Any pneumatic impact wrench recommendations?

[SGT Estum]

I'm in the market for an impact wrench and having a hard time deciding on which one to buy. Wondering if anyone here has one they use and would recommend.

I realize there's a full range of products out there ranging from cheap Chinese crap to Ingersoll Rand. So, to frame it up a bit, here's what I've got in mind:

• Made in USA, if at all possible.
• Affordable - this will be used mostly for tire lugs in my not-professional garage. Under $100 would be nice.
• Capable of removing lug nuts torqued on to 150 ft/lbs
• Able to run off of my 30 gallon air compressor that produces 6.2 SCFM @ 40 PSI, 5.3 SCFM @ 90 PSI

I posted this in the CUCV section because I'll be using the tool on my M1009 and similar sized equipment. There're lots of impact wrench threads on The Deuce forum but those guys are all talking 3/4" or 1" drive units which is a bit more than I need.

Any thoughts welcome!

 

[Recovry4x4]

American made for under a C.note is unlikely. If you do buy the chinese crap, I have had great results with the Harbor Freight Earthquake brand. My half inch has been rode hard and put away wet. The 3/8 hasn't been abused yet.

 

[Derrickl112]

I just bought an Ingersoll-Rand part number 2130 impact. Cost me $135 on ebay brand new...

I have not had a chance to try it out yet though..

 

[bones1]

This will do ya just fine http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2130-2-Inch-Heavy-Duty-Impact/dp/B0002UNR6W

 

[SGT Estum]

has been rode hard and put away wet.

You've got my attention...

 

[998Junkie]

I'm in the market for an impact wrench and having a hard time deciding on which one to buy. Wondering if anyone here has one they use and would recommend.

I realize there's a full range of products out there ranging from cheap Chinese crap to Ingersoll Rand. So, to frame it up a bit, here's what I've got in mind:

• Made in USA, if at all possible.
• Affordable - this will be used mostly for tire lugs in my not-professional garage. Under $100 would be nice.
• Capable of removing lug nuts torqued on to 150 ft/lbs
• Able to run off of my 30 gallon air compressor that produces 6.2 SCFM @ 40 PSI, 5.3 SCFM @ 90 PSI

I posted this in the CUCV section because I'll be using the tool on my M1009 and similar sized equipment. There're lots of impact wrench threads on The Deuce forum but those guys are all talking 3/4" or 1" drive units which is a bit more than I need.

Any thoughts welcome!

I have a cheap HF unit and I got the most compact 1/2 drive unit I could get. With socket and the fan off I was able to get the harmonic balancer bolt off with no issues, tight but it did it.

Consider size and clearance issues when choosing.

1/2" Twin Hammer Air Impact Wrench

 

[NDT]

Even Ingersoll Rand is made in Taiwan. I do not think there are any Made in USA small air tools anymore. How sad. Hit up your local pawn shop, you will find some nice tools cheap. Offer half the asking price.

 

[Buzz]

I am a loyal fan of Ingersoll- Rand!
this is a classic and the price is good and anything over 99 bucks is free shippinghttp://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-14192-ingersoll-rand-231c.aspx

 

[Nonotagain]

Even Ingersoll Rand is made in Taiwan. I do not think there are any Made in USA small air tools anymore. How sad. Hit up your local pawn shop, you will find some nice tools cheap. Offer half the asking price.

Low end and some mid priced IR are made in China, Taiwan, and Japan.
High end, high torque IR tools are still USA made.
Older Snap-on and Chicago pneumatic air tools were USA made.

 

[PaladinMan187]

When I was a tech for Honda I bought a IngersolRand 2135ti and its a hard gun to kill if you oil it every day you use it. It was pricy as **** seeing as I bought the first one in my state/region off the tool truck *ten years ago* but its been well worth it. And you can buy rebuild kits. BUT they can be expensive. And the make a quiet model of the same gun.

 

[out of the way ja]

NDT- just fyi ingersoll-rand is still made in rock hill sc. off the top of my head i can not recall the name of the plant making them but i deliver there big generators and compressors localy and come cross boxes on boxes of defects. but alas even thoes cambell walmart brands are ok, you want a good one that will last find a tool truck ie snap-on/matco/mac.

 

[unaffiliated]

I like Chicago Pew-Matics. I had one that I used everyday working on Mercedes, almost NEVER oiled it (once a year MAYBE) and it lasted 20 plus years. I found the exact same model on Fleabay for $25.00 (used of course) and snapped it up quick. Works like a charm.

 

[acesneights1]

I am a loyal fan of Ingersoll- Rand!
this is a classic and the price is good and anything over 99 bucks is free shippingIngersoll-Rand 231C 1/2" Super Duty Air Impact Wrench

All I have ever used for the last 20 years. It is the industry standard IMHO. In fact the older Mac guns were knockoffs of it. It is the toughest 1/2 gun out there. It is also a cinch to rebuild when the time comes.

 

[Buzz]

All I have ever used for the last 20 years. It is the industry standard IMHO. In fact the older Mac guns were knockoffs of it. It is the toughest 1/2 gun out there. It is also a cinch to rebuild when the time comes.

My first Ingersoll was issued in the Army in around 1987, and I have been using them ever since, they make up 80% of my air tool arsenal. In my opinion you can buy snap on but pound for pound Ingersoll wins and is cheaper

If your looking for a 3/8 air ratchet, then snap on makes one that is probably the best Ive used, but recently I bought a hammerhead impact from IR and it has become one of my favorites. Remember like everything you get what you pay for.

 

[Nonotagain]

The advantage that Snap-On, MAC, and Cornwall have over air tool makes is being able to make weekly payments and having the tool dealer stop in to see you once a week.

The Snap-On IM51 and IM510 are the same internally as the Chicago Pneumatic CP 734 gun.

I repaired air tools for my Snap-On dealer to offset my tool bill.

The best impact gun is the one you get the cheapest and get the best service out of. Keep it oiled and supplied with a 3/8" air line and all will be well.

 

[91W350]

I have been running a 1/2" drive Snap On that I bought in a Pawn Shop several years ago. I also picked up a 3/8" Snap On impact and two 3/8" ratchets, a 1/4" Snappy impact and a 1/4" ratchet. That 1/4" stuff is incredibly handy, I use it way more than I ever dreamed I would. The 3/8" impact is probably my least used air tool. Glen

 

[Gunner0311]

2/3 inch the best

I found 1/2 inch drive units did not have the power I needed at times, so I jumped up to 3/4 inch. The 3/4 inch will spin off bearing seal nuts and that pesky nut that holds
the u-joint on the differential.

The only 3/4 I found under $100 was at Harbor Freight. I had my reservations
when i bought it last summer, but it works great! I can hook it up to the Glad Hand
on either my M109A3 or my M52A2 and the air brake system with power it enough to spin off the lug nuts with ease.

 

[91W350]

If they used a big truck stop or tire shop impact wrench to run the nuts on, my 1/2 Snap On will just beat the corners of the nuts round. It is not enough ooomph. For that I have a 42" 1" breaker bar.

 

[acesneights1]

I have had Snap on, CP and IR. for a 1/2 gun IR231c has won every time. While Snap On does make a better air ratchet it can break bolts as well as hands. The IR ratchets are junk IMHO. Good for 6 months of heavy use at best before the gears strip. The Chinese stuff...Garbage IMHO.. Just my .02

 

[quickfarms]

I use an IR one that is 20 years old now, all I do is oil it every now and then