Thoughts on IR111?... made in Japan

Does anybody have any experience with the IR111?

My dad plans on ordering it tommorow, But I just want to knwo if anybody has had any problems? Its expensive as hell, but THE single reason were getting it is the reactionless feature. Normally, air ratchets kitback on you when the bolt is a tight as it will go, and it isnt usually a problem, but In awkward stances when you dont have a super firm grip, youc an ghet hurt, and Both of us have experienced this.

Its made in Japan too, which is better than china.

Jim

I'd say go for it. I just looked it up here http://www.medfordtools.com/airtools/ir111.html.
That's a very nice feature it has although the torque is pretty low. Not a major thing but I would expect more. The next time I'm looking at air ratchets I'll consider this one.

Yeah, its not exactly the torquiest thing ever, but Im glad in a way. I usually like to have a physical connection between myself and the bolt (ie a torque wrench or ratchet) so that I can apply the amount of torque I feel is needed. Besides, anything that needs more than 50 ft lbs is probably large enough to use an impact on lol.

I like the speed aspect of it... Sure beats ratchetingthe old fashioned way


Jim

I have the top one on this page and I love it. I don't like the flapper handle like the 111. Mine doesn't grab bad at all. That was the main reason I bought it over a snapon one. I have been bit soooooo many times with the snapon one.

Well I can get the one you have for 120, and the 111 for 130. It was a tossup, and I like how yours has the two speed ranges. What is it about hte flapper handle that you dont like, or rather, why do you liek yours more? I have only used that style of handle, and the IR with the botton a few times, so i wouldnt know anything else.

Jim

I don't like the flappers because it seems like they get bumped way too easy. When you have a swivel socket on there, and you are balancing a bolt that you are trying to get into a hole on the socket, and that thing gets bumped, I get pissed. Also, it seems to interfere with me a lot. For some reason, it just always seems in the way, and I never understood why they would use that design.

The snapon gun has just a button, and mine has the different button. Honestly, the snapon one has the button in a much better position. But, I like mine a lot. It has bit me a couple times, but it is much much much much more controlable than the snapon unit. Some reason the plastic feels better for me too. My other ratchets didn't have the moveable air exhaust either. The snapon one, the head always come loose, and it acts like a frigin swivel which gets real annoying.

I'll be honest, I don't use the air ratchet a whole lot. I use that one a heck of a lot more than anyone I ever used though just because the ergonomics are so nice. I like my 3/8's IR impact gun a lot, and find it much faster and more practical in a lot of situations. I was working at the dealer before and speed was definitely a necessity.

I'm sure you know which Snapon one I am talking about. It's the one that everyone has, shiny metal, round.

I'm living in an apartment now, and have no garage for any of my tools or anything. I live in Tampa for school, went the smart route, got out of the mechanics. I wish I had the thing in front of me though, it would make describing everything a little better.

I hope that helps. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be happy whichever way you go. The IR tools are great and are what I purchase now exclusively.

iiibdsiil said:

I have the top one on this page and I love it.

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x2

I paid alot less than what Matco gets for it though.

I did too. But that was the only place I knew for sure had it.

iiibdsiil, Im goin with your 1200. The reason Is I was told that the 111 struggles to run down nuts with resistance (nylocks) because of the reactionless feature.

Jim

You'll be happy.

Resurrecting this thread since I was looking at 3/8" air ratchets. I've seen mixed reviews on the IR 111 including some here. What is the latest thinking? I was bidding on ebay yesterday for a new one that was sold for $76, just beyond my max bid. Another, used, is currently at $40 (but reserve not met). Seems too cheap. Must be some issues with the ratchet. After reading some reviews, maybe I was lucky I didn't win.

Damn. Reserecting the dead! haha

I got tons of negative reviews about this thing. Somebody nick-named it the "impactratchet" because aparantly, whenever it would run down a fastener that had any sort of drag, the effects of the reactionless function would be felt and it some how would "impact" the nut or bolt down. Alot of people I asked said they were frustrated with it.

I went with the IR1200 and It has been good so far. I know a few others have this and are happy as well. I would look at this, along with aircat and the IR 107. The SK pro-gun series is less than 100$ and has a good bit of torque to it.

One thing I would recomment is the G&B products LONG air ratchet. I find it to be a very handy tool, especially for engine pay work. Reduces how much you need to lean over and reach. IIRC, I created a thread about these a little while back.

Jim