Best 1/2" Air Impact

[Skin]

I have an aircat 1200k waiting under the christmas tree, so havent used it yet but from my searching around i'd have to agree aircat is the powerhouse. After compairing replacement part prices on http://www.powertoolrepairohio.com/ to ingersoll for parts that probably both came from taiwan, I'm game to try it. 1200k also has an oil bath clutch, sounds like a smart idea to me. yea yea snap on mg725 does to...

I purchased a Nitrocat 1355XL about 3 weeks ago. I really like it a lot. More power than my 2115QTIMAX and hangs in there with my [tired] 2135. Its definetly quieter when impacting. I will say this though, reading through the Aircat FAQ, they dont make the clutch motor sound very robust. Basically put some drops of oil into it daily and store it upright [their suggestion]. If you dont do this the seals can rupture then you get to dump an ounce of 30 weight oil into it daily in an effort to stop the clutch motor from dying. Im sure that makes a heck of a mess during the first few uses. I paid $150 new [2115qtimax would be ~$200 after some real hunting] and so far am pleased.

My one true negative is Aircats directional/power switch. New its very tight and a bit difficult to know what setting you're on by just feel, and even sight with the boot installed. I miss the directional triggers on the back of the IR and you can get a much better grip on the IR power selection switch. In my view these trade offs are worth the savings alone though. Other than that Aircat makes a damn nice [and quiet!] impact wrench.

It is made in Taiwan. Their twin hammer models are "assembled in USA" which i believe is what the IR are as well.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

looking at that gun on the net I better remember to double check if that is the 3/8" one (Air Cat) I have here at home. It sure looks like it. I will have to look at the box.
I do not recall about the oil bath though.
Dumb question, by Oiling and storing up right, do you mean with the air port up in the air, or the air port down?
I just have been laying this one on it's side.
I don't use it a whole heck of a lot.
edit,
I can tell you one thing, if it is the same gun, it's a powerful "torque'ey" little gun.

 

[Marlin]

Maybe so, but to me if that was the case they would put made in usa of foreign and domestic parts. Do you know what is actually made here in the 2135 and 231?

yes I do.

 

[kapster]

Marlin, what parts are? I'm not trying to beat you down, just curious what is made here. Is anything in the hammerhead made here? How did you acquire this knowledge?

Skin, those are pretty sweet little guns. So ur saying the selector gets loose after awhile? that stinks but oh well. I've read a lot of complaints about the 2135 forward reverse selector wearing out to where the buttons fall out and you have to buy a new case.

I noticed that to about them saying the motor in the clutch models are fragile. But I believe its identical part numbers for the 1100k and 1200k for the motor. Also heard that from Aircat tech, he said the gun part is identical. My guess is that they meant to put that at the bottom for both models and it got tacked onto the clutch model maintenance.

Have you guys done anything with the clutch oil? I considered changing out the taiwan oil just for giggles.

Totally agree with the boot, not sure what they were thinking there. I guess you just have to memorize whats what. I have the boot, I'm still waiting on the impact under the tree

I'm really eying the IR hammerhead for a 3/8 impact. That would be so handy

EDIT: the rotor has a little different part number, but the 1200k (clutch model) list it as being chrome plated which would make it more durable. who knows...

 

[Skin]

Dumb question, by Oiling and storing up right, do you mean with the air port up in the air, or the air port down?

Air inlet/handle facing straight up [or as straight up as you can get].

Skin, those are pretty sweet little guns. So ur saying the selector gets loose after awhile? that stinks but oh well. I've read a lot of complaints about the 2135 forward reverse selector wearing out to where the buttons fall out and you have to buy a new case.

No simply that new its very tight so you over exert when you go from reverse to forward and can jump forward settings as a result. You'll see what i mean. I hope it does loosen a bit after some more use.

The really fragile directional buttons were on the original 2135Ti.

Marlin works for IR.

 

[Marlin]

Marlin, what parts are? I'm not trying to beat you down, just curious what is made here. Is anything in the hammerhead made here? How did you acquire this knowledge?.

I'm an engineer at Ingersoll Rand and work in new product development. The specific parts that are made in the US is proprietery so I really can't say but I will say it is some of the most significant parts. Hammerhead has a high % of parts made in the US, a majority if looking at it by value.

Skin, those are pretty sweet little guns. So ur saying the selector gets loose after awhile? that stinks but oh well. I've read a lot of complaints about the 2135 forward reverse selector wearing out to where the buttons fall out and you have to buy a new case.

Issues with forward/reverse buttons were mostly on the old 2131 guns, since the design changed to the 2135 there have been very few issues.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

looking at that gun on the net I better remember to double check if that is the 3/8" one (Air Cat) I have here at home. It sure looks like it. I will have to look at the box.
I do not recall about the oil bath though.
Dumb question, by Oiling and storing up right, do you mean with the air port up in the air, or the air port down?
I just have been laying this one on it's side.
I don't use it a whole heck of a lot.
edit,
I can tell you one thing, if it is the same gun, it's a powerful "torque'ey" little gun.

No The 3/8" one I have is a AirCat 1300-TH.
Still a a powerful "torque'ey" little gun though.
Looks like the price on the AirCat 1300-TH has come down too from when I brought it.

Issues with forward/reverse buttons were mostly on the old 2131 guns, since the design changed to the 2135 there have been very few issues.

Yes, I have been using a TI2135 for about 3 years professionally, with no problems.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Now I'm looking at the IR 3/8" one.
Thinking about a new one for work.
Don't know weather to get the 2115TiMAX, or to get another AirCat 1300-TH.
talking about a $100.00 difference.
Thinking "Maybe" the IR would hold up better in the workplace.
Do you think these two are the same at Amazon. ($41.00 difference)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BQK7B4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063Z9ZC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kapster]

oh that's cool marlin, you should have just said "i work for them idiot!" If i would have known this i might have swayed more toward ingersoll but oh well. The hammerhead is awesome, someone should have thought of that a long time ago. Every air ratchet i've used felt like a waste of time and dangerous when it smashes your fingers. Stubby impact just makes sense.

Mrbreezee what do you have at work now for 3/8? Have you considered hammerhead? If you don't need a super powerful impact for tight spots, it fits the bill.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UM6SS8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mrbreezeet1]

using the little HF earth quake 3/8" impact right now, the old style.
Works pretty well, could use a little more torque.
Not knocking the HF,but the AirCat 1300-TH has more power for sure.

 

[kapster]

I bought the new 1/2 earthquake and took it back. Nice gun but is very heavy. I thought i'd like the selector on back till i used it. I think the aircat will be better so you can switch it with thumb. And it didnt have as much torque as my cordless bosch 21618.

Skin, have you thought of cutting a window in the back of boot to see selector? I might just do that.

 

[jedigazza]

I love my Atlas Copco
LMS48 HR20
Not huge torque, only around 550nm max, but whips those nuts and bolts out damn fast and very ergonomic, even has an exhaust deflecter so your hand doesent get cold