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Switched from a basic socket set to a proper 3/4-inch drive impact set for lug nuts... what a difference.
I was doing a brake job on a Freightliner last week and the lugs were just not moving with my old 1/2-inch drive stuff. Grabbed a buddy's 3/4-inch Milwaukee impact and it zipped them all off in maybe two seconds each. The extra torque and the right size socket meant no cheater bar, no rounding anything off. It saved me at least 20 minutes of pure struggle. Anyone have a favorite brand for the bigger drive tools that won't break the bank?
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robin_lee6mo ago
That upgrade is a game changer for truck work. I've had good luck with Sunex for the sockets themselves, they're tough without the truck brand price. For the gun, a used Ingersoll Rand from a pawn shop can be a steal if you clean it up. Just make sure you get a good quality extension, a cheap one will twist and waste all that torque.
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nora_dixon6mo ago
Totally agree with @robin_lee about the extension being a weak link. I've seen a cheap one snap and send a socket flying, which is just dangerous. What length do you usually run for truck work?
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murphy.blair5mo ago
My first time using a 3/4-inch impact on a stuck lug nut reminded me how often we fight against having the wrong tool for the job. @robin_lee is right that cheap extensions and adapters just eat up all the power you're paying for. It's like using a garden hose to fill a pool, everything works better when you match the tool to the actual task.
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