Killed my IR2131 impact wrench

[mykvr6]

So I've been working on my stupid car for a couple days, and it's been ******* me off to no end. Anyway I used my impact the day before yesterday to break off an axle nut and couple other bolts on the suspension and it was fine. Yesterday after wrestling with the axle and couple other things at the height of my anger I went to use my gun and it spun but wasn't really hammering. Not sure why it wasnt working, but I wasn't in a clear headed mood and let my frustration take hold and I threw it on the ground lol. Then I was mad that I threw it down and went after it with my snap on dead blow ball peen. After that I felt better but my gun is dead. And now I am without a gun and I feel bad because it was a great impact that I've had for years. I think I bought it sometime around 1999 or 2000. I've never had to work on it, didn't always oil it like I should have, etc and it's always worked. So what model replaces it these days? I kinda want to fix mine, but three out the four screws that hold it together are bent, the composite housing is cracked and one of the pieces inside has pieces broken off of it. Probably all from the hammer lol. I'm sure those pieces would cost more than a new gun. I'll throw up some pics of the broken pieces and internals to see if you guys think it's worth finding parts.

 

[jeremy v]

You wouldn't happen to have a video of this event would you? If so, you could probably charge people to see it and use the money to buy a new impact. Watching someone jumping around yelling, cussing, and beating their impact wrench with a ball pein hammer sounds pretty entertaining. Maybe you could make one of those YouTube videos that combine it with funny music. You could go viral.

P.S.- You might want to increase your medication dosage a little bit.

 

[Daves69]

It probably would have been easier to fix before the hammer.

 

[bcradio]

if you need a cheaper good gun then get the HF Earthquake.

 

[90zcar]

What a piece of junk. You better call IR customer service and expect a full replacement at no cost!!

That's great tho.....over 15 years and never took care of it...that's good man. People on here but brand new snap on guns and baby them in blankets and oil baths everyday and they break within the first month sometime.

Grab urself a ir2135 and enjoy many more years of trouble free abuse


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stikman56]

So I've been working on my stupid car for a couple days, and it's been ******* me off to no end. Anyway I used my impact the day before yesterday to break off an axle nut and couple other bolts on the suspension and it was fine. Yesterday after wrestling with the axle and couple other things at the height of my anger I went to use my gun and it spun but wasn't really hammering. Not sure why it wasnt working, but I wasn't in a clear headed mood and let my frustration take hold and I threw it on the ground lol. Then I was mad that I threw it down and went after it with my snap on dead blow ball peen. After that I felt better but my gun is dead. And now I am without a gun and I feel bad because it was a great impact that I've had for years. I think I bought it sometime around 1999 or 2000. I've never had to work on it, didn't always oil it like I should have, etc and it's always worked. So what model replaces it these days? I kinda want to fix mine, but three out the four screws that hold it together are bent, the composite housing is cracked and one of the pieces inside has pieces broken off of it. Probably all from the hammer lol. I'm sure those pieces would cost more than a new gun. I'll throw up some pics of the broken pieces and internals to see if you guys think it's worth finding parts.

Get me some pictures and I'll see if I have the parts if you're interested. I've got used stuff laying around. I might even have some screws for the hammer housing, I'll look when I'm over at the house.

 

[Ign]

Similar w my 2131, except for the anger and tool failure. I've been using it moderately since 2003. It just won't die and so I can't bring myself to replace it.

If you want the bad boy, just get the new 2235.

Another alternative is one of the new stubby impacts. For instance the 1/2" AP stubby puts out an honest 460? was it? ft lbs (Woodstock has a video) and only retails for $99-109 -- WAY easier on the wallet than a new IR.

 

[SantaAna12]

Happens to the best of us....stupid comments about medication aside.

I was rebuilding a Honda generator for a friend and misjudged the housing that a frozen fastener was embedded. I used a manual impact.......wrong move. When I realized what I had done.....and that the housing was integral to a larger and more expensive part....and that I wasn't getting paid for it.....I had a moment with a BFH and brute force.

Let it go man. Get a new gun. Consider it experience.

good luck man.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Happens to the best of us....stupid comments about medication aside.

I was rebuilding a Honda generator for a friend and misjudged the housing that a frozen fastener was embedded. I used a manual impact.......wrong move. When I realized what I had done.....and that the housing was integral to a larger and more expensive part....and that I wasn't getting paid for it.....I had a moment with a BFH and brute force.

Let it go man. Get a new gun. Consider it experience.

good luck man.

+1, it sure does. For those that say you've never had such a moment (at least with the anger part), you haven't lived and you're not being realistic. LOL. It's very easy to sit here and throw a comment when the broken vehicle isn't your problem at hand.

I think the worst is when you're working on something and you get injured and the item is still not fixed. That tops the list.

I have a small scar on my head from a slipping prybar when fixing my Walker 93632 jack. After dusting off my dented pride and my wound, I fixed the thing in five minutes.

 

[chris142]

I have a 25yr old 231. Never been opened up and still works like new.

 

[jeremy v]

Happens to the best of us....stupid comments about medication aside.

I was rebuilding a Honda generator for a friend and misjudged the housing that a frozen fastener was embedded. I used a manual impact.......wrong move. When I realized what I had done.....and that the housing was integral to a larger and more expensive part....and that I wasn't getting paid for it.....I had a moment with a BFH and brute force.

Let it go man. Get a new gun. Consider it experience.

good luck man.

I guess we are not allowed to have any fun on GJ. I didn't realize this was a serious inquiry that demanded only serious answers.

For the record, there is a difference between getting angry and losing your cool. Smashing something that has been broken beyond usefulness can alleviate frustration and be quite fun. Smashing something that very likely just needs a tweak or a simple rebuild kit (and then regretting it later) is something a little different.

In the future, I will be sure to message SantaAna12 and Ponchoguy for their approval before I post anything in light fun. Their acceptance of my posts is my new top priority.

 

[bczygan]

Anger issues?

Self control problems?

 

[1950mercury]

You wouldn't happen to have a video of this event would you? If so, you could probably charge people to see it and use the money to buy a new impact. Watching someone jumping around yelling, cussing, and beating their impact wrench with a ball pein hammer sounds pretty entertaining. Maybe you could make one of those YouTube videos that combine it with funny music. You could go viral.

P.S.- You might want to increase your medication dosage a little bit.

I'd pay to see it

 

[mykvr6]

lol, yeah I do have anger issues at times. I've had a tough couple weeks. Stress at work, stress at home, stress in the garage. Usually the garage helps me chill but the car has been bugging me for months with its clunking and squeaking suspension.
As far as it lasting this long, I did oil it regularly when I was using it. I pulled it apart and it's pretty clean inside. I'll put up some pictures. I wouldn't mind fixing it. It will need a housing and a front end plate I think is what it's called. I actually put it back together and it works! It leaks air of course but it works. Got it working enough to finish what I was doing yesterday morning. After all the heavy wrenching on all those heavily torqued bolts and axle nut and probably swinging a bit too hard with the hammer, I ended up in the er last night with a pretty good back strain. It was cramping so hard and the pain was so stabbing, I thought I had a kidney stone again. Some good rest and some flexeril and painkillers and I feel pretty good this evening.

I'll be back in a minute, going to get my phone and post the pics I took.

 

[mykvr6]

Here's the side where I smacked it

a shot of the anvil



front end plate that broke


should these vanes be totally clean?

the hammer that did the damage lol

 

[mykvr6]

everything looks pretty clean. Thats after wiping some stuff down, it didnt come out all dry like that. I noticed it blows air from the crack in the housing and out the back where the torque selector switch is. Maybe the oring isn't sealing very well. So a new housing, front end plate and a seal kit and I think it'll be back in business. Like I said it works now, just leaks a lot of air

 

[redwrench60]

Dang man, sounds like you could use a break or at least a stroke of luck. If I had any I'd share it with ya.

Unless Stikman can help with used parts all those pieces will total that impact. Maybe it's time to treat yourself to a new or gently used 2135 timax or if you're really feeling like world ********** then a 2235 timax. The torque-a-saurus rex of impacts.

 

[stikman56]

Looks like you need an end plate, the bolts(how many bolts?) and the housing. How's the hammer cover, is it usable? looks like you smacked it?

 

[mykvr6]

end plate and housing. I straightened the couple screws that were bent. They straightened up fine. The nose piece took a hit but it looks totally straight. It looks pretty stout. Not sure what its made out of.

 

[Dusty61]

Hell I thought the medication line was funny.
But then I DO take medication (for ADHD) AND....here's the scary part... I GIVE meds too, some pretty nasty stuff like Etomidate, Versed, Morphine ect lol

 

[monkeyspanners]

I say fix it. Even if it costs more than a new one. Next time you feel you are losing your temper with something, remember the cost and frustration of this incident and walk away.

 

[WhiffySpark]

2235timax is the newest one

 

[Ponchoguy]

I guess we are not allowed to have any fun on GJ. I didn't realize this was a serious inquiry that demanded only serious answers.

For the record, there is a difference between getting angry and losing your cool. Smashing something that has been broken beyond usefulness can alleviate frustration and be quite fun. Smashing something that very likely just needs a tweak or a simple rebuild kit (and then regretting it later) is something a little different.

In the future, I will be sure to message SantaAna12 and Ponchoguy for their approval before I post anything in light fun. Their acceptance of my posts is my new top priority.

I know everyone is half way kidding around. LOL. C'mon though, cut the OP some slack. We've all lost our cool at something (significant other, traffic problems, work situation, etc), it's part of being human.

I think that the OP is now a little upset as to what he did. It seems "fun" when you're doing it and a good stress reliever, but now that reality sets is (broken tool=costs money to repair or replace), you're upset.

C'mon Jeremy, you've never lost your cool? .

 

[mykvr6]

I'm good. I haven't lost it like that in a while, my temper has gotten better. Its just been a rough couple weeks. But it's all good, the comments dont bother me, I'm taking it all in stride - it was a dumb move and I admit it. I just wish I had taken it out on some other junky harbor freight tool that wasn't working lol. I'll fix it up, or buy a used one on ebay and scavenge parts and keep spares. If I buy a new gun, I kinda want a cordless for convenience or one of those stubbies for tight spaces.

 

[stikman56]

I'm good. I haven't lost it like that in a while, my temper has gotten better. Its just been a rough couple weeks. But it's all good, the comments dont bother me, I'm taking it all in stride - it was a dumb move and I admit it. I just wish I had taken it out on some other junky harbor freight tool that wasn't working lol. I'll fix it up, or buy a used one on ebay and scavenge parts and keep spares. If I buy a new gun, I kinda want a cordless for convenience or one of those stubbies for tight spaces.

I have a Craftsman 19905 housing, same one, just a darker color was used for Sears, and a different model number of course , and I have a good end plate ,if you're interested I'll post a picture later. I don't have any good IR housings.

 

[Farmall450]

I'd pick up a 2235 TIMAX if you're looking to upgrade. Otherwise, would a 231C do what you need?

 

[Farmall450]

I'm good. I haven't lost it like that in a while, my temper has gotten better. Its just been a rough couple weeks. But it's all good, the comments dont bother me, I'm taking it all in stride - it was a dumb move and I admit it. I just wish I had taken it out on some other junky harbor freight tool that wasn't working lol. I'll fix it up, or buy a used one on ebay and scavenge parts and keep spares. If I buy a new gun, I kinda want a cordless for convenience or one of those stubbies for tight spaces.

The stubbed are a lifesaver. The ASTRO model is cheap for what you're getting too.

 

[zyx5432]

If you had REALLY lost it, the grinder would have come out!

 

[Fedwrench]

It was probably just that one of the direction buttons wasn't fully depressed

I would recommend the IR 2135TIMAX as the replacement. If you were happy with the 2131, you'll love the 2135TIMAX. the newest 2235 is a little heavy for my tastes but, it's a brute.

Of course with your anger management issues (which comes naturally with working on cars), you may want to consider the classic IR 231 with it's all metal housing instead of a composite gun.

For less than $300, the new Proto impacts are sweet!!!!

 

[70Swinger440]

This would probably make a cool thread, "Tools you destroyed because you were pissed".

 

[stikman56]

It was probably just that one of the direction buttons wasn't fully depressed

LOL, makes a huge difference. I worked on one that night that wouldn't go in all the way, had no power going forward, pulled the buttons thinking some idiot had them out of time,nope wasn't the issue, then I got to thinking I didn't find the metal rod that was missing off the inlet valve when I changed it out, sure enough it had gotten in there and was the issue.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Hell I thought the medication line was funny.
But then I DO take medication (for ADHD) AND....here's the scary part... I GIVE meds too, some pretty nasty stuff like Etomidate, Versed, Morphine ect lol

 

[mykvr6]

I have a Craftsman 19905 housing, same one, just a darker color was used for Sears, and a different model number of course , and I have a good end plate ,if you're interested I'll post a picture later. I don't have any good IR housings.

yeah let me know what you want for them. I appreciate it! Was thinking of buying a used IR2131 on ebay if i can find one cheap - have my eye on a couple that end today or tomorrow I think.

 

[stikman56]

yeah let me know what you want for them. I appreciate it! Was thinking of buying a used IR2131 on ebay if i can find one cheap - have my eye on a couple that end today or tomorrow I think.

Tell you what, I'll just send them to you, you decide what they're worth to you and send it as a gift payment to my Daughter's paypal account, how's that sound? I'll post you up a pic later after I'm done painting the house in between rain showers as I have a bunch of stuff to get pictures of this evening.

 

[mykvr6]

Tell you what, I'll just send them to you, you decide what they're worth to you and send it as a gift payment to my Daughter's paypal account, how's that sound? I'll post you up a pic later after I'm done painting the house in between rain showers as I have a bunch of stuff to get pictures of this evening.

awesome! thanks for all the help. I'll pm you my info.

 

[Toolhorder]

I remember breaking mine after about a decade of use. Snapped the rotor in half internally. Threw it across the shop. Co-worker returned it to me later. I rebuilt it for about $80ish. Still use it.

 

[stikman56]

Here's a picture. This pone has some spray paint on it, usually comes off fairly easily from these housings.

 

[redwrench60]

I nominate Stikman for "pretty darn good feller" status that's what I like best about this place.

 

[anndel]

Been there, done that and I looked like an angry gorilla throwing his **** at the people outside of my cage. Believe the IR 2135tiMAX is a good replacement.

 

[anndel]

stickman you rock!