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Good 3/8" Impact Wrench?

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a390st

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Jun 9, 2008
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I'm in the market for a good 3/8" impact wrench. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I'd like one for lighter duty impact use. There are a lot of times I would like to put on a swivel or universal in an awkward or confined space, and 1/2" stuff is just too big. I can't believe I'm saying that. I used to use 3/4" drive more than 1/2". And I used 1" a lot. Not anymore. I've never once owned a 3/8 impact, as I've always felt that if it is small enough for one, I don't need impact. I'm not working on heavy equipment now, and it's mostly 4x4's, so something smaller is in order.

Is there anything that's not expensive that is good?
 
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MachineTech

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I own a Snap-on MG31 3/8 drive. Very happy with its performance but it's a little louder than I thought it was gonna be. 300 ft lb of torque
 

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Flash21

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I was wondering if the little brother to the IR 2135 would be a good choice.
 
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billymade

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Seems like you couldn't go wrong with a ingersoll rand; the old classics (IR-212) or the new lighter composite body models (R-2115Ti): http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Mechanics+Tools_Automotive+Air+Tools#viewItems=21&pageNum=2&sortOption=ORIGINAL_SORT_ORDER&&filter=Brand|Ingersoll-Rand^Automotive+Air+Tool+Type|Impact+wrenches&lastFilter=Brand


There are allot of reasonable "buy it now" impacts on ebay: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=3/8"+impact+wrench&category0=

If price is your primary concern; go check your local pawnshop, I have pretty gotten all my air tools used and generally have had good luck with them!
 
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GDA

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Moose-LandTran said:
The 2115 is a good gun. You may find some on clearance now as the newer version is coming out. I'll be buying a 2115QTiMAX when i can get one.
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+1 on the 2115

I got one on special because it was a display model and picked it up for $175 shipped. If you want something cheaper than that then I'd look to the little brother of the IR 231C or a used MG31 or a 3/8 version of the Japanese made 1/2 drive Blue Point AT555. I have that 1/2 gun and its a real solid gun that can be had used for very cheap.

Several on the board constantly give a big thumbs up to the MG31 so you surely cant go wrong with one of those.
 
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Deafautotech

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MachineTech said:
I own a Snap-on MG31 3/8 drive. Very happy with its performance but it's a little louder than I thought it was gonna be. 300 ft lb of torque
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i own two MG31 and IM31.... MG31 are champion! most of techs in my work always use their 3/8dr impact wrench and they never get it work out good... so i did help them with my MG31 and it got it done quick!! i am recommend MG31...

the noise issues are not problem for me.... :lol_hitti
 
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eschoendorff

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Seems like you should be able to find an MG31 or an IR in a price range the suits you.

Then again, I use my HF butterfly 3/8 all the time...
 
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Deafautotech

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eschoendorff said:
Seems like you should be able to find an MG31 or an IR in a price range the suits you.

Then again, I use my HF butterfly 3/8 all the time...
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i bought my two MG31 at different pawn stores (one for 75 dollars and other one for 95 dollars)... both are used but i am still use it and it is great!! i am always test it before i buy at pawn store...
 
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Fedwrench

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It boils down to two choices, The Snap on MG31 or the IR 2115TI. Both are great guns. It's a matter of personal preference, ergonomics, price, color, balance, feel, trigger, etc. Search the old threads as both of these guns have been flogged before. You can't go wrong with either one. However, you won't be happy if don't buy at least one of them.:beer:
 
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Deafautotech

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other techs have IR2115 and they wont get work done until i use MG31s and it will do the job... But problems is i keep lubes all my air tools while other techs dont lube their air tools...
 
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wantedabiggergarage

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Deafautotech said:
other techs have IR2115 and they wont get work done until i use MG31s and it will do the job... But problems is i keep lubes all my air tools while other techs dont lube their air tools...
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Maintanence is key. I have an older 2112, that I believe Sears still rebrands and sells, that is good. I believe it is between 20-40 ftlbs difference to the newer 2115.
 
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Danglerb

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Its nice to have choices with clear differences. What I see a lot of are cordless 1/4 and 3/8 impacts that people like due to the lower weight and cordless convenience. With good ones most of the time you don't need to pull out the big guns and it makes a difference in how much you can get done in a day.
 
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ossaguy

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Jun 7, 2008
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258
I love my cordless impacts.I only use the air when I need the shear hi-speed to zip something off.
I have found that they hold up well,and I have much better control.So now I have one that has a dedicated 8mm socket on it,then one that has a 10 mm on it,since that's the most used sizes and it's faster than switching.I have a dedicated long phillips one,then a 3/8 12v Dewalt,and then the big 1/2 inch SO one.The new 3/8 one that SO came out with is really nice,but actually too powerful for the stuff I work on.Still would like to get it,though! ,I was a real sceptic on these cordless impacts until I tried one,now I wonder how I ever got along without them.
 
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eschoendorff

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Deafautotech said:
other techs have IR2115 and they wont get work done until i use MG31s and it will do the job... But problems is i keep lubes all my air tools while other techs dont lube their air tools...
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Well, now that's just lazy and stupid. I wouldn't want a tech working on my car who is too lazy to lube his own tools....:mad:
 
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Deafautotech

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eschoendorff said:
Well, now that's just lazy and stupid. I wouldn't want a tech working on my car who is too lazy to lube his own tools....:mad:
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Yeah... but when they are too busy, they dont have time to clean and lube tools to increase the tools life... i am sometime busy to work but i am always have time to clean and lube my tools if needed...
 
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a390st

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Thanks guys. That's the sort of thing I was after. I'd like to stick to about $100 or less, since it is something that wouldn't get used too often. It's one of those things that I really need for the jobs I need it for, but they just don't happen ten times a day. I'm not in a big rush, but I don't like to waste an hour trying to get something loose I could do in ten with this tool. I'm going to look online today and see. The pawn shops around here give the person nothing for their used stuff and charge new retail.
 
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Marlin

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krusty the clown said:
yep......we discussed that here before. IIRC an SK rep stated they were not IR but wouldn't disclose the actual mfr.
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Based on their choice of model numbers, I would imagine they are quite happy that people assume the products are made by IR.
 
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A

a390st

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I was sort of leaning toward the IR 212. The MG31 is a little more than what I was wanting to spend. I saw some impacts at Sears the other day, but it was hard to tell much. The SK was pretty looking but the number designation is sure a ripoff of the IR. I had to go to Lowe's yesterday and they had a little 3/8 impact for cheap that said it has something like 200 ft lbs, but it was Chinese made, so who knows. I think I'm going to look around for a week or so and try to find something good used, and if I can't I'll get whatever I can find new in my price range.
 
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AutoTech

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Marlin said:
Ingersoll Rand does not make any of the SK impacts. I believe those are made by some manufacturer in Taiwan.
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That is what S-K told me in a email, just going on there word dude! If you have any other evidence please share!!!!
 
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ImportTuner

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For a 3/8" impact, I really like my little Nitro Cat ... very light weight and can get into tight places ... :)
 
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Marlin

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AutoTech said:
That is what S-K told me in a email, just going on there word dude! If you have any other evidence please share!!!!
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I am real sorry if someone misrepresented the SK product as being made by IR, I work for IR and I can assure you we do not make any product for SK. I would love to get a copy of the e-mail they sent you though.
 
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AutoTech

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Marlin said:
I am real sorry if someone misrepresented the SK product as being made by IR, I work for IR and I can assure you we do not make any product for SK. I would love to get a copy of the e-mail they sent you though.
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Marlin
Thanks for the reply and the heads up on the s-k guns. I wish I had saved that email now. I've always used IR guns and thats the only reason I bought the s-k pro gun. I mean they are strong and I have had the 1/2 gun for 2 years now with no problems but I hate being lied to. Oh well live and learn I guess!! :mad:
 
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eschoendorff

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Deafautotech said:
Yeah... but when they are too busy, they dont have time to clean and lube tools to increase the tools life... i am sometime busy to work but i am always have time to clean and lube my tools if needed...
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********. Too busy my ***. A good tech (like YOU) will MAKE TIME to take care of hos tools (like YOU do).
 
S

Sunrise

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May 20, 2008
Messages
188
i have mg31, but havent used yet. from what i heard/read, both IR and SO guns are great.

didnt IR came out with the new model??

edit: oh wait i think thats 1/2 drive.
 
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