3/8s Impact - Which would you choose?

[freebo86]

Looking to get myself a 3/8s impact for my hobby use in the garage for when I DIY on cars to just speed up the process of taking out fasteners.

I have a 1/2" impact which works good for tires etc, but its just too bulky for the smaller stuff and even to maneuver it around can be a nightmare.

Found in the local classifieds a guy selling a whole set of air tools but I am only interested in the 3/8s impacts he has.

Between the two, which would you go with? I know IR might be a better brand but I am not looking to use these daily or spend big bucks. I want something when I tinker around the garage.

From his description one is a 3/8 Jet impact and the other a 3/8 Ultra pro impact.. See pic attached if it helps any.

What's your opinions which unit of the two is better, I have not asked for a price yet for what he would ask for the indivudal tool as he's selling the entire lot of 7 tools for ~$160.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Save your pennies and buy a new one. Astro or flexzilla is what I would buy. I have aircat and don’t care for it

 

[Ben1967]

I would say between the one on left, but I would look around for a used snap on or mac. I have a Used Mac 3/8 air, and Mac 3/8 cordless, and i love it!

 

[bcradio]

Why are you set on those used ones? Why not shop around more?

I would also buy the new astro personally.

 

[Jim c]

Never. Never purchase used air tools online. There is just too much opportunity for them to sell disfunctional stuff. I have done it and was very disappointed. Don’t.

Ok. The one on the right I purchased brand new I R . It is great size and weight, but 8 have never really found much use for it because when you try to use it for things that you think are a little too big for air ratchet, l8ke differential covers for instance, it doesn’t have the hammer ability and you end up using air ratchet anyway because you can break it loose and then hit the button to finish. ( you can’t use your hand to help loosen stuff with an impact like you can with air ratchet). I have been wonder8ng about other brands like air cat, but you can’t rely on those posted torque specs because they are always overrated.

 

[Tallpilot]

Astro Nano. I have the 1/2in and use it with low profile sockets. It was about $100 new.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Never. Never purchase used air tools online. There is just too much opportunity for them to sell disfunctional stuff. I have done it and was very disappointed. Don’t.

Ok. The one on the right I purchased brand new I R . It is great size and weight, but 8 have never really found much use for it because when you try to use it for things that you think are a little too big for air ratchet, l8ke differential covers for instance, it doesn’t have the hammer ability and you end up using air ratchet anyway because you can break it loose and then hit the button to finish. ( you can’t use your hand to help loosen stuff with an impact like you can with air ratchet). I have been wonder8ng about other brands like air cat, but you can’t rely on those posted torque specs because they are always overrated.

Are you talking about the hammerhead? That’s not an air ratchet.

 

[freebo86]

Why are you set on those used ones? Why not shop around more?

I would also buy the new astro personally.

I would say between the one on left, but I would look around for a used snap on or mac. I have a Used Mac 3/8 air, and Mac 3/8 cordless, and i love it!

These are local classifieds not online. I'd see the tool in person.

Also, the reason for used is I asked him basically he said $40 for either one of them vs. $100+ for a new one.

 

[anndel]

Astro Nano 1822 or 1823 1/2" and 1828 3/8 drive

 

[WhiffySpark]

These are local classifieds not online. I'd see the tool in person.

Also, the reason for used is I asked him basically he said $40 for either one of them vs. $100+ for a new one.

You’re probably wasting your money at $40 imo. I would just save and buy a new name brand you’ll be better off

 

[Jim c]

Whiff spark.... actually no , I was just saying that I have that ingersoll on the right and I hardly use it because it doesn’t have the testicles to break much loose and unlike your air ratchet, you can’t use your hand to crack it loose. So, actually, the tool really has not been all that valuable to me over the years. And, I am really surprised because when I purchased it I had believed that it was going to be great for things like differential covers, water pumps etc...but it makes you switch back and forth us8ng a hand ratchet to break loose the bolts so you are better off with just good air ratchet. Hope this makes sense.

 

[freebo86]

Whiff spark.... actually no , I was just saying that I have that ingersoll on the right and I hardly use it because it doesn’t have the testicles to break much loose and unlike your air ratchet, you can’t use your hand to crack it loose. So, actually, the tool really has not been all that valuable to me over the years. And, I am really surprised because when I purchased it I had believed that it was going to be great for things like differential covers, water pumps etc...but it makes you switch back and forth us8ng a hand ratchet to break loose the bolts so you are better off with just good air ratchet. Hope this makes sense.

Not following you, your saying a air ratchet is better than an impact for what I actually intend to use it for? Because the things you describe that is what I would need it for. I thought the air ratchets would be underpowered.

 

[bcradio]

Not following you, your saying a air ratchet is better than an impact for what I actually intend to use it for? Because the things you describe that is what I would need it for. I thought the air ratchets would be underpowered.

No, you just need a better impact than that one that is for sale used. You will be doing yourself a disservice if you don't shop around more. Hopefully you are not just set on buying those.

 

[Fedwrench]

There are so many compact impact wrenches around the $100-$150 price point, that there is simply no reason to buy old school used 3/8 impact wrenches.
Shop around for the best deal.

 

[MrGiggles]

Another vote to not buy used air tools. Bought an IR 2135 on CL. "Works good." Had it shipped because it was far away, thing was beat to death and worn out.

I'd buy a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8 again in a heartbeat. Worth every penny.

If you're adamant about air, go Astro Nano 3/8. The thing will fit just about anywhere.

 

[Jim c]

I totally agree with everything that everybody above said. I would like to try an air cat 3/8 because I have been so impressed with my 1/2 nitro cat 1200 Kevlar. I am wonder8ng if anyone has tried the 3/8 version?

 

[kb1982]

I have an AirCat 1055th stubby and love it. Very seldom use my air ratchet in the garage anymore. I see the 1077 has the same specs but it is a 3/8 drive. Might be worth looking into

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[Tonyuk]

I'd just get a 1/2" compact air impact.

Saves buying another set of 3/8" impact sockets and its smaller than most 3/8 impact drivers out there, and a bit more powerful than some of the compact 3/8's

 

[Htscheg]

If you like cordless impacts, Ive been using the IR W5152 for over a year and no hiccips yet! Id definately buy another

 

[freebo86]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Like I said I have a 1/2" already but its too big bulky - good for tire swaps etc.

What I'm concerned with even if I went with a newer smaller 1/2" style - would that be too powerful and snap bolts?

Cordless is an option, I have a few ridgid tools that I use so perhaps if I want that route I would look for a 3/8s ridgid just to not collect more batteries and chargers..

 

[MrGiggles]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Like I said I have a 1/2" already but its too big bulky - good for tire swaps etc.

What I'm concerned with even if I went with a newer smaller 1/2" style - would that be too powerful and snap bolts?

Cordless is an option, I have a few ridgid tools that I use so perhaps if I want that route I would look for a 3/8s ridgid just to not collect more batteries and chargers..

My M12 Fuel will snap bolts, an impact is only as powerful as the guy behind the trigger.

I'm pretty sure many compact 1/2" impacts have the same guts as a 3/8", just a different anvil.

 

[Jim c]

Yeah I agree that yo7 don’t want more batteries and chargers! You’re worried about snapping off bolts? If you get that little ingersoll, you surely won’t snap off much. Man, it sounds l8ke we should all get a 1/2 stubby... more power than others and just as small. If you snap th8ngs off, just dial down the power.

 

[Tonyuk]

3/8 impacts are as said exactly the same as most 1/2" compact, just a different anvil on the end.

If your worried about snapping bolts just dial the air down a bit or dont squeeze the trigger as much.

My compact 12" fits in more places than most other normal 3/8 impacts, saves you buying more sockets also.

 

[MattPersman]

Don’t waste the 40 on that used garbage. A new 1/2 or 3/8 is around 100 for a stubby aircat. Will be fine for what you want


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[bubinga]

my 2 cents, since I got the Rigid 1/2" drive cordless, and a dewalt 20 volt 3/8" drive cordless, I hardly use my air tools any more.

 

[freebo86]

Just to give an update on these. I ended up taking a look at them, the Ultra Pro was a NAPA Brand Retails for $240.

The Jet one retails for about $120.

Tried them at his garage and the ultra pro sounder better, stronger. The Jet not so much. Anyways he wanted to get rid of them so got both guns for $40.

Brought them home, opened them up and cleaned them etc. had to get a $1 gasket for the Ultra Pro one and it runs excellent, enough power and torque for what I use it for.

The Jet one sounds weaker, I believe the veins are the issue in this one. I tried rebuilding it with the existing pats but I believe I need new veins for it. Anyone know if the veins are interchangeable for these 3/8s guns? I prefer the jet one due to its smaller size/stub look. The gun is blowing a fair bit of air through the exhaust..

Worst comes to worst I can prob sell the Jet one for the same price I got both and end up with the Napa one for free.

 

[Stadger]

Good for you. Don't you just love the fact that not one single response was an answer to your original question?

 

[ItsNemo]

Skip a 3/8" air impact...I have a pretty good one (IR 2115QTiMax) and hardly ever use it since I have a cordless 3/8" impact (Dewalt 20v Brushless). When the cordless doesn't have enough torque, I usually need to step up to a 1/2" impact anyway even if the IR 3/8" has more torque than the cordless, it's not enough.

 

[Mr_B]

I would get a facom ns.1600f. Nice composite gun, It 1/2 but super tiny, kick out well over 600ft/lb and pretty much only gun you going need 90% of time on auto work .
If really want 3/8 then the astro 1828 is a great guy at about 80bucks new if shop around, great support too from astro . Kick hard if got proper air that can keep good 110+psi feed with tool running .
I own 1828 but hardly use it as also got the facom and that thing a dream tool .
If you don't already own 3/8 impact socketry just get the 1/2" Astro 1822 as same gun as the 1828 besides drive anvil size .
Also avoid used air tool, waste of money as generally abused gutless junk and best handpicking best option to your needs new .
I only buy used if exact model I wanted and had it in hand on an airline to test it and even then I wouldn't pay much unless obvious it close to new and been used sensibly .

 

[xin]

MAC has a new line up of impacts - look pretty good. I need a new 3/8 one but working on motorcycles (Yam/Kawi) butterfly impacts are always overlooked.

 

[freebo86]

Good for you. Don't you just love the fact that not one single response was an answer to your original question?

Thanks, lol happens quite frequently around here I noticed with other threads also.

 

[Mr_B]

MAC has a new line up of impacts - look pretty good. I need a new 3/8 one but working on motorcycles (Yam/Kawi) butterfly impacts are always overlooked.

MAC impacts are soft as cheese, the cr-mo they using wallows way too easy, my lad just changed his whole set after a moaning session and our tool guy known me years so done us a favour, He sold the replacement set and going cr-v taiwan off brand japan style as I use them daily for years and they last and are cheap enough self warranty and still be ahead when you retire.
Expensive impact socketry generally total waste of money, even the popular sunex poor match to what can be had generic taiwan.

OP best getting the astro 1822 as nice tiny 1/2 and learn use the power settings when do stuff up, add a stubby 1/2" socket set to that and job jobbed for half cost of 3/8 bulky battery tool that too big use when really need it and too weak do the job when does fit the job area.
Composite body nice if using a lot (lighter and warmer in hands)
Nano air is way go and all I use daily in my auto shop, nano 1/2" impact and 3/8 super stubby air ratchet (use chrome socket mostly on air ratchet as tight area work, never had issue in 3 decades as an auto mechanic)

 

[bubinga]

Good for you. Don't you just love the fact that not one single response was an answer to your original question?

Good deal, sometimes ,no, a lot of times you end up with a good deal on craiglist.
0n a side note, may have said it already, but the 3/8 Aircat is a powerful little "son of A gun"