Impact Wrenches...

erik123

When using my 14.4v DeWalt impact wrench for extended periods of time (15+min of straight use) such as fastening deck boards or subfloor, it starts to get real HOT. It also starts to get that "O-zone" smell. Im assuming that this is pretty normal and I just switch to my regular driver and give the impact a rest. Just wondering if everyone has this experence. I still cant believe there are some guys out there that haven't converted to the world of impact wrenches. P.S. I have been lurking on this forum for over a year now and have learned tons and laughed a bunch. I work alone or with one helper so its nice some nights to come home and see what others in the industry are up to. Cheers!

Michaeljp86

I would be worried that the smell is the windings in the motor getting hot and burning the coating off. On my 19.2v craftsman drill when using for a long time like drilling a hole in a thick piece of steel it does get very hot but never had a problem yet but it never smelled. I have a milwakee electric die grinder and it gets very very hot, Im thinking there is something wrong with it, I hope not because I dont think I could live without it.

JamesNLA

I think that's fairly normal. I have a corded Kobalt 7. somthin amp and it gets pretty how when I get on it. As for the cordless versions....just can't bring myself to buy one. My MAC air impact gun has more power that I need, and the Kobalt one get's a good beating but has been strong....Does smell a little but that is expected. If you clearly notice a change in performance than it is probably on its way to the shop or trash can.

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RobertCDF

I hate cordless impacts and so do my guys... Funny aint it? Drills drive faster and with less noise, use a good quality screw and you wont go back to impacts either. I suppose they have thier place... Like self tapping screws would are a perfect fit for an impact. But for wood screws I dont like them at all.

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MechanicalDVR

Then you just haven't used the right one yet.

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KillerToiletSpider

I don't like those impacts either, I have one, and I can't stand the racket it makes, I leave it in the truck unless I have to drive tapcons.

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MechanicalDVR

I use the cordless ones for lags, self tappers, teks, and no hub couplings all the time. I have five that I use all the time, from 10.8v to corded. The only thing I use the corded one for now is heat exchanger bolts and boiler doors. I haven't driven a screw with a drill in a couple of years now.

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KillerToiletSpider

If I need an impact to get something loose, I fire up the compressor and get my Matco impact out.

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WarriorWithWood

I had the same gun, it did the same thing. When under heavy use it would get hot (not too hot), like a fresh coffee cup hot.
I got sick of it and bought the makita Lith. Ion, doesn't get nearly as hot as fast. I can drive 3" deck screws all day without changing my grip because of heat. the dewalt always got hot right where the web between my thumb and index finger was. The burning smell starting happening near the end of it's life though.

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TempestV

my boss has a makita LXT set on the job I'm on now, and the drills only come out when the impact is already in use. We are using them mostly to drive t25 and t30 torx head screws up to 8 inches long.

erik123

Glad to hear someone else has the same experience with dewalt 14.4v. I really love using it! thanks erik

RobertCDF

Yeah you must be right... sure I have a corded one for large lags when needed but I guarantee I will smoke some one screwing off a deck with an impact versus my drill.

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Michaeljp86

I dont know about that, I thought the same thing but a firend has a makita Lith. Ion and I used it for a few screws and that thing was fast. If it gets into some dense treaded limber where its gets a little hard to turn then you may be right, Im not sure how fast the impact driver is on a tough screw. On my craftsman 19.2V I ran alot of 3" deck screws and have it on high and can go quick.

I hated those drivers but I want one now, I wish they were quiet though.

TempestV

the impact that we have on the jobsite will drive a 5" torx head lag about as fast as the drill from the set will drive a 3" deck screw.

MechanicalDVR

I did a lot of mechanical rooms with the last company I worked for and we had all pneumatic tools on the job. Where we might be working for months on those jobs, but on service jobs and small installs, I don't even carry a compressor on the truck. So to pull out a battery powered impact and get the job done is a no brainer. I carry a 10.8 volt Li-on Bosch that is a powerhouse for the size, it's smaller than a 12v drill (almost pocket size).

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98mustangguy

since i do just about any work that pays from deck to floors to painting to working on car ect I personally use all air tools. My Ingersol Rand titanium air impact will drive anything or rip apart anything you can think of real fast and it takes one heck of a beating

y0manda

I have two impacts one 14 hitachi and a new 18 v li-on makita, had the hitachi for about 4 years now and think they are pretty cool, but i do prefer using my 18v milwaukee conventional drill for mostly everything. I would pull out the impact if i'm working in tight quarters or in a awkward position where I can put too much force on the drill to drive in the screws.