1/2" impact recommendations

[mikester]

After 30 years my old impact gun finally bit the dust. It was a cheap swap meet clone that really never had the torque to loosen up a lugnut but Ive just been to cheap to go out and buy a new one. I dont want to spend a fortune on a replacement. I dont need a high end tool since I only use it on my own stuff. Can you guys give me any recommendations. I really dont want to go much over $200. Thanks

 

[Garmann]

I would suggest a Ingersoll Rand 231 or if you think you need more pork check out the Ingersoll Rand Thunder Gun.

 

[sberry]

I have a CP 727 I think, about the nicest unit I have used.

 

[Homoudont]

I second the IR. I got a IR231 from Lowes on clearance and it works great. All the torque and then some for a DIY.

 

[nolatoolguy]

We have a few 1/2 inch impacts.One in my truck 2 in the barn. There great tools to have.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200353267_200353267

thats the one i keep in my truck its great for high tourqe jobs, i know its over the 200 but you get what you pay for. If you need one thats gonna be in a hard working enviorment and set in mud an gravel, dropped(not purposely) this is your guy.

This is the one that we use in the barn, i havent used it alot but from what i here from the guys who work with me its a good one and they like it. Again its in a harsh work enviorment
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_370269_370269

The other one is older and i dont think its made anymore

Anyway sorry i know there all over 200 dollars but what we use them for you need massive amounts of tourqe

 

[wellstig1]

If your looking for longevity and don't need tons of power or mind noise go with the 231

http://www.etooldirect.com/manufact...soll-rand-231c-1-2-super-duty-air-impact.html

If you want lightweight, tons of power and low noise go with this

http://www.etooldirect.com/manufacturer/aircat/aircat-1200k-1-2-impact-kevlar-composite.html

 

[mikester]

Lowes has a package deal with the IR 231, a 3/8 IR air ratchet and a bunch of shallow sockets for $139. It seems like a fair price but is the impact decent ? Im tired of having to use a breaker bar to get the lugnuts loose before the impact will take them off. The specs dont look bad on the IR website. Will it break the nuts loose on an 80s front end or will I be sorry that I didnt go for a better one costing more ??!!

 

[00S4Boy]

ebay mg725 used but in good condition.

 

[bgott]

Will it break the nuts loose on an 80s front end or will I be sorry that I didnt go for a better one costing more ??!!

It should, I can bust loose 3/4 ton truck lugs that are torqued to 135 pounds/feet with my ancient Craftsman impact that probably was rated for 250 pounds/feet thirty or more years ago when it was new. It just takes a really long time these days. I'm not complaining, I gave $12 for it at the flea market in 1992. The next one I'm going to get is one of the 1000 pounds/feet models, you don't need that much, I just want to be able to break stuff off if it doesn't want to come loose.

 

[articsilber323]

i just bought a aircat 1200k cant wait to get it i will let you know how well it works

 

[nato]

IR 2135Ti/TiMax

There has to be somewhere or someone that can lend a $200 price tag! (I believe new, a non-Max version can be sought for $220-230 still). You will not be let down, I assure you!
Many more will say the same
I had Mac version of the standard NitroCat 1000 and it turned out to be JUNK

I also 2nd the 231 if that's the other option...

 

[fordbroncodave]

get the ingersoll rand thunder gun! like all the other twin hammer designs out there, this one will last 20 years at least! i have 2 of them to prove it

 

[crewchief888]

ive used IR 231's for 20 years, only reason ive ever replaced one was i snapped off an anvil, nobody had one in stock, and i needed a gun right now.

for the price the IR231 cant be beat IMHO.

 

[stricht8]

Lowes has a package deal with the IR 231, a 3/8 IR air ratchet and a bunch of shallow sockets for $139. It seems like a fair price but is the impact decent ? Im tired of having to use a breaker bar to get the lugnuts loose before the impact will take them off. The specs dont look bad on the IR website. Will it break the nuts loose on an 80s front end or will I be sorry that I didnt go for a better one costing more ??!!

The Lowes combo pack 231 is a 231G which is not the same as the 231C which most are referring to. Does anyone know if the 231G is also a good tool?

 

[Jeeper]

The Lowes combo pack 231 is a 231G which is not the same as the 231C which most are referring to. Does anyone know if the 231G is also a good tool?

I bought one of the lowes kits before I joined this board. My assessment of the 231G would be it's better than most starter kit guns, but nothing compared to my nitrocats when I bought them. The 231G is at a friends house and has been for a few months. I don't the lowes kit is worth it.

 

[sberry]

I like the CP because its easy to throttle and run slowly. I have an IR something here, too hot and radical.

 

[Fedwrench]

For home use the classic IR 231 is tough to beat. You would also be well served by the Craftsman professional 1/2 drive impact model number 0919905 which is a clone of the older IR2131. It lists for $189 but is on sale often. The current IR2135TI and TIMAX may break your budget. CP has a new 1/2 drive impact out that has a $25 rebate on it.
http://www.tooltopia.com/chicago-pneumatic-7749.aspx
Good luck in your quest...
How good is your home air supply? The higher end guns are air gluttons.

 

[mikester]

Well its too late to go back, after reading some of the posts last night I went to Lowes this morning and bought the IR set. I dont use an air ratchet too often but the old Craftsman/CP that I had broke about 4 years ago and it also needed to be replaced. So its a done deal. I tried the impact when I got home and it seemed way more powerful than the old clunker that I had. Im sure it will be fine for what I do. Thanks for all the opinions guys !

 

[crewchief888]

The Lowes combo pack 231 is a 231G which is not the same as the 231C which most are referring to. Does anyone know if the 231G is also a good tool?

the 231C was an "updated version of the old 231. the old 231's had an oil reservior next to the air inlet, the C model didnt.
MAC used to have a similar gun with an aluminum nose, i could never keep the nose cone bolts tight and it always leaked oil when i had one, last time it came apart it went in the scrap.

 

[redsky49]

For anyone else looking for an impact wrench more powerful than the 231C, MSC has a sale today.

Description Order Number Regular
Price Sale
Price
Ingersoll Rand Logo 1/4" 780FT/LBS Titanium Maximum Impact Wrench 51022598 $368.68 $276.44

Promo code is HPT25W

 

[jethro29]

ingersoll-rand 231. excellent gun for the price.

 

[jordacheha]

only gun ill ever buy, my cp 749. ive tried to IR for a while and i have to agree with "sberry", its way to psychotic.. the CP has the same torque and is much easier to work with and is built to last

 

[t100]

1 more on the IR. one thing for home users, the 231 is very very simple design, if something goes wrong you can pretty much fix it yourself. picked up a non-working IR 231C off CL for $25. took it apart, cleaned up the guts and now it runs just like new.

 

[olds394]

Just FYI. Assembled in USA. If I'm too late sorry.

http://www.foxruntools.com/12patriotsuper-dutyairimpactwrench-irc-231usa.aspx

 

[Monte]

Anybody owns a impact wrench from K&E ? www.ketools.com