[lkchris]

Actual automotive uses for impact tools are quite rare.

Basically, their real use is loosening fasteners where there is difficulty keeping the whole thing from just spinning rather than the nut actually backing off. Steering wheels, shocks, ball joints, etc. That is, you need impacts because steady force hardly works. And where impact damage to the fastener isn't visible.

For home use, you're not attempting 12-second NASCAR pit stops and hopefully you just don't want to make noise as a macho thing. They are frankly a tool of extremely limited use and money would be better spent on higher quality tools ... which aren't found at Home Depot and other dime stores.