what's the best 1/2 Impact?

[redwrench60]

Air: Ingersoll Rand 2235timax.

Cordless: Milwaukee Fuel high torque.

Both are top of their class. But from personal experience the IR2235timax makes the Milwaukee it’s prison *****. It’s smaller, lighter, hits way way harder and delivers more power through long extensions and swivel sockets than Milwaukee’s strongest 1/2” Fuel. I own them both.

I’m with ATC, I call ******** on 1/4” hex impacts pulling 1-ton truck lugs. I own these tools, they simply won’t do it. Don’t believe me? Drive by your local tire store and watch what they use. Lots of air impacts still in play in the pro repair world.

 

[Spike00513]

Air: Ingersoll Rand 2235timax.

Cordless: Milwaukee Fuel high torque.

Both are top of their class. But from personal experience the IR2235timax makes the Milwaukee it’s prison *****. It’s smaller, lighter, hits way way harder and delivers more power through long extensions and swivel sockets than Milwaukee’s strongest 1/2” Fuel. I own them both.

I’m with ATC, I call ******** on 1/4” hex impacts pulling 1-ton truck lugs. I own these tools, they simply won’t do it. Don’t believe me? Drive by your local tire store and watch what they use. Lots of air impacts still in play in the pro repair world.

The quiet one seems like a good choice,
Ingersoll Rand 1/2" Quiet Air Impact Wrench IR2235QTiMAX
88.7dB

Aircat 1150 is 86dB, not much less

going to look up other quiet impacts to see how they compare, I think there's a few more I haven't found the dB spec on yet. That other companies offer, including Mac or Matco.
might be the Mac AW612Q and Matco MT1769QA both around 86dB

 

[CJM8515]

ive had problems with most of my Milwaukee tools tbh. theyre not as great as people say honestly. my opinion though, it seems challenging Milwaukee is a mortal sin. main thing that bother me is the battery fit so loosely on the tools

Considering how many people here and elsewhere Ive read about, talked to and so forth like milwaukee and have zero if few issues tops-I bet the issue is you. I have a neighbor like that, could be a IR gun or a ryobi..wouldnt last in his hands.


Also: add me to the list calling bs on the 1/4 and 1/4 impact hex head guns taking off lug nuts..either the nuts werent tight to begin with or people are full of it.

 

[Wrench97]

Well if you use the 1/4" to install it, it'll probably take it back off............

I use to have a lot of trouble with air/all tools until a older coworker finally convinced me that I was the issue, from air guns falling off the lift arms, not oiling them regularly, pulling on a 3/8" ratchet like it was a 3/4" breaker bar.
It finally sunk in and saved me a lot of money in the years since...........

 

[chris6278]

Just saw that Carlyle is coming out w a 60v 1/2 impact thats supposedly is 1500 ft pounds. Should be out before the end of the year

 

[johninct]

I was at Harbor Freight today. Did anyone ever try the Bauer 1/2" and 3/4" cordless impact wrenches? Just curious.

 

[Odd-job]

I have a Matco 2769, Aircat 1150(? I think), and Milwaukee 2767. I've had wheel nuts that none of these would take off, switched to a 24" ratchet or at worst a 3/4 impact.

Now that said the impact I like using the most for wheel nuts is the Aircat, mainly as it's fairly quiet. The other two are a wash for the most part, torque and noise is about the same.

Same here.

I like my Milwaukee mid torque, but sometimes I prefer my Aircat 1150 even if it means dragging out the air hose due to its lower decibels. Maybe I need to lose my hearing more for it to be a draw.

Would be nice if Milwaukee licensed some of the noise suppression tech of the Aircats.

 

[ChrisLS8]

For mainly tossing off lugs you don't need a top of the line gun imo. Take your pick they will all do the job

 

[Hytekrednek]

I just sent the Hilti 1/2'' back. It struggled with lugnuts on my f150 truck, they were not that tight. VERY disappointed as their cordless drill I have will break your arm easily it has so much power. Also, the hilti has no selectable settings... all or nothing. I will be getting the milwaukee fuel 1/2'' soon.
Even the Hilti 6.5'' cordless circular saw is awesome. I guess the Hilti was designed for a specific use and not general use. The IR looks like a great choice too. If I did not already have red batts, I would probably get the IR.

 

[greg13]

I've had my IR Quiet for over 20 years and haven't even had to put a kit into it yet and I abuse the hell out of it (I will pull lug nuts off of 10k 4wd forklifts all day).

I think Mac has about the best cordless 18v, most of the guys in the shop have traded in their Snapon, Matco & Milwaukees in.

 

[_Riddle]

I recently purchased a Milwaukee mid torque and a 3/8 stubby for an 30 year old BMW project car. The mid torque is great but there were a few lug bolts on this car (which has been sitting for 11 years) that it couldn’t remove. Keep in mind I only have a 2 AH battery for it so I assume it loses peak power quickly. I’m going to pick up a larger battery and give it another try. Otherwise I really like the size, weight, and power but part of me thinks I should have gotten the high torque version since this just about every fastener on this car is rusty and needs to be replaced.

I haven’t put the stubby through it’s paces yet but I’m hoping it makes tearing the engine down a quick process.

Did some work on the BMW today and the 3/8 stubby was invaluable getting drive shaft bolts on the transmission side. Also worked great for transmission brace, fuel tank bolts, and a million heat shield bolts. Really happy with this tool, I’m hoping it’s up to the task of removing the bolts that secure the axles to the differential, they’re pretty crusty looking!

 

[Sugarfryz]

Considering how many people here and elsewhere Ive read about, talked to and so forth like milwaukee and have zero if few issues tops-I bet the issue is you. I have a neighbor like that, could be a IR gun or a ryobi..wouldnt last in his hands.


Also: add me to the list calling bs on the 1/4 and 1/4 impact hex head guns taking off lug nuts..either the nuts werent tight to begin with or people are full of it.

Maybe, I really don’t abuse my tools. But when the motor turns and anvil doesn’t what am I supposed to do

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I've owned the qtimax from ingersoll, the 3/8 Milwaukee fuel, the ir w7150 & the w5132. The qtimax is quiet and just as powerful as the non quiet, but I personally love the w5132. My cordless are my favorite. I gave away the Milwaukee, not impressed. I say go with IR

 

[619DioFan]

All my air impact tools are hf earthquake line ( 1/2 and 3/8 impact and impacting air ratchet ) they have worked well for me as a serious DIYer. I did buy the milwaukee fuel 1/2 impact for the times the earthquake couldn't remove something. the fuel has yet to fail. all my other cordless tools are Ryobi and they work very well also.

 

[KnurledNut]

In the meantime, the XWT08 flies under the radar...

 

[Sugarfryz]

In the meantime, the XWT08 flies under the radar...

Is that Makita? I have a co worker who swears by those, he's had some of the old ones for 15 years he said. Only thing he's replaced is batteries but that's understandable.

 

[81turbota]

Milwaukee is great, we have a few of the one key fuel impacts at work. I personally have a Dewalt 20V brushless as I’m heavily set up in Dewalt 20V. It’s been great and removes lug nuts/suspension parts no problem. The only thing that it couldn’t defeat so far is a seized Mazda rotary flywheel nut. We ended up getting it loose with the flame wrench.

 

[Farmall450]

For something like an impact, noise will always be an issue. I'm partial to my American made Mac Tools (DeWalt), but the Milwaukee is a fine gun too. I haven't found anything that one will remove but the other won't.

 

[KnurledNut]

Is that Makita? I have a co worker who swears by those, he's had some of the old ones for 15 years he said. Only thing he's replaced is batteries but that's understandable.

 

[Spike00513]

ended up ordering the IR 2235QTiMAX

excited to try it out

 

[Spike00513]

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[redwrench60]

ended up ordering the IR 2235QTiMAX

excited to try it out

Make sure you’re air supply is up to snuff. These impacts have incredible power when properly fed. (Set regulator for 90psi while the tool is at full throttle just free spinning without a load.) Be sure and put a few drops of air tool oil in the air inlet before use and it’ll live a long life.

 

[Ton ton]

I am glad you found your self a tool- enjoy.

 

[Spike00513]

Make sure you’re air supply is up to snuff. These impacts have incredible power when properly fed. (Set regulator for 90psi while the tool is at full throttle just free spinning without a load.) Be sure and put a few drops of air tool oil in the air inlet before use and it’ll live a long life.

so far I put 4 drops of oil per day. Not sure if it's required per use, or per day.

The air supply does seem good, however, it looks like the air connect valves I have (1/4"?) that screws into the bottom of airguns are kind of restrictive.
I hear there is a certain type made by Milton that has a thinner wall for more air flow, that makes a difference in power. Going to try and find which one is needed

it may take some getting used to; even the smaller 2135 is powerful and I don't think the trigger is the most adjustable

 

[RKA]

Also: add me to the list calling bs on the 1/4 and 1/4 impact hex head guns taking off lug nuts..either the nuts werent tight to begin with or people are full of it.

They can do it. Not the right tool for the job, and you should probably keep a box of socket adapters handy.

Lots of other examples out there as well.

 

[redwrench60]

so far I put 4 drops of oil per day. Not sure if it's required per use, or per day.

The air supply does seem good, however, it looks like the air connect valves I have (1/4"?) that screws into the bottom of airguns are kind of restrictive.
I hear there is a certain type made by Milton that has a thinner wall for more air flow, that makes a difference in power. Going to try and find which one is needed

it may take some getting used to; even the smaller 2135 is powerful and I don't think the trigger is the most adjustable

Use the oil daily if you’re using it professionally for say, tire shop use or heavy shop work. Daily use will require periodic greasing of the hammer case through the grease fitting in the nose. Special grease required.

If for intermittent home shop use, just add 2-4 drops whenever you use it. Since it may sit idle for weeks, this will keep a film of oil on internal parts without being a slobbery mess. For this type of use greasing the hammer case may never be needed or be an every 1-2 year service. Few pros I’ve worked alongside grease their impacts hammer case.

For fittings and couplers you want Milton style “V” 1/4” high flow air couplers and fittings used on 1/4” NPT air hose. There is a small benefit to using hose and fittings for 1/2” hose but the hose and fittings are physically huge and aren’t well suited to a 1/2” impact wrench. The bigger hose and fittings are more appropriate for 3/4 and 1” impacts. Stick to 1/4” NPT fittings and hose.

 

[MattT]

They can do it. Not the right tool for the job, and you should probably keep a box of socket adapters handy.

Lug breakaway torque is very variable. Can be very high on some even if they're properly torqued. A 1/4" Hex driver will remove the easy ones but ain't gonna remove all lugs.

Stick to 1/4” NPT fittings and hose.

I hope you mean 3/8" hose with 1/4" fittings which would be the minimum for the OPs new gun. Might need more than that depending on tank pressure and hose length.

 

[Bretny]

I have a m18 3/8 non fuel impact. It will remove lug nuts on my k3500 that lives its life as a plow truck.

For the OPs purpose i would look at the m18 mid-torque. Way lighter than the huge full-tq guns and still prob abough to snap lug nuts on most vehicles if your not carefull.

What ever you get make sure you get a slip ring and not a pin detent. Needing a tool to remove a socket is total BS. I had a m18 mid torque in my hands at HD right off the clearance rack. It was a pin detent, i put it right back and walked out. Not worth the $50 in savings to me.

 

[VinceG]

I lik my Matco 1/2 electric and 1/2 Air impact. there new 1/2 air impact is 1600 ftlbs and the electric is like 1200 or 1300 you can pick up a used one on Ebay in 350 range.

 

[redwrench60]

I hope you mean 3/8" hose with 1/4" fittings which would be the minimum for the OPs new gun. Might need more than that depending on tank pressure and hose length.

Yup. Brain fart on my part. 3/8” I.D. Hose with 1/4” NPT fittings. Good catch!

 

[juddspaintballs]

I switched all of my air stuff over to Milton V style fittings. It's a 1/4" fitting that has a hole a little bigger than a 3/8" fitting and passes air just as well.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

ended up ordering the IR 2235QTiMAX

excited to try it out

I used that gun professionally. The snap on guys would rant and rave about their guns but between being bulky and expensive, the mg whatever it is isn't as strong as the ir. Though the snap on is louder (over compensating). Enjoy the gun. Get good fittings, get the oil/grease kit & buy the protective boot. It'll last you forever.