I was slightly skeptical buying this. I was afraid it wasn't strong enough for the toughest frozen nuts. But now after using this for several months, I'm perfectly happy with it. I have not yet found a nut it wont break eventually. The worst case scenario I found so far, this impact had to beat it for 120 seconds before it began to rotate. Then another 60 seconds to spin it off completely.
However I did not have to go get the breaker bar and an extension pipe. This Dewalt beat on it, and beat on it, and beat on it till the nut could no longer resist. And that was only once. So I had to hold the trigger for 180 seconds. But that was the worst case scenario. And only happened once.
The good side. It didn't wind my lug bolt off in half.
I used to have a Milwaukee battery operated impact, 28 volt. That son of a gun, if the lug nut wasn't moving in ten seconds, it would twist any lug bolt in half. Just wind it and twist it till it broke in a few seconds. It was actually too strong for nut smaller than 15/16. My friends couldn't believe how fast my Milwaukee would twist a lug bolt in 2 if the nut was stubborn. Search on amazon for "Milwaukee 2763-22 M18 FUEL 1/2" High-Torque Impact Wrench with Ring Kit".
However stronger is not alway better. Do you want to remove the nut, or twist the lug bolt off?
Sometimes 5,000 impact medium duty impacts are required to break the nut without breaking the lug.
Its like reeling in a fish. You don't pull with all your might. You pull enough, and long enough to wear his resistance out and tire him out. As he gets weaker and weaker he gives up more and more and then you start gaining speed.
This is where this Dewalt has proven fantastic. Its strong enough, but not too strong. I have never seen this Dewalt loose a battle yet. But when it was at the threshold of spinning my lug bolt off in two, it didn't but kept up the fight long enough for the nut to weaken and give up. This was much better than a twisted off lug bolt.
Most people don't know it, but there is a physical limitation in many materials. Time over work. You pull too hard too fast and it will break. You pull just right for long enough and it will yield to you if you pull for long enough.
This Dewalt is just inside the GOOD threshold. I have had too strong and too fast before, and the nuts didn't always give. Frequently it was the lug.
I give this tool no mercy. When I'm done with it, I toss it to the concrete floor. My tools either live up to it, or I change brands. This tool lives up to it every day.
The downside? Its not light weight. Cant have everything. But the price was very good for what I got.
The other downside? When the nuts get larger than 15/16, this Dewalt runs out of ass where as my Milwaukee will keep on twisting. Above 1", this Dewalt starts getting weak fast. The Milwaukee goes to 2" and thats impressive for a 1/2 drive electric, and more impressive for battery operated. But the Milwaukee was twice the money. But if your lug nuts are 7/8 and smaller, you will love this Dewalt.
For the weekend warrior you will never regret it. It will last every weekend for ten years.
| Color | Yellow Black and Gray |
|---|---|
| Brand | DEWALT |
| Item Weight | 7.5 Pounds |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Head Style | Fixed Square |
| Finish Type | Painted, Polished |
| Operation Mode | Electric |
| Manufacturer | DEWALT |
| Part Number | DW293 |
| Item Weight | 7.5 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 10.9 x 13.1 x 4.9 inches |
| Item model number | DW293 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
| Size | 0.5 |
| Style | Impact Wrench |
| Finish | Painted, Polished |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Included Components | DW293 Impact |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 90 Day Money Back Guarantee, 1 Year Service Contract, 3 Year Limited Warranty |
