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3/8 Impact Ratchet or Gun

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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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Shade tree mechanic, but I have been looking for a 3/8" pneumatic impact ratchet OR pneumatic light/medium duty gun. If I could buy a new/rebuilt CP723 I would probably pull the trigger. Sadly they just don't exist anymore (unless you have one buried that you want to sell).

Requirements are


  • lightweight and compact (I don't consider any battery tools lightweight or compact)
  • Reasonable priced, under $200 (that leaves out the IR 2015MAX)
  • absolute minimum 70ft-lb torque (includes the IR 109XP and the HF Earthquake); 150 ft-lb would be better
  • The IR guns look "bulky"
  • The CP721 looks bigger than the old CP723 and has less torque.

I guess the first question is ratchet or gun ?
Which one ?
 
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CaseyR89

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Dec 20, 2012
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If you dont think any cordless tool can be light and compact and meet your needs you might wanna head over to home depot and check out the milwaukee m12 3/8 impact. Pretty bad *** little gun with around 100 ft. lb. torque IIRC. Willing to bet its smaller and lighter than any 3/8 air impact but obviously less powerful.

If you already have a 1/2" air impact for big stubborn stuff I'd say the air ratchet will get used more than the 3/8" impact. 3/8 earthquake ratchet is a monster in the torque department but on the heavy side. IMO torque isnt all that important with an air ratchet because you can still use it like a manual ratchet for 1/2 a turn or whatever to break the fastener loose so I'd look for something smaller and lighter.

Then if you can swing it down the road you can get an IR 2115timax to fill the gap between 1/2" gun and 3/8" ratchet. Its a hair bigger and heavier than the CP but has 300ish ft. lb. of torque.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Both the MG325 and the 2115TiMAX are really more than I need or can justify ($$$).

Nobody makes a 3/8" impact wrench/gun with 150 ft-lbs of torque ?
 
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crewchief888

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NW indiana
my daily working 3/8" dr impact used to be an IR 212.


until i bought a good 3/8" dr cordless.

for me, an air ratchet is nearly the most useless tool i have.



:beer:
 
D

DodgeMech

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Aug 17, 2012
Messages
1,858
Yeah, air ratchet I save for timing cover bolts on a Cummins...i bought my mg321(i think that's what it is anyway...it's the old model) off the truck refurbed with 2 year warranty for 200 bucks...things a beast...but is very loud
 
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dudutzu905

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Sep 19, 2011
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theoldwizard1 said:
Both the MG325 and the 2115TiMAX are really more than I need or can justify ($$$).

Nobody makes a 3/8" impact wrench/gun with 150 ft-lbs of torque ?
Click to expand...

you should be able to find a barely used 2115 or a 2015 in this case
are you saying those guns have too much power? power is never enough, plus they have couple different power settings to accommodate your needs...
 
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shockwave

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Marietta,ga
U cannot beat a ir 2115ti or max and I see them all the time used for much cheaper than 200 and the mg325 is good but I have heard they are not as reliable as the ir is over time
 
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greasemonkey44

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memphis
When I started I used a 3/8 " air ratchet; I had a hard time finding a 3/8 impact I liked
The ir2115 most people like I found very weak and underpowered; replaced it with a nitrocat 1355xl - fantastic and very powerful, on I think my second year of pro use with no issues
My old 3/8 air ratchet I sold and bought an impacting Hf model; honestly I hardly use it, when I need it, it works though
Cordless m12 ratchets are great for saving on the wear and tear
 
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abvw

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Toronto, Canada
e5yze7ut.jpg


Depends on your current set up. If you already have a 1/2" impact, then I wouldn't suggest a 3/8".

You don't need torque on air ratchets since they all jerk you once the fastener is tight (you'll regret it once you bang your knuckle at 70lb-ft of force). Both of my air ratchets (and cordless Milwaukee) have less than 30lb-ft and it's more than suffice. You just have to get used to cranking the ratchet.

The 2015timax (top left corner) is one of my least used but favourite tool in my box, works wonderfully doing exhaust manifolds, transmission bell housing, starters, brake brackets, clutch, and anywhere that a 3/8" impact is too lengthy to fit between places.
 
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W0rLDWaR4

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Jan 29, 2014
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Downey, CA
greasemonkey44 said:
When I started I used a 3/8 " air ratchet; I had a hard time finding a 3/8 impact I liked
The ir2115 most people like I found very weak and underpowered; replaced it with a nitrocat 1355xl - fantastic and very powerful, on I think my second year of pro use with no issues
My old 3/8 air ratchet I sold and bought an impacting Hf model; honestly I hardly use it, when I need it, it works though
Cordless m12 ratchets are great for saving on the wear and tear
Click to expand...

I love my 1355xl as well. Actually, I like it more than my mg325 and I like that one!
 
N

nicksnothereman

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Oct 19, 2013
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In the Mojave
theoldwizard1 said:
Shade tree mechanic, but I have been looking for a 3/8" pneumatic impact ratchet OR pneumatic light/medium duty gun. If I could buy a new/rebuilt CP723 I would probably pull the trigger. Sadly they just don't exist anymore (unless you have one buried that you want to sell).

Requirements are


  • lightweight and compact (I don't consider any battery tools lightweight or compact)
  • Reasonable priced, under $200 (that leaves out the IR 2015MAX)
  • absolute minimum 70ft-lb torque (includes the IR 109XP and the HF Earthquake); 150 ft-lb would be better
  • The IR guns look "bulky"
  • The CP721 looks bigger than the old CP723 and has less torque.

I guess the first question is ratchet or gun ?
Which one ?
Click to expand...

3/8 for impact? Well IR would be the way to go. If you go 1/2 then the harbor freight will probably hold up better. If it needs to be "compact" then it needs to be an impact ratchet not an impact gun but I'm not sure about the torque in 3/8.

Is it a size of the tool issue or do you already have 3/8 impact stuff? Anything impact is going to be fairly heavy but you have to balance the weight (ratchet better) vs the torque (gun better). I would go with gun simply because it's more or less a tool of last resort for removing a fastener.
 
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CaseyR89

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Dec 20, 2012
Messages
32
abvw said:
e5yze7ut.jpg


Depends on your current set up. If you already have a 1/2" impact, then I wouldn't suggest a 3/8".

You don't need torque on air ratchets since they all jerk you once the fastener is tight (you'll regret it once you bang your knuckle at 70lb-ft of force). Both of my air ratchets (and cordless Milwaukee) have less than 30lb-ft and it's more than suffice. You just have to get used to cranking the ratchet.

The 2015timax (top left corner) is one of my least used but favourite tool in my box, works wonderfully doing exhaust manifolds, transmission bell housing, starters, brake brackets, clutch, and anywhere that a 3/8" impact is too lengthy to fit between places.
Click to expand...


Actually they dont ALL jerk you once the bolt is tight. IR 111, Husky Reactionless, HF Earthquake and who knows what other ones are all "impacting" and wont smash your fingers.
 
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ex-x-fire

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Sheboygan Falls Wi.
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Slkay944

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Feb 14, 2014
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Location
Chicago area
I have noticed that some of the 3/8 impacts are a "wobble drive" what is it or better yet is it worth getting?
 
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Nanashi

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Mar 30, 2013
Messages
384
Slkay944 said:
I have noticed that some of the 3/8 impacts are a "wobble drive" what is it or better yet is it worth getting?
Click to expand...

Stay away from wobble on the impact unless you are using a wobble extension. Mg325 on eBay can be had for less than $200, the king toney m7 or the timax used on eBay. All those guns are great however if I where you I'd get a 3/8 air ratchet. Its more universal and once you brake the bolt loose it will back it out no problem. Heck it will break most bolts loose without manually doing it if you get a good one.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Location
SE MI
Nanashi said:
... however if I where you I'd get a 3/8 air ratchet. Its more universal and once you brake the bolt loose it will back it out no problem. Heck it will break most bolts loose without manually doing it if you get a good one.
Click to expand...
That is the kind of feedback I'm looking for !

Speed is not a big issue. Massive amounts of torque (> 200 ft-lbs) aren't that important either. I want enough torque to run a rust fastener off or on. My current 3/8 ratchet will not.

I'm leaning toward the IR 109XPA
 
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86k10

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