Looking for new /2" drive impact wrench

[sixdogs]

Need avice and opinions.
I'm looking for feedback on a new lower dollar 1/2" drive impact wrench but a search gave me little to go on. I used to have a Campbell Hausfiield cheapie that I thought was not so good and traded up to a Harbor Freight "Earthquake". Oops. The Earthquake has plenty of power but the controls are so tight-fitted I need a small hammer to work the reverse switch. And the sockets go on hard and come off harder. I liked the "sloppier" fit of the CH. I don't use a wrench much so I figure to get another and maybe keep the Earthquake for special occasions. I have a 5 HP, 240 with 80 gallon tank compressor. Here are some wrenches I'm thinking about...or maybe I should keep the HF Earthquake and stop whining?

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-PL150296-2-Inch-Impact/dp/B0000CBJFE/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1330346582&sr=1-2--can]Campbell Hausfeld PL150296 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench: Amazon.com: Home Improvement[/ame] buy for under $50 @ Amazon. Looks like what I used to have.

Shop Ingersoll Rand 0.5" 450 Ft./Lb. Air Tool Impact Wrench at Lowes.com This looks good and nice reviews.

Shop PORTER-CABLE 500 Ft./Lb. Air Tool Impact Wrench at Lowes.com ----Don't really want to spend this much.

I thought about an electric one and keep the Earthquake for serious but electrics are costly. I have a Makita 18V drill but their cordless impact is costly as well. Any advice here or anone own the above tools? Thank you in advance.

 

[jenkinsph]

My experience with cheap impacts is they don't seem to keep their higher torque value very long. While looking at the Lowes site I might consider the 600ftlb model listed for about $180. I would also check out CP for current tools too.

 

[mwb]

The problem with not using it much is that the few times you do you probably want it to work really well. +1 for CP or IR. Definite no for CH.

I know years ago Sears used to sell CP - maybe that is a good source (sale)?

 

[enew]

I have owned many impacts over the years while working as a mechanic snapon mac matco IR and some cheapies. The one I liked the most is the matco that has 650ft lbs but it cost more. I also own an Ingersol Rand right now that I love. Great power, controls easy to use and the sockets stay on, nothing worse then having a socket fly off when you aren't ready for it. The IR is alot like the one at Lowes but I got mine at NorthernTool.

 

[Bird]

Of the 3 you listed, I'd go with the Ingersoll. I have no experience with that particular model, but I have the IR 231H now myself. And of course, I used to repair/rebuild air tools and you'd have a hard time going wrong with Ingersoll.

 

[murphy1244]

The IR I have now ran 275.00 So if you don't use it much go with a cheap brand.

 

[3900tc]

Look at I/R, good quality and won't break you.

 

[olegar]

Chicago Pneumatic Pistol Grip Impact Wrench, 7 1/2"(L) | Staples®

One of the best impacts is Chicago Pneumatic. This one is still made in the US too.

 

[Crash5291]

I have a cheap CH here myself and its garbage.

The Gun that rode in the wrecker i used to drive was a IR TiMax composite, it was a beast. light and TONS of grunt. i never came across anything it wouldn't undo although i don't think i tried anything larger then a 1" Socket. that's what the service truck and the 1" impact were for.

That IR didn't care if it was 35*C in the sun or -20*C in snow, ice and dark. IR+air=Job done Period

Good socket fit and retention too

Air hoses hated the cold though lol SOOO stiff

IF i used the impact here at home more i'd be buying one. Frustrating Every time it fails to do its job.

 

[FredH]

Similar to the one I have for working on my semi but not as powerful , mine with a 1/2" hose is in the 900 lb. range and with 3/8" hose it is down to 500 to 600 lb. range , ( had to change the fitting even on the bottom of gun to accept the 1/2" but now no bottle neck ) :

Klutch Heavy-Duty Air Impact Wrench 1/2in. Drive | Air Impact Wrenches| Northern Tool + Equipment

They don't carry the model number I have anymore , been a couple of years since I purchased it , but when it will torque off 1" nuts off of rusted shocks on a semi , pretty dang good .

Fred H.

P.S. Mine is actually the same as their 3/4" drive impact but it is 1/2" drive . Same specs and everything else , just different size drive . Bought it 2+ years ago for Basically $100 , ( $99.99 + shipping of course )

 

[crazyal]

I have an AirCat twin clutch and I like it. It's extremely quiet and you feel almost no "impacting" but it's just as powerful as what I would call the most powerful 1/2" impact I've ever used, the IR 2135 MAX. The IR is nice but it's too much money. It doesn't work well with torque sticks but that isn't an issue for me. I use to use it all the time but I got a Milwaukee 1/2" 18v cordless impact and it does 90% of my needs (not as powerful as the AirCat) and doesn't require air.

 

[ericher69]

+1 for the IR

Mine is the 600ft/lb model usually on sale for $175+tax

Has not let me down yet but a warning!

It is air hungry! I needed to change my fittings from M style to T style to get the extra air volume required. I still need to use the on-off-on method with the trigger to get full torque from the gun.

The compressor is a 6.5hp 60 gal model on 220V but I have a dual air reel and maybe 75ft of line so no fault of the guns.

 

[crazyal]

+1 for the IR

Mine is the 600ft/lb model usually on sale for $175+tax

Has not let me down yet but a warning!

It is air hungry! I needed to change my fittings from M style to T style to get the extra air volume required. I still need to use the on-off-on method with the trigger to get full torque from the gun.

The compressor is a 6.5hp 60 gal model on 220V but I have a dual air reel and maybe 75ft of line so no fault of the guns.

I had to upgrade to 1/2" air hose with 3/8" fittings and Milton "P" style connectors.

 

[CliffordK]

I got a DeWalt 1/2" Electric Impact wrench.

I haven't used a lot of impact wrenches, but it seemed to do reasonably well. It wasn't cheap.

 

[sd455dan]

I got a good deal on an Ampro 1/2 impact and so far on only a few times it couldn't break the nuts loose- stuck axle nuts on car and trucks

rated at 450ft lbs. it is a dual hammer but may be a little lite for some...

See one like it? on Amazon for $100 with free shipping

Can't go wrong with Ingersol

 

[Dozernut]

I have been looking at this gun for a replacement, Ingersoll-Rand 232TGSL 1/2-Inch Super-Duty. Anyone have this one, any problems, do you like it? Thanks!

Ingersoll-Rand 232TGSL 1/2-Inch Super-Duty Air Impact Wrench Thunder Gun - Amazon.com

 

[crazyal]

I have been looking at this gun for a replacement, Ingersoll-Rand 232TGSL 1/2-Inch Super-Duty. Anyone have this one, any problems, do you like it? Thanks!

Ingersoll-Rand 232TGSL 1/2-Inch Super-Duty Air Impact Wrench Thunder Gun - Amazon.com

If it was me I would spend a little more for this IR.

Ingersoll-Rand 2135TiMAX 1/2-Inch Air Impact Wrench - Amazon.com.

The 2135 is the gun that you'll find most mechanics have.

 

[lilranch2001]

I have all IR air tools and never regretted any of them

 

[Dozernut]

It doesn't work well with torque sticks but that isn't an issue for me.

I use the torque limiters, what kind of issues did you have? Does the more powerful gun negate the twist in the sticks? Thanks for pointing out the IR2135, I did not notice it when I was looking. The only problem I have is the price, I want a good gun, but I am just a tinkerer and use it to maintain my equipment.

 

[Renze]

when buying electric tools i allways go to the construction supply shop (the one that also sells to private individuals with no VAT number, under the Hitachi advertised price) and ask for their one-but cheapest model. When comparing the cheapest hobby tool for the one-but cheapest, for a couple of bucks extra you get double the quality. If you compare it to the next model above that, you wont get the quality increase for the money anymore, mostly added features that you dont need anyways.