3/4" Ratchets/Impacts.......

[diesel research]

Probably, but a wrist can heal. Plastic won't.

I'll continue to stick with my ancient and obsolete design, overly heavy and durable, steel and aluminum air tools.

It's a damn good thing that we have different opinions. If we all liked the same thing, there'd be a serious shortage of 6'5" 300 pound blond headed Ukrainian women that liked to cuddle.

WoD

It's not a total difference in opinions, I do still use those all metal impacts too.

I use this one multiple times per day:
http://www.toolsource.com/inch-spline-drive-impact-wrench-anvil-p-105811.html

Also had previous posted a picture of the other impact I was using daily. The D-handle broke off so you have to hold it one handed usually.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1302107&postcount=7

Let me reassure you that overhead awkward position work is a real chore, and lighter weight has real world advantages sometimes.

Some people could wreck a bowling ball, and even pure-unobtanium isn't strong enough.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

What type of chrome and impact sockets are you using?

Chrome sockets are Craftsman, impact sockets are mostly Blackhawk with a few Allen and Mac (all USA).

 

[83diesel]

I am a professional diesel tech. I always wanted the snapon set but could not justify the money for the seldom use it would get. I use a 3/4 impact 98% of the time. I found a real good copy of a SO from T&E tools that has a real heavy extendable handle, can put a breaker bar head or ratchet head on. The handle is much thicker in the collapsed mode. If you are going to put a cheater pipe on it make sure it is collapsed.

I have used it countless times for seized u-bolts and head bolts on 18 wheelers. And that is with the ratchet head. Now for the sockets I would just purchase Sunex or Grey Pneumatic. Most diesel techs don't bother with 3/4 chrome since most of its use is going to be on an impact anyways. They both offer 12pt, 6pt and anything else you would possibly need socket wise.

For 3/4 gun the smallest and lightest is the IR. A lot of guys buy them because of the size and weight. Your arm gets real tire in a tight position one handed holding a larger gun like the CP that I have that has an aluminum housing. The IRs don't hold up as long because they are light but again the aluminum housing guns are heavy and bulky. I have heard real good things about the Air Cat 3/4. I am planning on buying the Air Cat on my next 3/4 impact purchase after being impressed with the 1/2" Can't beat the price either.

Our shop has a cheap 3/4" tool set that is made by some import company that you see on Ebay that has two handles that can go together to make a long handle, ratchet head, breaker bar head, 3/4 to 1" adpater, extension and 3/4 and 1" drive sockets up to 2-3/4" and we have yet to break anything in the kit with hand use or impact use.

The extendable handle is nice so when running down bolts you don't have a 3 foot handle and when you go to cranking on it you just extend it and let er rip. And for road service guys it minimizes the tools in the truck.

Good luck

 

[Marlin]

Thanks for the link, I have been seeing more and more of the IR "Edge" series and for lesser used air tools, this might be a strong possibility. I was thinking about picking up the 1/2" "Edge" air ratchet at Lowe's using a 20% off coupon from HF.

Do you know if Lowe's is going to start carrying the 3/4" gun as well?

And what other "Edge" series tools seem good for occasional use?

Not sure about which tools Lowes will carry, Advance Auto and Tractor Supply are carrying some of the line. You can see the complete line here.
http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/IS/Category.aspx-am_en-35766

 

[DaleK]

My 3/4" set is Can-Pro, probably the same set 83diesel mentioned, just rebadged. Also have a 1" drive no-name (probably Princess Auto) set I got used for $100, it's not fancy but it holds up taking apart gang axles on my disk with a 10' cheater with me (6'4, 320) hanging off the end.

 

[otis66]

I got a Craftsman 3/4 in drive socket set with 2 extensions a ratchet and breaker bar. Sockets from 7/8 in to 2" I have had it for 22 years. Never broke a socket or anything. I use it all the time and I never felt a need to upgrade it.

 

[asp]

I've been looking for a 3/4 drive ratchet/socket set for a little while now. I'm a DIY'er and I rarely need them, but I'd still like to have them. The HF set is on sale for $40 and I've pretty much decided that I want it. A couple friends own the set and they've had good luck with it.

Link to coupon

So, steer me away from it or tell me to go buy it. I've got till Sunday to make up my mind.

 

[tcheat]

I can't comment on the HF 3/4 drive stuff, but you might try watching ebay and CL. I scored a nice S-K 3/4 set that included a ratchet that looked unused, an extension, the S-K metal box and a good set of sockets for $125. If you're patient you'll find a lot of quality 3/4 stuff that occasionally goes pretty cheap.

To fill out the lineup, I added some brand new (and cheap) Williams sockets from an ebay auction like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...Z400192637053QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[patrickw10]

The hf sockets are ok but the ratchet is a turd. Need to upgrade ratchet for sure.

 

[asp]

TCheat, I've found some great deals on CL before and have been watching for a little while now. I think you're right that I'd get much better quality from old used tools than new HF tools.

Thanks for the link to the auction. What do they typically end at?

Patrick- Good to know. I haven't actually used one before.

 

[tcheat]

It has been a while, but I think I got the Williams sockets for $60 or so. I ended up with some duplicates, so I've been meaning to put the extras up for sale in the classifieds.

 

[asp]

Cool, thanks for the heads up. I hate buying cheap tools and I like that Williams is made by SO.

 

[Busted Bolts]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I got a list made up, sitting next to the computer so I remember to constantly search eBay, CL, etc.

Anyone else with experience with any IR vs. any Aircat and/or CP impact?

I have the Air Cat 1000k Kevlar impact 1/2 Dr. It has 1100ft lbs and it is an awsome gun, use it every day, from tires, front end, heavy truck suspension, large earthmoving equipment and no problems. Had for over a year now. It is well balanced too.

 

[sandmanxx]

I use the following 3/4" drive ratchets:

A coarse toothed but strong as hell Craftsman. A lot of people under estimate the strength of these. You do have to work at tearing one up to kill it.

A fine toothed New Britain that I "conserve" by only using in confined areas and by trying not to use it to break loose anything really tight. It's a good smooth ratchet but it's been discontinued for well over twenty years. I only have one rebuild kit left and the ratchet that NAPA will replace it with under warranty with is a clone of the coarse toothed Carftsman.

And lastly, a 28 or 30" handle Wright 8400 1" drive ratchet that I put a 6400 3/4" drive head into. It's almost a foot longer than the standard ratched and is strong as hell. If you have the room to swing it, it's great for stuff that's tight the whole way out.

For a 3/4" drive impact, I've been using an IR261 for a long time now, maybe fifteen years. It's heavy as hell, but strong and tough. I'm not impressed with the newer and lighter impacts.

Your mileage may vary.

WoD

SO u use the IR 261.. Any comments on the IR259??

 

[mark52621]

I have a craftsman and sk 3/4" ratchet.

I prefer the craftsman for farm equipment, the teardrop shaped head fits in tighter spots.

For my impact I bought a 1" cp off of ebay. Its nice to have the extra power over a 3/4".