Aircat compact wrenches

[GarageGuy89]

Stumbled upon a guys youtube vid of comparing 3 stubby impact wrenches. Which instantly made me want to upgrade my $20 unit that is probably rated at 200 ft-lbs, and probably weighs 5 lbs.

Aircat makes too many...1055, 1057, 1056-xl, and 1076-xl

They all seem to be rated at about 500 ft-lbs, with all about the same specs. Most of my sockets are 1/2", is there an advantage to a 3/8"?

I was leaning towards the composite xl units...anyone with experience here would be helpful.

 

[stikman56]

3/8" sockets go smaller in size and they are a little thinner too, makes it easier in some instances. Less chance of breaking a socket or anvil with a 1/2" impact when you're talking that kind of torque. I like the stubby impacts in 1/2", I have a Husky that 500 torques and it's a pretty nice gun. Just got some 1055 and 1056 Aircats yesterday, going to check them out tomorrow and see what they are like.

 

[gdocktor3]

Just bought two used Aircat 1055's off eBay for $60. I kept one and gave another to my buddy for his birthday. Here's the link. Buy the two and sell one, get yours for $30 or free... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Used...575174?hash=item3af4960386:g:FFMAAOSwQWlZo3O4

Here's a comparison list I made a while back on almost all brands of compact impacts

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323116

 

[GarageGuy89]

3/8" sockets go smaller in size and they are a little thinner too, makes it easier in some instances. Less chance of breaking a socket or anvil with a 1/2" impact when you're talking that kind of torque. I like the stubby impacts in 1/2", I have a Husky that 500 torques and it's a pretty nice gun. Just got some 1055 and 1056 Aircats yesterday, going to check them out tomorrow and see what they are like.

Hey stikman, let me know how they compare to that husky.

Was about to pull the trigger on the aircat then saw the husky which looks almost the same, specs and all for half the price

Thanks

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Hey stikman, let me know how they compare to that husky.

Was about to pull the trigger on the aircat then saw the husky which looks almost the same, specs and all for half the price

Thanks

I have the aircat. A coworker has the husky version. They APPEAR to be the same. Both are great.

 

[Finky198]

I can’t say anything about the Aircat as I’m an IR guy, but drive size depends on what you doing and what other impacts you have. I’ve got a range of impact guns 3x 3/8” and a full and a compact 1/2”.
I wanted the compact to use on suspension and brakes and being that usually involves larger sockets I went with the 1/2” drive version. I also had enough coverage in 3/8” drive that it made sense going with the latter. I’ve been very happy. I think its rated about 450ftlb. It’s taken off lugs and everything else I’ve come across.

 

[SoDoodoo]

I've got the XL composite version of the 3/8, it seems to be the same as the Matco and Carlyle verison. My co worker has the matco one and it's the same

 

[Jarhead0408]

Just bought two used Aircat 1055's off eBay for $60. I kept one and gave another to my buddy for his birthday. Here's the link. Buy the two and sell one, get yours for $30 or free... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Used...575174?hash=item3af4960386:g:FFMAAOSwQWlZo3O4

Here's a comparison list I made a while back on almost all brands of compact impacts

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323116

That's a killer deal.

 

[IMStuner]

I made a mistake and thought I purchased a 3/8 drive compact but purchased a 1/2. I love my 1055 and use it for everything. I take off my lignite with it as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stikman56]

Hey stikman, let me know how they compare to that husky.

Was about to pull the trigger on the aircat then saw the husky which looks almost the same, specs and all for half the price

Thanks

I didn't test them side by side but I can tell you the 1055-th is very strong. The 1056-xl is a bit weak, I found a bad o-ring inside, replace that and it should be up where it needs to be.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Just bought two used Aircat 1055's off eBay for $60. I kept one and gave another to my buddy for his birthday. Here's the link. Buy the two and sell one, get yours for $30 or free... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Used...575174?hash=item3af4960386:g:FFMAAOSwQWlZo3O4

Here's a comparison list I made a while back on almost all brands of compact impacts

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323116

Thanks doc! Jumped on this deal and got two sitting in the garage now. Was extremely surprised by how small these things are!

 

[Trey T]

I was looking into a compact impact wrench for versatility and I narrowed down to the Aircat 3/8" 1076-xl as the most powerful wrench for $100. Currently, my car repairs are on jack stands and 1/2" standard size wrench is way too big/long for most jobs.

Most of the work I do (and I think for most people), 3/8" impact is much more suitable than 1/2" impact wrench.

 

[Mr_B]

anyone with air should own a high powered stubby 1/2" gun and stubby sockets to compliment it.
My shop life would be a bigger and slower struggle without my facom NS1600f stubby impact and stubby astro air wrench.
Main thing is buy best you can afford, harder hitting they are the more useful it is in some real ballache situations .

 

[gdocktor3]

Thanks doc! Jumped on this deal and got two sitting in the garage now. Was extremely surprised by how small these things are!

Right on brother

 

[Rarified27]

I was looking into a compact impact wrench for versatility and I narrowed down to the Aircat 3/8" 1076-xl as the most powerful wrench for $100. Currently, my car repairs are on jack stands and 1/2" standard size wrench is way too big/long for most jobs.

Most of the work I do (and I think for most people), 3/8" impact is much more suitable than 1/2" impact wrench.

^ I've been wondering about this. The Aircat 1055 has been on my "when I get the money list" for a while, but only because I figured the availability of the 1/2" impact sockets was better.

The Aircat 1075 is the same price for a 3/8", so I don't know if there's a better argument for either size in this case?

 

[Mr_B]

I would say 1/2 the more versatile gun drive size . I don't see much advantage going down to 3/8 drive when impact wrench same dimensions and modern impact sockets have better profiles and stubby versions . As with most things both would be best but if buying one I would buy 1/2 unless specific use or your impact sockets range better covered by 3/8 .

 

[bcradio]

If they have the same power, definitly go 3/8 drive. If not, look at what you will need it for and go with the drive size that matches that best.

 

[gdocktor3]

Go with whichever you have the most impact sockets of, 3/8 or 1/2.