1/2" impact question

[Caleb Swartz]

Quick question for those of you on here with more experience than me, I’m looking to get a decent ½ impact and have narrowed it down to a few choices. I wouldn’t mind paying the extra money for a snap on gun if it is going to be worth it.

~SO MG725 $272.67 with student discount
~SO PT850 $318.57 with student discount
~IR 2235TiMAX $238.04 off amazon
~Aircat 1150 $164.79 off amazon

Thanks

 

[bcradio]

I have not tried the SO guns personally, but others on here say almost unanimously that they are not worth the money they cost.

I have the 2235 and like it a lot and would personally go that route, but many on here like the Aircat as well. Best bet in my opinion is to choose between those two.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have owned the MG725, and the IR 2235....both worked well, but I kept the 2235 probably due to ease of rebuild for future. Would love to try the PT850...that's the new one, right?

 

[ocloc24]

The snap on is a great gun, but certainly not a $500 gun. With your discount the price is alot better though. It comes down to preference really. The snap on you could break up into payments so it's easier to deal with. I would say personally to go with an MG725 over the new PT850. The MG is stronger, I was kinda surprised in this era of out doing the competition that snap on would release a gun with less torque than it's predecessor. The other two options are very good guns as well. I think you'll be happy with any one of those choices.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[KMdef9]

If you're Ok spending more for quality, IR is the best on the market.

 

[anndel]

I have the SP MG725, PT850 and both IR 2235 and Aircat 1150. I used to use the MG725 more then it's started to show wear and needed a rebuild. If you need to warranty, your Snap On drive will take the SO guns back and send them to a SO service center. With the IR and Aircat you'll have to send them back yourself at your expense. My SO drive took the MG725 and sent it to have it rebuilt out of warranty and I didn't pay a cent, not even shipping so something to think about. Regardless, all four are great choices.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Astro Nano is worth a look, even it you only get the 3/8"

 

[bamendaboy]

Ingersall rand any day.

 

[lugnut71]

I have been using Chicago pneumatic cp-734 guns for 25 years. I get 5-6 years out of one using it daily. Does everything I need on cars and up to 1 ton pickups.

 

[454ragtop]

A couple years ago I got one of the King Tony M7 mini impacts and it's been my daily driver ever since. Have an IR 2135 or 2235, think I've used it once since getting the mini. The small size allows for getting in tight spots for suspension and brake work, while zipping wheels off no problem. Used a buddies older metal IR gun a little while back, thought my arm was gonna fall off it felt so heavy.

 

[Marlin]

If buying an IR I'd suggest you try to get it in your hands and check the fit an finish before handing over your money. I had a new out of the box 2115TiMAX in my hands the other day and the power regulator fit and detents felt horrible. Also, the product label was very crooked and not in the recessed box. I have an idea why these things are this way but can't really say.

 

[Bondo]

~IR 2235TiMAX

Ayuh,.... I've got 1, 'n Love it,...

Best impact I've owned in over 40 years of wrenchin',....

 

[Rubiman14]

Another plug for the 2235. Great impact. My SO guy gave me the MG when I bought all my 1/2” impact sockets. If it wasn’t for that, it wouldn’t be in my box. It works, service is great, but the IR is a better unit all around.

Zero exposure to aircat stuff, so can’t help there.

 

[GTA Matt]

I have the 2235 and the mg725, both are good guns, the ir seemed more powerful with the air setup at my work, so I kept it there and brought the mg home. I actually have more pressure and a better air setup at home and the mg really screams when cranked up. The mg is a little bulkier and unbalanced compared to the ir for every day use.

 

[ItsNemo]

Another vote for IR...although I've only used (and own) the 2135TiMax, 2115QTiMax and 35Max and not the 2235TiMax, all my guns have been great so I'm sure the 2235TiMax would be too.

 

[Fedwrench]

The 2235 is a beast of an impact but, it's a little on the heavy side. I also have the new PT850 at work. It's lighter than the 2235 but, it isn't as powerful, seems louder, and doesn't feel as nice in my hand. Lots of plastic too.

Not to muddy the waters but, do you have a student discount with MAC?

Their 1/2 inch composite impact is my favorite. PROTO's version is also nice.
I can't recommend anything from Aircat although some people like them.
Good luck in your quest.

 

[Sugarfryz]

Some people like them but I can't stand the nitrokat impacts. The ring that holds the sockets on is awful, and there's no ability to feather the trigger.

Mg725 is a good gun, so is pt850. I have the 2235ti, and it's great. I have co workers who have had mg725 forever and it's still kicking ***. Really the balls in your court, try some out and see what you like.

If it matters I have an mg325 and I adore that gun

 

[bcradio]

If buying an IR I'd suggest you try to get it in your hands and check the fit an finish before handing over your money. I had a new out of the box 2115TiMAX in my hands the other day and the power regulator fit and detents felt horrible. Also, the product label was very crooked and not in the recessed box. I have an idea why these things are this way but can't really say.

Uh oh that doesn't sound good. You must have some Insider information that we don't have.

 

[Olafur]

When I was buying 1/2" impact two years ago I was going for some IR model - but it was on backorder so I got Aircat 1250K instead.

I was really lucky that day, love that gun. Around the HD. shop I work there are probably 12, 1/2" impacts floating around, including many earlier versions of IR. None of them has the power of the Aircat, most make much more noise and are not as smooth.

Trigger is nice and zero problems feathering it and the I have had no problems with the gun overall. If you want power, the only comparable IR might be the 2235 - I have never tried one. But I know for a fact all earlier models of IR won't touch the cat when it comes to power.

But there are great many things about Impacts beside power.

 

[Olafur]

If buying an IR I'd suggest you try to get it in your hands and check the fit an finish before handing over your money. I had a new out of the box 2115TiMAX in my hands the other day and the power regulator fit and detents felt horrible. Also, the product label was very crooked and not in the recessed box. I have an idea why these things are this way but can't really say.

I got one two years ago. I had to tear it down because it was DOA. The end play for the air motor was to tight so the gun was stuck. Shipping it back to the US was way to costly so I repaired it. It already had damage to the rotor because of this.

I like that gun for what it it, light weight small package and decent power. However I rarely use it's because it's so loud it can wake up ghosts. Real downer right there!

 

[Marlin]

Uh oh that doesn't sound good. You must have some Insider information that we don't have.

Yes I have a little knowledge on the subject.

 

[blake101]

I would go with IR. Use them everyday doing repair work for paper mills. Take care of them and be sure to put a few drops of oil in it everyday and they will last.