IR 2131 - A good impact wrench?

[bczygan]

Local guy has an Ingersoll Rand 1/2" Impact wrench for sale for $80.

He repairs impacts )Lots of CL ads) and says this is a good one, like one he uses and it's been rolling around in his work truck. That's why it doesn't look so good.

I'm a beginning home mechanic with a Porter Cable pancake compressor and want to increase my capability to get old rusted parts off my car.
This a good one for my use?
Good price?

Bill

 

[woody 73]

All my air tools are CP,but from all the talk on the GJ, IR tools are the best thing since sliced bread! So I would say that is a very nice tool. As for the price again my knowledge is more in line with CP tools but see if you could get it down a little bit more in price.

 

[tonydanzah]

you pancake compressor with not have enough volume to run that

 

[bczygan]

you pancake compressor with not have enough volume to run that

Will it run it as a stop gap with lots of time in between trigger pulls?

All my air tools are CP,but from all the talk on the GJ, IR tools are the best thing since sliced bread! So I would say that is a very nice tool. As for the price again my knowledge is more in line with CP tools but see if you could get it down a little bit more in price.

He claims he has two of these, one bought in 95 that he still uses and this one he bought new 5 years ago and never used. Won't move on price. He will clean it up and ask $100.
My mistake, he is NOT the guy who fixes these up, but just a tech who uses them. Says it's been rolling around in his truck.

 

[tonydanzah]

it will turn it but, I dont think the volume will be there to spin it at full power even at a short burst.

 

[jon1996]

Damn fine gun there, I have had one for about 6 years, nothing ever went wrong, I oil it everytime before I use it

 

[fflintstone]

A new one is $200+; I would want to test it out with his large compressor. They still make it and parts are available. Depending on the gallon size of your compressor you may be iffy using it.
My dewalt (Imglo) 4 gallon pancake compressor will run my IR thundergun no problem.
A new HF copy of the thundergun is $89 and goes on sale for $69

 

[amolaver]

for something that looks that ratty on the outside, i'd want to see the insides before plunking down money. unless i was really sure the insides were in great shape, i wouldn't spend the money there. while they are tough, if its really sat for 5 years, i'd guess there is rust inside which certainly won't help its performance.

i have a 2131qt and love it. its not as powerful as the 2135, but mine has done everything i've asked of it. your pancake will not be able to get the best out of it by a long shot, but it will turn fasteners. that said, you might be better off with HF's 25" 1/2" breaker bar on sale in most places for like $6. or get an IR231 and a better compressor. a new 231 is just a few sheckles more than that 2131 and has been serving pros for a long time.

you might also consider the aircat's 'nitrocat' line of impacts. i think they're mid-range 1/2" is ~$150. i bought the 3/8 nitrocat and much prefer using it to the 1/2" just because it is so much lighter. doesn't have the grunt (but has handled everything up to 19mm i've tried), but i can swing it all day and my arm/hand don't hurt. i don't think they'll hold up as well as the IR, but since i don't swing it for a living, it will probably outlast me.

ahm

 

[tonydanzah]

A new one is $200+; I would want to test it out with his large compressor. They still make it and parts are available. Depending on the gallon size of your compressor you may be iffy using it.
My dewalt (Imglo) 4 gallon pancake compressor will run my IR thundergun no problem.
A new HF copy of the thundergun is $89 and goes on sale for $69

go for it

 

[bczygan]

Thanks all. I appreciate the knowledgeable information, and welcome any one else who wishes to chime in. I would have to rob Peter to Pay Paul to get this before Friday, so I will probably pass for now and read up on IR's. I did a search in the CL with his phone and he is selling a lot of items. Either needs money bad, is moving or does CL sales for a living. So I'm not sure on this one. He also has a 3/4" ENGERSOLL RAND IMPACK 3/4 INCH (LIKE NEW) WITH SOCKETS (USA MADE) ($275 DOLLARS).

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/2155117299.html

 

[peterbilr98]

i wount pay that much for that gun by the looks the guy doesnt take care of things probably layed out in the wether had water in it internal parts could be rusty or pited i wouldnt give more than 25.00 bucks for that gun i have a 2135 ti these guns are great if there taken care of if i was starting out with a small budget i would buy a hf earthquake for 89.00 new and use 20% off coupon or keep checking ebay for adeal on a good ir on a compressor forget the pancake wont work get a 20 gal or bigger hf sears ect.

 

[MotoDave]

I picked up a 2130QT off of a member on here, in much better shape, for about $100 shipped. I say keep looking, that one looks beat to hell.

In my experience, having a small air compressor makes it even more important to get a decent gun, as the cheap weak guns use/waste more air.

 

[MrMark]

I just saw that unit in Sears for 199 new. You could get 10 percent off that too so that takes it down to 180. That one pictured looks like a POS, I wouldn't want it. It is probably worth about $40 realistically, maybe less. I wouldn't pay anything, but offer $25. I can barely run a 1/2 impact with my 25 gallon compressor, and it is souped up with V fittings and a Wilkerson regulator. Good luck with the pancake.

 

[Chatt69chgr]

It's a good tool. As stated, you need plenty of air to operate it to full power. I have a IR231 I bought 25 years ago and even with my 2HP 20 gallon Sears compressor, it won't break lug nuts loose. The problem with old air tools is that you don't know if they have gotten water in them and rusted the insides. Now that tool is probably rebuildable but there are virtually exact copies of it at Harbor Freight now. Get one of those (after you get a decent air supply) and when it goes bad, get another one. That's what weve come to in the air tool arena. Or buy a really good one but make sure you have a air supply that won't introduce water into the tool.

 

[billymade]

That is my primary impact; awesome, light and gets most everything off I need to! It was a big improvement over my old Snap-On IM51A impact.... great gun!

 

[Damian]

That gun looks rough. I'd probably pass on it if I were you. Mainly due to the rusty/tarnished finish. No telling how much moisture exposure the internal guts have seen.

That said, the 2131 is a great gun. It's only a few hairs behind the 2135ti, which is saying a lot considering the 2135 is probably in the top 3 most powerfull 1/2" impacts on the market today.

So if you want a 2131, get one. Great guns. I just wouldn't buy that one.

 

[Stephenw]

I have a 2131. It's been a great gun as far as performance goes, real powerful. My only gripe is the forward and reverse buttons have always rattled out (the one that is not pushed in falls out).

The gun that you pictured looks well beat.

 

[mrholeshot]

I had one of these before the 2135 came out, good gun. 80 dollars is too much. If I was able to try it out and it worked well I'd do 35 dollars. I make it a habit to try to stay away from air tools unless they are fairly new. I'd probably pass

 

[billymade]

I don't think it is uncommon for the noses on those to rust; because the paint or finish comes off.... everyone of them I have seen used... look like bare metal... so if moisture got to it, it wouldn't take long to rust! I cleaned the nose up on mine when I got it used (it rusted right away when water got splashed on it!) and so I put a rubber cover on it to protect it!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E0TC9G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I would see if you can test the tool before you buy.... OR the other strategy is to buy it real cheap and inexpensive enough that you can rebuild it or put a tune up kit in it!

http://www.google.com/search?client...UQrQQwAg&biw=1232&bih=856&fp=a20cfd04ba3c5cf9

Good thing about IR tools; the parts are generally pretty reasonable!

This thing has some good reviews on amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E0TC9G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Face it, most people use an impact because they are lazy enough to not want to do the job by hand (lug nuts, and the like). Needing the worlds most powerful impact should not be on the list, you just need one that works. That seems like a lot of money for a used one in that condition. As already mentioned, a HF Earthquake will do virtually all of the work you will ever need it for.

Charles

 

[fatfillup]

I sell a lot of used tools and $80 is a lot for a gun in that condition. It is a great model as others have stated. If he won't budge, move on, there will be plenty of used impacts for sale if you have a little patience.

Going price for a used impacted in nice (but not new condition) should be 30 to 40 % or retail, tops.

 

[mrholeshot]

Face it, most people use an impact because they are lazy enough to not want to do the job by hand (lug nuts, and the like). Needing the worlds most powerful impact should not be on the list, you just need one that works. That seems like a lot of money for a used one in that condition. As already mentioned, a HF Earthquake will do virtually all of the work you will ever need it for.

Charles

I disagree here. Most people use them because it's the fastest most efficant way to work. A technician working flat rate couldn't make a living without impact wrenches. It's figured into flat rate hours to do the job. Mitchell, Alldata and others know techs use them and that use is calculated into it. You need a powerful impact to assure you can do the job. Homeowner impacts dont cut it on the job. If a technician didn;t have air tools even if he was working by the houe he won't last long at his job because whatever place he works for will put someone in that bay that can produce.

 

[Skyline]

Walk away. There are SO many used tools out there, no point in buying stuff in crappy condition. Air tools are a wear and tear item, so find a used one in nice shape. I'd look for a used IR 2135Ti ot 2135TiMAX instead. May cost you a few more bucks, but you can find mint ones from $80-125 on eBay.

 

[Infidel]

It's a very good gun. I use mine everyday in the shop. It's so quiet all you hear is the hammering action on the socket. It's not as powerful as the Titanium, or as small or light, but it's a very good gun. On the other hand that gun for $80 in it's condition is not worth it.

 

[WHT]

Will it run it as a stop gap with lots of time in between trigger pulls?



He claims he has two of these, one bought in 95 that he still uses and this one he bought new 5 years ago and never used. Won't move on price. He will clean it up and ask $100.

Run, Forest, run!

New and never used . It takes more beating than rolling around a truck to look like that.

 

[Damian]

Face it, most people use an impact because they are lazy enough to not want to do the job by hand (lug nuts, and the like). Needing the worlds most powerful impact should not be on the list, you just need one that works. That seems like a lot of money for a used one in that condition. As already mentioned, a HF Earthquake will do virtually all of the work you will ever need it for.

Charles

No offense man but that advice is garbage. Especially when a quality used Ingersol can be bought for $70-100 these days. HF Impacts are a joke even for the weekend warrior.

Impacts are for "lazy" people? Not really sure what to say here or if that even deserves a reply. Ever heard the term "work smarter, not harder" ?

Moving along. I think we've confirmed that the general consensus is not to buy this gun.

 

[Ign]

I like my 2131. By today's standards it's old school, but it's paid for and does what I need, so I just can't bring myself to spring for anything else. It's still relatively light compared to cheaper guns, and I appreciate that.

It's kinda like that "old" 7.3 Powerstroke (or insert vehicle of your choice). Sure, newer stuff is more powerful but what you've got works pretty damn good, and again, it's much, much cheaper.

I have no idea on the value of used or the condition of that gun however.

 

[mikester]

I had a CP knock off that I bought new close to 30 years ago off a guy at a swap meet. It finally bit the dust this spring. I know it was my fault because I never oiled it. I bought an IR set from Lowes. It had the 231 gun, a 3/8" air ratchet and a few shallow sockets. Its now $149. I think I might have gotten it for a few dollars less. So far it works well. No complaints at all.

 

[Tim Cowan]

Listen to Mikester, I have a new 231 and with proper care and oiling it ought to last a lifetime in the hobbyshop garage. I also have an old CP "Green Giant" 1/2 " I bought new 45 years ago new ( my first air tool) and it is still a great air wrench.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I know lots here will tout the greatness of IR, but I went through 2 of them in less than 2 years when they first came out....after my experience with them and and IR die grinder, I never bought another IR product. My SO impact was more expensive, but it's 3 or 4 year old working in the same conditions - So the dollars make sense.

 

[Damian]

Listen to Mikester, I have a new 231 and with proper care and oiling it ought to last a lifetime in the hobbyshop garage. I also have an old CP "Green Giant" 1/2 " I bought new 45 years ago new ( my first air tool) and it is still a great air wrench.

Damn man, 45 years? I'm humbled.

 

[striker79]

the IR 2131 was the first impact i have ever owned and im a master tec. now am looking for a new 2131 because it is the best impact i have ever had bar none
got it when it was first on the snapon tool truck in 1999

 

[Marlin]

It is a great impact, but I would go to Lowes and buy the 2132 which is almost identical for a little more $.