Best 1/2" Air Impact Wrench
- Thread starter DerStig
- Start date
Bondo
Well-known member
Ayuh,... That question was just asked today in the Tool forum,...
Thanks, I did not see that before. I am going back and forth between Chicago and aircat
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K9388U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007WQQ90A/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K9388U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007WQQ90A/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Sticks McGee
Well-known member
Ingersol 2135
Yeah it does cost 2x as much though, I'm not sure if it's 2x as good
I guess my question is a bit misleading, when you ask "the best" with no cap on price....Its like saying whats the best sports car with no context
The IR is $300. The other two are $160 and $170. I dont know if the price difference is worth it?
Kaizen
Well-known member
Half inch breaker bar is what I go to. Bought an IR and didn't do much more then my cheap fifty dollar Lowes special.
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firebirdparts
Well-known member
I asked my brother this question, and he also said IR 2135. So I bought one.
Trey T
Well-known member
There are two distinctive lines in the market, regular (1000ft-lbs) or mini/nano (500ft-lbs) - which line are we talking about?
Sticks McGee
Well-known member
Which IR? If it's a 231 then I don't doubt it. If it's a 2135 then that's a different story. No comparison between the 231 and the 2135.
Kaizen
Well-known member
2125 690#feet torque. Point I was making is not worth spending 350 on an impact when a breaker bar will do the trick. I went midrange at about 180 and it did not help when doing ball joints. Just sayin...
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Z2V
Well-known member
Both of these are plastic or "composite" .
But what the heck, most of them probably are these days.
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Sticks McGee
Well-known member
Gotcha..
If I was on a budget or looking to pick one up for home I would maybe look at the HF Earthquake. The IR 231 is a standard gun that has decent torque and longevity. I had a couple of them. I also had an IR 244 that I used for many many years. I bought my 2135TI from a friend of mine used for $100 and I think it was a good 8 years old. It has been the best 1/2" impact I have ever used and owned. I have heard good things about the aircat guns too.
TonyG
Well-known member
Besides the 500#/1000# category mentioned above, how often do you plan on running this tool?
Daily? Invest in the IR
Now and then? Look for a cheaper alternative.
Personally I despise Chinese junk tools, just a failure waiting to happen in most cases.
Daily? Invest in the IR
Now and then? Look for a cheaper alternative.
Personally I despise Chinese junk tools, just a failure waiting to happen in most cases.
joa65
Well-known member
I had a buddy who repaired air tools part time while we were in school. He always said stick with IR or Chicago Pneumatic. So I bought a CP 734H going on 20 years ago. Great tool!
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padroo
Well-known member
Just because they all say they are 1/2 doesn't mean they are rated at the same torque. Always read the torque specs before you buy, I R was always the brand the steel mill bought I worked at, they got the job done.
trukkins10
Member
Doesn't matter which impact you get. You need the cfm to power it, and the tank capacity to keep up.
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TractorJeff
Well-known member
And a big enough hose to supply the cfm without a pressure drop!
jcthorne
Well-known member
Forget air impact. Get a Milwaukee Fuel M18 1/2 inch impact and forget dragging a hose, big air tanks or big compressors. Over 1100 ftlbs with no cord and no hose. Yes, it really works. And a battery lasts all day.
For most tasks, air tools are fading with 8 track tapes.
For most tasks, air tools are fading with 8 track tapes.
Sticks McGee
Well-known member
If he is using it to zip lug nuts off his car or light truck what do you think the minimum compressor is to meet this?
Sticks McGee
Well-known member
What is the hose size and length this requires?
This^ Crazy how powerful these cordless impacts are.
crewchief888
Well-known member
it may not be the "best" the quietest, or the lightest,
but my vote always goes to the tried and true IR231.
IMHO the best performance vs cost
just my $0.02
but my vote always goes to the tried and true IR231.
IMHO the best performance vs cost
just my $0.02
homebuilt burner
Well-known member
IR 2135 is my go to. I have had a couple of these and also 231's. 231 is a good gun but they tend to break hammer pins about once a year. M18 Fuel is a good alternative we have them on the service trucks at one of my jobs. But, after the batteries are drained and the bolts still tight we fire up the compressor and get the 2135 out.
jcthorne
Well-known member
I always have one M12 and one M18 battery sitting on the charger. I have NEVER been able to use any of the Milwaukee tools except the 7 1/4 circular saw faster than the charger could keep up. Since cordless tools went to inverter drives like the Milwaukee Fuel line, they are far ahead of similar sized air or 120v tools. This gun runs circles around my old IR 231 and needs no hose. Same is true for the power ratchets which I find myself using all the time now since there is no bother of a hose. They are as simple and easy to use as a non-powered one.
My ancient 33 gal, 5HP compressor started leaking out of a pin hole in the tank. Bought a new 1HP California Air tools quiet compressor mostly for my lift and filling tires. No more need for that noisy contraption in my shop.
The world has moved on.
My ancient 33 gal, 5HP compressor started leaking out of a pin hole in the tank. Bought a new 1HP California Air tools quiet compressor mostly for my lift and filling tires. No more need for that noisy contraption in my shop.
The world has moved on.
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have had an IR231 for about 20 years as well as a Jet impact that I am unsure of the model. One stays in the shop and the other stays in the truck. I bought an aircat 1150 to replace the Jet. I like it so much I ordered a second one to replace the IR231.
I have not used an IR2135 and can't say which is better but I can't imagine it being better than the aircat. Maybe it is I don't know but the aircat is just awesome and I can't see needing more. It is a heck of a lot cheaper too.
I have not used an IR2135 and can't say which is better but I can't imagine it being better than the aircat. Maybe it is I don't know but the aircat is just awesome and I can't see needing more. It is a heck of a lot cheaper too.
This is most important
3/8 minimum on air wrench if i/2 drive
1/2 inch on my 3/4 drive gun
I have to use 3/4 on my larger 1 inch CP
they love to cunsume air and my neighbor has large Kobalt compressor with
1/2 drive gun and cant remove lug nuts cause he runs 1/4 inch hose
I got my Aircat 1150, wow..... This thing is unbelievable. It literally takes off my lug bolts in less than 2 seconds, which would have taken me 10x longer.
I have these massive 5" 3/8" bolts that I use in my gym which are a complete b!tch to tighten/loosen. They are as ridiculous as it gets. This thing breaks them loose in a second or less and puts it back on literally in the same amount of time. It would take me again 10-15x longer.
I am very happy with it. It feels really stable, high quality. For $160, it's exactly what I expected. The next class of impact wrench (IR) for $300+ is too much imho. It's twice as expensive and I dont think it's going to be twice as better. At least not for someone like me. If this was a commercial auto repair shop or I was doing this as a second job, probably a different conversation (although I honestly dont see how this thing is not good, its amazing).
I have these massive 5" 3/8" bolts that I use in my gym which are a complete b!tch to tighten/loosen. They are as ridiculous as it gets. This thing breaks them loose in a second or less and puts it back on literally in the same amount of time. It would take me again 10-15x longer.
I am very happy with it. It feels really stable, high quality. For $160, it's exactly what I expected. The next class of impact wrench (IR) for $300+ is too much imho. It's twice as expensive and I dont think it's going to be twice as better. At least not for someone like me. If this was a commercial auto repair shop or I was doing this as a second job, probably a different conversation (although I honestly dont see how this thing is not good, its amazing).
Z2V
Well-known member
Wow, it's great something finally went right for you and you are happy with a purchase!
eastbaysubaru
Well-known member
FWIW, I think an air impact wrench is a better choice if you're not going to be using it on a daily/weekly basis. The battery(ies) in the battery operated tool will degrade, whether Ni-Cd or LI. If the tool is only going to used monthly or few times per year, an air tool will likely last decades whereas the battery operated tool will need a new battery (batteries?) long before that. Don't get me wrong, I've been extremely tempted by those Milwaukee units but the realist in me sees dead batteries and a PITA at some point in the future.
On the breaker bar front, I had a 1/2" breaker bar with a 5 foot extension (and I'm 225 lbs.) and I couldn't get the axle nut off of my Subaru Legacy. Took it to a shop and they busted out the big, two-handed, impact gun and got it loose (after attempting to use their breaker bar whilst doubting my ability to use on properly). Once off, they torqued it back to spec, I drove it home, and finished replacing the half-shaft (using my breaker bar to remove the axle nut this time). The next time I needed to replace a half-shaft I went to Harbor Freight beforehand and picked up their 900+ lb/ft air impact wrench and boy was I glad I did. Zipped that (and many more) axle nuts right off. It was right around $90 IIRC.
CN: air tools better for light usage, big (strong) air impact good for stuck nuts
-Brian
On the breaker bar front, I had a 1/2" breaker bar with a 5 foot extension (and I'm 225 lbs.) and I couldn't get the axle nut off of my Subaru Legacy. Took it to a shop and they busted out the big, two-handed, impact gun and got it loose (after attempting to use their breaker bar whilst doubting my ability to use on properly). Once off, they torqued it back to spec, I drove it home, and finished replacing the half-shaft (using my breaker bar to remove the axle nut this time). The next time I needed to replace a half-shaft I went to Harbor Freight beforehand and picked up their 900+ lb/ft air impact wrench and boy was I glad I did. Zipped that (and many more) axle nuts right off. It was right around $90 IIRC.
CN: air tools better for light usage, big (strong) air impact good for stuck nuts
-Brian
Wrench Junkie
Member
I Have The Aircat 1150 too and it has cracked rusted 36 mm axle nuts loose in a second without penetrating fluid. Power is incredible, and I just have it hooked up to a little 8 gallon 1.5 HP compressor (Menards Special) that doesn't even touch half of the 8 CFM @ 90 psi that the gun calls for. Just make sure you have a fire hose of an airline with high flow fittings! Great Gun!
Cobradriver
Well-known member
If you use a 1/2" to make a living....
The newest IR quiet technology impacts are awesome!
They are a little pricey for home use though. I've had
mine about 3 months and it still amazes me how quiet it is.
Chris
The newest IR quiet technology impacts are awesome!
They are a little pricey for home use though. I've had
mine about 3 months and it still amazes me how quiet it is.
Chris
metalmagpie
Well-known member
Don't know about best overall 1/2" gun, you guys can figure that out. But for best value for the money, buy a used CP 734. I bought mine 20 years ago or so and it has served me very well. And I paid a two digit price for it. Of course, that was back before ebay descended into madness.
metalmagpie
metalmagpie
Everyone's definition of what makes one best is different. I'd take a CAT4150 over a 2135timax every time. Same weight,shorter, just as strong, better inlet valve and bigger rotor output shaft that doesn't break. Seen too many broken timax's at this point. Nitrocat's have yet to fail me as well. The mini's are neat too. Have a Husky that puts out 500,it's nice to use.
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