Snap on losing their minds? 1/2” impact

[Elsinore13]

There never is a shortage of Snap On threads bashing their prices but I have been replacing a lot of my air tools and upgrading to Snap On recently. As I replace them my old ones are getting passed down to young son who recently came to work for us. I bought a 3/8” air impact a couple months back and was going to get a 1/2” today. Dealer hands it to me and it’s plastic. I laugh and hand it back and ask for a real impact, one made of metal. After a short back and forth of how they no longer make an aluminum housed 1/2 inch he went and pulled out the last remaining one that he had tucked away for “people like me”.

Hard to imagine that a company known for high priced top line tools is now only offering up a plastic impact. Anyhow, this one will last me the rest of my life.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I mean, IR, aircat, CP, Astro and even earthquake XT are an upgrade from Snap On guns at this point

 

[Richard Cranium]

Wow, that is nice to know, thanks for posting.

 

[rlitman]

...Hard to imagine that a company known for high priced top line tools is now only offering up a plastic impact. Anyhow, this one will last me the rest of my life.

The Boeing Dreamliner is composite, as is the service weapon of 95% of the peace officers in the US. Welcome to the 21st century.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing but are neighbors pipe broke and it was installed back in 1925 (the pipe from the main line up to the house from the street) and it was replaced by plastic which surprised me; so I guess tht is the way things are going today.

So just how do the they locate plastic water lines underground? I have seen them wrap wires around plastic gas lines for the metal detectors but nothing for the plastic water lines; or maybe I missed that part?

Good to know about the snap on air tool op.

 

[driftpin]

Funny thing but are neighbors pipe broke and it was installed back in 1925 (the pipe from the main line up to the house from the street) and it was replaced by plastic which surprised me; so I guess tht is the way things are going today.

So just how do the they locate plastic water lines underground? I have seen them wrap wires around plastic gas lines for the metal detectors but nothing for the plastic water lines; or maybe I missed that part?

Good to know about the snap on air tool op.

In Florida, a metal tracer tape is laid into a trench above the pipe, I believe, if you want.

 

[bimmer630]

I mean, IR, aircat, CP, Astro and even earthquake XT are an upgrade from Snap On guns at this point

...and all made of plastic (Not sure about all, but I know IR and aircat are.. and earthquake too?)

I have a composite aircat and the older composite 2115 (?) Ingersoll. they havent had problems in 10-15 years of use

 

[LB-1911]

So just how do the they locate plastic water lines underground? I have seen them wrap wires around plastic gas lines for the metal detectors but nothing for the plastic water lines; or maybe I missed that part?

In Florida, a metal tracer tape is laid into a trench above the pipe, I believe, if you want.

^

Here is an example Woody

Detectable Underground Warning Tape - Caution Buried Water Line Below

 

[woody 73]

LB thank you very much that would explain how they did it. I must have missed that part somehow. I did see them wrap wire around the gas lines so I guess it makes perfect sense just to use that special tape for the water lines.

 

[M6erfan]

You say "plastic", Snap-on says "composite"...

 

[dr_clyde]

Modern plastics can and do outperform most metals in these kind of applications. I don't use an impact enough to see a benefit one way or another, but I wouldn't be upset with a composite impact.

Most power tools are, these days. When was the last time you used an all metal cordless drill?

 

[Mr_B]

I mean, IR, aircat, CP, Astro and even earthquake XT are an upgrade from Snap On guns at this point

Yep, snapon air tools are waste of money wth poor warranty and overpriced service fees . Way better can be had in tool design and price .

 

[Professional Tool User]

Composite air tools is where air tool manufacturers are going these days. Snap on is actually playing catch up with composite air tools. IR, Air cat, and CP have been at it for years at least. My Snap on guy actually sold me a rebuilt MG725 which is probably the result of someone trading it in and upgrading to a composite gun. My only concern with a composite housing would be if I abuse it like drop the gun or drag it while it's hooked up to the air line. For your average auto mechanic, lighter weight, better ergonomics and slightly less power makes sense with a 1/2 gun. But as someone who works on medium and heavy duty trucks, I need the extra power and power is the only thing the MG725 is really good for.

 

[RAYJAY]

Composite air tools is where air tool manufacturers are going these days. Snap on is actually playing catch up with composite air tools. IR, Air cat, and CP have been at it for years at least. My Snap on guy actually sold me a rebuilt MG725 which is probably the result of someone trading it in and upgrading to a composite gun. My only concern with a composite housing would be if I abuse it like drop the gun or drag it while it's hooked up to the air line.

mine are dropped banged and dragged every day, the composite hold up better than the all metal, and just so much lighter and better balance on the newer guns, also the sound levels are better for you also

 

[Skin]

I can kind of see where the OP is coming from. If you're going to spend a premium you want premium materials and I do think the one piece cast magnesium bodies are a bit nicer from an aesthetics point of view. Its part of the reason I jumped on the new MAC guns which actually switched from composite to a magnesium body. My only gripe with the Snap-On MG is the paint retention which was horrendous.

 

[rlitman]

...My only gripe with the Snap-On MG is the paint retention which was horrendous.

That's the nature of magnesium. It's soft as heck, so paint scratches off it easily.

 

[Holmesx10]

Today’s plastics are pretty advanced. However at snap on prices I’d expect nothing but the best and longevity being a factor.

 

[Gone Boating]

Why not? All the battery powered impacts are plastic are they not?

 

[bob15]

And my IR 2131 that is 20 years old.....I guess that is no good because it is of a composite material?

Not a fan of Glocks, but they seem to hold up well as well. Composite firearm stocks, drills (battery & corded), power tools in general, chainsaws....they are all plastic/composite and seem to last for decades.....

My IR is nicer to use because it doesn't have the weight of an all-metal gun.

 

[sweet victory]

The housing is plastic, but there's probably a ground steel cylinder that the rotating assembly sits in. (The aluminum/magnesium guns are the same way) There are many modern composites that offer better mechanical properties over cast aluminum or magnesium. I don't see the big deal.

The Milwaukee high torque impacts are "plastic" and no one bats an eye. Just saying.

Edit: Snap On online catalog still lets me add the MG3255 to the cart. Are you sure your dealer is correct? https://store.snapon.com/MG3255-Ser...Housing-Standard-Anvil-1-2-drive-P648069.aspx

 

[Skin]

That's the nature of magnesium. It's soft as heck, so paint scratches off it easily.

That's not it. The paint coating was just garbage. Any exposure to moisture and the metal under the paint corroded. They should of anodized or used powder coating.

 

[itylerstewart]

Are MG725s not Magnesium bodied? Mine is...

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have a hard time believing the plastic story.

 

[sberry]

If the metal was better they would still be using it.

 

[zendriver]

Welcome to the 20th Century!

Purchase a new handgun. Most of them are made out of mostly plastic, as is some higher end chain saws.

No surprise way Way cheaper to manufacture, so naturally, the price will be lower.

Either they hold up - or they don't. Apparently they do.

Wait till they start making sockets and wrenches out of plastic.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Hard to imagine that a company known for high priced top line tools is now only offering up a plastic impact. Anyhow, this one will last me the rest of my life.

Nose bearing will fail. Seen it many times before, that's how all those guns die.

 

[Skin]

If the metal was better they would still be using it.

Not really. If you look at the multi-thousand dollar industrial impacts you wont find plastic housings. Most are aluminum or magnesium.

I have nothing against composite or plastics but its niave to ignore that one of the biggest benefits is cost savings for the manufacturer.

Edit: Snap On online catalog still lets me add the MG3255 to the cart. Are you sure your dealer is correct? https://store.snapon.com/MG3255-Ser...Housing-Standard-Anvil-1-2-drive-P648069.aspx

MG725 has been phased out by the PT850. That's what the OP is referring to. 325 and 3255 are still current.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

Had a mg725 my boss gave me was 2 years old and was losing it's power sent it in an got it rebuilt $140 2 years later was losing power went to the ir matco gun more power lighter and more durable plus I can rebuild it myself cheaper and no down time. I'll by snap on airtools but the mg725 is just ehhh. The mg325 is amazing no issues out a that thing

 

[toolenthusiast]

Gentlemen, the year is 2019. Why would anyone a) buy a metal-bodied impact b) buy a Snap-on impact?

Please note: this is coming from someone who loves Snap-on and has a soft spot for vintage/traditional tools.

 

[Skin]

Gentlemen, the year is 2019. Why would anyone a) buy a metal-bodied impact b) buy a Snap-on impact?

Please note: this is coming from someone who loves Snap-on and has a soft spot for vintage/traditional tools.

Hey now, if we judge power by sound alone an unmuffled Snap-On gun is the biggest baddest guy on the market today!

 

[sberry]

But,,,,,,, it isn't a multi thousand dollar impact.

 

[Ben1967]

wow, that is crazy

 

[Wamsutta]

Does the MG725 have a composite handle?

And what about that black layer on the very top?

 

[dsimatt]

Composite air tools is where air tool manufacturers are going these days. Snap on is actually playing catch up with composite air tools. IR, Air cat, and CP have been at it for years at least. My Snap on guy actually sold me a rebuilt MG725 which is probably the result of someone trading it in and upgrading to a composite gun. My only concern with a composite housing would be if I abuse it like drop the gun or drag it while it's hooked up to the air line. For your average auto mechanic, lighter weight, better ergonomics and slightly less power makes sense with a 1/2 gun. But as someone who works on medium and heavy duty trucks, I need the extra power and power is the only thing the MG725 is really good for.

That snap on is over priced, over sized and just overrated and every tech in the shop with one has had theirs catastrophically fail. IR is just as good or better and my composite is 10 years old and still going strong every thou I beat the hell out of it and I'm in a heavy duty shop.

 

[Fly YX]

The Boeing Dreamliner is composite, as is the service weapon of 95% of the peace officers in the US. Welcome to the 21st century.

I know and if it has GE engines it can't fly in rain. As far as composite guns I have three and so far they have been fine.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Does the MG725 have a composite handle?

And what about that black layer on the very top?

Black area on top is just rubber, metal shell is recessed there to allow for it. A quick google shows the composite lower handle slips over the metal handle cast with the main body.

 

[Wamsutta]

Black area on top is just rubber, metal shell is recessed there to allow for it. A quick google shows the composite lower handle slips over the metal handle cast with the main body.

Interesting. Thanks!

 

[ovrrdrive]

Funny thing but are neighbors pipe broke and it was installed back in 1925 (the pipe from the main line up to the house from the street) and it was replaced by plastic which surprised me; so I guess tht is the way things are going today.

So just how do the they locate plastic water lines underground? I have seen them wrap wires around plastic gas lines for the metal detectors but nothing for the plastic water lines; or maybe I missed that part?

Good to know about the snap on air tool op.

Dowse it. Yes it's real and actually works.

 

[Mikeske]

I know and if it has GE engines it can't fly in rain. As far as composite guns I have three and so far they have been fine.

The 787 engines made by GE can't fly in the rain. Where did you get that information?? Kind of curious as I retired in 2017 from working at Boeing on the Everett assembly plants flight line. The only issue I heard of was the gearbox issue and that's being resolved with a modified part.

 

[rlitman]

Dowse it. Yes it's real and actually works.

No, it doesn't.