Who here ACTUALLY OWNS a IR Hammerhead?

[jsonic6]

Okay, there's a couple of threads regarding the IR Hammerhead but seems like only one person on this board has actually used one in the real world, but he got his pre-recall. Has anyone since bought one of these (post-recall) and what is their impression of them. They seem to be back in stock at most online retailers. I'm very close to pulling the trigger and want to know if they are close to being "god's gift" to impacts for tight places... Thanks!

 

[Seanbev24]

I'd love to know as well. I was looking at 1 on the Snap-On truck yesterday and pretty much convinced myself that it belongs in my box.

 

[daveblank]

I have sold 5 so far. The 1st guy liked it so much that he showed it to two other techs in his shop that then they bought one. I played with it in that shop & was impressed. Try it, you'll be glad you did.

 

[jsonic6]

I have sold 5 so far. The 1st guy liked it so much that he showed it to two other techs in his shop that then they bought one. I played with it in that shop & was impressed. Try it, you'll be glad you did.

Yeah I have a feeling this might be my go-to air tool in the future...

 

[Teken]

I'll let you know with a real world review and a video in about 6 weeks.

 

[cascharrer]

I have the 1/2" drive one and like it but kind of wish i had got the 3/8" drive due to the size of the head. Has saved me a lot of time on several occasions.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have the 1/2" drive one and like it but kind of wish i had got the 3/8" drive due to the size of the head. Has saved me a lot of time on several occasions.

I believe the only difference between the 1/2" and 3/8" is the square drive, as far as i know the body/head is exactly the same.

(Someone correct me if i'm wrong, going by what i read on here when it came out.)

 

[cascharrer]

Yeah it is the same size with either drive, but what i intended was with a 3/8" drive socket it would have a overall smaller size. I have ran into a few spots were a thinner socket would have be easier to use.

 

[marcusicp]

I believe the only difference between the 1/2" and 3/8" is the square drive, as far as i know the body/head is exactly the same.

(Someone correct me if i'm wrong, going by what i read on here when it came out.)

My Matco guy told me the same thing when they first came out. I plan on getting both as soon as I get some other things on my list.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Yeah it is the same size with either drive, but what i intended was with a 3/8" drive socket it would have a overall smaller size. I have ran into a few spots were a thinner socket would have be easier to use.

Ah, ok.

I see what you mean.

 

[jsonic6]

Yeah it is the same size with either drive, but what i intended was with a 3/8" drive socket it would have a overall smaller size. I have ran into a few spots were a thinner socket would have be easier to use.

That is pretty much what I was thinking... The 3/8 would be the way to go due to the smaller socket sizes and for it to fit in tighter spots. I could of used one on many occasions hence me wanting to get one... Real bad.

 

[marcusicp]

That is pretty much what I was thinking... The 3/8 would be the way to go due to the smaller socket sizes and for it to fit in tighter spots. I could of used one on many occasions hence me wanting to get one... Real bad.

I agree and plan to get the 3/8" version first however, the 1/2" version will be good for when you don't have a 3/8" socket big enough like a crank pulley bolt.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have the 3/8 drive version. I gave it to me as a Christmas present.
What are your questions? It's in my cart at work.
I like it. It is a little on the cumbersome side because it's a lot bigger than an air ratchet. I used it on a two brake jobs yesterday. I tried to remove crossover bracket bolts with it, no go. I think it has potential. I assume that mine is post recall as the place I got it from was out of stock for quite awhile before I snagged one.

 

[fordbroncodave]

i wonder if they will display this at the northern tool and equipment store? can't wait to try it.

it would be impressive to take lug nuts off with it

 

[Damian]

I have the next step down from the Hammerhead, and it's PLENTY strong for a 3/8" air ratchet. I can't really wrap my head around why somebody needs that much balls in an air ratchet.

 

[canuckian]

I've been lusting after one but can't bring myself to pull the trigger until i get to see one and try it. Nobody locally carries them yet so I'll guess I'll keep waiting

 

[Skin]

I have the next step down from the Hammerhead, and it's PLENTY strong for a 3/8" air ratchet. I can't really wrap my head around why somebody needs that much balls in an air ratchet.

think of it more as an impact gun in an air ratchet frame. I can see benefit in the fact that it wont slam my hand into any obstructions alone let alone the additional power.

Plus in the rust belt, you'd take any additional help you can get and believe me, impact blows are far far better than relying on raw torque to break a fastener lose.

 

[Damian]

/\ - I can agree with that. The worst is when your ratchet slams your hand into a non-moving object with your finger stuck on the trigger. I've had that happen a time or two.

 

[Skin]

having the ratchet back into an obstruction is a fun one too. The IR's selector is part of the handle as opposed to being on the back of the head.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

having the ratchet back into an obstruction is a fun one too. The IR's selector is part of the handle as opposed to being on the back of the head.

that would have been handy to have on a air ratchet a couple times. can't wait to get one.

 

[Damian]

I'd like to see one in person. It looks so big it wouldn't even fit in most places.

 

[srmofo]

Ive got one. Handy as hell

I kinda wish I would have gotten the 1/2 inch for head bolts and crank bolts, but it seems to work just as well with an adapter on it.

It will remove lugnuts. Im a little afraid to tighten anything up with it yet because I havent figured out its power yet. Low setting is 45 high is 100 and something. Basically it can and will snap bolts off. If Im using it rather than a regular impact, Im in a tight spot. The last thing I want to do is break a bolt. This is especially tru since I got the 3/8s model and Im using it on smaller fasteners

So far Ive pulled engine mount bolts, a few break jobs on the caliper brackets, and even got those stubborn chevy rear caliper bracket bolts. The ones with the yellow loctite.

It is rather bulky for an air rachet, but it has really smooth contoured lines that seem to let it "slip" into tight spots.

Like someone else mentioned the direction lever is on the handle and its a slide collar. Thats really the only thing I dont like about it. It should be switch or lever. Its kinda cumbersome to change directions

Well that and the fact I paid $350 for it because I couldnt find it anywhere, and when I finally did I impulse bought it without shopping around. Stupid toolman knowing my weaknesses.

If I make it to the shop tomorrow Ill post some pics with a tape measure to show size

 

[Marlin]

If you follow this link to the literature on the Hammerhead, it shows you a good comparrison of the size vs. a ratchet and pistol grip impact.
http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/_downloads/IRIT10019_HammerheadBroch_12.pdf

 

[Seanbev24]

One thing I noticed when holding it on the truck was it felt good in my hand. It wasn't as bulky or heavy as I had imagined from the pictures.

Some people need to stop thinking of the Hammerhead as an air ratchet with a huge head. It's more like the shortest impact gun ever made.

 

[mrholeshot]

If I was still a working technician I would probably own it. I just can't justify the purchace. It would probably go bad sitting in my toolbox waiting on something to use it on. Most of my own stuff I have plenty of room to work. Glad to see some real world reports on it

 

[HAP]

Picked up the 3/8 drive Hammerhead last week at Sears. Happen to be killing time in the mall with wife shopping and came accross the the clearence area. They had it priced at $149.00, Took it to the register to see if this was the actual clearence price and they scaned it and said it was $49.95...
Used it today to do some exhaust and suspension work; it is like this thing was made for these jobs. Quite the tool!
Just glad I found it after looking at all kinds of stuff that I would never buy just to kill time that day
R,
HAP

 

[Toolhorder]

I'm not impressed with mine.

 

[Jawn]

Picked up the 3/8 drive Hammerhead last week at Sears. Happen to be killing time in the mall with wife shopping and came accross the the clearence area. They had it priced at $149.00, Took it to the register to see if this was the actual clearence price and they scaned it and said it was $49.95...

You ****!

 

[greasemonkey44]

the boss at work has one; i havent been that impressed
but he uses the hell out of it
just not enough torque

 

[HAP]

I actually removed some 15/16" suspension nuts! It took a few hitts but they came off. The other 18mm nuts were no problem at all. I think it will be the "choice tool" for lawn mower blade bolts...

 

[GeneralDisorder]

I've had the 1/2" for a year or more - bought it specifically for my Subaru shop to do cam pulley and crank pulley bolts with the engine in the car. Works well for what it is. Sometimes its still not powerful enough to break them loose but its quite a useful tool overall.

GD

 

[Reality Sucks]

I was thinking of buying one my self. A friend in a neighboring shop stopped by and i asked if i could try it out. He said it was broken, he bought a first gen with bad seals. He has another on order with the matco man, So once he gets it in we will see. Ive seen them on line for 250 ish, not the 380 my matco man is asking. I just cant pay that mark up. I dont expect it to do wonders, but would be great for those suburu t belts as mentions above.

 

[Hammell]

anyone got a picture?

 

[Skin]

its worth it for brake jobs alone.

 

[SS5150]

I've had mine for about 6 months, a 3/8. Truthfully it's not as good as I had hoped, just not enough power.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I've got one in 3/8 drive; use it quite a bit for removing ac/alt mounting bolts in engine compartments. Can get in tight areas when I would have previously had to use hand tools.

It could use a little more power though.

I use a 3/8-1/2 grey thin convertor when I need to use 1/2 drive sockets on it.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Since this thread was first put up I've acquired a 3/8'' HammerHead. It is a strong tool and the speed is awesome. It struggles to loosen some common everyday fasteners but for the most part it chews them up and spits them out. I think this tool would be a lot better if you could manually break loose the fastener like with a regular air ratchet.