Are mac impact wrenches any good
- Thread starter Sugarfryz
- Start date
shawndp
Well-known member
My neighbours at work do all diesel, all the time and IR is what I most commonly see there... Is there a reason you are considering Mac over SO or IR? Have you seen those Aircat / Nitrocat guns?
BIG BACCHUS
Well-known member
+1 for Aircat. Love mine to death
MarineScott
Well-known member
I have had my Mac impact (looks like an IR) for almost 10 yrs with no problems. I would still buy IR.
Look at IR AP and aircat guns, aircat do some hard hitters in 3/4, you need decide on weight/power you happy use too as go from 7lb to 12lb range pending on model. should be varying prices and something fill your needs/budget from those 3 brands .
Buying air tools off the truck in this day and age is just burning money and limits the tool spec far too much .
Buying air tools off the truck in this day and age is just burning money and limits the tool spec far too much .
gdocktor3
Well-known member
I have a 3/4" Aircat 1600, I think. My buddy had an older 3/4" IR that stopped working, so he took mine to use on one of his Peterbilts. He liked it so much he bought his own.
bob15
Well-known member
Not so sure you need a 1" drive impact......
sberry
Banned
I agree with that and also would be looking at battery power due to the improvements and the cost.
I wouldn't bother with battery 3/4 unless working out in yards a lot.
You want a hard hitter in 3/4, something around 1600ft/lb+ as saves time and hassle plus the need go 1" or borrow better 3/4 gun .
Want a proper hard hitting 1/2 too as can be used in tighter spots or when don't want be holding heavy 3/4 impact as gets tiresome ...
You want a hard hitter in 3/4, something around 1600ft/lb+ as saves time and hassle plus the need go 1" or borrow better 3/4 gun .
Want a proper hard hitting 1/2 too as can be used in tighter spots or when don't want be holding heavy 3/4 impact as gets tiresome ...
I have a 3/8 nitrokat, and while the gun is an absolute beast of an impact, there's literally no feathering the trigger. It's all or nothing, also the socket retention ring never held on to my sockets well. It flung multiple sockets and hit me in the face. Last straw was when I was using a swivel for removing a seat in a customers car. Tried to go lightly and it flung the socket and almost hit the windshield.
Left a bad taste in my mouth but I know people like them.
I have the ir 2235timax and it's an absolute beast. Also the big ol Milwaukee 1/2 that's a beast as well so I'm good in 1/2.
I sure hope not!!! But when I was dropping off my tools I saw a few guys hammering away at semi truck wheels with a 1 inch gun and even those were struggling. Apparently 3/4, and 1 inch impact sockets and wrenches are provided. But nothing gets me ticked off more than having to go look for a tool time is money. Also it's a huge shop and any number of us could be using that one or two impact wrenches
Also I'm gonna hijack my own thread
I'm thinking sunex or Pittsburgh pro for 3/4 and possibly one inch impact sockets. The prices for those are absolutely wild off the tool truck (which I have snap on for 1/2 to 1/4 chrome and impact sockets) but I refuse to pay that much for 3/4 sockets. I looked at prices and they were literally in the thousands!!!
I'm thinking sunex or Pittsburgh pro for 3/4 and possibly one inch impact sockets. The prices for those are absolutely wild off the tool truck (which I have snap on for 1/2 to 1/4 chrome and impact sockets) but I refuse to pay that much for 3/4 sockets. I looked at prices and they were literally in the thousands!!!
WittHay
Well-known member
The 1" gun usually has the extended anvil and weighs about 25 lbs. for taking off the back duals. Just use the shop provided one.
The new 3/4 are good enough for most front tire and suspension work. I like the looks and specs of the Proto, I use a Milwaukee Fuel 3/4 but if I needed an air, I would get a Proto or Mac.
The other thing on trucks, there are a lot of tight fasteners in cramped corners, You might need a 1/2 compact or Hammerhead type to speed things up
The new 3/4 are good enough for most front tire and suspension work. I like the looks and specs of the Proto, I use a Milwaukee Fuel 3/4 but if I needed an air, I would get a Proto or Mac.
The other thing on trucks, there are a lot of tight fasteners in cramped corners, You might need a 1/2 compact or Hammerhead type to speed things up
My greatest disappointment in single tool in the past years is with 3/4" Milwaukee Fuel 18V. The specimen I used (or tried to use) on a difficult job was gutless. And I removed the bolts it couldn't with relative ease using 1/2" breaker bar. It was brand new wrench!
Perhaps this unit was faulty in some way.
Perhaps this unit was faulty in some way.
BTW working professionally on Euro Trucks, (MAN, Scania, etc..) you need 1" impact. I would be surprised if the situation is any different in the US.
Sharing 1" shouldn't be to bad, they are not used for long periods of time usually. At least you don't have to buy one right away if the shop supplies them. Just see how it goes.
Sharing 1" shouldn't be to bad, they are not used for long periods of time usually. At least you don't have to buy one right away if the shop supplies them. Just see how it goes.
Last edited:
JohnDeere1
Banned
Snap on
WittHay
Well-known member
My greatest disappointment in single tool in the past years is with 3/4" Milwaukee Fuel 18V. The specimen I used (or tried to use) on a difficult job was gutless. And I removed the bolts it couldn't with relative ease using 1/2" breaker bar. It was brand new wrench!
Perhaps this unit was faulty in some way.
If you have access to air, I would not recommend the 3/4" Fuel, But I have been satisfied with mine. Had some rusty Budd outer nuts on a old trailer. Removed all but 2 of them> heated the remaining couple and no problem.
Budds are 1 1/2" nuts, have removed 1 11/16" and 1 7/8" nuts off arbor and mower bolts before.
Theres good reason for that. The 1/2 and 3/4 drive mikwaukee impacts are virtually identical other than the drive size. I personally feel that the high torque just isnt strong enough for larger 3/4 drive fasteners.My greatest disappointment in single tool in the past years is with 3/4" Milwaukee Fuel 18V. The specimen I used (or tried to use) on a difficult job was gutless. And I removed the bolts it couldn't with relative ease using 1/2" breaker bar. It was brand new wrench!
Perhaps this unit was faulty in some way.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
I have the proto 3/4 gun, j175wp, same as the mac. Extremely pleased with it, very quiet, powerful and smooth.
Pitts pro impact sockets are pretty good (i prefer them to sunex) if they covering sizes you need , warranty simple and quick if ever needed too, keep receipt incase get fussy in future .
Think I would be inclined get hardest hitting 3/4 and some sockets and wait till in job to review need of 1" and sockets/most used sizes . proper decent 3/4 impact on good air line will do a lot and be more used .