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Are mac impact wrenches any good

Sugarfryz

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Mar 13, 2016
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I'm switching from an auto tech to a diesel tech and need to buy a good 3/4 and 1 inch impact. Ive never had a Mac guy before, definitely don't wanna buy the snap on guns. Or should I just stick with tried and true ir
 
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ToolmanGary

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Oct 25, 2008
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South Lyon Michigan
If you buying pneumatic I'd recommend only Inersoll Rand, and preferably the polymer impact. The new battery operated due work nice but usually when the battery goes you through it away.
I still have my IR231 from 80's, it work perfect and has only had a trigger kit put in, so I've got my moneys worth out of it.
 

GYPSY400

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Naughton Ontario
I'm switching from an auto tech to a diesel tech and need to buy a good 3/4 and 1 inch impact. Ive never had a Mac guy before, definitely don't wanna buy the snap on guns. Or should I just stick with tried and true ir
Are you going on your own or working in a shop?? I've been a diesel mechanic for 20 years and I don't own a 3/4 gun.. those are shop tools!

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Sychotix57

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Rocky Mount, NC
Are you going on your own or working in a shop?? I've been a diesel mechanic for 20 years and I don't own a 3/4 gun.. those are shop tools!

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You're lucky, 3/4 gun was mandatory to own where I was but the 1 inch gun was the shop tool (BUT you had to own your own 1 inch sockets) It was annoying.

To the OP I will only go IR for 3/4 or 1 inch pneumatic.

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Cummins_Tech

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I have two 3/4s, an SO 1250 and the MAC. They both do very well imo. As the other guy said, 1" is shop provided here. We do have a 3/4 as well, but it's a worn out POS that couldn't pull a greasy string out of a cats ***. As with everything else, if you let a bunch of mongoloids use something that they didn't pay for, it will be missing or broken in a week. Which is why nobody uses any of my tools. Ever. When I need to get it done, it'll get done, saying it can't get done because the shop stuff is junk is a piss poor excuse. Everyone here that is actually serious about their career has at least 1 3/4 gun in their box.


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Cummins_Tech

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And I'm still not sold on electric impacts. Sure, they're probably fine on small stuff like lug nuts, but my MG725 out runs my dewalt dcf899hb, even though the dewalt is supposed to have a higher breakaway and max tq... good thing it was cheap and has its uses in terms of being portable, or I would have felt screwed. When I know it's a stubborn high torque fastener, I reach for pneumatic every time.


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sberry

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I have old first gen battery ones but the new are different, according to all reliable sources they really hit. I have air and 3/4 IR but don't use it much. If I leaned on it a lot would have battery, just so convenient.
 
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WhiffySpark

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And I'm still not sold on electric impacts. Sure, they're probably fine on small stuff like lug nuts, but my MG725 out runs my dewalt dcf899hb, even though the dewalt is supposed to have a higher breakaway and max tq... good thing it was cheap and has its uses in terms of being portable, or I would have felt screwed. When I know it's a stubborn high torque fastener, I reach for pneumatic every time.


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They hit different. Just like an1/2 and 3/4 gun. Sure they may "spec" equal but those 3/4 hammers really hit.

Have you tried the new snapon gun yet? I have 3 sets of mg725. Currently using 2235
 

Cummins_Tech

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They hit different. Just like an1/2 and 3/4 gun. Sure they may "spec" equal but those 3/4 hammers really hit.



Have you tried the new snapon gun yet? I have 3 sets of mg725. Currently using 2235



I have. The MG875 is a pretty nasty little gun. But I already have three 1/2" guns, waiting until one of them starts to give up the ghost and then go trade it in.


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Sugarfryz

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Are you going on your own or working in a shop?? I've been a diesel mechanic for 20 years and I don't own a 3/4 gun.. those are shop tools!

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In a shop! They say it's provided but wouldn't we all be fighting over the guns?
 

Mr_B

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We use to have shop supplied 3/4 and 1" in trolleys with sockets etc, main issue was socket be missing over not having one free for use .
I would be inclined have a proper decent hard hitting 3/4 and basic needed sockets and extensions/adaptor as easier quicker in long term, also not stupidly expensive but wouldn't bother with 1" unless unworkable workshop environment without owning own .
 

Billythekid1

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In a shop! They say it's provided but wouldn't we all be fighting over the guns?



It's not that bad your 1/2" gun will do a lot on most heavy equipment. I recommend get in there with your 1/2" if the shop supplies a 3/4" and1" gun use the shops till u know your gonna b there for awhile then invest. I've only worked in 2 shops but if u don't walk in like a *****,help wherever u can try your best anyone will give u a tool to use some may take a little most time to warm up to u but they will all help u atleast in the shops I worked for they both paid hourly may b different in pay per job shops

I have the Mac 3/8 and 1/2 both still good 2 years in a heavy equipment shop get boots for the impacts the concrete will scratch the cases
 
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sberry

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I agree, wait till you need it especially for an inch gun. New modern 3/4 have a lot of poop. I don't work on heavy trucks all the time but havnt had much the 3/4 wouldn't do.
As a side note, we had the dreaded Honda crank bolt the other day. 1/2 wouldn't do it, 3/4 took only a couple hits.
 

GYPSY400

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Naughton Ontario
It's not that bad your 1/2" gun will do a lot on most heavy equipment. I recommend get in there with your 1/2" if the shop supplies a 3/4" and1" gun use the shops till u know your gonna b there for awhile then invest. I've only worked in 2 shops but if u don't walk in like a *****,help wherever u can try your best anyone will give u a tool to use some may take a little most time to warm up to u but they will all help u atleast in the shops I worked for they both paid hourly may b different in pay per job shops

I have the Mac 3/8 and 1/2 both still good 2 years in a heavy equipment shop get boots for the impacts the concrete will scratch the cases
I agree.. most of what I do a 1/2" will do it (even wheels).. the times I needed a 3/4 gun I didn't have to wait long to use it. If your flat rate, different story.

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stikman56

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They're pretty much all either made by Nitrocat, Ingersoll rand or Professional Tool Products, depending on the model you are looking at. They're good impacts.
 

DeadPedal

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Detroit North Suburbs
I worked on agricultural drivelines for two years and only rarely need a 3/4" gun. Get yourself a good 1/2" and you'll be much happier as they're so much lighter. I have an IR titanium quiet something or other (I can't remember the model). It's take loose bolts that some 3/4" guns wouldn't.

Borrow one for the first few months and try to figure out if you really need it or can get by with borrowing once in a while.


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Sugarfryz

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I have. The MG875 is a pretty nasty little gun. But I already have three 1/2" guns, waiting until one of them starts to give up the ghost and then go trade it in.


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What is the mg875? I thought their new one was a pt850
 

ihateminimumwage

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In a shop! They say it's provided but wouldn't we all be fighting over the guns?
Nope, a good 1/2" will be your best friend daily. The big hose and gun only comes out when nothing else will do it, and a lot of times we ended up taking the torch to it at that point anyways. I have a 3/4" gun and can think of only a handful of times it was really needed (torque arms mostly).

Congrats on the changeover to Diesel. Any idea what field yet (Trucks, Heavy Equip, Mining, AG)?

Believe me, we can find better ways to spend your money on tools you'll use more than a personal 3/4" gun.:D
 

RedneckWelder

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I work in a heavy eq shop and I brought my own 3/4 because the shop one sucked* and the "wonderboys" can't manage to return it to the tool crib...but I wouldn't buy a personal one just starting out. A 1/2 air gun would be my priority and then a 3/8 cordless





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Sugarfryz

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It is, I just got the model number screwed up in my head. I can't remember EVERYTHING!! Lol


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Just wanted to make sure!! I got all excited thinking maybe snap on came out with another new gun
 
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Sugarfryz

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Nope, a good 1/2" will be your best friend daily. The big hose and gun only comes out when nothing else will do it, and a lot of times we ended up taking the torch to it at that point anyways. I have a 3/4" gun and can think of only a handful of times it was really needed (torque arms mostly).

Congrats on the changeover to Diesel. Any idea what field yet (Trucks, Heavy Equip, Mining, AG)?

Believe me, we can find better ways to spend your money on tools you'll use more than a personal 3/4" gun.:D

I'll be working on semi truck! I have been doing auto for a few years, always wanted to diesel but the schooling was crazy expensive. So I decided to do auto, I've been applying at diesel shops since I started in automotive, so I'm absolutely soaked to get this opportunity
 

sberry

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If I was headed in to that field would certainly consider my own 3/4 air gun. I would skip the inch for now. I agree with the others that smaller ones will be used more but they last so long and are not outright obsolete that its got its place. I have one, I am not in the field per sa but am the shop. I provide all the tools here when I do hire.
I have had guys say its easier than working out of their own tool box.
 

Cummins_Tech

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Just came across some damper bolts that the MAC couldn't handle, SO MG1250 zipped them right out though.

Food for thought.

Before someone gets uppity about how their 1/2" will pull Honda bolts, these were 30mm 12pts on a BIG (I personally cannot disclose the actual size) engine...


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bcradio

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Jan 30, 2012
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Just came across some damper bolts that the MAC couldn't handle, SO MG1250 zipped them right out though.

Food for thought.

Before someone gets uppity about how their 1/2" will pull Honda bolts, these were 30mm 12pts on a BIG (I personally cannot disclose the actual size) engine...


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Is it G-14 classified?
 

WittHay

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Before someone gets uppity about how their 1/2" will pull Honda bolts, these were 30mm 12pts on a BIG (I personally cannot disclose the actual size) engine...

Reminds me of our local Cummins place. They have a 2500 hp engine on display at the front of the building. The hp rating is on the tag on the fuel pump, just like the smaller diesels. A large red motor with lots of filters on it

I am in the having your own 3/4 gun camp. A new 3/4 will work better than a old worn out 1" Its just quicker if you have to do brakes on a truck. Put a socket on the gun and the tire is off in no time. 1/2 to 3/4 adapters are a pain and take some of the power away from your 1/2 gun
 
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Stuart96

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Nov 22, 2016
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Central ca
Keep in mind with shop tools, I have a 1150 that will loosen fasteners our shop 3/4 ir will not, because of lack of maintenance, like others have said I would skip the bigger sizes and get a strong 1/2.. The new m18 hi torque claims 1400 ft pounds and that's pretty close to some 3/4 guns.


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Cummins_Tech

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Reminds me of our local Cummins place. They have a 2500 hp engine on display at the front of the building. The hp rating is on the tag on the fuel pump, just like the smaller diesels. A large red motor with lots of filters on it

I am in the having your own 3/4 gun camp. A new 3/4 will work better than a old worn out 1" Its just quicker if you have to do brakes on a truck. Put a socket on the gun and the tire is off in no time. 1/2 to 3/4 adapters are a pain and take some of the power away from your 1/2 gun



2500hp is nothing these days.


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Sugarfryz

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I thought I'd revive my thread. It's kinda hilarious, working on cars I always was using my 1/2 gun (2235timax and m18 2763) like crazy!! Here my 3/8 cordless is my go to. I thought I'd be whipping around 3/4 and inch guns all day.

Also another shocker to me was all these sae bolts. I used all metric on cars and this is throwing me through a loop. Kinda had to rearrange my cart for the new tools I bought
 
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