The appearance on the market of electric wrenches caused an mixed reaction of specialists. On the one hand, the additional force impact noticeably facilitated the workflow of screwing in and out, and on the other hand, binding to the network itself limited the operation of the tool. This problem was eliminated by the integration of individual power supplies. Modern cordless impact wrenches are able to work in isolation from the outlet for several hours in a continuous mode. But these are not all the advantages of this tool, which manifest themselves differently depending on the model and manufacturer.
Cordless Wrench Device
The design is usually formed by the following set of components: battery pack, handle, housing base and cartridge. Inside is a working technical filling, on which the operational capabilities of a particular model depend. As an optional addition, the tool can be provided with LED lights for illumination, an auxiliary handle and other holding devices. At the same time, almost every modern model is equipped with ventilation holes.
As for the energy supply system, cordless impact wrenches are most often powered by lithium-ion batteries. Although there are also models with the universal principle of battery charge, which allow the use of nickel-cadmium elements.
Features of Impact Wrenches
A few years ago, lightweight hand-held power tools did not at all suggest the principle of shock. Perforators were initially endowed with such an opportunity, but this was their natural functional ability to destroy solid materials. In the wrench, we are talking about a slightly different principle of impact. During operation, the rotation is carried out not with constant and uniform force, but with jerks, which do not act in a straight line in the direction of screwing, but to the side. This feature provides a more efficient workflow, facilitating the physical tension of the wrist of the operator.
Of course, the nature of the impact may differ for different models. For example, Bosch cordless impact wrench already in the models of the initial segment provides a frequency of 3000 beats / min, and in the families of little-known manufacturers this figure can only correspond to the flagship versions.
Key Specifications
The main indicator, which speaks about the power capabilities of the tool to work with nuts, is the maximum torque. Budget, inexpensive versions usually have a torque of 100 to 300 Nm. This is quite enough for household repair work, but it is advisable for a specialist who encounters various, including problematic, fasteners to provide a device with a similar parameter of at least 500 Nm. By the way, premium modifications provide more than 700 Nm, but this is already a professional segment.
Also, cordless impact wrenches are characterized by the voltage of the supply unit. This value varies on average from 9 to 18 V. Accordingly, this indicator will also affect the performance of the tool. In addition, it is worth noting the value of the mass of the apparatus. From the point of view of the efficiency of the workflow, massive and heavy models are more profitable, but the hand gets tired of them faster. Light low-power wrenches usually weigh no more than 1 kg, and professional devices - 3-4 kg.
Makita TW100DZ Specifications
This is an entry-level model designed for typical simple operations. The voltage of 10.8 V, as well as the torque of 110 Nm, of course, will not allow the operator of this version to work confidently with large and rusty hardware, but it has a different purpose. A Japanese tool is more likely to be used for accurate, accurate operations when finishing or for working in difficult places. The weight of 950 g and small dimensions just enable the user to perform twisting in tight conditions. Also Makita cordless impact wrench in this version is provided with useful functional additions. In addition to the impact, the model offers the operator backlighting, reverse stroke and speed control.
Specifications Ryobi ONE + R18IW3
This model can be attributed to universal wrenches, due to its balanced characteristics. The device incorporates the best performance of household and professional models, but, of course, with certain limitations.
A 1.5 kg wrench is supplied with an 18 V battery pack, provides 400 Nm of torque output. As you can see, the basic characteristics of the model make it both light and productive. These qualities, by the way, are also confirmed by user reviews. Cordless impact wrench in this design has another advantage - the ability to work with batteries of two formats (Ni-Cd and Li-lon). At the same time, the presence of an intelligent energy supply control system makes it possible to efficiently use each segment of the battery cell with an increase in power output by 10%.
Bosch GDS 18 V model specifications
This option can be called advanced in all respects. Firstly, the model has a battery voltage of 18 V, which allows it to realize a working moment of 650 Nm. This is enough not only to work with large-format nuts, but also to cope with old, rusty and deformed fasteners. At the same time, despite the impressive power filling, the Bosch GDS 18 V cordless impact wrench has a small weight of 3 kg. Of course, against the background of household appliances this is a lot, but professional devices with the same capacity often weigh 1-2 kg more.
Also, the features of a German wrench include batteries with the innovative CoolPack system. Its essence is to ensure optimal removal of heat flows, which as a result affects the increase in the resource of the elemental basis.
Hammer ACD144G Premium Features
Another attempt in one model to combine the ability to perform professional tasks, while not missing the advantages that the devices have for home use. As for performance, it provides an average voltage of 14.4 V and also not impressive torque of 135 Nm. On the other hand, with a modest power potential, the device received a lightweight 1.5 kg case, a NiCd capacitive battery, and the presence of metal components in the case base. By and large, the Hammer ACD144G Premium cordless impact wrench can be considered as a universal model, but only adjusted for average power, which will not allow you to perform heavy power tasks with fasteners.
Price issue
The price range is very extensive, which is due to differences in the characteristics and functional features of the devices. For example, the considered model from the Makita company is available on the market for only 3-3.5 thousand rubles. Perhaps this is one of the cheapest wrench options with a shock function. The following is a category of mid-range models. This includes the Hammer ACD144G cordless impact wrench and Ryobi's ONE + R18IW3. These devices are available for sale on average for 6-7 thousand. As for the higher segment, which presents the German instrument in the modification of the GDS 18 V, here prices are in the range of 20-30 thousand.
Conclusion
Manufacturers of electric tools are making a lot of efforts to master new technologies that improve the quality level of their products. As a result, both basic performance indicators and optional additions increase. In turn, the user is faced with the difficult task of choosing the optimal model. Almost all cordless impact wrenches in their modern form are able to cope with most of the mounting tasks. However, not all of them can be used as a universal tool.
The household model is unlikely to work with screws tightly screwed into a solid-state rigid base. And, on the contrary, a professional powerful device will be unsuitable for performing serial twisting of small fasteners. Therefore, in each case, the choice of a wrench should primarily be based on the conditions in which the tool will be used.