Hammer Time: Comparing impact wrenches from Bosch, Makita, DeWalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee, Craftsman, and Ryobi. The impact wrench isn't a must-have automotive tool, but it's definitely a really-would-like-to-have. Also known as an air gun, a torque gun, or "that loud thing pit crews use to undo wheel nuts real fast," the impact wrench's rotating hammer knocks on its output shaft to make quick work of twisting bolts.