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Best 1/2" Air Impact

JMorrison4371

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Dec 1, 2011
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103
Location
Belton, SC
What's everyone's opinions about which is the best Impact to buy. I'm gonna go ahead and shoot mine out there. The Ingersoll Rand(of course) Street Legal Thunder Gun. I bought it about a month ago and I love it.
 

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JMorrison4371

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Dec 1, 2011
Messages
103
Location
Belton, SC
Yeah I also have Matco's version of that gun and it is kinda heavy but when I pick my TG up then pick up the Matco, it's like the difference between an 80 lb. anvil and a feather. The TG is a great, powerful gun but it's not for a shrimpy fella lol
 

diesel research

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Sep 12, 2010
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gulf coast, TEXAS
What is your user experience related to other guns?

I use all the classic IRs (231, 2135, 232TGSL, several others) along with old earthquake, CP, napa, other hf, and limited use of mg725)
 

porcupine73

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Jan 22, 2008
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576
Location
Buffalo, NY USA
"The best impact" is really an open ended question of course; it really depends on the application.

For general automotive stuff I have an IR 2131QT, have had it about 7 years, it works well and in general I'm pleased with it. I would have rather had the 2135 for more torque, I have had a few suspension parts that I really had to beat the heck out of to finally get the bolts loose.
 

mrbreezeet1

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browntown

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Feb 28, 2010
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Location
Salem, OR
I think the classic 231 is a great tool, but the weight and size are an annoyance. Plus, like most air tools, they're made in china now.

My question is what is the best impact that has mondo torque, light enough to use a lot, and is made in the free world?
 

aussiek2000

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Dec 18, 2010
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not Australia
My Snap-On MG725 is the go to gun in the shop if the other guys' guns wont break something loose. One is using a re-branded IR Mac, another is using a IR231, and the other is using a 2135.
 

greasemonkey44

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Mar 30, 2011
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memphis
Dunno if I'd say it's the "best", but I snagged one of the "Klutch" compact impacts from Northern. Haven't had a chance to give it a real workout but my initial impressions are that it's a decent tool for the money.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200419927_200419927

Goofy thing is smaller than many 3/8" impacts. :) I like that.
ive got one of these too and for my money its the best out there
its a bit heavy but its damn short and fairly powerful; ive been using it for several months everyday and it hasnt died
 

diesel research

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gulf coast, TEXAS
I believe you are talking about the IR titanium guns :thumbup:

I don't believe the TI or most any other current consumer level (as opposed to true industrial) IR is qualified to wear the label "made in the USA"?

Sure, some will say Taiwan is free, but I am sure that was not the intent of the posters question?

None of my IR "max" stuff can wear the label "made in usa" The impacts are assembled in usa of "global" components, the max air hammer appears to be straight up taiwan.
 

mrbreezeet1

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shampoop

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SW Washington
I don't believe the TI or most any other current consumer level (as opposed to true industrial) IR is qualified to wear the label "made in the USA"?

Sure, some will say Taiwan is free, but I am sure that was not the intent of the posters question?

None of my IR "max" stuff can wear the label "made in usa" The impacts are assembled in usa of "global" components, the max air hammer appears to be straight up taiwan.

Actually that does sound correct, I just remembered hearing about the titanium models being something like assembled somewhere in the US as opposed to their other models.

I have a 2131QT (1st purchase), and I liked it so much I ended up buying a 2115QTIMAX for my 3/8" gun. I love everything about them. The power, noise, weight, balance, featherweight super controllable trigger, the power controls and reverse button locations, the small slim size, etc.
 

packt

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Nov 3, 2011
Messages
28
I've just started using the new Mac AWP 050. I've been happy with it so far, pretty powerful.
 
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mypov

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Aug 1, 2011
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557
need to buy one, was going to just buy the MG725, but after viewing that mac advertisement I am now torn between the MG735 (SO) or the AWP 050...

damn.
 

benielsahn

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Dec 11, 2011
Messages
11
Have an IR 2135QTiMAX. Love it. Light, powerful, amazing trigger control, QUIET!
When I got it my coworkers were all baffled by it, how quiet it was. Several quickly blurted out "oh its so quiet and wimpy". They were soon standing corrected as I busted out rusted 3/4" truck frame bolts with ease.

Loved the 1/2" so much I just recently got the 3/8" model 2115QTiMAX. Again, couldn't be happier.

Just an FYI to anyone, the MAC tools 3/8" composite AW280QA they sell for $280 is made by Aircat which can be had on eBay for $150. I heard this straight from my MAC guys mouth when he tried to sell me one.
 

Black89LX

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Jul 23, 2010
Messages
154
Location
Wisconsin
I also have the 2135QTiMax... I love it, its got plenty of power. Plus you wont be deaf AND have to still break out the big guns to loosen the bolt like some impacts... Im not going to say that it has never met a bolt it wont move like some people, but its still strong enough for most. cant complain for getting it brand new off CL for $165.

if you want power, go with an AirCat, if you want a name, get a Snap-on, if you want a gun to last 10 years, get an Ingersoll Rand.
 

BUSA

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Jan 8, 2009
Messages
7
Location
Jersey Shore
The MG725 is the best Impact I've ever used or owned. The fact that the anvil will stop turning as soon as you let go of the trigger is great. And the power makes it the go to gun in the shop. It's not a quite gun though.

That new MAC gun looks interesting.............
 

supra90turbo

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Sep 30, 2011
Messages
595
Location
Central MA
I have an IR/Mac AW5500 and love it.

AW5500M.jpg

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-318397-12-premium-impact-wrench.aspx
 

Farmer Joe

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Sep 28, 2011
Messages
247
I have an old looking IR that was handed down to me. Labels are long gone, but might be a 2135 maybe. Looks like the predecessor to the TiMax series out now. I love that gun, has got some power to it and isn't too heavy. My next purchase is going yo be a TiMax 1/2" though, just to have as a back up. I'd say IR makes the best impCts in my opinion.
 

kapster

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Dec 14, 2011
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517
Location
Wooster, Ohio
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...
 

Schurkey

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Oct 27, 2011
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The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Have a Snap-On IM510; the company supplied a batch of CP junk and IR junk; brand new they didn't have the snort to properly tighten some of the air conditioning nuts we had to deal with. The Snap-On, years old at that point kicked the *** of the new company-supplied impacts. It was the only 1/2 drive impact in the plant that could tighten the A/C pipe fittings.

I'm long gone from that job; last summer I was ripping the bed off my truck. The rusty bolts (18mm heads, not that big, really--but needed a universal joint and a 12" extension to get at 'em) were almost more than the good ol' IM510 could handle. Went to the Snap-On guy and bought a new MG725 based on the ~20-year performance of my old '510.

Got home with the new impact...went to transfer the whip hose from the old one to the new one. Got the bright idea to CHECK THE SCREEN under the air inlet fitting...and found that it was about a third plugged. I'd never cleaned it before.

Once the screen was cleaned out, the '510 came back to life. To this day, I haven't plugged air into the MG725. Wrapped in a zip-lock bag in the bottom drawer of the tool box. I'm told it's a super gun. I'll find out...someday.
 

Marlin

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Dec 6, 2007
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1,037
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...
Not if they are Genuine IR parts.
 

kapster

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Dec 14, 2011
Messages
517
Location
Wooster, Ohio
Marlin, what you mean not if they are genuine ir parts? The 2135timax says ASSEMBLED in the usa. The 231c plainly says china. I'd be surprised if anything in the 2135 is made here but i've been wrong before.
 

Marlin

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Dec 6, 2007
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Marlin, what you mean not if they are genuine ir parts? The 2135timax says ASSEMBLED in the usa. The 231c plainly says china. I'd be surprised if anything in the 2135 is made here but i've been wrong before.

There is a misconception out there that as soon as something is labeled "Assembled in the USA" it means that the company is receiving a box of parts or assemblies and they throw in a couple screws and throw a label on it. I'm sure that some companies do this but in reality reputable companies have to do this even if most of the components are actually made in the USA due to the FTC guidelines. So in the case of a 2135TiMAX there is a large portion of components that are from the USA. Also you may find it interesting that the 231C that you mentioned, while labeled Made in China actually contains USA made components.
There are definitely some companies out there that label "Made in USA" that are not meeting the FTC guideline of "all or virtually all" components must be made in the USA in order for the product to be labeled such.
 

mrholeshot

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Jun 22, 2010
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My vote goes for the 2135TIMax and 2115TImax. Could be something better out now but mine are 6 years old 0 issues. When I was using them full time they lasted a min of 3-4 years. Always been happy with any IR products.
 

kapster

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Dec 14, 2011
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Wooster, Ohio
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?
 
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