3/8 air impact questions

[Greg85mcss]

I'm looking to buy a 3/8 impact. I have an ir 1/2 that works perfectly fine but it is pin detent & a pita to switch sockets. I'm not looking to replace it but rather supplement. I've wanted a 3/8 anyways & figure if I get a good one I can use it as my main gun & keep the ir just in case.
I was going to get the fuel 3/8 & 1/2 but after using a coworker's 1/2 I'm not a big fan. Way too bulky.
I like the cornwell cat2150/napa 1122 & the ir2115. I know the mg325 is up there also but I've never cared for the so fwd rev switch. Anyone know if the ones I'm looking at will meet my needs & if not any suggestions?


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[CobraRed]

Boom
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016Q4Y5CM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

done

 

[Greg85mcss]

I've seen those & thought they were pretty cool but wasn't sure if they were designed for regular use. Seems like everyone that has them also has a regular one too.


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[bdelmar2]

I use an ir 2115 as my 'main' gun.

Its light, small, strong and has good control.

Also pretty durable, and one can get parts easily if necessary.

Only thing I've had to replace is the retainer ring a few times, mostly when I forget and stick a craftsman regular socket on and it locks and I have to pry it off.

 

[CobraRed]

I've seen those & thought they were pretty cool but wasn't sure if they were designed for regular use. Seems like everyone that has them also has a regular one too.


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I would agree I don't think they are designed to be a main gun, I guess it depends on what you mean as regular use.

It's nearly 100% of my chassis, suspension work now and I just break out a bigger gun for bolts I know need juice (Pitman arm, leaf spring shackles). I'd say it sees regular use, but I wouldn't qualify as a main gun either.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I use an ir 2115 as my 'main' gun.



Its light, small, strong and has good control.



Also pretty durable, and one can get parts easily if necessary.



Only thing I've had to replace is the retainer ring a few times, mostly when I forget and stick a craftsman regular socket on and it locks and I have to pry it off.

The thing I was really wondering is if you can rely on the 2115 to remove most lug nuts, strut bolts, etc. I phrased it a little more open to keep it short & sometimes people will respond with things you wouldn't think to ask. I'm planning to keep the 1/2 & sockets in a drawer of my cart but want to free up space under the lid where I keep my go to tools.
And yes I do want it to be my main gun.


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[JimRB]

I have a Snap On IM31 I got from a pawnshop years ago for probably $40. Great tool. I see some on Ebay right now for $100 or less. Some folks love them, others think they stink. Mine works great for me.

 

[jallyn]

Boom
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016Q4Y5CM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

done

Ooooooooh. I love compact tools. May. Have. To. Get. One.

 

[fordnut85]

I have the IR2115 and use it all day everyday and it never fails to impress. On a side note, you can get a replacement hog ring style anvil for cheap off tooltopia.com

 

[zkling]

Skip the MG325 and go with the IR or one of the special compact guns. If you think the FR switch on the MG325 is a pain, try adjusting the power. It's powerful and that's about all I can say for it.

BTW, you can probably get a ringed anvil instead of the pinned anvil on your current 1/2" gun. Or use a very short extension.

 

[anndel]

I have and use a Astro Pneumatic 1828 3/8" Nano. Small and powerful. I also have their 1128 3/8 Nano air ratchet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016Q4Y5CM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014KCS1KE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[abvw]

I have an IR2135TiMax and M18 for 1/2" and and for 3/8" I have MG325 and Hammerhead. There are times I wished the IRs had anvil brake like the Milwaukee and Snap-on, I have worn through countless pair of gloves to stop extensions/sockets from spinning.

I would recommend the MG325 over thr IR2115 for the 3/8" impact as you don't want to sling small/medium sized fasteners into oblivion, (I think) the anvil brake is a must have feature for 3/8" drive. While the IR is a very reliable unit, the trigger is much sloppier than the MG. One other thing I have noticed is that I had to rock the stuck fasteners with the IR by hitting them forward then reverse but never had to do this with any of my impacts that have anvil brakes built in, as tapping the trigger actually simulates the same effect.

If you intend to use it for fasteners torqued under 100 ft-lb the M18 compact 3/8" is worth considering. Anvil brake (electronically via the motor), lots of power, compact and long lasting.

 

[Jake C]

I'm looking to buy a 3/8 impact. I have an ir 1/2 that works perfectly fine but it is pin detent & a pita to switch sockets. I'm not looking to replace it but rather supplement. I've wanted a 3/8 anyways & figure if I get a good one I can use it as my main gun & keep the ir just in case.
I was going to get the fuel 3/8 & 1/2 but after using a coworker's 1/2 I'm not a big fan. Way too bulky.
I like the cornwell cat2150/napa 1122 & the ir2115. I know the mg325 is up there also but I've never cared for the so fwd rev switch. Anyone know if the ones I'm looking at will meet my needs & if not any suggestions?


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Ive had the napa gun a while now, awesome gun, unbeatable power and nice controls. Plus nap is always puttin them on sale for under 200 and you get a 2 year warranty.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I guess it's all preference but I usually like how my ir2131 doesn't anvil break. I am familiar with nuts going into oblivion however. If it's a small faster I can usually get it with my m18 hex driver with a 3/8 adapter.
I'm really leaning toward the napa/cornwell. My shop's commercial napa guy stops by tomorrow & I'm going to see what kind of discount I can get. I had been looking at used on ebay but he's hooked some of the other guys up pretty good.


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[Greg85mcss]

Also the matco guy didn't complain that I've lost 3 22mm sockets using them with a universal


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[youngunn2008]

I love my snap on 3/8, have had it for 5 years now with no rebuilds no issues. I like that it's adjustable.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Astro Nano 3/8 actually has a few more ft-lbs of torque than the Astro Nano 1822 1/2".

The Astro 1128 Mini Impact Ratchet is amazing for its size. The HF Earthquake 3/8 ratchet is very good, but larger and heavier.

These are true "everyday, all day" use tools.

 

[bdelmar2]

I've never tried the 2115 on lug nuts so I can't really say how well it does there.

I imagine it would take most off, depends on who put them on and with what.

I keep an older ir231 extended anvil with a flip socket just for wheels.

There are quite a few things I run into that no 3/8" gun is going to take off, for those I have a 2235.

All 3 guns sit in the handle on the side of my cart and don't take up much room.

No single impact is going to work in every situation, by 'main' gun I ment the one I use most often.

This is of course going to vary by what you do mostly. I mainly change engines, and do head gaskets. The 3/8 gun is usually as big as I need for that. A lot of it gets done with the 1/4" or 3/8" air ratchet.

Sometimes I do a transmission or suspension work and then I use the 1/2" more often.

This is working mainly on cars and pickups.

I have a USA Tools dealer that comes by once a week - he gives me a packet of the retaining ring kits for both the 3/8" and the 1/2" whenever I need them. Once a year or less. (Snap on guy comes by also, but I don't go on that truck anymore. I owe no money on tools.)

Another guy in the shop uses the 3/8" earthquake from HF. He's on his 3rd one in a year, can't say I'd recommend it for professional use.

The 2115 has good trigger control and I don't really have any issues flinging bolts/nuts with it.

The hf gun will sling them regularly though, the guy who uses one spends a fair amount of time hunting and swearing.

Can't really compare it to the mg325. There are a couple in the shop, but they don't work and the owners owe the snap on man so much they haven't sent them in for repair yet.

There are two mg725's also. The better one is comparable to the 2235, the other one is noticeably weaker.

 

[dnschmidt]

Most Powerful Air: Nitrocat Greater than 600 ft-lb.
Most Compact + Powerful Air: Astro NANO 450 ft-lb - In my opinion best Air Choice
Best Choice: Milwaukee FUEL M18 3/8" drive Cordless Impact Wrench 210 ft-lb and you'll use this for damn near everything since you don't have to drag a cord around and it has more than enough power to remove lug nuts.

 

[bcradio]

Another guy in the shop uses the 3/8" earthquake from HF. He's on his 3rd one in a year, can't say I'd recommend it for professional use.

The 2115 has good trigger control and I don't really have any issues flinging bolts/nuts with it.

The hf gun will sling them regularly though, the guy who uses one spends a fair amount of time hunting and swearing.

Interesting. I don't hear of too many HF Earthquakes going out like that. They are typically very reliable guns and last a good while. They do have poor trigger control though.

 

[u118224]

Most Powerful Air: Nitrocat Greater than 600 ft-lb.
Most Compact + Powerful Air: Astro NANO 450 ft-lb - In my opinion best Air Choice
Best Choice: Milwaukee FUEL M18 3/8" drive Cordless Impact Wrench 210 ft-lb and you'll use this for damn near everything since you don't have to drag a cord around and it has more than enough power to remove lug nuts.

I have the 3/8 Nitrocat and it is very powerful. It's a slightly larger gun than the 3/8 Earthquake. The only gripe is that the trigger is difficult to feather, it's more like an on/off switch. However, if you want power it has it. Full disclosure, I've never tried a 3/8 IR.

 

[Jazz1]

I have a CP 3/8" impact. Its good but rarely used. As far as Astro,,is that impact composite (plastic) body? I have their 30 degree Astro die grinder, it worked well but the fitting into body would not stay put, the plastic housing threads wore, not "everyday" use IMO and then the internals failed. It was only 2 years old.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I have a CP 3/8" impact. Its good but rarely used. As far as Astro,,is that impact composite (plastic) body? I have their 30 degree Astro die grinder, it worked well but the fitting into body would not stay put, the plastic housing threads wore, not "everyday" use IMO and then the internals failed. It was only 2 years old.

The Nano impacts are aluminum body w/ textured powder coating and steel hammer housing.

I agree with you on the 30 degree die grinder. The factory we've used in Taiwan for nearly all of our die grinders for 25+ years wasn't making a 30 degree at the time we got a lot of requests for one so we tried another factory. The result was not our best effort and we scrapped the project without releasing too many on the market.

PM me your address and i'll send you a T20AH, if you can kill that I'll give you a buffalo nickle.


_________
Chris
Product Manager

 

[abvw]

Interesting. I don't hear of too many HF Earthquakes going out like that. They are typically very reliable guns and last a good while. They do have poor trigger control though.

Only reliable for the weekend warriors that see a day or two of use a week.

Cheap, reliable and good, you can only have two. None of the cheap box store discounts I've owned lasted more than a year in the shop.

 

[bcradio]

Only reliable for the weekend warriors that see a day or two of use a week.

Cheap, reliable and good, you can only have two. None of the cheap box store discounts I've owned lasted more than a year in the shop.

Sounds unique to you then because I have seen many cases with the HF Earthquakes being super reliable in professional environments. They may not be the nicest guns, but they definitely are reliable.

 

[Amish]

I have both the Mg325 and MG31. Have had no problems with either. I picked up the Mg31 on eBay with a bluepoint swivel(they are like $25-$30 for just the swivel) and payed $55 with shipping for the Mg31.
I buy most of my tools on eBay. I can afford a lot more there then off the tool trucks

 

[Finky198]

I have 2115timax And have done 100+ lugs and have never had an issue if they were properly torqued the last time someone did the tires with that said, it is a great little gun but I still used my 2135 very regularly as the power is unmatched when you really need it.

The 2115 is light, compact, plenty powerful and has a great trigger you really can't go wrong. I'd also look at my he mg325 another solid choice... but I'd say due to the weight and size the IR has it beat regardless of the small power difference. The snappy does look prettier tho

My opinion is kinda bias as
I own almost the whole IR TiMax lineup

 

[Greg85mcss]

I've never seen the earthquake 3/8 in action but worked with a few guys that had the 1/2. They held up & I'll guarantee were never oiled. I agree they had no trigger control & a very heavy feel.


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[MrGiggles]

I much prefer the direction buttons on IR guns compared to the competition. Easy one hand change. Aircat and Earthquake require two hands, not sure about the Astro.

 

[u118224]

I much prefer the direction buttons on IR guns compared to the competition. Easy one hand change. Aircat and Earthquake require two hands, not sure about the Astro.

The Earthquake requires two hands to change direction but the Nitrocat is changed with just your thumb.

 

[MrGiggles]

The Earthquake requires two hands to change direction but the Nitrocat is changed with just your thumb.

Right, I forgot that they added a tang to the newer impacts. That being said, I still find the IR buttons easier.

 

[Jazz1]

The Nano impacts are aluminum body w/ textured powder coating and steel hammer housing.

I agree with you on the 30 degree die grinder. The factory we've used in Taiwan for nearly all of our die grinders for 25+ years wasn't making a 30 degree at the time we got a lot of requests for one so we tried another factory. The result was not our best effort and we scrapped the project without releasing too many on the market.

PM me your address and i'll send you a T20AH, if you can kill that I'll give you a buffalo nickle.


_________
Chris
Product Manager

PM SENT..Thanks. I always found the 30 degree die grinder the most versatile for doing body and had yet to replace mine however I kept the tool

 

[anndel]

I much prefer the direction buttons on IR guns compared to the competition. Easy one hand change. Aircat and Earthquake require two hands, not sure about the Astro.

For the Astro Nano, just your thumb to change direction and torque.

 

[MattPersman]

I like the Napa, Cornwell, Matco triplet guns. Easy to find cheap, and reliable. I reach for it any day over the 2115 or mg325. I haven't had the nitrocat or Astro can't comment on them.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I can highly recommend the Cornwell CAT2150. I got mine back in 2014, the cornwell dealer ran a special with sockets for a pretty good price. I use mine every day.

If I was buying again, I'd strongly look at the Cornwell, Proto, and maybe one of the Astro offerings.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I'd love to get the proto but I haven't seen any for sale used & new they're out of my price range. I'm looking to get a used one to see how much I use it & once that broke either say screw it or get the best one I can. As MattPersman said the triplet guns are available for a fraction of what competitors cost on sites like ebay.


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