Rob,
----- Original Message ----- >
> what is a good drill to get for lugs when changing tires? What do
> people use, how much money, where to get? Are there special
> attachments, things I need to consider when getting one?
Several of us bought the Harbor Freight Tools 19.2 volt "Chicago Electric
Industrial" impact wrench a couple of years ago. For the voltage, it's $50
to $150 less than the big name wrenches (last I looked they wanted $149 for
it, only one battery, item 46701-0VGA) www.harborfreight.com. It's lasted
me OK, Peter? Anyone else?
That said, I personally am a little freaky w.r.t. torques, I actually break
the torque on all wheels by hand in a star pattern then use the cordless
wrench for the last torque off and to spin them on. I have found fewer
problems with warping rotors and broken lugs since I started doing all final
torquing in stages with a torque wrench.
Were I to buy today, though, I'd either just get an 18 V drill with adapters
to spin the right socket for general loosening or tightening, OR I"d buy
Harbor Freight's more recent addition el cheapo Chicago Electric Power Tools
18V impact driver for 69.99, or the el cheaper Drill Master 18V 3/8 impact
driver (others mentioned have been 1/2" drive). The latter is a stunning
$29.99, less than even the batteries on the others. A cheap way to find out
if you like it. Always buy an impact rated socket, nothing chrome plated,
for any use on an impact wrench of any type!! HF sells impact sockets in
many sizes too.
There's also a 3/8 drive cordless at Home Depot, think it's Ryobi? Anyway,
it came highly recommended by the guy there who has used any number of high
power drivers, it's like $95. No personal experience.
Some of the big dollar units may use NiMH batteries, which are generally far
superior to NiCd in both power capacity and absence of "memory". For
professional use, I'd opt for these, damn the expense. For casual autocross
use, up to thirty times a year, where I have a backup hand wrench and aren't
getting paid for my time, I opt for the cheaper variety.
Paul
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