An Impact Wrench For Tight Spaces
By Chuck Cage
Need impact wrench power in space way too small for the big gun? You need a “butterfly impact wrench” like the one pictured above from Campbell Hausfeld. It’s a 3/8″ drive model that delivers 75 ft-lbs of torque — about all you should apply to 3/8″ drive sockets anyway — yet measures only 3.8″ wide x 2.1″ high.
A caveat, though: be careful not to mash your fingers. At full torque, it’ll spin around in a hurry, so you’ve got to be prepared. This won’t replace your standard impact wrench, but when you need it, you need it.
The “butterfly” switch on the top controls direction — tilt it one way for forward, the other way for backward — and the nut on the bottom adjusts pressure to limit torque. Craftsman, Astro, Chicago Pneumatic, and many other manufacturers offer these as well, and starting at around $40 there’s really no reason not to have one in the shop.
Butterfly Impact Wrenches [Google Products]
Via Amazon
May 30th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for the heads up. I could have used this this past weekend.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:52 am
I have a cheapie version of this from HF and it works great for what it is.
May 31st, 2007 at 6:50 am
I have the exact some one as pictures, but I have yet to need it. I hear it’s good for doing exahaust work
April 1st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Awesome tool! have many! Great for tight places..