3/4” impact. Air or battery?

[Macneil]

Simple question; I am looking for real world input of a good 3/4” impact.

Most of the time, I’ve got access to air between 120-150 psi. Occasionally I need to go in the middle of nowhere underground (mining) and do a repair. So far, for those emergency calls where I need an impact, my 1/2” Milwaukee has done me well. Anything big and tedious we usually get it to a shop where we have access to torches, welders and air.

I’ve got a 1/2” matco gun (think I am on the third one now) and I really enjoy it. My go to has been the Milwaukee ever since I bought that mind you.

I’ve got a few m18 batteries and tools and a plethora of m12 stuff. My big hang up is the 3/4 to 1/2” is only 100 ft lbs of reverse torque. Is that 100 ft lbs really worth the $600 or so canadian? Or should I get the 3/4” Matco air gun with 1850 IIRC.

I have 3/4” drive sockets already, otherwise I may entertain the 1” stuff but I’ve gotten by this long with what I have.


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[KWtech90]

Simple question; I am looking for real world input of a good 3/4” impact.

Most of the time, I’ve got access to air between 120-150 psi. Occasionally I need to go in the middle of nowhere underground (mining) and do a repair. So far, for those emergency calls where I need an impact, my 1/2” Milwaukee has done me well. Anything big and tedious we usually get it to a shop where we have access to torches, welders and air.

I’ve got a 1/2” matco gun (think I am on the third one now) and I really enjoy it. My go to has been the Milwaukee ever since I bought that mind you.

I’ve got a few m18 batteries and tools and a plethora of m12 stuff. My big hang up is the 3/4 to 1/2” is only 100 ft lbs of reverse torque. Is that 100 ft lbs really worth the $600 or so canadian? Or should I get the 3/4” Matco air gun with 1850 IIRC.

I have 3/4” drive sockets already, otherwise I may entertain the 1” stuff but I’ve gotten by this long with what I have.


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From what I gather the 3/4 Milwaukee is the same gun as the 1/2 with a 3/4 anvil. In real world experience the 1 inch milwaukee is marginally stronger and your only reasonable option for more cordless power. I'm pretty confident a quality 1 inch to 3/4 adapter would hold up well to it, but I still feel like a good 3/4 pneumatic gun is just as strong if not stronger than the 1 inch Milwaukee.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Air all the way.

I love all my M18 tools, but it's one of the spots air is still WAY ahead in power.

Sold my IR 2145QiMAX right before going into construction/heavy equipment (after years in a service truck doing generators, where it was unused). Coworker gave me his hammered old IR261, and it will still run circles around my full size M18 1/2" Fuel.

 

[vanapplebomb]

A reasonable air impact will outlast a good electric one, hands down. For heavy use, I wouldn’t conceder an electric impact. Cordless is great as a hobby or light industrial use, but I have been less than impressed with longevity in heavy duty environments.

And don’t get me started on my Milwaukee M18 Fuel rant...

 

[Mr_B]

Once over 1/2" if you want the real hard hitting power and sensible cost and decades durability it have to be air .
Battery great when you truly need it but when not truly needed it extra cost for less lifespan and lesser performance in a bigger/heavier tool .

 

[Spareparts]

I have a 3/4" IR impact and use the hell out of it, bought it in 1987. I have Dewalt battery tools and I could sent my kids to collage for the same money I have spent on batteries alone. Started with 12V then to 18V and now 20V, NiCad then to Lithium. Now all the Dewalt stuff is wore out and that old Ingersoll is still running strong.

 

[Skin]

Im not sure there is even a 3/4 cordless that isn't the 1/2" model with an upsized anvil. The Milwaukee 1" has 3/4" performance but you'd need to adapt down and lose torque or buy some very expensive sockets and its still a grand entrance fee for the kit which is hundreds more than something like a IR 2925 (1600 real foot pounds, not a bogus breakaway number) can be found for.

 

[babyman1737]

Most people have mentioned that the 3/4" Milwaukee is just a 1/2" with a 3/4" anvil. It's the same with the newer 3/4" Dewalt. You'd be crazy to buy a 3/4" electric if you already have the 1/2". Go for air 100%

 

[Farmall450]

Air all the way -- you pointed out as much in the first post

 

[General Geoff]

If you have the air, use it

 

[Macneil]

Thanks for all the replies!

I figured I was on the right track of going for air with the 3/4” gun. My boss has a 1/2” and 3/4” M18 and I told him there’s only a 100 ft/lbs difference apparently. I haven’t tried it mind you.

When I am not underground, I am in a service truck (with 150 psi of air).

When it comes to IR I think I may be the only one who complains about them. Had a 1/2” gun years ago and I couldn’t throw that thing far enough away to make me happy. That’s when I switched to Matco, which is damn near the identical gun but somewhat stronger.

Decisions decisions..


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[highland512]

Just bought a 3/4 aircat last week, my pipe crews crews with aircats run circles around the crew using a 3/4 cordless red beating 1-1/4 bolts.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Try the ingersoll rand 2161 for $6-800 you can get a damn powerful gun that will last 20+ years if you oil it regularly. There are better guns that can be had for more $, but for most work the 2161 will get it done

 

[Mr_B]

IR not what it use to be, aircat 1680A makes for a great buy .
Spoilt for choice these days .

 

[MattT]

My boss has a 1/2” and 3/4” M18 and I told him there’s only a 100 ft/lbs difference apparently.

100 ft lb on paper. Between the stronger anvil and heavier sockets the 3/4" gun will probably outperform the 1/2" by more than that in the field.

That said I agree with everyone else about getting a strong air gun. It'll definitely outperform the battery options if you feed it enough air. If you're one of those guys with a 100' 3/8" hose reel on the truck you'll be disappointed. I've pissed a couple of those guys off busting loose fasteners with my W7150

Just bear the 1/2" vs. 3/4" battery gun difference when it comes time to replace your current one.

 

[Macneil]

I’ve always heard good things from air cat. I’ve got a right angle drill and it’s always performed for me.

Gonna look into them a little more. I forgot about that brand.


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[thefoobag]

Look on ebay man, I just bought a lightly used IR 285b 1" short anvil for 170 shipped. I know you are looking at matco 3/4" air but again I'd look used as matco is way overpriced. Or if you care the earthquake XT from harbor freight is a monster. I use them both for track bolts, shear blade rotations, baler ram bolts and a plethora of other high torque applications daily, neither have let me down yet, unless the fasteners needed to be turned to liquid.

 

[thefoobag]

Let me add in my experience between the 2 also, we had to rebuild some large baler cylinders, Milwaukee 1" wouldn't budge most of the gland bolts, my 3/4" earthquake ripped em off like nothing, granted my service truck has 170psi for air pressure. was pretty disappointed. Nice gun but cost wise air for the big tools is still king.

 

[Skin]

When it comes to IR I think I may be the only one who complains about them. Had a 1/2” gun years ago and I couldn’t throw that thing far enough away to make me happy.

IR not what it use to be

IR has 3 lines. Consumer, Prosumer, and Industrial. Consumer models are generally junky. Prosumer are pretty good with only the old composites having problems but that was a long time ago. Sadly the prosumer models are also slowly going overseas. Industrial impacts like the 2925 and 3942 have been basically about the best you can get.

 

[setfocus]

Thanks for all the replies!

I figured I was on the right track of going for air with the 3/4” gun. My boss has a 1/2” and 3/4” M18 and I told him there’s only a 100 ft/lbs difference apparently. I haven’t tried it mind you.

When I am not underground, I am in a service truck (with 150 psi of air).

When it comes to IR I think I may be the only one who complains about them. Had a 1/2” gun years ago and I couldn’t throw that thing far enough away to make me happy. That’s when I switched to Matco, which is damn near the identical gun but somewhat stronger.

Decisions decisions..


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the old matco gun was an IR 2135timax with different skin, then the patent ran out on the 2135 and many took that design and beefed it up, including matco. IR did the same with the 2235timax

 

[Macneil]

Look on ebay man, I just bought a lightly used IR 285b 1" short anvil for 170 shipped. I know you are looking at matco 3/4" air but again I'd look used as matco is way overpriced. Or if you care the earthquake XT from harbor freight is a monster. I use them both for track bolts, shear blade rotations, baler ram bolts and a plethora of other high torque applications daily, neither have let me down yet, unless the fasteners needed to be turned to liquid.

Unfortunately here in Canada, we don’t have a harbor freight. We have princess auto and I know a few guys who have some of their impacts and the reviews are yay or nay.

We’ve got a 1” long anvil that does 1800 lbs/ft and if you’re not hanging onto it, it’ll rip your arms off.


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