Impact wrench advice

[Mark Denovich <mark@domain.elided>]

For less than $200 you are stuck with 1/2" or less impact wrenches. 
Unfortunately, you won't get significantly more grunt from one of these 
than you can get from a 1/2" ratchet (possibly with cheater pipe.)  In 
my experience I can muscle things loose with a 1/2" ratchet that my 1/2" 
impact wrench won't budge.  The hammering action of an impact wrench can 
help a little but it's no magic bullet.

For significant torque you need to go up to a 3/4" or 1" impact wrench. 
 Unfortunately these aren't cheap (generally $300+) and you need a lot 
of air.  This means big hoses from the compressor to the wrench, along 
with a big compressor, probably 2-stage 5 real-hp or better (not to be 
confused with Sears-hp).   Again not cheap.   Oh yeah, the sockets 
aren't cheap either.

So unless you are planning to invest, try a different angle:

heat, penetrating oil (I like PB-Blaster), and a 3' section of thick 
wall black pipe to slip over the end of a 1/2" breaker bar.

You'll either get it loose, shear it off, or realize it's not coming loose.

	--Mark
	--been there, done that
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