So if your plan is to rotate the tires on your C3 Corvette, for example, and all you have is a conventional wrench, arm yourself with patience. Lots of patience. But, on the positive side, it will be a bit of a workout.
However, if you prefer to workout at the gym, get one of these.
Porter-Cable (PCE211) 1/2"-Drive Impact Wrench. A 110-volt, 7.5 Amp., 450 ft/lbs torque powerhouse.
I know that having a battery-powered impact wrench is far more convenient and Porter-Cable makes one. The PCC740LA.
But at two times the price of the corded one, it was just too rich for my blood. Besides, it's not like I'll be using this thing every day, so I'll deal with an extension cord.
It is worth mentioning that the Porter-Cable PCE211 is a bit on the heavy side coming in at almost 8 lbs., but that's not a deal-breaker for me either.
And if you don't already have impact wrench sockets, you'll need (at least) a 1/2"-drive 3/4" impact socket in order to remove your Corvette's lug nuts.
But even if you have to go out and buy one, please DON'T use a regular chrome-plated socket with an impact wrench as it can shatter with the obvious and disastrous consequences.
I made a short video of my Porter Cable impact wrench loosening, then tightening, one of the lug nuts on my 1976 Stingray. I believe the video tells the story quite well.
I know many feel that the only impact wrench that can loosen lug nuts is a pneumatic impact wrench. But that's not true as my video shows.
Pneumatic wrenches are a LOT lighter and smaller, of course, since they don't require a bulky and heavy motor, but you need a bulky, heavy, and noisy compressor for them to run, so you have to decide which one is better for you.
Thank you for following my '76 Vette Blog!
Product Links... (#sponsored)
• Porter-Cable PCE211 7.5 Amp 1/2" Impact Wrench
• Porter-Cable 20V MAX Impact Wrench, 1/2-Inch (PCC740LA)
• Powerbuilt 1/2" Dr. SAE Impact Rim Saver Socket Set
