Wanting first impact wrench

[kude]

Chalk another vote up for the IR2135TImax

I have one and wouldnt be without it.

You asked the question "what can a 3/4" do that a 1/2" wont do"

Well that is a hard question to answer because they are all different.

The 1/2" can be had from a low as 100ft-lbs to 1000ft-lbs
The 3/4" can be had from ~600ft-lbs to over 1500ft-lbs

So I guess if you have a 1/2" with 1000ft-lbs and a 3/4 with 600, the 1/2" can actually do more.

And as far as sockets sizes go, I personall have a 1/2" set AND a 3/4 in set And use adapters for the 3/4. My 3/4 set is 7/8 up to 2-1/2 and my 1/2" set goes up to 1-5/16.

So I guess to sum it up, for a home shop (unless you are a trucker or big farmer) get a 1/2". They are a lot lighter, they are faster (3/4" are SLOOWW), and even the good ones are usually cheaper.

And DONT get the $30 ones at walmart or a-zone. I have had a few of them and its a 50/50 shot as to wether they will even break a lug-nut on a car loose:confused2: There have only been a few times my 2135 has let me down. And both times required the use of a 24" pipe wrench and a 4' bar as still a lot of grunt.

If you have a big tractor or equipment a 3/4 might be nice. I have a 3/4 socket set but only use it once in a blue moon on the equipment I have.

 

[whistlepig]

I have used several name brand air impact wrenches over the years. Got tired of dragging the air hose around and went with an 18 volt Milwaukee model 2662-22 M18.

This thing has all the torque I could ask for. Very portable.

Just sayin....

I am a big believer in cordless tools. I went cordless grease gun because of the hose issue. On impacts I think air impacts are the way to go. The Milwaukee 2662-22 M18 puts out 450 ft lbs of torque. My Ingersoll 2131 puts out 602 ft lbs of torque.

 

[k0ua]

I will throw in my 2 cents. I have a old "5 hp" Campbel Hausfeld compressor direct drive noisy, piece of junk, probably about really 1 to 1.5 HP. my impact is a $25 old Campbel Hausfeld Wal-Mart 250 ft lb 1/2 inch. I have used it maybe 20 years now, and it has broken loose hundreds if not thousands of nuts thru the years, and driven more Lag bolts than I could count, and twisted off a few, when I wasnt carefull. Yes it is junk, but the junk has lasted many years, still works well, and has helped me on more projects than I can count. So the moral of this story is even a cheap junky impact on a "big box store highly overated" compressor can enrich your life a lot. I highly recommend getting as much impact and compressor as you can afford, but if all you can afford is the budget items, then even they can work.

James K0UA

 

[LD1]

I am a big believer in cordless tools. I went cordless grease gun because of the hose issue. On impacts I think air impacts are the way to go. The Milwaukee 2662-22 M18 puts out 450 ft lbs of torque. My Ingersoll 2131 puts out 602 ft lbs of torque.

And as long as your power aint out and you air compressor is on, you never run out of juice in that IR 2131

I think that is a similar to the 2135???

I really wish I knew what mine (2135TI) was actually rated at. Sometimes I see them listed AT 1000ft-lbs, sometimes 800ft-lbs, sometimes the list them at "over 700" etc.

I do thin the owners manual list it @ 780 reverse and 600 forward and something like 1000 peak??? Who knows

I think The CP2.0 Turbo is anther one with a high rating, as well as aircat????I think

 

[cowski]

1/2 ingersol rand titanium best one i have had. i have 1/2 sockets as big as 1.25.i also have a ir 3/4,way more powerful.

 

[crazyal]

I would look at the Aircat 1100-k. It's assembled in the USA and will give you tons of power. It's got the same power as the IR 2135 (another beast) but at about half the price.

 

[whistlepig]

My compressor is an Ingersoll Rand 5.5 HP, 11.8 CFM At 90 PSI (Honda motor) My line is 3/8. What size gun will do well with this setup? thanks

11.8CFM AT 90PSI is a pretty hefty compressor. The manufacturers of the impact guns specify what CFM at what PSI is required. Different size guns have different needs.

 

[LD1]

11.8CFM AT 90PSI is a pretty hefty compressor. The manufacturers of the impact guns specify what CFM at what PSI is required. Different size guns have different needs.

I know they spec the CFM requirements, but I think that is what the tool actually consumes as it is RUNNING. with an impact, it is such intermitten use, I dont think the CFM is too terribly important for home garage use.

As long as you have 10gallon or bigger air tank on the compressor, and 90PSI, ANY of these good impacts we all are talkinga bout should have no trouble at all zipping off all the lug-nuts on a car or truck. And then while you are rotating the tires and starting the lignuts back on, you air-compressor has done recharged and ready to zip them back on:thumbsup:

 

[Scooby074]

US made? Theres only one manufacturer left AFAIK. Snapon.

The MG725 is a HOG.MG725, Impact Wrench, Air, Heavy Duty, Magnesium Housing, Standard Anvil, 1/2" drive Absolutely the best out there in 1/2. It WILL take the place of a 3/4. Magnesium housing too so its light. I dont own one but tried one several times, I had an older snappy that died and the MAC guy made me an offer on a package of stuff i couldnt refuse.

In my deal with the MAC guy, i got a older version of this : https://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-318395-12-impact-wrench.aspx Which is essentially an IR 231. Its been a very good gun, used commercially by myself. However it isnt even close to the MG725. Cant speak to the COO of the current one, but mine was made in Taiwan i believe.

Your compressor and air line are fine for any of the 1/2" guns for your use. However if you step up to 3/4 or 1" you should increase your hose size.

 

[Bird]

US made? Theres only one manufacturer left AFAIK. Snapon.

You might be right . . . now. I've been out of that business now for nearly 10 years, but when I was repairing them, Snap-on impacts were made in Japan just like Ingersoll-Rand and Chicago Pneumatic. MAC & Matco were just re-badged IR or CP. Parts were interchangeable. But not Snap-on. Their tools were generally no better, no worse, than IR & CP, but parts cost 2 or 3 times as much.

My brother was a Matco distributor, but was friends with his Snap-on competitor so they both sent me their air tools to repair, so I worked on lots of Snap-on and Blue Point tools, too.

 

[5030]

Sure could have fooled me. Snap-On, Matco and MAC don't manufacture anything. They all contract with actual manufacturers to have tools made to their specifications and branded with their logo. They are nothing more than a stocking distributor that distributes house branded tools, at a price. Nothing more.

Just like Craftsman and Sears. No difference.

Williams makes quite a few tools for Snap-on for instance.

Don't believe for a minute that because it's Snap-On and you paid 3 times the going rate for it, that it's made here (USA) because the odds are very good, it's not. In fact, Snap-On markets quite a few items that are made in China. The same applies to Matco and MAC.

A good and easily viewed example is the roll around service cart with the hinged lid that Snap-On sells (was just in their flyer). Harbor Freight offers the same exact cart (painted red instead of blue and has a Chicago Tool pressure sensitive plastic logo plate instead of a Blue Point/Snap-On plate attached) for 1/2 the price of the Snap-on version. Both made in China.

Another is their (Snap-On) 12 volt continuity tester that I bought (but could have bought at Harbor Freight for about 1/3rd the price). It's made in Mexico and packaged for Snap-On. Says so right on the box laying here on the desk. I paid 99 bucks for a Snap-On logo and I could have paid 20 at the Fright store. Sucks to be me.

Waterloo (USA) produces most of the fancy cabinets that Snap-On markets, under license of course. You know which ones, the ones that mechanics all over are indentured to the Snap-On man for........:laughing:

 

[Bird]

Daryl, I went to Matco's training program in Ohio with my brother when he became a Matco distributor. At that time (don't know about now), Matco had their own factory and made their own tool boxes, very good ones, in fact. But as you said, everything else was made for them by other companies, both foreign and domestic. They had an interesting facility for testing stuff they either already sold, or that some manufacturer wanted them to sell. You know how that works. Abuse a tool to see how much it can stand before breaking.:laughing: I assume MAC and Snap-on have similar testing facilities.

 

[LD1]

Since to topic of tool-boxes was brought up...

I have to say, I am a kennedy man.

They ARE exensive, but no more so than a snap-on, waterloo, mac, etc.

And they are made right here in good ole OHIO, up in Van Wert. Nobody makes them for kennedy, Kennedy makes them themselves.

And no, I am not affiliated with them in anyway. I just think they make a toolbox that is as good as any other. And they are 100% made right here in the USA.

Kennedy Manufacturing Co.

 

[Scooby074]

But not Snap-on. Their tools were generally no better, no worse, than IR & CP, but parts cost 2 or 3 times as much.

Going to have to take exception to that. Ive used and owned both Snappy and MAC branded IR. The snappy is just better. And only about $150 more than my MAC is. My MAC is good, but if i wasnt made a sweet offer i would have replaced my Snapon with a Snapon.

Sure could have fooled me. Snap-On, Matco and MAC don't manufacture anything. They all contract with actual manufacturers to have tools made to their specifications and branded with their logo.

Thats not correct. Snapon runs their own foundry. They make most of their own tools. They do contract some "fringe" tools out, especially under the Bluepoint brand, But if it says SNAPON there's a 99% chance it was made in-house.

MAC Used to make most of their hardline tools. Air tools were always rebrands. But since Stan-ree tools bought them out, they've been gutted. I cant speak to where there hardline is made now, as i no longer have a MAC guy, so im not up on their current line. When we lost the MAC guy, alot of MAC's products were coming out of china.

Just like Craftsman and Sears. No difference.

Big differance re: snapon, see above

Williams makes quite a few tools for Snap-on for instance.

Williams (and Bahco and many others) are divisions of Snapon. Williams makes their tools in the USA.

Don't believe for a minute that because it's Snap-On and you paid 3 times the going rate for it, that it's made here (USA) because the odds are very good, it's not. In fact, Snap-On markets quite a few items that are made in China.

Actually there is a VERY good chance that if its Snap-on its made in USA. Snapon-s bread and butter is screwdrivers, wrenches, ratchets and sockets. Theyre ALL made in the USA. Snap-on's website lists Country of Origin for all their tools. They dont hide this info.

A good and easily viewed example is the roll around service cart with the hinged lid that Snap-On sells (was just in their flyer). Harbor Freight offers the same exact cart (painted red instead of blue and has a Chicago Tool pressure sensitive plastic logo plate instead of a Blue Point/Snap-On plate attached) for 1/2 the price of the Snap-on version. Both made in China.

Mixing up Bluepoint and Snap-on again? Bluepoint is the import / rebrand division of Snapon. The Bluepoint seal puller for example is EXACTLY the same as the Cman.

Another is their (Snap-On) 12 volt continuity tester that I bought (but could have bought at Harbor Freight for about 1/3rd the price). It's made in Mexico and packaged for Snap-On. Says so right on the box laying here on the desk. I paid 99 bucks for a Snap-On logo and I could have paid 20 at the Fright store. Sucks to be me.

I believe thats made in a Snap-on plant. Those testers are either Mexican or out of Korea now. Theyre still a very fine tester. I dont have one, i use an old, Made in the USA Cliplight heavy duty that wont die. The long, coiled cord on the Snappy would be a selling point for me however.

Waterloo (USA) produces most of the fancy cabinets that Snap-On markets, under license of course. You know which ones, the ones that mechanics all over are indentured to the Snap-On man for........:laughing:

Waterloo DOESNT make snapon boxes. Snap-on had a box plant in Ontario (which they just closed, thanks snapon). They moved that production to their Iowa (not Waterloo) plant i believe.

Waterloo does however make the Cman boxes. Ive worked out of a Waterloo box. Theyre fine boxes.

Actually i dont like Snap-on boxes. Lista absolutely destroys them in toughness and quality. But they arent flashy or as impressive to your peers.

I haven't drunk the red Koolaid, just want to set the record straight. My box is a mix of Snapon, MAC (USA) and Cman (USA). I dont support Harbor Freight (Princess Auto) very much. I do have a few of their tools, but theyre usually single/low use items.

 

[seymojo536]

That's a fair statemet however, we now have an 'armchair society' so being mechanized is preferrable over armstrong power.

I've busted some big nuts with my Williams 1" drive and breaker bar, BIG NUTS. Like Charles Atlas said, "Give me a long enough lever and I'll move the world"......

In the interest of accuracy, it was Archimedes not Charley who made that statement. Charley was a bodybuilder from the '50s famous for his ads in the back of comic books.

 

[5030]

This is cyberland. We only need to be close.

Like everything else both physical and spoken, it's all be done before. Anything new is just a rehash.

 

[5030]

Since to topic of tool-boxes was brought up...

I have to say, I am a kennedy man.

They ARE exensive, but no more so than a snap-on, waterloo, mac, etc.

And they are made right here in good ole OHIO, up in Van Wert. Nobody makes them for kennedy, Kennedy makes them themselves.

And no, I am not affiliated with them in anyway. I just think they make a toolbox that is as good as any other. And they are 100% made right here in the USA.

Kennedy Manufacturing Co.

My toolboxes are Gerstner. Kennedy is for the apprentice. When your tools are in a Gerstner, you've arrived in paycheck. Gerstner is in Dayton, Ohio by the way.

Going to have to take exception to that. Ive used and owned both Snappy and MAC branded IR. The snappy is just better. And only about $150 more than my MAC is. My MAC is good, but if i wasnt made a sweet offer i would have replaced my Snapon with a Snapon.



Thats not correct. Snapon runs their own foundry. They make most of their own tools. They do contract some "fringe" tools out, especially under the Bluepoint brand, But if it says SNAPON there's a 99% chance it was made in-house.

MAC Used to make most of their hardline tools. Air tools were always rebrands. But since Stan-ree tools bought them out, they've been gutted. I cant speak to where there hardline is made now, as i no longer have a MAC guy, so im not up on their current line. When we lost the MAC guy, alot of MAC's products were coming out of china.




Big differance re: snapon, see above




Williams (and Bahco and many others) are divisions of Snapon. Williams makes their tools in the USA.




Actually there is a VERY good chance that if its Snap-on its made in USA. Snapon-s bread and butter is screwdrivers, wrenches, ratchets and sockets. Theyre ALL made in the USA. Snap-on's website lists Country of Origin for all their tools. They dont hide this info.




Mixing up Bluepoint and Snap-on again? Bluepoint is the import / rebrand division of Snapon. The Bluepoint seal puller for example is EXACTLY the same as the Cman.



I believe thats made in a Snap-on plant. Those testers are either Mexican or out of Korea now. Theyre still a very fine tester. I dont have one, i use an old, Made in the USA Cliplight heavy duty that wont die. The long, coiled cord on the Snappy would be a selling point for me however.



Waterloo DOESNT make snapon boxes. Snap-on had a box plant in Ontario (which they just closed, thanks snapon). They moved that production to their Iowa (not Waterloo) plant i believe.

Waterloo does however make the Cman boxes. Ive worked out of a Waterloo box. Theyre fine boxes.

Actually i dont like Snap-on boxes. Lista absolutely destroys them in toughness and quality. But they arent flashy or as impressive to your peers.

I haven't drunk the red Koolaid, just want to set the record straight. My box is a mix of Snapon, MAC (USA) and Cman (USA). I dont support Harbor Freight (Princess Auto) very much. I do have a few of their tools, but theyre usually single/low use items.

I'll stand corrected then. I'm not a devout any brand person except for precision tools and then it's LSS, Weber or Mitituyo.

I have 4 roll around boxes with top chests, lets see, a Waterloo and 3 old line Crftsman plus 2 Gerstners, one mahogany and one oak, 3 lathes 2 milling machines, 2 surface grinders, a 3 axis CNC Haas, a LeBlond Frequency controlled servo shift, various presses, Mig, Tig, Smaw, OA, plasma, spray arc and a CNC plasma table not to mention 3 compressors, 2 reciprocating and one rotary..... and a couple employees too. Air conditioned in the summer and heated (floor heat) in the winter. I like to be comfortable and productive.

To think I started out in pre fabricated garden shed.

 

[LD1]

I'm not a devout any brand person except for precision tools and then it's LSS, Weber or Mitituyo.

No starrett?? Brown&Sharpe?? Fowler?? Lufkin? Tesa?

 

[seymojo536]

This is cyberland. We only need to be close.

Like everything else both physical and spoken, it's all be done before. Anything new is just a rehash.

Man, you weren't even in the right millenium. If you can't remember the past, then I suppose it would be a rehash to you.

 

[trook]

I tried to use Lowe's best IR, rated at 600 ft/lbs to break loose the blades on my MX6 rotary cutter. After it failed, I returned it and bought an aircat 1200 1/2 " drive from ebay. It's SUPPOSED to have 1200 ft/lbs of torque. I don't know if it actually does, but it DID slowly loosen the 1 1/2 inch nuts on my blades. :thumbsup: