What is an Impact Wrench? Types & Applications Explained

You have decided to fix your dad’s 1970 Pontiac. It’s a great project, the only problem is the bodywork is very rusty, showing clear signs that you’re going to need some serious power tools to dislodge those rusty screws.

Fortunately, you can buy yourself an impact wrench to get rid of the rust and unscrew all the parts of the old dame so you can start your restoration of this beautiful classic car. Below is all you need to know about impact wrenches to help you with your project.

What Is An Impact Wrench?

An impact wrench is a powerful tool that enables humans to perform tasks that require the strength only afforded to giants. Yet, minimal exertion is required from the user.

These powerful tools are used for heavy-duty jobs to tighten and loosen bolts, lug nuts, and rusted fasteners. They are the optimal solution in situations that require high rotational torque, where a regular drill or wrench fails to move solidly fixed bolts or nuts.

Workers in the automotive, construction, and manufacturing industries depend on impact wrenches to provide the necessary high torque output they need.

Most of us are familiar with the use do the use of impact wrenches through watching the changing of tires during Formula 1 racing pit stops. Changing tires is an everyday use for these tools.

What Makes An Impact Wrench So Powerful?

An impact wrench stores energy in a rotating flywheel, then transfers it in quick, powerful bursts to the output shaft, creating powerful bursts of torque. This powerful action makes it easier to loosen stubborn bolts or tighten them firmly.

This impact action produces high torque with less effort, making it ideal for heavy-duty tightening and loosening tasks. Torque can be described as a twisting force that causes something to move.

What Are the Main Impact Wrench Types?

Different types of impact wrenches are available on the market, catering to various power requirements, portability needs, and work environments. The various industries that use these tools need a diverse range of them for tackling different tasks and applications.

Corded Electric Impact Wrench

Electric impact wrenches come in corded and cordless models. Corded versions are plugged into an electrical outlet, which delivers continuous power. They are also relatively easy to use because they are not as heavy as similar wrenches.

For the most part, corded electric wrenches offer more power and torque than cordless wrenches, which makes them more suitable for hefty tasks. You can use them to drive large lag bolts into hardwood or concrete, or to break stubborn rusted bolts.

Corded tools tend to be more cost-effective than cordless versions. When using them, you only pay for electricity; you don’t have the extra cost of batteries and chargers. On the other hand, you always need a reliable power source on site and a long cord to work with a corded electric impact wrench.

Cordless Electric Impact Wrenches

According to market research, the current power tool trend is moving away from corded equipment to cordless power tools.

Cordless impact wrenches are gaining popularity for the convenience of being able to use them anywhere without the need for an electrical outlet, on high scaffolding, or deep in a mine. You don’t need to worry that you or someone else might trip over a cord.

Price is the one drawback of cordless tools, as they tend to be more expensive upfront due to the inclusion of batteries and chargers.

Being portable and rechargeable, impact wrenches are perfect for remote or on-site work, and locations that lack electricity. Cordless electric impact wrenches are also a good choice for homeowners and handymen who often choose them for jobs involving regular nuts and bolts.

Compressed Air Impact Wrenches

Also called an air impact wrench or a pneumatic impact wrench, these tools are powered by compressed air. Air impact wrenches work with a compressor and are more powerful than their electric counterparts – they actually deliver the most powerful torque. The torque level is determined by the pressure the compressor generates – more pressure results in more torque.

The increased power comes with one disadvantage, though – a hefty compressor that you have to carry with you when you use these types of wrenches. Despite that, their high torque output, durability, and reliable performance make air impact wrenches a popular workmate for many industry workers.

Pneumatic impact wrenches come with different drive sizes and hammer mechanisms, from twin hammer drivers to two-hammer designs and pinless hammers. These tools have many industrial applications.

Construction and Manufacturing – Air impact wrenches are widely used in construction projects and manufacturing. Their fast-working and powerful action boosts productivity by tightening bolts and fasteners in record time. In factories, these workhorses are invaluable for speeding up assembly processes.

Maintenance of Heavy Equipment – The upkeep of large construction vehicles like excavators, bulldozers, dump trucks, and articulated trucks is impossible with common screwdrivers and hammers. An air impact wrench has the necessary torque to undo rusted and stuck fasteners on these enormous machines. In the mining industry, machinery is no longer transported to facilities for repair – they are maintained on-site to save operational time. In these remote locations, cordless wrenches come into their own as tools that can be operated in cramped conditions.

Hydraulic Impact Wrenches

Designed for heavy-duty industrial applications, hydraulic impact wrenches use hydraulic fluid to generate extremely high torque. They are used in numerous industries where extreme torque is crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of tightened bolts and nuts.

Some key industries and specific uses include:

Oil & Gas Industry – Hydraulic impact wrenches are used when building pipelines and oil rigs, and the maintenance of drilling equipment. The enormous bolts used on offshore and onshore rigs are exposed to extreme weather conditions that favour corrosion damage. Hydraulic wrenches possess a powerful rotational force to remove stubborn corrosion and secure these bolts.

Shipbuilding – Hydraulic impact wrenches are used for propeller shaft and engine maintenance, and when building the hull. The seawater corrodes and rusts the huge bolts of ships, which need high torque to be fixed.

Heavy Equipment – Power tools like servicing excavators, bulldozers, and cranes need to be serviced for safety, requiring high torque to maintain various bolts and fasteners.

Railway & Transportation Infrastructure – Trains and tracks are built with heavy-duty bolts, which require the torque of high-impact wrenches to be secure and safe.

Energy – Power plants house boilers, generators, turbines, condensers, cooling systems, and transmission lines, all of which are built and maintained using hydraulic impact and torque wrenches. These tools are essential to ensure the safety of these facilities.

Impact Driver vs. (Impact) Drill Driver vs. Impact Wrenches: What’s the Difference?

The three tools differ in their purpose and torque intensity.

Impact Driver

Drill drivers use a continuous rotational force to drill holes and drive screws. Homeowners and carpenters use them to install shelves, assemble cabinets, and generally for drilling into wood, plastic, and soft metals.

Drill drivers provide moderate torque, making them suitable for general-purpose tasks that require precise control of a tool.

Impact Drills

Impact drivers have the same function as screwdrivers, except they are more powerful. They have the power to drive long screws and bolts. The increased torque is generated by combining rotational force with rapid concussive blows.

Impact drivers are used to drive long, wide, or large screws, lag bolts, or fasteners into tough materials like hardwood or metal. These tools get the job done quickly, but they are not ideal for drilling precise holes.

Impact Wrench

Impact wrenches are power tools designed for loosening or tightening large nuts and bolts. Cordless impact wrenches are widely used in the automotive industry and are indispensable for the assembling and disassembling of large equipment, such as bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and cranes. Impact wrenches have significantly higher torque than drill drivers and impact drivers.

Safety Considerations

Impact wrenches produce a huge amount of vibration that increases the risk of developing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which damages arm and hand nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and joints. Governments have put legislation in place that manufacturers and employers must adhere to for the health and well-being of their workers.

In the United States, hand and power tool safety standards are determined by OSHA and are applicable to general industry, maritime, and construction. In Europe, this is a law that must be

In Europe, Regulation 2023/1230/EU stipulates health and safety requirements for the design and construction of machinery meant for the European market.

Choosing the Right Impact Wrench Supplier for Your Power Tool Business

When stocking impact wrenches, distributors must balance several factors to ensure their product ranges fulfill customer expectations.

It’s essential to stock a balanced range of power tools that include pneumatic, cordless and cordless options as well as hydraulic wrenches. Ideally, your inventory should comprise a range of impact wrenches that include entry-level, mid-tier, and premium options to meet the needs of cost-sensitive customers and those who can afford higher prices for high-performance tools.

Above all, prioritize quality brands and warranty support. Focus on brands with a strong reputation and reliable after-sales service. MaxtXT offers these benefits. We can help you expand your product range with high-quality, in-demand impact wrenches.

Conclusion

Selling impact wrenches is a strategic business move in today’s growing market. The rapid global expansion in construction projects, increased production of electric vehicles, and advancements across multiple industries are boosting demand for faster, more powerful tools. By investing in and providing a diverse selection of high-quality impact wrenches, you can effectively serve an expanding customer base seeking efficient and reliable equipment.

As a factory-direct wholesale supplier, we offer premium-quality power tools supported by expert technical assistance and competitive pricing designed specifically for global dealers and retailers. Connect with our sales team today to explore our distributor packages and discover how we can help you equip your customers with the latest innovations in power tools.