I have encountered the 17mm nut from hell (recessed so I can't get a chisel to the bastard) and I have decided that rather than risk rounding it off I need an impact wrench. (The nut is tight, not corroded so penetrating oil is not the answer). I don't have a compressor so it needs to be mains or cordless. Any recommendations?
Its not a hex nut - its like a cg125 clutch basket castle nut except its holding the oil pump centrifugal filter onto the end of the crankshaft, in a recess that doesn't allow a chisel, stillson wrench or anything else to get to it. I have a honda special tool for such nuts which consists of a special adapter with four prongs to fit in the four slots in the nut, attached to a t-bar. Tried it, bent it. I am going to adapt a 1/2in drive 22mm socket spanner to fit (angle grinder) then use it with an impact wrench and try to loosen the nut. Otherwise I will have to sacrifice the centrifugal oil filter to get at the fucker (more angle grinder). Even if it doesn't work it would be useful to have a good impact wrench anyway.
We used Makita cordless drivers where I used to work and if we wanted more drive we used a Makita 110v unit. Good pieces of kit and I never managed to **** one up. Having had a look at what you want to strip I think you might rip the socket to bits with a decent driver but if you want an excuse to spend your cash on one even if it may not work then go for it. It's also worth remembering that a good 110v impact driver will crack normal sockets so buying a few impact sockets in the sizes you use most will save you much anguish later. http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_cat&tag=cl_impDriver
I had intended to get some impact sockets as well. Like I said, if the plan doesn't work it would still be useful to have a decent impact wrench. I might even have a go at modifying a 22mm impact socket if I can buy one as a single item. One annoying thing is that 1/2 inch drive special sockets for these nuts are easily obtainable in the USA but I can't find an online supplier in the uk. I may ring David Silver today to see if they have one or know where they can be obtained. I'll order a spare centrigugal oil filter as well just in case.
