3/8 Impact Wrench with Ba!!s

[u118224]

I have the HF Earthquake impacts in 3/8 and 1/2. I'm happy with the 1/2 but not as much with the 3/8th. For example, it wouldn't remove the caliper bracket bolts on an Impala. I've got a 30 gallon compressor turned up to 140 psi. Which 3/8th impact has the most guts at a price a DIYer like me can justify?

 

[efb16acrx]

Surf craigslist for an mg325. Picked mine up for $150.

 

[GSteg]

I prefer the 2115TiMax myself, more than my MG325 actually. It has good power, it's reliable, and you can find a decent used one for just over 100.

 

[firebox40dash5]

If you're judging by GM caliper bracket bolts, you might find all 3/8 guns ****. Not to say the 3/8 you have doesn't but I've had some give my 2135 a hard time. That coarse thread with epoxy for threadlock torqued to 700ft./lb. from the factory **** is no joke. I can only imagine how much fun the northern MI rust must add.

I like my 2115, but I don't see them used very often, and I paid almost triple what I paid for each of my used 2135s for a new one. Makes it hard to justify... hell, I make money with it and I thought I might be crazy.

 

[Karl_B]

I picked up an IR 2112 years ago barely used, and it has always surprised me. It's not quite as strong as my 231C, but it's weight and size let me get a better bite on things like caliper bolts without a wobble. Keep in mind that every extension, wobble/universal joint, or adapter is going to lessen the amount of power getting to the fastener. Your best bet, if there is room, is always one regular socket and no extension to get the most power to the fastener.

 

[IHI]

When I started working on big trucks yrs ago I bought a 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4" impacts from the MAC man....stupid as it sounds, my lil 3/8" impact will give my 1/2" gun a serious...and I mean serious run for it's money. More often than not the 1/2" gun sat and I used the 3/8" for the simple fact it was lighter and could get into tighter spots. If I recall, at that time (early 90's) Mac's were just rebadged IR

 

[shockwave]

I have the ir 2115ti and a cornwell 2115timax and I use them both more than my 2135timax. And yeah gm caliper brackets bolts are tough for any 3/8 impact I sometimes have to loosen by hand with a ratchet before the impact can take over

 

[woody 73]

I bought this sucker used and it has balls of steel, for you younger kids make that big hard nuts...

http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/ir/ingersoll-rand-3-8-titanium-ultra-duty-impact-wrench

 

[Fedwrench]

For Impala cross over brackets, I'd use a 1/2 drive breaker bar to break loose, and then the 3/8 gun of your choice to speed off. I have an IR 2115TIMAX and most crosssover brakes bolts laugh at it.
It's a great gun but, those crossover brackets are loctited at the factory.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Sometimes a 3/8" impact just isn't the tool for the job...I have both the 2115QTiMax and 2135TiMax. Sometimes despite thinking it should do the job, the 2115 just isn't enough. That said, I haven't had a thing the 2135 couldn't remove (yet).

 

[firebox40dash5]

Sometimes a 3/8" impact just isn't the tool for the job...I have both the 2115QTiMax and 2135TiMax. Sometimes despite thinking it should do the job, the 2115 just isn't enough. That said, I haven't had a thing the 2135 couldn't remove (yet).

I've found a few things the 2135 wouldn't take off... or break off. For those occassions, I bought a 2145.

 

[FriendOfYours]

King Tony m7

http://www.toolsource.com/inch-driv...=CKaj4a2ZnboCFc01QgodeRwAFQ&sourceid=googleps

You can find them cheaper, that was just the first link I found

Thing is TINY and it has some serious ba!!s

 

[ishiboo]

I have the HF Earthquake impacts in 3/8 and 1/2. I'm happy with the 1/2 but not as much with the 3/8th. For example, it wouldn't remove the caliper bracket bolts on an Impala. I've got a 30 gallon compressor turned up to 140 psi. Which 3/8th impact has the most guts at a price a DIYer like me can justify?

As firebox40dash5 said, those bolts are relatively difficult to remove. I remember working on a Nissan in high school shop and we couldn't get some bolts off with a 1/2 breaker bar and a 6' piece of steel pipe.

If you've only run into one or perhaps a few bolts you can't remove, I'm not sure you need to replace it... a caliper bolt sounds like a something you could have easily used your 1/2 gun on, no? And some things just need more attention - heat, penetrating oil and a bit of time.

 

[u118224]

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it. Yes, my 1/2 gun took them off with no problem but I could only reach 1 of the bolts because the gun's so big. I used a big 1/2 ratchet on the other. I'm getting to the point (older) that I want to use the impacts more and a 3/8 air impact will fit most anywhere. I'll be checking out all of the recommended impacts.

 

[bcradio]

I have the 3/8 Earthquake as well and I have to disagree with you and say it does have some serious power behind it. I have literally just about retired my 1/2" gun and almost solely use the 3/8" gun. I have run into a few (very few) bolts it won't remove, and in that case I simply switch to 1/2" gun. I agree with the others in saying that there are just some things a 3/8" gun aren't meant to take off.

If you are simply looking to upgrade, I'd check out the aircat also.

 

[AV tinker er]

Sometimes a 3/8" impact just isn't the tool for the job...I have both the 2115QTiMax and 2135TiMax. Sometimes despite thinking it should do the job, the 2115 just isn't enough. That said, I haven't had a thing the 2135 couldn't remove (yet).

Honda crank bolt?

 

[GSteg]

My 2135QTiMax will remove most Honda crank bolts. If it doesn't, then my MG725 won't either. That's when I bring out the 3/4" gun.

 

[oldtools]

My 2135QTiMax struggle quite a bit removing the Honda crank bolt. I have to soak the crank bolt with WD40 for a while and hit it with the 2135QTiMax many many many many times before it come loose.

 

[shockwave]

We usually just heat up around the and then loosen crank bolt as usually the 2135 cannot break it loose on it's own. But be careful using 3/4 on a tough bolt I have seen guys rip of the head before and using heat is much safer

 

[tedsters]

i bought a ingersollrand 231C 1/2 impact for $115 with a $15 rebate online was the best
$100 i ever spent have not had a lug nut on anything yet it would not break loose

 

[woody 73]

Yes the IR 2135 has King Kongs Balls:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WMR8H4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But I thought the op was only interested in 3/8 drive how come others are talking about 1/2 drive air tools?

 

[#1SomeGuy]

I've found a few things the 2135 wouldn't take off... or break off. For those occassions, I bought a 2145.

I'm sure I'll come across something someday...there was one bolt on a suspension bushing back a couple years ago that was a struggle with the 24" breaker bar and some body weight on it that my old gun couldn't budge. Just really at the point the 2135 won't simply remove it (I work on cars only for the most part) then I would want heat/penetrating oil first so I don't break ****.

i bought a ingersollrand 231C 1/2 impact for $115 with a $15 rebate online was the best
$100 i ever spent have not had a lug nut on anything yet it would not break loose

Car/Small Truck lug nuts are generally pretty easy for a quality impact, even my little 3/8" cordless can do most of them let alone my 2135.