Can we talk about how much torque a standard 1/2-inch impact gun actually needs?

I was watching a video from Project Farm on YouTube and they tested a bunch of them, and the fact that a $150 model can hit over 700 ft-lbs of breakaway torque completely changed my mind about needing the most expensive one for home use.

2 comments

2 Comments

bennett.aaron7d ago

You mentioned the Project Farm video, that guy does great tests. But I gotta ask, is breakaway torque the only number that matters? What about sustained torque for like, cranking down a lug nut to the proper spec without just blasting it? I feel like that's where the cheaper ones might struggle.

joseph_torres7d ago

Totally agree, breakaway torque gets all the hype. I've had cheaper guns that can zip a nut off but then just pulse and struggle hitting the final spec. A good one should have the control to finish the job smoothly, you know? What's your go-to for getting that final torque right?