Hilti Nuron Cordless High-Torque Impact Wrench Takes On Tough Construction Fasteners
Hilti has been a big player in the construction industry for decades. We’ve seen a few familiar tools hit the market in the wake of the introduction of Hilti Nuron tools and batteries. However, Hilti also brought some newcomers into the group. Among them is the Hilti Nuron SIW 8-22 cordless 1/2-inch high-torque impact wrench which the company claims is its strongest one yet.
Pros
- Highest torque of any Hilti cordless impact wrench
- Upgrades to two speeds
- Nearly a pound lighter than the previous Hilti torque leader
- Excellent ergonomics
- Nuron technology
Cons
- No 3/4-inch option (yet)
- No assist modes
Hilti Nuron Cordless High-Torque Impact Wrench Performance
Speed and Torque
The Hilti SIW 8-22 is part of the Ultimate Class and it’s the strongest cordless impact wrench currently available on the Nuron line. Hilti rates the torque at 443 ft-lbs in low and 738 ft-lbs in high with 1217 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. That’s actually 25% more fastening torque and nearly 90% more breakaway torque than the Ultimate Class SIW 9-A22 from the previous line.
Working with the torque, high gear hits 1500 RPM and 2950 IPM. That speed may seem slow compared to other impact wrenches, but as you go up in torque, the speed tends to drop as the higher mass of the hammer hits the anvil harder. It’s also 100 RPM higher than the SIW 9-A22.
Measuring Torque
We put this impact on our Inertia Torque L-1000 Torque Tester to what kind of working torque to expect. On low, we registered significantly higher torque—640 ft-lbs. On high, we hit 748 ft-lbs, which is very close to Hilti’s specs.
For starters, measuring impact torque is more difficult than measuring it on a drill. In fact, the L-1000 is the first impact tool torque tester we’ve seen to measure it consistently. It measures hard torque—the kind you see in metal-to-metal fastening—rather than the soft torque you get from fastening in wood. We’ve also noticed that high-torque impact wrenches tend to measure higher torque in lower gears on this rig.
It’s possible that it’s a difference in how Hilti tested and the way our rig is designed. It’s not out of range of what we’ve seen in other testing, though. Regardless, it’s obvious this impact wrench hits hard and is extremely strong.
Recommended Applications
- Bolting steel for structures, handrails, racking, machinery, and pipe flanges
- Setting HUS anchors in concrete
- Lag bolting/structural screwing in wood
Hilti Nuron Cordless High-Torque Impact Wrench Design Notes
Ergonomics
The SIW 8-22 impact wrench weighs 5.4 pounds as a bare tool and 7.1 pounds with the recommended B 22-85 battery. That’s nearly a pound lighter compared to the SIW 9-A22 3/4-inch impact wrench which really helps out when you’ve got a long day ahead of you.
The grip has a really comfortable textured rubber overmold that easily channels away sweat on hot days. Like most other Nuron tools we’ve tested, the handle shape is nicely contoured and has a natural fit.
Nuron Technology Benefits
Let’s take a closer look at Nuron’s specific benefits. With the updated battery design, we expect longer runtime, especially when you need to keep the impact wrench under a heavier load for longer periods of time. Part of it is the cell selection, part of it is the cooling technology inside, and part is the resistance reduction of the electrical connections. All of that works together to power the motor more efficiently than before.
For those of you managing an entire tool crib, the batteries’ ability to automatically store and transmit data about the tool and battery is a huge help in making your management duties more efficient. Even if You’re using multiple tools with one battery, it stores the data and transmits it via the charger when you put it on.
There’s a lot more to the Nuron story, so check out our deeper dive here.
Room for Improvement?
Two things stick out to us that the design team may want to consider in the next generation, and both of them are minor.
First, we’d love to have an assist mode for when you’re working with fasteners or materials that have a higher risk if you over-torque. Realistically, that’s the time to use a mid-torque or even compact impact wrench in the first place, but it’s still helpful.
We can also see a benefit in having a 3/4-inch drive option for folks using the SIW 9-A22 who have a full suite of 3/4-inch sockets on hand already.
Additional Features
- LED work light
- 1/2-inch friction ring anvil
Hilti Cordless High-Torque Impact Wrench Quick Comparison
| Nuron SIW 8-22 | SIW 22T-A | SIW 9-A22 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilti Class | Ultimate | Ultimate | Ultimate |
| Modes | High/Low | Single | Single |
| No-Load Speed | 1250/1500 RPM | 2000 RPM | 1400 RPM |
| Max Fastening Torque | 738 ft-lbs | 332 ft-lbs | 590 ft-lbs |
| Max Impact Rate | 2950 IPM | 2500 IPM | 2200 IPM |
| Bare Weight | 5.3 lbs | 4.8 lbs | 6.3 lbs |
| Drive | 1/2-inch ring | 1/2-inch pin | 3/4-inch through hole |
Hilti Nuron Cordless High-Torque Impact Wrench Price
The Hilti Nuron SIW 8-22 1/2-inch impact wrench retails for $389 as a bare tool. Hilti lets you customize your kit by selecting your batteries and chargers based on your needs. If you’re on Hilti’s Fleet Management service, the tool is $11.25 per month.
The tool carries a 20-year warranty and a 2-year free service agreement. While this impact wrench is compatible with all Nuron batteries, some options are better than others.
Compatible Batteries
- 2.5Ah (B 22-55): $99.75 each (compatible but not recommended due to lower run time)
- 4.0 Ah (B 22-85): $136.00 each (best for balancing size and weight with performance and runtime)
- 8.0 Ah (B 22-170): $207.00 each (best for extended runtime applications)
- 12.0 Ah (B 22-255): $243.00 each (compatible but not recommended due to size and weight)
The Bottom Line
The Hilti Nuron SIW 9-22 is the strongest cordless impact wrench in Hilti’s lineup, replacing multiple Ultimate Class models from the previous line. While there are a couple of areas for improvement, the performance and design of this high-torque model set a new standard for what you can expect from Hilti’s cordless impact wrench line.
To check out the full Hilti Nuron lineup, click here.
Hilti Nuron Cordless 1/2-inch Impact Wrench Specifications
- Model: Hilti Nuron SIW 8-22
- Power Source: Hilti Nuron B 22 battery
- Anvil Type: 1/2-inch friction ring
- Max Torque: 443 ft-lbs (low), 738 ft-lbs (high)
- Nut Busting Torque: 1650 Nm
- Impact Rate: 2,500 IPM (low), 2,950 IPM (high)
- No-Load Speed: 1,250 (low), 1,500 (high)
- Weight: 5.4 lbs (bare), 7.06 lbs (with Nuron B 22-85 battery)
- Warranty: 20-year
- Price: $334.00 (bare tool), $9.50/mo. (fleet pricing)
