good 1/2 impact for under 200?

[buffalobill]

I just picked up a 26 gal Mac air compressor, I have very limited experience with air tools, what is a good high torque Impact to buy for under 200? I have looked around, sears has craftsman impacts that are priced around 100, but are they decent? or should I hold out for something stronger?

 

[xurusaibobx]

spend 50 dollars more and get one of the best guns out there...

IR 2135TIMAX on amazon 249.00

 

[Muffduster]

Nitrocat 1200K.

Under $200 and better than the 2135TIMAX.

 

[Dave.R]

I have the quiet IR from lowes, 650 ft lbs, about as loud as a power drill, and Its never not taken a bolt off for me.

 

[buffalobill]

have you ever had a nitrocat not be able to take something off? 1200 lbs of torque, i'm sold!

 

[pipsters]

I had a 2135timax, a Nitrocat 1100k, and a Harbor Freight Earthquake. I still own the Earthquake everything else was returned, it smoked the 2135 and was neck and neck with the Nitrocat. For daily use the Nitrocat would be nicer as the ergonomics are a little better but for $75 the Earthquake a damn good gun, those higher 1200 ft-lbs ratings don't mean anything to me, they are all smoke and mirrors.

 

[transittech]

IR 231C. Introduced 25 years ago, and even better now. $115, and 600ft./lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-231C-2-Inch-Super-Duty-Impact/dp/B0002SRM3I

 

[osborn.ozzy]

if you watch ebay you can get a new 2135timax for under $200 shipped

 

[waterboy12]

IR 231C. Introduced 25 years ago, and even better now. $115, and 600ft./lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-231C-2-Inch-Super-Duty-Impact/dp/B0002SRM3I

+1 ^

 

[bcradio]

those higher 1200 ft-lbs ratings don't mean anything to me, they are all smoke and mirrors.

EXACTLY!!

Companies play with those torque numbers like no other.

I'm with you on the Earthquake for sure also. You could get both 3/8" and 1/2" for under $200 and have 2 great guns. If you will be using them all day, they are a bit heavier but that's it. Shoot when I worked in the tire shop, we didn't even have the guns in our hands all that much during the day so its really not much of an issue.

 

[rlitman]

I can't speak for the Earthquake, but my Aircat 1000TH is awesome.

 

[RKA]

I picked up an IR3132G off ebay for around $100 new. 600 ft lbs, does the job well for a great price if you're not comfortable with the HF Earthquake models. Take the money saved and get a 3/8" gun as well. Lighter and easier to get into tighter spaces and they still have enough oomph for basic suspension work, wheels, etc. 90% of the time I reach for my 3/8" gun anyway.

 

[rslaback]

If it was me I would go with the 1/2" Earthquake impact and the 3/8" Earthquake impacting ratchet and still have money left over.

 

[Altec]

I'd take a IR244 over the 231. Better design imo.

I think if I were to buy another gun I would get a Aircat 1200k. On a hunch... Currently I use a Ti-max at work, and a 244 at home.

 

[MR_T]

I hope this does not piss off the brand loyalists but I am 100% sure the harbor fright Earthquake 1/2" is the best you can do brand new for under $ 100, especially for the home mechanic. I paid around 60 for mine with the sale & 25% off coupon and have not been disappointed. There are a few pros on this site that use it on a daily biases and have nothing but good things to say about them. Do a search for Earthquake

The review ***** but you get the idea

 

[crewchief888]

IR 231c
from summit racing,
delivered to the door $138

shipped monday, arrived tuesday with std shipping

 

[Skin]

Nitrocat 1200K is a very powerful impact wrench and a good value. Cant say i like the Earthquake one bit. Its quiet but isnt nearly as powerful as the nitrocat and heavy as a *******. Its literally like holding a brick with a handle stuck in it. You get what you pay for.

 

[shampoop]

IR 231C. Introduced 25 years ago, and even better now. $115, and 600ft./lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRM3I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This for the average home user.

Durable and powerful enough for a pro, but when you use it every day it's nice to have something lighter with a more controllable feather trigger, easier speed controls, with a muffler.

Something like the 2135qtimax. Only worth doubling your budget if you're going to be using it ALL the time.

 

[Rogue1987]

I also own a current production Harbor Freight Earthquake. It outperforms my MG725. The MG725 is lighter, I will give it that, but I don't use the impact every day / all day so for me the HF unit is fantastic, I think I spent $85 on it with a coupon.

 

[magova1104]

Ingersoll Rand is the best. Own the Quiet 1/2 drive for 8 years, using it EVERYDAY.. Ingersoll rand has all the replacement parts easy to buy online and there are service centers in all the world in case you break it. World Biggest air tool company.

 

[mopar01]

I'm starting to think I wasted 425 dollars on my mg725.

 

[Muffduster]

I'm starting to think I wasted 425 dollars on my mg725.

 

[Altec]

I'm starting to think I wasted 425 dollars on my mg725.

IDK, the 725 is a BMF. The guy I work with has one, and we bust it out when the Ti-Max won't do the job. The problem is the bulk, and weight. It's just to much for normal use.

 

[Skin]

I'm starting to think I wasted 425 dollars on my mg725.

Not to rub salt in your wound but the MG725s only real appeal is that its assembled/made in the USA. Other than that its way overpriced for its performance. The street value for a used but not abused MG325/725 is about $250 which is much more realistic than Snap-Ons list. The other thing i hate about the MG725 is that its completely sealed, you cant service it beyond the handle/trigger and associated seals so if the motor goes its a brick and you're out an impact and the turn around time of the flat rate repair which makes a back-up mandatory.

 

[ra42mario]

Two dead IR's in my drawer... they didn't last in a shop enviornment for me. My oily Earthquake does it everyday for me in 1/2 inch. I use the 3/8 Earthquake about 2 to 3 times a week and its real nice. I don't buy the 200ft-lbs rating on it, but it does loosen most bolts.

 

[JKady]

Nitrocat 1200K.

Under $200 and better than the 2135TIMAX.

Clicked on this thread to post this very thing. Better is subjective, but I've used a 2-3 year old 1200K (Mine) then a similarly aged/used 2135 on the same job before. My 1200 is holding up much better than any 2135 I've seen with a few years use. Going to be buying the 1375 to replace my snap on 3/8ths at some point too, I HATE the lack of control that comes with snap-on triggers.

 

[buffalobill]

thanks for all the replies guys, I guess its between the Nitrocat and 231C, sort of leaning towards the Nitrocat.

I know people like HF stuff, I personally don't. I don't trust anything past their shop rags and cheap deadblow hammers.....

 

[GSteg]

The other thing i hate about the MG725 is that its completely sealed, you cant service it beyond the handle/trigger and associated seals so if the motor goes its a brick and you're out an impact and the turn around time of the flat rate repair which makes a back-up mandatory.

Not really. Ive rebuilt one of my MG725 before and its just like rebuilding any other impact. The only thing different is the plate separating the hammer mechanism and the rotor. Its made to prevent fluid from leaking into the air chamber. You can buy parts and replace them easily. Everything can be serviced.

 

[xurusaibobx]

my mg725 is the BFH in my toolbox, my daily beater is the IT MAX or first choice is the MG325! yes sir 3/8 impact gun is fricken balls out beast mode

 

[Goobzilla]

I've had the IR Thundergun for several years now and I reallly like it. $209 on Amazon but prob cheaper if you shop around a little.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E21CZ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[GTO]

I think you should look at the SO MG31,it's a 3/8",I bought a new one off feebay for $160.
For home use,that should be enough gun.
Good luck

 

[dudutzu905]

I can't speak for the Earthquake, but my Aircat 1000TH is awesome.

the aircat is nice, but aside from being quieter I find the 2135ti better but more expensive too, the direction switch on the aircat is just not for me

 

[IndyGarage]

I really like the IR 2132g. Plenty of power and it's got the quiet exhaust.

I've seen them for $155. I think I paid $179. I don't know what the difference is between this one and the more expensive 2135 line - perhaps they are a bit more durable for everyday use, but the 2132 has done fine for me for several years.

 

[buffalobill]

I think you should look at the SO MG31,it's a 3/8",I bought a new one off feebay for $160.
For home use,that should be enough gun.
Good luck

I would like to go that route, but I have amassed a full collection of 1/2 drive impacts already, and I have nothing in 3/8's. I could hammer the **** out of my SK sockets, but my dewalt cordless already does that, I don't think they would be standing up to very much SNAP ON destruction!!

 

[infinite97]

I'm starting to think I wasted 425 dollars on my mg725.

If you indeed paid $425 for an MG725, yes, you did waste money.

Mine was $316, brand new from Snap-On, no student or other discounts. Stop buying stuff off the truck!!!

 

[RAYJAY]

a little off topic but what is the difference between the aircats and nitrocats ??

Jeff

 

[Skin]

a little off topic but what is the difference between the aircats and nitrocats ??

Jeff

Nitrocat line uses a sealed clutch motor, it doesnt have the two hammer weights usually found in the front of an impact but instead uses hammer pins that ride on a spring loaded cam. They tend to hit harder and do so immedietly while a twin hammer impact builds up force. The downside to the system is the fact that the motor is sealed and filled with oil so the seals can eventually fail causing it to leak, and while you can feather the trigger you dont really reduce the impact force where a twin hammer impact if you feather the trigger you reduce the striking force. They also cannot be used in conjunction with torque sticks. The plus side is that rusty/stuck fasteners get shocked with the full force right away and pound for pound they tend to hit quite a bit harder than a twin hammer impact. Clutch motor impacts must be oiled religiously to get a long life out of them.

Aircat is the more tried and true design of two hammer weights and a vane motor. Assembled in USA. Clutch motor impacts are all from Taiwan, guessing they hold the patents.

 

[Muffduster]

thanks for all the replies guys, I guess its between the Nitrocat and 231C, sort of leaning towards the Nitrocat.

I know people like HF stuff, I personally don't. I don't trust anything past their shop rags and cheap deadblow hammers.....

Get. The. Nitrocat.

 

[Ken81590]

Can't go wrong with IR, but you can get used MG725's and other Snap-On and Matci impacts for under $200 on eBay, good tools last a lifetime, so even if they are used they will still treat you great.

 

[RKA]

I would like to go that route, but I have amassed a full collection of 1/2 drive impacts already, and I have nothing in 3/8's. I could hammer the **** out of my SK sockets, but my dewalt cordless already does that, I don't think they would be standing up to very much SNAP ON destruction!!

SO sells an MG3255. Same body as the 325, but with a 1/2" anvil. Or you can buy the 1/2" anvil from SO and install it on a 325.