Impact gun buying questions

Robert_in_NY · Jul 10, 2008

I am finally going to break down and buy an impact gun. I can't wrench on my equipment like I use to so I need mechanical help to make things easier. So do any of you guys have any advice on what to buy or what to not buy, what to look for and all that type of stuff.

I plan on buying a larger air compressor when I finally finish my shop but for now I have a 20 gallon, 2- twin tank units we use on our jobs running roofing and framing nailers and a small pancake compressor that we use for finish nailers. I know the pancake won't be able to handle this item but I was hoping the twin tanks can. So will the twin tanks run a decent impact gun for short times like taking off a tire or switching blades on the discbine where there are only a few bolts then the gun is set down while I work on things.

Locally I have Husky (Home Depot), IR and Farm Force (I think that is the brand) from TSC, there is also an Autozone and Napa here that I am sure would carry something.

I don't want to buy something too small and not have the power to work on my larger equipment but having no experience with impact wrenches I have no idea what is too small. So what advice and recommendations do you guys have? Also, I hope to buy something in the next couple days as I need to change the blades on the discbine and they are a pain in the butt with ratchets. So I could order something if there is a better tool online but hopefully I can find something good locally. Thanks

Bird · Jul 10, 2008

Robert, do you know what the volume rating of your compressor is? For an impact wrench, they all have some kind of rating and I don't think the manufacturers fudge, too much, and all that I'm familiar with are rated at 90 psi, so you just look to see what the torque rating is and what volume of air they use; CFM or SCFM (Cubic Feet per Minute or Standard Cubic Feet per Minute) at 90 psi. I would expect (assume?) you want a half inch impact wrench, although the same recommendation would apply to quarter inch, three-eighth, and three-quarter inch impacts. Some of the cheap ones look good, but are only rated for 210 to 250 ft. lbs. and you want something with a minimum rating of 425 ft. lbs. (like my IR-231), in my opinion. If you can spend the money to move on up into the 600 ft. lb. category (like the IR-2131), that's even better. And they've come out with some new stuff since I quit working on them. The 2135TiMAX claims 780 and 1,100 ft. lbs.

I've always been partial to Ingersoll-Rand and Chicago Pneumatic, and MAC, Matco, and Cornwell impacts are nearly all made by one of those two, so parts are interchangeable. Naturally Snap-On is popular, but in my opinion, overpriced and their parts are not interchangeable. But some of the others are good, too. Almost any of them will last your lifetime if you keep them clean, dry, and properly lubricated.

Air consumption varies with different tools, but approximately 4 CFM at 90 psi will work most impacts OK.

Robert_in_NY · Jul 10, 2008

Thanks for the reply Bird, my twin tanks both are rated for 90psi at over 4 cfms. I am looking at the half inch impacts and I forgot to mention that in my original post.

I was looking at the specs on them and I figured my twin tanks would meet the requirements even though the Husky units were wanting a minimum 10 gallon tank. The IR units looked nice and were speced similar to the husky so I was figuring my compressors could handle them. The Farmhand wanted 5cfm at 90psi though which surprised me as it was weaker then the IR and half the cost.

I was leaning towards the IR units as buying thru TSC I get them tax exempt for farm use (which is the only reason I need one). If the link works these are the two IR guns TSC has here

Tractor Supply Company - Ingersoll Rand 1/2 in Impact Wrench

Tractor Supply Company - Ingersoll Rand 1/2 in Composite Impact Wrench

CATMAN · Jul 10, 2008

I assume you probably want a 1/2" impact gun. It is probably the most used impact for farm equipment. This may be out of your price range, but I just purchased this gun a few months ago and it is great! Less weight, low on noise, strongest 1/2" impact gun I have ever used. Here is the link of the website I buy from (Note: never had any problems with them either).Ingersoll-Rand 2135QTIMAX Titanium Quiet Impactool&#153 - 1/2" Drive Order#*IR 2135QTIMAX www.TheToolWarehouse.Net This is the IR 2135QTIMAX= $255 . You should buy some air tool oil for the air inlet, too.

kenmac · Jul 10, 2008

I have an IR unit. Not sure of the cfm/ ft lbs. I just turn the air up if I need to take something off or put it on

Robert_in_NY · Jul 10, 2008

CATMAN said:
I assume you probably want a 1/2" impact gun. It is probably the most used impact for farm equipment. This may be out of your price range, but I just purchased this gun a few months ago and it is great! Less weight, low on noise, strongest 1/2" impact gun I have ever used. Here is the link of the website I buy from (Note: never had any problems with them either).Ingersoll-Rand 2135QTIMAX Titanium Quiet Impactool&#153 - 1/2" Drive Order#*IR 2135QTIMAX www.TheToolWarehouse.Net This is the IR 2135QTIMAX= $255 . You should buy some air tool oil for the air inlet, too.

Thanks, I was trying to stay under $200 but basically the best bang for my buck. I wish money was no object but it usually finds a way to dictate my purchase.

And we have plenty of oil as we have quite a few air nailers and staplers that are oiled daily.

Bird · Jul 10, 2008

Robert, your first link appears to be an IR 231 and I think they've sold more of them than any other half inch impact wrench ever made. The first time I saw an impact wrench with a "composite" body, I could hardly believe it, but they turned out to be very durable and very powerful.

I think I gave $40 for my current IR231 at a pawn shop.

I knew where to get the parts if I had to do anything to it, but I haven't had to do anything but oil & grease it. So far, I've not seen a mower blade a 231 wouldn't remove, but a lot of diesel mechanics bought the composite half inch Ingersolls because they're powerful enough that it keeps them from having to use the much bigger and heavier 3/4" impacts.

Bird · Jul 10, 2008

And we have plenty of oil as we have quite a few air nailers and staplers that are oiled daily

Nearly everyone knows you need to put a little air tool oil through the air inlet, but some impact wrenches, such as the popular CP 734, have an oil plug (needs a hex wrench) on the side of the housing. You want it half filled with 20W or 30W non-detergent motor oil. Instead of oil in the impact mechanism, most of the Ingersolls have grease, so you need a needle nosed grease gun to inject grease. The grease fitting on the rear of the 231 and on the side of the composites that I've seen look like a little dimple with a tiny ball bearing in the middle. They will come with plenty of grease initially and you may not need to add any for a couple of years.

EddieWalker · Jul 10, 2008

Robert,

I made the mistake of buying a Campfeld Hausfield, or some such spelling, for my first impact wrench. It's really a piece of junk without any power. It was cheap, but if it can't do the job, it's not worth having.

I was surfing ebay for impact wrenches to take off the blades on my rotary cutter and needed something rated for over 500lbs. I found a Porter Cable for $80 plus shiping that has been a jewel. Tons of power and not too heavy.

When I bought my dump truck and dozer, I had a few bolts in the hydraulics that needed 3/4 drive sockets. I tried adapters, but they are in the 800lbs range. I bought an Ingersal Rand for these jobs. It's heavy, and I'm underpowered with my compressor and hose, but if I take my time, the compressor will catch up and get it done.

Just as important as a good gun is a good set of sockets. Mine are from Napa and go from 7/16 to 1 1/2 inches. I've had to buy some individual sockets for different things, and pay between $40 to $50 each. The only brand available that I've been able to find is Proto. Good quality, but pricey!!!

For one cylinder on the boom of my backhoe, I had to buy a 1 3/4 inch socket for $50, then grind it down to fit into the space to get it on the bolt. That really hurt, but the mechanics at New Holland said that was what they did and it's the only way to get it off.

Good luck,
Eddie