubby spanners and ratchets are for

TOONGA

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:02 am

I would lean towards the bigger one - it will likely last longer if it is underworked most of the time and will be there when you need it for the harder jobs. If you buy the smaller one you might be reaching for the socket and breaker bars more often.
But whats the price difference between the 230 and 400 nm models - if it is signifacnt then that may change the decision.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:12 am

The smaller one BTW251, cheapest I can get is $170, larger one BTW450 cheapest is $240.
Cheers
AP

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:11 pm

AlpineRaven wrote:The smaller one BTW251, cheapest I can get is $170, larger one BTW450 cheapest is $240.
Cheers
AP

I'd definitely get the bigger one then. Big one can do small jobs, small one can't do big jobs

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:56 pm

I'd take the BTW251 model for 2 reasons.. firstly it's small enough to get into some smaller/tighter spots and secondly really tight bolts/nuts should be cracked/loosened with a power/breaker bar first. But this is just me and I'd be happy with either one if I got it for a present

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:04 pm

I've decided to go to total tool with a piece of metal with bolts that has been torque tightened to what I would experience in real life and see how it performs... I'm still leading BTW251 since it's small. I agree I do use breaker bar or air impact if the battery impact can't do it.
Cheers
AP

tony · Post by **tony** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:18 pm

I would go for the one you would use most of the time if the large one is a lot bigger it is useless if it can't get into the space you are working in. and it doesn't matter how powerful it is, there is always going to be something it can't undo .the number of times you need to use a bar is probably once or twice a year.
also be a bit wary of powerful drills and impact wrenches; don't know about you but I have certainly given my wrist a severe jolt and also got my hand jammed inbetween panels and suspension parts when trying to use a powerful drill one hand, you cannot always get both hands on to the job.

a broken wrist, which the large one is certainly capable of, would really ruin your day.