Help Deciding on 3/8 Impact

[catron44]

So I'm in the market for a compact 3/8" impact wrench. I'm looking to top out at the $100 mark. I'm a professional woodworker, just a diy mechanic so most of my mechanics tools are older cman usa/husky/etc. I can't justify the cost of tool truck brands.

I've got some work planned for my wrangler and avalanche that I think would be helpful if I had a compact impact wrench to move things along. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Astro 1828 Onyx and Aircat Nitrocat 1076-xl. I'm seeing excellent reviews on both of them, more total reviews on the Astro, but I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has them and what they think of them.

Thanks!

 

[kctyphoon]

So I'm in the market for a compact 3/8" impact wrench. I'm looking to top out at the $100 mark. I'm a professional woodworker, just a diy mechanic so most of my mechanics tools are older cman usa/husky/etc. I can't justify the cost of tool truck brands.

I've got some work planned for my wrangler and avalanche that I think would be helpful if I had a compact impact wrench to move things along. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Astro 1828 Onyx and Aircat Nitrocat 1076-xl. I'm seeing excellent reviews on both of them, more total reviews on the Astro, but I'm wondering if anybody on this forum has them and what they think of them.

Thanks!

The m7 model might be worth considering, and its available on Amazon.
Mighty Seven (NC-3611Q) Mighty Quiet 3/8" Mini Impact Wrench https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G6KXUTG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Astro says theirs is stronger and smaller. Cheaper too, but just giving another option.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I really like a cordless 3/8 impact. You can find a sale on Lowes or Home Depot sometimes for right around 100 for an 18v. (DeWalt calls their 18v 20v.)

I really like using an impact driver with a 3/8 adapter too. It is probably my most used tool for mechanic work. I would say it is not as compact though. The cordless feature makes them feel and weigh like a more compact tool.

I have an IR 3/8 air impact that I used all the time before I got the cordless. It has way more power but is not nearly as versatile.

 

[bcradio]

I love my Astro, but use the IR 2115 way more as I rarely need something that compact.

 

[knobby]

This is a tad obvious but you say that you are a woodworker and most woodworkers have some cordless tools so the easiest solution would be to buy the 3/8" impact in the battery system that you currently have or the one that you aspire to have.
Too many different battery systems tend to clutter ones life up. JS.

 

[catron44]

Thanks for the responses. The M7 looks like an option as well. The nitrocat might use too much CFM for my compressor. The Astro and M7 look like they're very similar with the Astro beating the M7 in torque.

I thought about going battery because I've got the Dewalt 20v max brushless impact driver/drill and 1/2" impact gun. However, the 3/8 Dewalt 20v is less than half the power of the air guns I'm considering. Since the bare tool Dewalt still costs more than the air guys I'd rather have the power over battery convenience.