Size Vs Power

Working on vehicles can be a balance of the right tool for the right job and the money you can spend to get that tool.  Many of our specialty tools have been made in the shop out of necessity.  Built, not bought has been written on many of these tools.  When it comes to impact wrenches, many people seem to go after the biggest and best, chasing down the newest tool claiming huge ft. lbs ratings.  We are here to tell you, the largest impact wrench is not needed to 95% of all automotive work.  In fact, a good impact wrench with 450 ft lbs should be able to remove every nut or bolt on almost any passenger car.

the largest impact wrench is not needed to 95% of all automotive work

Car guys are often also tool guys.  They go hand in hand because most car guys like to do their own work.  With that said, there is a split in the people who want to top of the line tools to work on their cars and the guys who buy what they need in tools at a good cost so they can put more money in car parts.  In the battery operated impact wrench arena, the Ridgid R86011 impact wrench is a more affordable model available at the Home Depot.  While it is affordable, it also has some nice features.  It is just slightly larger than the Milwaukee M18 Mid-Torque impact wrench and about the same size as the Ingersoll Rand W5152.  As for power, it compares to both of them very well.

the Ridgid R86011 impact wrench is a more affordable model available at the Home Depot

Keep your receipt and try to buy the tool with a battery so the battery is also covered by the lifetime service agreement.  Complete the registration correctly and you have a warranty on the tool for its lifetime.  We have found that some Home Depot locations area better at the warranty than others.

While you are shopping, make sure you have impact rated sockets!