Buying my first 1/2" Impact Wrench

[Melias24]

Hey everyone, so i'm looking at buying my first 1/2" impact wrench. The Snap-On guy gave me a demo MG725, but 2 days in its defiantly not as good as i thought. And at $978 AUD or whatever the ridiculous price is, it really puts me off.

I'll be mainly just doing wheelnuts with the gun. I'd like something that'll last a fair while. The only one i've found so far is a refurbished MG725 for $420 AUD. But i'd like some suggestions.

~Elias

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd buy an Aircat, CP, or Astro for couple hundred bucks. Even the compact impacts are strong enough for lugs, plus much more. I've never been impressed with my mg725. If you can afford it, go with a cordless Dewalt or Milwaukee impact. Best money I ever spent on a cordless tool was my Dewalt dcf899b impact. Seriously...

 

[tlpatter]

Milwaukee 2763. I very rarely use my ingersoll rand anymore

 

[WhiffySpark]

2235timax

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Same here, I use my Milwaukee 90% of the time to get lug nuts off. If not my IR comes out.

Snap On air tools are just Ok quality, but are really expensive. You can get a good IR 231 for under $200 U.S.

 

[Jamie V]

The new Milwaukee mid-torque would be a great tool for you.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2861-22

I personally like mine with the lighter 2.0ah batteries and don't forget a rubber boot!

 

[Waterh20]

It sounds like you're in a shop of some sort? The battery powered Dewalt dcf899b / Milwaukee's are very impressive and I've had an old MG725s that can't hold a candle to my 1/2" lithium impact. If it were my money and I had to get an air gun i'd go Aircat. For the price they're hard to beat. I like mine but it doesn't see as much usage since I got a 1/2" Lithium battery powered Dewalt.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I actually like my MG725, its definitely leaps and bounds over my matco 1712, what a hunk of junk. I've handled the new P875 and it's a pretty slick gun, tons of torque.

But if you're just starting out, you can never go wrong with an Ingersoll.

Fwiw, I deal with fasteners that have more torque than most people's engines, and my 725 does fine, so I don't where the complaints are coming from. Price maybe?


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[nikerret]

Are you looking to keep with air? If so, you might get better suggestions if you give an idea how much air you can feed it and how much use it will see.

If you're wanting to look at cordless electric, are you already invested in a platform that offers an acceptable model? Would you be willing to look at other brands?

 

[CR888]

If you don't want to spend the best part of $1K aud on a snap on (I totally understand) lets start with how much you do wish to spend. I'd seriously look at the Kincrome k13005 1/2" 1700nm, they retail new for $299-499 depending on model but can be found on eBay all the time for $200ish brand new for the bid $499 one. There is one for auction ATM at $190 brand new, they make two other models in 1/2", a stubby & compact.

 

[Thax]

If this gun is mainly going to be used for lug nuts and the occasional spindle nut, suspension fastener skip the Snap on. I go with a IR231 , not the most powerful but it just works. Has about 600Ibs of torque , if oiled and greased will give many years of service.

 

[Wesley B]

IR 2135. I bought mine used on eBay for $125 shipped and have been using it daily for almost a year now.

 

[kctyphoon]

What's a pneumatic impact???

That should be Milwaukee's sales pitch...

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

If you work on medium - heavy trucks, I don't think the mid torque will cut it.

 

[Olafur]

The Aircat1250K is smooth, quiet and among the most powerful 1/2" guns available.
For very decent price, at least in the US.

I got mine by accident, I was going for IR. I am very happy I didn't.

 

[shockwave]

For air impact ingersol rand ir2235ti or 2135ti best around and longevity
The mg725 will not last as long as the ir will

For cordless go for Milwaukee if available for you

 

[D-Vice]

I love my Proto. It's the same as the Facom NS.3000f. Same impact is rebranded as a MAC, USAG, and Proto. I picked it up for just under $300.00 usd on amazon. I use it every day for work, and it will bust off some stubborn nuts that the snap on MG725 would have a little difficulty with. Air noise is pretty quiet in comparison to the snap on, but the impact hammer is pretty damn loud.
Proto J150WP

 

[WhiffySpark]

Proto looks different. Always thought it was the same

 

[sam.coll]

Shinano make good guns are readily available (Total tools etc) and half the price of the snap on

 

[stikman56]

Napa 6-1123 (aka Cornwell Cat4150) About the best bang for the buck as far as I'm concerned. Nitrocats have treated me very well too.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I'd vote for the 1250 Nitrocat as well, or if you prefer Ingersoll one of the TI series, I'm not familiar enough to say which model.

I don't think there's any real reason to buy Snap On Pneumatic or Cordless tools. They do make them in cool-guy green though

 

[crewchief888]

If this gun is mainly going to be used for lug nuts and the occasional spindle nut, suspension fastener skip the Snap on. I go with a IR231 , not the most powerful but it just works. Has about 600Ibs of torque , if oiled and greased will give many years of service.

IR 231 was gonna be my suggestion for an air gun...

ive been beating the **** outta them on const eq for a long time.

i abuse them, they rarely get clean, dry air, seldom greased or oiled, 8-10 year life span. last one i bought from summit racing, $140 shipped to my front door.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

My matco 1712 is basically a rebranded 231, and I don't care for it at all. A pretty weak gun for a 1/2", at least for the stuff we work on. I guess for lugnuts it should be ok.


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[Tech92420]

Get an Ingersoll rand 244. Heavy, but strong. I have the matco version, which I call a matcosol rand. It hasn't let me down for 2 years. You go on Amazon you can get am IR 244 for less than $200 US. If your busting wheels off you don't need anything fancy. I save the fancy stuff for 3/8 and 1/4 drive. A basic 1/2 " pneumatic impact should be the first one you get.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Just got a green mg725 like new for $120 us with the boot and I'm happy with it, they are made very well just not as strong as others but still 800ish foot pounds.

 

[Nostromo]

I am in Aus as well and bought IR2235TiMax a couple of weeks ago for A $417 on the bay. Now listed at A $435: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ingersol...l-2235TiMAX-/391471215581?hash=item5b2580b3dd If you can't wait for shipping, you can go down to Bunnies and get a Kincrome for $397, similar specs (on paper at least). https://www.bunnings.com.au/kincrome-air-tools-1-2-heavy-duty-industrial-impact-wrench_p6270672 Used my IR last weekend and it seemed pretty good. Shipping took a few days longer than they advertised.

 

[stikman56]

My matco 1712 is basically a rebranded 231, and I don't care for it at all. A pretty weak gun for a 1/2", at least for the stuff we work on. I guess for lugnuts it should be ok.


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According to the part numbers on the breakdown, it's actually not ,it's made by Proffessional Tool Products.

 

[KMdef9]

If speed, weight and power matter, stick with air. Most air can be maintained as well, whereas electric and some cheap air guns can't.

The best recommendation can only be suggested if you let us know your budget, air flow, current cordless platform(s), setting (pro vs home).

If looking for pro use, and can afford it, I'd go with IR. I have 4 different pneumatic guns from them all working flawlessly.

 

[jptbay]

Another vote for the Proto J150WP (also branded by Mac & Facom).

Got mine from Ebay new for just over $150 USD. Just have to be patient.

 

[bubinga]

Re: Buying my first 1/2" Impact Wrench

I'd buy an Aircat, CP, or Astro for couple hundred bucks. Even the compact impacts are strong enough for lugs, plus much more. I've never been impressed with my mg725. If you can afford it, go with a cordless Dewalt or Milwaukee impact. Best money I ever spent on a cordless tool was my Dewalt dcf899b impact. Seriously...

DCF 899B does that use the regular 20 volt batteries from say 7 years ago.
The lithium slide in type?


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[bubinga]

Re: Buying my first 1/2" Impact Wrench

If it takes the same batteries I have, well one was no good from the start, I should have contacted Dewalt.
But I got 2 today, from e bay, 20 volt, 2 Ah. For $60.00.
They are true Dewalt ones too. And dated 2017.
I am tempted to buy the DCF 899B, bare bones, for lug nuts.
With that and my 18 volt 3/8" dewalt in pact, I would hardly need my compressor.

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[bubinga]

OP, if you could find the Ingersoll Rand composite can't think of the number off-hand they are a few years old not the very newest one but the one before that if you could find a second-hand one reasonable they were very powerful gun.

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[bubinga]

Wow I was just looking on the internet I see the Milwaukee kit with the Charger and batteries gives you a three year warranty on the batteries that's pretty good here is a link to it.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2763-22

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[bubinga]

Whiffyspark thanks, 2235 timax, is the one I was thinking of.

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[Alcohol]

As many videos I have seen comparing snap on with the new harbor freight brand,,I would try a HF one

 

[montanafordman]

If this gun is mainly going to be used for lug nuts and the occasional spindle nut, suspension fastener skip the Snap on. I go with a IR231 , not the most powerful but it just works. Has about 600Ibs of torque , if oiled and greased will give many years of service.

IR 231 was gonna be my suggestion for an air gun...

ive been beating the **** outta them on const eq for a long time.

i abuse them, they rarely get clean, dry air, seldom greased or oiled, 8-10 year life span. last one i bought from summit racing, $140 shipped to my front door.

I third the suggestion for the IR231C. Its virtually bomb proof and will do anything you need it to. It was the industry standard for decades. There are many imitations but IR does it best and the machining and performance of the IR is head and shoulders above the clones. You'll alway be able to get parts for it too (although you probably wont need any) They can be had for pretty cheap. Sure some modern ones are lighter or have larger advertised numbers but in the real world this is still a contender. If you gotta have more I might go for the 2235Timax. I have the 231C and its a great gun. I don't think I'll ever be able to kill it.

 

[bubinga]

Re: Buying my first 1/2" Impact Wrench

DCF 899B does that use the regular 20 volt batteries from say 7 years ago.
The lithium slide in type?


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Anyone know what batteries the Dewalt DCF899B uses?
Are these ones on e bay correct?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/232402274856?_mwBanner=1

DCF 899B does that use the regular 20 volt batteries from say 7 years ago.
The lithium slide in type?


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Anyone know what batteries the Dewalt DCF899B uses?
Are these ones on e bay correct?


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[Kenskip1]

Elias,In your opening post you did not mention what the power source was going to be. Air or Electric!Anyway if you want the best bang for the buck may I suggest visiting a Sears hardware store. I purchased a 1/2 impact wrench Heavy Duty on sale for like $70. This particular one is made by Florida Pneumatic.On member told me that this is a good quality.580 LBS of torque.Another alternative would be Astro, or Harbor Freight. Hope this helps, Ken

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-2-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[Trey T]

Unless you have a wide selection of air tools and see yourself doing painting or sandblasting, go with pneumatic. Otherwise, I prefer to go w/ cordless like Milwaukee M18 1/2" small impact one.

 

[Olafur]

For some reason I want to add something, I guess it's because I feel the Aircats , well at least the 1250K version is largely ignored here. Others as well.

I understand this very well since I was a die hard IR fan for many years. The reason was simple - over here (Iceland) the shops supply ALL tools. And working in different shops over the years - if I got usable 1/2" impact I didn't have to check, it was Ingersoll Rand! The rest I came across was either gutless or short lived. Usually both.

Past years most of my work happens in a busy shop that is primarily repairing the largest trucks on the roads, agricultural, and earthmoving machinery. They currently have 14 mechanics and since power tools are shared (if needed) I have used many of their 1/2" guns. But since I work there as sub-contractor I supply my own tools.

I got my Aircat1250K 2 years ago. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it is. Even the "Q" versions of IR are louder. It is on the heavy side, considerably more heavy than for example the tried and trusted IR2135Timax. But in terms of power there is no comparison. Take the entire IR 1/2" line and many (all) of the latest CP guns and they are gutless in comparison. The exception is possibly (?) the latest IR 2235 - I haven't come across one yet.

It's like this. Since I got my Aircat I hardly ever use the "run of the mill" 3/4" drive guns in the shop. Yes the 3/4" IR2145 is perhaps a harder hitting but only marginally. If the Aircat can't do it it's time for 1" drive gun or breaker bars with serious leverage. Recently I was working on a job site and the crew had brand spanking new Milwaukee 18V Fuel 3/4" drive cordless impact. To my amazement that thing didn't move bolts the 1/2" Aircat removed without problems.

I have read here on G.J the Aircats can suffer broken anvil. Actually this doesn't surprise me since there is only so much a 1/2 drive anvil can take. Use them to remove lug nuts from semi trucks day in and out and you end up with broken anvil. Knowing this I use the bigger guns for such things.

If there is a moral to the story I guess it's: Ingersoll Rand is no longer the only game in town and their latest 1/2 gun has to be quite an improvement to be worth considering if you NEED a serious hard hitter in 1/2" drive.