Help me spend my gift certificate

[330Scott]

I received a $100 gift card to Northern Tool today and have decided to buy a 3/8" drive air ratchet. Thinking that I probably want an IR brand, but which one to buy? I don't mind putting some add'l $ with the gift card, but no use in really over buying, ya know.

Here is the NT selection.

I have a 60 gallon, 6 hp compressor and most of my work will be automotive related.

 

[Fast Orange]

Of the ratchets shown in your link,any of the CP or IR 300 RPM would be my choice.The slower units,while they may have more torque,just take too long .Remember-an air ratchet's purpose is as a nutrunner,not an impact wrench.Breaking nuts loose and final tightning should be done byhand.

George

 

[stioc]

Scott, check your PM.

I have a brand new Craftsman Pro air rachet. I used it a couple of times for 5 mins but like all air tools I found it too loud for the home garage. Let me know if interested, I'll go down and get the part# for you so you can look up the specs

You can have it for 20% off the Sears price + shipping

 

[kartracer55]

I have an IR1200 3/8 drive, 60ftlbs, 270 RPM, super light (composite handle) and its very nice to hold. 120 from the tool warehouse, Northerntool does price matching. No problems so far. I have heard bad things about the IR111, its the "knuckle saver" reactionless ratchet... somebody called it the impactaratchet because it sort of impacts the fastner down... which means it will take forever to run something down and it will do a number on your sockets after a while. Id say stay away from that. 270RPM is plenty fast, dont get caught up in the RPM thing too much... 20-30 rpm doesnt make a difference because MAx RPM is cut down alot when you have a nut with any sort of drag. Also, Id be careful with the CP model with 90ft lbs or something like that, as that can be a bit much for many jobs.

IR1200 has my vote!

Jim

 

[330Scott]

Thanks guys, I am heading over to NT shortly. Glad to hear that the IR1200 is favored by a vote of 1 to zero.

Russell, I am also going to Sears and will check out their Pro line just in case.

Scott

 

[motorheadjohn]

Scott, I have an IR air ratchet, model 1107. They are out of production now, but model 1200 is the new and improved version. Here's a link - IR 1200 product info

I like the tool but honestly an air ratchet is one of my least-used air tools. If you don't have one already, I would suggest putting the gift certificate toward a good quality impact gun, die grinder, air drill, or an air-powered angle grinder.

Of course, Northern has lots of nice stuff, if you decided not to get an air tool.

 

[330Scott]

Thanks a lot, John. You just saved me a $100 plus. That gift card was burning a hole in my pocket.

Earlier this year when I first started getting my air compressor setup & running I bought an el cheapo 50 piece Northern Tool Air Tool Set. I really thought that the tools in the kit were an impact gun, air hammer and an air drill. Wrong! I just went to the basement and the supposedly air drill is actually an air ratchet. Not that I can't tell the difference between the two, it's just that since I still haven't used the tools yet I forgot what I actually already own. Well duh me.

I don't know the specs of any of the tools in the kit, but there is no use buying duplicate tools yet.

In my defense I will say that my shop is 35 miles from my house & sometimes I don't get over there for a couple of months or more. In fact I think that I've only been there twice since September and that was a couple of quick trips to bring stuff home. Man, I should have built a nice garage at home before I got married. But that is a whole other story.

I did check out the air ratchets today and ended up leaning toward the AirCat ratchet. Pricewise it is closer to the IR & CP tools than the Northern house brand and it's specs are very similar to the IR/CP models. But the big selling point is that it is much quieter than the IR/CP models coming in at 82 dB. No one has discussed the AirCat lineup here, but to me anyway, it does look & feel like a pretty decent unit.

Now back to square one. What to buy?

So John, thanks again.

Scott

 

[kartracer55]

Well Scott, if ya already have an air ratchet, no sense in getting a second one. I disagree with John Though. I use the air ratchet alot, because quite frankly, a 650ftlb 1/2 impact is a tad overkill for some jobs

Did you have anything in mind? Def. an air tool? Northern doesnt really sell much in the way of quality (or rather USA made) hand tools, a few random allen pieces here and there.

Thought about a 3/8 impact? Thats on my list of things to buy soon... its a total luxery item, so nice to use. There is an aircat and a CP both for 135, which is a tad more than you were looking to spend on the air ratchet. Maybe a angle head grinder kit or something?

 

[RonBou]

but like all air tools I found it too loud for the home garage.

When using my air tools for an extended period of time I put on a set of shooters ear mufflers and it makes for a more relaxing fix it session.

 

[motorheadjohn]

Well Scott, if ya already have an air ratchet, no sense in getting a second one. I disagree with John Though. I use the air ratchet alot, because quite frankly, a 650ftlb 1/2 impact is a tad overkill for some jobs

Dude, no argument...that's not exactly what I was suggesting Just saying, at least in my case, it's not the first air tool I reach for and definitely not the first one I needed when buying tools. I do use my air ratchet...I've got both 3/8" and 1/2" models...but I tend to pull them out only for larger projects requiring lots of arm-killing wrenching or for use in tight places where you can't get a good sweep with a regular ratchet.

I definitely agree with your suggestion for a 3/8" impact. A 3/8" is something of a luxury...which is why I went for a butterfly model. Here's a couple - IR butterfly $140 or Northern butterfly $40

I started with a $40-50 Porter Cable butterfly and liked it so much I upgraded to the IR model. But I would have to say the PC was a little smaller and worked just as well. A butterfly won't fit into some tight places that an air ratchet will, but a butterfly impact has pretty much the same benefit of an air ratchet with lower torque compared to a 1/2" impact. It will break loose smaller bolts and has higher speed running bolts in or out compared to a ratchet.

My butterfly impact is one of my most-used air tools. One example...My 2001 Dakota had a skid plate that made oil changes practically impossible. To change the oil, I started taking the skid plate off for the work. It was held on by 4-6 13mm bolts that had a long thread length. Running them in or out by hand was a PITA since surface rust would form making them hard to turn, and breaking them loose with light surface rust required plenty of tugging. My air ratchet would not bust them loose and a couple would not run all the way in or out, but my butterfly impact and a set of metric 3/8-drive sockets were all I needed to bust them loose and run them out or in every time.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Personally, I use my 3/8's impact gun more then anything. Mix it with some impact swivel sockets, and you have a tool you use for close to everything. I tell people all the time to get one, and no one listens to me (not on here), then they see me work with one, and they are like "No ****, I didn't know you could use it that much." Part of the problem is people are scared of it because the first time they use it with a swivel socket a nut or bolt goes flying about 20 feet, and the socket comes off if it's on an extension. But, you learn to be able to control it real good. Also, you do NOT need impact sockets or extensions with the 3/8's gun. BUT, I do run cheap Companion line extentions, which I have yet to break, and are available at Sears. They have the wobble head too with works pretty well. Yes, I have broken Snap-on and Mac sockets with the gun, they do eventually give up. No big deal, you just warranty them. Craftsman sockets are even better because all you have to do is run to the mall. And I would recommend 6 point sockets only with the gun. Unless, of course, you have a 12 point bolt.

I have never used a butterfly style gun before, I don't see the point , but that means I am acting just like the people I tell about a normal 3/8's gun that don't understand, so maybe I'll pick one up.

 

[kartracer55]

Personally, I use my 3/8's impact gun more then anything. Mix it with some impact swivel sockets, and you have a tool you use for close to everything. I tell people all the time to get one, and no one listens to me (not on here), then they see me work with one, and they are like "No ****, I didn't know you could use it that much." Part of the problem is people are scared of it because the first time they use it with a swivel socket a nut or bolt goes flying about 20 feet, and the socket comes off if it's on an extension. But, you learn to be able to control it real good. Also, you do NOT need impact sockets or extensions with the 3/8's gun. BUT, I do run cheap Companion line extentions, which I have yet to break, and are available at Sears. They have the wobble head too with works pretty well. Yes, I have broken Snap-on and Mac sockets with the gun, they do eventually give up. No big deal, you just warranty them. Craftsman sockets are even better because all you have to do is run to the mall. And I would recommend 6 point sockets only with the gun. Unless, of course, you have a 12 point bolt.

I have never used a butterfly style gun before, I don't see the point , but that means I am acting just like the people I tell about a normal 3/8's gun that don't understand, so maybe I'll pick one up.

I disagree, you should use impact sockets with the guns... To prolong thier life that is. If you look at a chrome socket thats been used a decent amount on an impact, the flats that drive begin to look a bit "mushroomed" upward and the socket gets pretty loose. The corners on the drive square also start to deform. I have a few like that And i can post pictures later if anybody doesnt believe me.

what kind of gun are you using, BTW? I have sears gift cards, so I might put them towards a 3/8 gun

Jim

 

[iiibdsiil]

You are correct sir. I use the **** out of mine, used to be a mechanic. They will loosen up a little bit, but honestly, I don't have any problems. If you have Craftsman sockets (I don't), then you are really good. Sears doesn't ask any questions on the returns, at least not around me. I brought sockets back when I was younger to Sears to exchange for 6 point from 12 point, they didn't care. The past few Snap-on (and Mac, when I could get him to show up) guys have treated me great. If it ain't broken, and you want a new one, then break it.

I use a Red IR gun, not sure of the model.

 

[Fast Orange]

If you're seriously looking at a 3/8" impact,check out the CP 724H.I've had mine for a couple of months now and use it quite a bit.It's a nicely sized gun,much smaller than a 1/2",with plenty of torque.I've done a couple of exhaust jobs with it,tore down a SBC and pulled the front clip and doors on an old Nova .No problems so far.I think it's the best bang for the buck -IIRC about $140 with shipping.
I'm looking around now for an upgrade from my old CP 1/2" gun.I'm thinking either an IR titanium thundergun or a CP 7750.My old gun is only about 350 ft/lb,and I'm thinking of getting an "animal" gun for HD truck work-something with a ton of torque for lugs,springs etc., but without going to a 3/4" set up.

George

 

[kartracer55]

George,

The thundergun is a sick gun (I own one) but it is LOUD!!!!! I have a 90 ft driveway, and the garage is at the end... you can hear it all the way down the driveway and across the street. Just something to keep in mind. The IR Titanium Guns are nice, but $$$$... Dont fall for the "1000 ft lbs nut busting torque", because its BS... the gun only has 625 or 650 ft lbs, but will loosen a nut tightened to 1000ft lbs in 6 seconds. They almost had me when I was looking for a gun. There is a CP gun out there, with something liek 800 ft lbs, which might be what your looking for. The gun needs 34 or 35 cfm to achieve that torque too, so watch out for that one... once again they almost had me there. I just noticed a bunch of stuff when I was shopping for the gun, but since the neighboors hate us, noise didnt really matter

Where did you get that gun from? I recall a thread on that a while back no? Ill have to see if sears has them, I have a few gift cards, and I was thinking about getting a 3/8 gun... the other tempting one was thec raftsman pro gun which looks lieka rebadged IR titanium with similar specs, but that was 190. 140 sounds better to me


Jim

 

[Fast Orange]

Jim-
I got the CP724H from thetoolwarehouse.net-$125.95+ shipping-sale ends 1/31/06.That's where I'm looking at the "animal" guns also-IR232TGTI is$146.95 and CP 7750 is $208.75.
I'm not worrying about noise-I just want to get through these big nasty jobs ASAP when they come up. I hate working under muddy,rusty trucks in the winter.

George