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Chicago Electric Impact Driver

Emoney600

Emoney600

New member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Location
East Bay
Moto(s)
954rr
*Not sure if this is the right place to post about tools I am using on my bike. Please move if it isn't.*

So HF was having a sell and I picked one of these up.

"Maximum Torque (ft. - lbs.) 1050 in. lb."
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...s-variable-speed-hex-impact-driver-68853.html

So I noticed almost every bolt I put this thing on it was maxing out (socket adapters used). Just by gripping the adapter I could stop it from spinning with the trigger fully pulled. I hate to downplay my own manliness but I'm sure I couldn't stop 1050 lbs of torque from spinning with my grip (or can I?).
Anyone have any exp with this gun? Do I have to let it break in or is there some setting that need to be adjusted? Or did I simply get what I paid for?
 
1050 inch lb is 87.5 ft lb, which is tighter than typical car lug nuts. It sounds like something is wrong with it. I don't trust Harbor Freight powertools.

I have a DeWalt unit that's similar and it'll snap 5/16" bolts. If your battery is fully charged, something is wrong with it or it's a horrible POS.
 
1050 in. lbs is only 87 foot lbs of torque so you may be manly or you may have received a dud from harbor freight. I'd return it and try another
 
Totally overlooked the inch to feet conversion. Good catch gentlemen.

I definitely went cheap on this, won't lie. I'll only be using it to take bolts off, not put them on, so I figured HF would serve my purpose.
 
The 87 ft/lbs. is delivered in the hammer strike effect, not to be confused with continuous rotational. Should be plenty for any bike. Great for flywheel/rotor bolts or anywhere a 'holder' would be necessary, but unavaliable.
Check the tightened unit with a reliable torque wrench before freaking out.
HF tool are junk, but serviceable for economical intermittent duty. The rap I have heard on their pneumatic stuff is oil before every use, or the seals will burn up.
 
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channelcat said:
The 87 ft/lbs. is delivered in the hammer strike effect, not to be confused with continuous rotational.
Click to expand...


This is also true. I thought about trying to test the torque value of the driver with the Aldeco torque adapter but I think the fact of how the power is delivered would stop it from giving an accurate reading.

Ehh, I guess I'll just suck it up. Can't expect it to be as raw as my non-cordless driver. I'll either break the bolt by hand or grab the corded driver + extension cord (I am in a detached garage).
 
Most electric guns are too weak. I just hand loosen the bolt and then use the electric impact to remove bolt. Beats turning by hand.
 
Impact tools don't necessarily spin. Remember, they are hammer tools. I have a large electric impact that is easy to "hold" from spinning, but still removes countershaft nuts that are 105 ft lb tight. They are built to hammer and spin a bit, and only spin when there is no resistance.

I have an old Chicago HF that I have used for five years. The previous one lasted fifteen years. Haven't yet had a bolt it wouldn't move sooner or later. The ones with the cord have much more power than cordless. Cordless impacts are kind of a joke for heavy stuff.
 
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Ernie, this is an impact driver rather than an impact gun. It's not designed to make that sort of power, and the chuck on it is almost certainly for 1/4" hex. That doesn't mean it has no power, but it's primarily for driving fasteners rather than serious torque.

As I said, my DeWalt is strong enough to snap Home Depot 5/16 bolts, so they do make some torque.
 
I had one of those, it's terrible. The HF cordless mostly are, and the batteries go quick. I have a Milwaukee set now that has the best cordless impact driver I've ever used, will loosen a lug nut or snap a bolt or screw head clean off if you want it to. It's my favorite power tool ever. The HF one I do recommend is same as Ernie, a Chicago Electric 1/2" corded impact gun. Works great for breaking loose a rusty sprocket or clutch hub or cam/crankshaft nut.

Sounds like what you really need is a sub-panel and a retractable drop cord on a 20A circuit in your detached garage :).
 
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I went with a HF 1/2" pneumatic impact. works fine, and sounds cool.
I had the idea of running a Victorian restoration with air random orbitals.
Tow along compressor, and three sanders going zoop zoop:laughing
 
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