IR 2235QTI vs DCF961 purchase decision

[308guru]

I’m in the market for a higher torque impact. I’ve had a 2135QTiMAX for many years and it has served me well. There have been a few instances where more torque would have been better, and some upcoming suspension work on my truck has me longing for more.

Decision, Decisions…….

I’m narrowed down to two choices:
2235QTiMAX or join the cordless crowd with a DCF961.

2235QTiMAX pros:
- I love airtools and the nostalgic sound/feel when using them. Ultimately a dumb reason to pick one though.
- Smaller, easier to fit in tighter spaces
- Lighter
- Seemingly will last forever.
- A lot cheaper (~$280) vs. DCF961 (~$350 + ~$220 8ah)

DCF961 pros:
- More torque than the 2235QTiMAX (I think?)
- No hose to drag around
- No hose to drag around

Thoughts from anyone who’s been in this predicament before?

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have the DCF961 and a half inch air impact. My thoughts:

I love the DCF961. It has a comical amount of power, and there's no hose to drag around or roll back up when I'm done. But it's big and it's certainly heavy, especially with a socket and battery on it. Not something I'd want to carry around all day. Truthfully, this thing has more power than I need 99% of the time. The "just snug" (or whatever they call it) setting is nice for wheel lugs. I would not use this tool with chrome sockets, cheap sockets, or cheap universals. There will likely be shrapnel. I already had the batteries so buying it wasnt too painful. Dewalt finally released a protective boot for it.

I've had an IR 2131 forever. Works great. But I haven't used it since I got the DCF961...

 

[ecotec]

I use my Milwaukee cordless impacts pretty much exclusively. I rarely turn on the compressor anymore, unless I’m using a polisher, blow gun, or sander. On a rare occasion, I will pull out my air die grinders, if my cordless ones are bogging down. I almost forgot my air hammer…

I can’t remember the last time I used a pneumatic impact or ratchet.

If I was going to upgrade my 1/2” impact, it would be the 2235QTIMAX. The extra money for the noise reduction is worth it.

 

[308guru]

I'm fully invested in Dewalt already and have some new 5ah and 6ah batteries already. I could allocate the 6ah to a DCF961 exclusively if I wanted to skip the purchase of a new 8ah.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I'm fully invested in Dewalt already and have some new 5ah and 6ah batteries already. I could allocate the 6ah to a DCF961 exclusively if I wanted to skip the purchase of a new 8ah.

That is exactly what I did.

 

[charbar]

Is this going to be your only impact or do you have a smaller one and you are just wanting to add something with more wang to your arsenal? I ask because the DCF961 is completely impractical if it is your only impact. It is way to big to fit into a lot of places and it is a heavy sumbish too. I only pull mine out if I need the extra torque and don't need/want to drag out my 3/4" air gun.

 

[308guru]

I'm all set for mid/low torque.
DCF921 1/2"
DCF923 3/8"
3453-20 1/4" hex

 

[Wrench97]

If you go with the IR drop the Q the 2235TiMax puts out more torque then the QTiMax

 

[308guru]

If you go with the IR drop the Q the 2235TiMax puts out more torque then the QTiMax

No. I want the Q.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd go 961 and just run it with the batteries you have.

Air makes sense for guys that are running the tool all day, but otherwise it's cordless for me. I'll take the shorter expected life and weight hit.

 

[Rinspeed]

Aircat.

 

[ecotec]

No. I want the Q.

I don’t blame you.

 

[Wrench97]

No. I want the Q.

Sorry I thought you asked for more Torque.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Air and cordless have different behavior. Don't ditch the other 1/2 air if you buy the Dewalt.

 

[mike93lx]

Sorry I thought you asked for more Torque.

Pretty sure there is little difference in power between the two but a big difference in noise

 

[jblnut]

I use my Ryobi 1/2” brushless impact all the time and love it. I can’t believe it can do what it does. I know we’re not talking about Ryobi stuff here but if it can loosen lug bolts torqued to 600ft/lbs I’d sure think that DeWalt one could as well.

I get out the 1” impact for the big stuff. I took a chance on a Vevor impact and can’t believe how well it’s built for being $128 shipped. I checked it with a 10’ pipe and my 275lb self on the end and it moved less than a 1/8 turn when I gently stepped on.

 

[Hohn]

Aircat 1750k.

	1750k	DCF961
Drive Size	3/4	1/2
Weight	9#	12.4#
Size	Shorter	Longer
Noise	Quieter	Louder
Vibration	Smoother	Will numb your hand
Durability	Industrial, lasts forever	not so much
Cost	$425	??
Compatibility	Any air compressor with a 20+ gallon tank	?? batteries, varying performance with them

If you truly need high torque and want it to be useful and durable and cost less in the long run, the answer seems clear enough. The 1750k will never have a battery issue. It won't burn up anvil and hog out socket drives because it has the proper 3/4" drive appropriate to the torque range. If you need to use extensions, you'll loses a lot less power with 3/4 extensions than with 1/2." Heck, you can adapt the 3/4" down to 1/2" and still have more torque and less transmission loss than most 1/2" guns with any extension.

It's quiet (90db), SUPER SMOOTH (you have to use a pin clutch Aircat to really appreciate a low-vibration impact-- there's nothing out there quite as smooth in common use).
There's just something about the larger drive sizes too-- in the real world they just hit much harder. I think the small drives flex a bit and lose some grunt.
If you really have heavy duty work for suspension and such where 1/2" won't get the job done, you don't need a more powerful 1/2", you need 3/4".

Tekton's 3/4" impact sockets go as low as 13mm and 1/2", the small enough to bring the hurt to almost any common suspension or chassis fastener.

 

[308guru]

I thought the original ask for opinions was pretty clear. IR2235 vs DCF961. Not Aircat, not Ryobi, not 3/4” drive, not favorite ketchup, not this, not that.

 

[mike93lx]

I thought the original ask for opinions was pretty clear. IR2235 vs DCF961. Not Aircat, not Ryobi, not 3/4” drive, not favorite ketchup, not this, not that.

I get the frustration, I've been there. But it's a discussion board with a lot of people and you will always get posts that are outside of the original scope. It's always been the case in forums and always will be

 

[Hohn]

I thought the original ask for opinions was pretty clear. IR2235 vs DCF961. Not Aircat, not Ryobi, not 3/4” drive, not favorite ketchup, not this, not that.

Best of luck to you. I'm sorry I wasted my time.

 

[908Jim]

I thought the original ask for opinions was pretty clear. IR2235 vs DCF961. Not Aircat, not Ryobi, not 3/4” drive, not favorite ketchup, not this, not that.

The answer depends on whether the 961 is meant to replace your 2135 or supplement it.

Have you ever used a 961 with a full size (6+ ah) battery? The 961 isn't a tool I'd want to hold or try to maneuver on a regular basis if I could avoid it. It's huge, to the point of being unreasonable for day to day use. I doubt you'll find many automotive techs using a 961 as their primary impact for this exact reason. The guys I know well use mid torques.

If you need more power and you're unwilling to consider any other 1/2s impacts than what you've listed or a 3/4 impact, get the 961 and just understand it's huge. If you're 2135 is shot and needs to be replaced, Id go 2235 (since you aren't asking about anything else) because it will cover everything you're 2135 did and will fit plenty of places the 961 won't for jobs your 921 can't handle.

 

[charbar]

If you still have your old IR air gun then get the Dewalt I say.

If you don't have your old IR anymore you basically need to decide yourself what is more important.....If fitting into tight areas is a priority you need to get the new IR. If being mobile is a bigger priority and you arent worried about getting into tight spots then I would get the Dewalt. Really it's only downfall in this situation is it's size.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

961
You're on the battery platform already
If you only need it for occasional heavy spot work, grab it and go - no hose
You have your mid/low torque needs covered
It'll do the job and move you on with life


My lineup is 899. 894, and 885.

 

[308guru]

The answer depends on whether the 961 is meant to replace your 2135 or supplement it.

Have you ever used a 961 with a full size (6+ ah) battery? The 961 isn't a tool I'd want to hold or try to maneuver on a regular basis if I could avoid it. It's huge, to the point of being unreasonable for day to day use. I doubt you'll find many automotive techs using a 961 as their primary impact for this exact reason. The guys I know well use mid torques.

If you need more power and you're unwilling to consider any other 1/2s impacts than what you've listed or a 3/4 impact, get the 961 and just understand it's huge. If you're 2135 is shot and needs to be replaced, Id go 2235 (since you aren't asking about anything else) because it will cover everything you're 2135 did and will fit plenty of places the 961 won't for jobs your 921 can't handle.

A new tool will supplement the 2135. I still have it and it's in great shape. That said, it might not see much use if I have a 2235/961 for the big jobs and then the DCF921 which I seem to use for almost everything.

I have never held a 961 with a big battery but based on pictures and what I've read it's a behemoth.

 

[308guru]

If you still have your old IR air gun then get the Dewalt I say.

If you don't have your old IR anymore you basically need to decide yourself what is more important.....If fitting into tight areas is a priority you need to get the new IR. If being mobile is a bigger priority and you arent worried about getting into tight spots then I would get the Dewalt. Really it's only downfall in this situation is it's size.

I do have my 2135 still and it's in good shape.

All of your other comments are good points. Thank you.

 

[charbar]

Just for shlits and giggles I weighed my DCF900 on my freon scale....7.485 lbs with a 5aH battery. I actually figured it weighed more than that. My Cornwell branded IR 1/2" air gun weighs 4.295


I think my DCF900 and the 961s are basically the same gun other than power rating.

 

[Wrench97]

Pretty sure there is little difference in power between the two but a big difference in noise

50-75 lbft, if it's only used for high torque needs, then most of the time you're using smaller quieter tools like the 2135QTI he already has.

 

[308guru]

50-75 lbft, if it's only used for high torque needs, then most of the time you're using smaller quieter tools like the 2135QTI he already has.

30-50 ft.lb. according to the specs, but who’s counting at that point.

 

[mike93lx]

30-50 ft.lb. according to the specs, but who’s counting at that point.

Yeah, so basically within the margin of error, I bet.

But 10db is huge. That's half the volume. I do like that they added a decimal for the Q just so they could make it look better

 

[Hohn]

Yeah, so basically within the margin of error, I bet.

But 10db is huge. That's half the volume. I go like that they added a decimal for the Q just so they could make it look better

10db is huge.

I always wear ear plugs working with air tools but even still a strongly prefer quieter tools. This was a big part of my moving towards aircats for several items.

 

[908Jim]

A new tool will supplement the 2135. I still have it and it's in great shape. That said, it might not see much use if I have a 2235/961 for the big jobs and then the DCF921 which I seem to use for almost everything.

I have never held a 961 with a big battery but based on pictures and what I've read it's a behemoth.

Check out the pics from @charbar above. It's huge. With that said, I don't think there's enough difference between a 2135 and 2235 (regular or quiet) in real world (TTC video) tests to justify the purchase if you already have a functioning 2135.

My vote is keep using your 2135 and either get the 961, knowing it's large and heavy, or get a more powerful and louder 1/2 like the Thor G2 for $200 (if you have the air to support it) and tolerate the noise in the rare case your 2135 won't cut it. I can't see a case where the 2235 is a worthwhile upgrade over the 2135 unless the 2135 is just tired.

 

[speed bump]

I'm pretty sure I have a dcf961 and I can't remember the last time I used my 1/2" air gun. I mostly run it with a 5 a-hr battery or a 6a-hr flex volt. Does all the homeowner things pretty well.

1/2" air guns have a place but good electric impacts definitely have made it much smaller. I was in our work tool crib the other day and half the 1/2" impact guns have been raided for the hose connections they get used so little.

 

[WWheeler]

FWIW

The Dewalt DCF961 still ranks #1 in Torque Test Channel rankings of 1/2" high-torque impacts, battery or pneumatic with a *max torque of 929 ft lbs and a **BCS run of 1015 ft lbs.
test video:

IR 2235TiMAX (w/o the Q) currently ranks 27th with a *Max torque at 618 ft lbs and a **BCS run of 780 ft lbs.
test video:

* Max torque is an industry standard 10 second reverse test
** BCS (Best Case Scenario) where they do 15 seconds with ideal conditions (highest available AH battery or really high line pressure on air tools).

A major difference between them will be in how jarring that DCF961 can be. It's not a tame beast.

The Dewalt DCF900 (Max 815 ft lbs and BCS 895 ft lbs) is a LOT easier to handle and can likewise tackle just about everything.

edit: add current chart & link to original test vids

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have the DCF961 and a half inch air impact. My thoughts:

I love the DCF961. It has a comical amount of power, and there's no hose to drag around or roll back up when I'm done. But it's big and it's certainly heavy, especially with a socket and battery on it. Not something I'd want to carry around all day. Truthfully, this thing has more power than I need 99% of the time. The "just snug" (or whatever they call it) setting is nice for wheel lugs. I would not use this tool with chrome sockets, cheap sockets, or cheap universals. There will likely be shrapnel. I already had the batteries so buying it wasnt too painful. Dewalt finally released a protective boot for it.

I've had an IR 2131 forever. Works great. But I haven't used it since I got the DCF961...

I thought of this thread today.

I pulled out the DCF961, 6amp battery, and put a deep impact socket on it and I almost didnt want to use it because it was so damn heavy.

Maybe it's because it's 95* out.
Maybe It's because I just spent 2 hours mowing the lawn.
Maybe it's because I'm getting old.

Or maybe its just really damn heavy. Either way, wasn't worth dragging out an air hose for a 10 second mower blade swap.

 

[Marlin]

Aircat 1750k.

	1750k	DCF961
Drive Size	3/4	1/2
Weight	9#	12.4#
Size	Shorter	Longer
Noise	Quieter	Louder
Vibration	Smoother	Will numb your hand
Durability	Industrial, lasts forever	not so much
Cost	$425	??
Compatibility	Any air compressor with a 20+ gallon tank	?? batteries, varying performance with them

If you truly need high torque and want it to be useful and durable and cost less in the long run, the answer seems clear enough. The 1750k will never have a battery issue. It won't burn up anvil and hog out socket drives because it has the proper 3/4" drive appropriate to the torque range. If you need to use extensions, you'll loses a lot less power with 3/4 extensions than with 1/2." Heck, you can adapt the 3/4" down to 1/2" and still have more torque and less transmission loss than most 1/2" guns with any extension.

It's quiet (90db), SUPER SMOOTH (you have to use a pin clutch Aircat to really appreciate a low-vibration impact-- there's nothing out there quite as smooth in common use).
There's just something about the larger drive sizes too-- in the real world they just hit much harder. I think the small drives flex a bit and lose some grunt.
If you really have heavy duty work for suspension and such where 1/2" won't get the job done, you don't need a more powerful 1/2", you need 3/4".

Tekton's 3/4" impact sockets go as low as 13mm and 1/2", the small enough to bring the hurt to almost any common suspension or chassis fastener.

No way the sound will be lower. And why would you recommend a lower torque 3/4" impact in place of a 1/2" impact?

 

[Hohn]

No way the sound will be lower. And why would you recommend a lower torque 3/4" impact in place of a 1/2" impact?

NO way the sound will be lower? Because you say so? Have you used a pin clutch Aircat? Do you own one? Have you compared it to a cordless impact?

I own a pin clutch Aircat (the 1/2 drive version of what I recommended). It's ABSOLUTELY quieter than my cordless impacts when they start rattling. The Aircat's mechanism sits in an oil bath. So unless the DeWalt is magically quieter than every other cordless impact, it's quite likely that the Aircat is quieter and not by a little. It's also much, much smoother and with less vibration.

As for why I recommend the 3/4, I won't bother requoting the post of mine you quoted; you didn't read it the first time, so a second time seems pointless.

 

[rlitman]

...I own a pin clutch Aircat (the 1/2 drive version of what I recommended). It's ABSOLUTELY quieter than my cordless impacts when they start rattling. The Aircat's mechanism sits in an oil bath...

My Snap On IM5100's mechanism sits in an oil bath too, and that cursed tool makes way more noise than torque, but I think most of that comes from the air motor.

My Aircat 1000TH (admittedly not TC) is quieter than my IR 2135TiMax, and the 1000TH already works at a comfortable volume for most uses, but is louder than my 2235QTiMax which is quiet enough for me not to be concerned about using it late on summer nights.

OTOH, I know someone with a cordless SnapOn 1/2" impact that's so quiet pulling lug nuts that I think my grunting using hand tools would be louder.

 

[Hohn]

Yes, air motors are loud unless they do something to tame it (as the QTI IR guns do, the Aircats do, and some others).

We have the luxury of focusing on mechanism rattle noise only because the air motors are quieter now.

I believe you when you say the Snappy cordless is quiet. The IR cordless IIRC is pretty quiet too. But neither my Makitas nor any DeWalt AFAIK are in that same class.