How often do you use your 3/8 impact?

[hosz]

Just curious how often this is used. Do you still grab your 1/2 or has the 3/8 taken over the bulk of the load? Do you say to yourself, "Man, I wish I bought this thing earlier" everytime you use it?

I'm debating getting one but I already have a 1/2 impact and 3/8 ratchet and so far, both have covered everything I needed to do. If I did get one, it would be an IR2115ti or the 20v IR cordless that is supposed to come out this fall.

Leaning against buying one b/c of cost and having to invest in 3/8 impact sockets unless people here can talk me into it.

 

[logixjock]

I have a Snap-On 3/8 pneumatic impact, handles 80% of what I need. It's the one I grab first.

 

[fortson]

i use my 3/8 way more than my 1/2 inch drive. if the socket is 11/16 to 17mm or smaller i use the 3/8 drive. 3/4 -20mm and up gets the 1/2 inch drive. i'd be lost without it. not to mention you can get them into much tighter spaces. pay the extra money and get the swivel adapter if you get the air operated one, you wont regret it.

 

[transittech]

Everyday. It does about 90%of what I do. I work on buses and I can do suspension work with a MG31/MG325. I was going to give you socket suggestions, but Cripe's website is partially down.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/allen-3-8in-drive-metric-deep-well-sockets-11-pc-set-19511-usa-ro.html

They also have/had a Kobalt/williams 3/8 drive metric shallow set 9-19mm, but I can't find it right now. For SAE, go to HF. They don't skip sizes in SAE, but they do in MM.

 

[GSteg]

Before having my 1/2" cordless impact, I use the 3/8" a lot more than the 1/2". I only pull out the 1/2' drive for really stuck bolts or crank pulley. The 3/8" drive impact on the market, particularly the MG325 and 2115TiMax, have enough omph to most jobs.

 

[transittech]

Try this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-11pc-3-8-Metric-6pt-Impact-Socket-Set-By-Williams-a-Div-of-Snap-On-97621-/390425284565?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae7290fd5#ht_2103wt_956

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-3-8in-Drive-Metric-Deep-Well-Sockets-11-Pc-Set-19511-USA-/330725308504?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d00c3b858#ht_1826wt_907

 

[csargents1546]

My SO MG325 is my go to gun every day. It is amazing the work that it can do for it's size. I keep the 1/2 MG725 in my main box for big stuff.

 

[crewchief888]

i use mine (IR air or blupoint cordless) most of the time i need an impact.

rarely i use an air ratchet, 1/2" dr impact is next most used.

 

[No2tech]

I still grab the 1/2" by instinct but the 3/8" is best on trans and clutch jobs for me!

 

[chris142]

everyday

 

[otis66]

I have a Snap-On 3/8 pneumatic impact, handles 80% of what I need. It's the one I grab first.

Ditto. Every since I bought my Snap On 3/8" drive impact wrench it's the first thing I grab.

 

[volunteers]

I have some U.S. made craftsman 3/8'' impact for sale:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154635

 

[Tarheelgarage]

My old IR 2112 3/8 drive impact was getting some age on it a while back; didn't have the balls that it once did.

Instead of replacing it with another, I bought the Northern Tool Klutch 100803branded compact 1/2 drive impact on sale about 5 months ago for $69.
I it is one sale now for $69
I've been using this bad boy in the shop daily and it has yet to disappoint me. It is as small as the IR2112 with more balls

Get one, you won't be disappointed..

 

[Chadwilliam1]

The 3/8 is lighter smaller and has plenty of power. It is also good to have a small 1/2 too.

 

[bobcatdan]

My 3/8 air is used maybe twice a year for something, SO 3/8 cordless all the way

 

[TheGrease]

I use both. It really depends on the job tho if I'm doing oil pans or anything small ill use my 3/8 but if I'm doing a wheel seal or steering box I break out my so 1/2

 

[crnet18]

I have an MG31 that I use quite often (almost daily) and it has loads of power. I have used it to take off lugnuts and subframe bolts before. However I feel that even if it is turned all the way down it has too much power for certain things like trans pans or oil pans etc. For those I use a Kobalt 3/8 impact from Lowe's. It is much less powerful but still has been very reliable.

 

[Simz144]

Everyday. Only use my 1/2 inch on lug nut and big fastner. My 3/8 can remove lug nut but i prefer my half inch. Both IR Ti max.

Genius max a 3/8 impact socket set long and short, 22mm to 7mm.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i use my 3/8 snapon cordless every day; i use my ir air once every two days....has more power and fits in many more places

 

[Matt018]

I have up to 3/4'' and 19mm 3/8 impact sockets, I use it for everything i can, It even handles most lug nuts. I have a Harbor Freight Earthquake. It comes in handy for everything, Much nicer to use than an air ratchet.

 

[OEXL16B]

The guy that uses a 3/8'' impact has got some itty-bitty arms the size of Coke cans and is anemic. The dude has never lifted any barbells in his life and doesn't know how either.

 

[7.62]

The guy that uses a 3/8'' impact has got some itty-bitty arms the size of Coke cans and is anemic. The dude has never lifted any barbells in his life an doesn't know how either.

lol what

I use a 3/8" impact nearly every day, as does literally every other mechanic I've ever worked with.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I have an MG31 that I use quite often (almost daily) and it has loads of power. I have used it to take off lugnuts and subframe bolts before. However I feel that even if it is turned all the way down it has too much power for certain things like trans pans or oil pans etc. For those I use a Kobalt 3/8 impact from Lowe's. It is much less powerful but still has been very reliable.

yeah, thats like the Earth Quake 3/8 drive, the old style, it's not as powerful as the snap on or the IR, but it's still powerful enough for a lot of things.
I pretty much used it every day in the shop.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I have up to 3/4'' and 19mm 3/8 impact sockets, I use it for everything i can, It even handles most lug nuts. I have a Harbor Freight Earthquake. It comes in handy for everything, Much nicer to use than an air ratchet.

see, my EQ wouldn't handle too many lug nuts. It would take some off, but I usually just used my 1/2" IR

 

[mrbreezeet1]

The guy that uses a 3/8'' impact has got some itty-bitty arms the size of Coke cans and is anemic. The dude has never lifted any barbells in his life and doesn't know how either.

lol what

I use a 3/8" impact nearly every day, as does literally every other mechanic I've ever worked with.

Yeah, I really don't know WTH your talking about?????
I guess your just jagging around??

 

[Rural53]

Never, it has had air through it but never had a socket on it. 1/2" all the time.

 

[HaroRider]

Got one last week from here. Have yet to use it I hope I find uses for it though.

 

[BigV]

I had a Milwaukee 24v 1/2" that I bought on recommendation of a clown in Michigan who is an import tuner. Bad mistake.

I bought batteries and went back to my 18v Snap On. As much as I dislike SnapOn/Sioux/etc I love that tool.

I had a 3/8 S-O but it crapped out on me, badly I might add. It took the battery with it. I wish I had another, though, honestly.

 

[franzdom]

What did' t you like about the Milwaukee?

 

[bobcatdan]

What did' t you like about the Milwaukee?

I have a 24v milwaukee and also a 18 v SO. The milwaukee battery will last forever and the thing is powerfull. That said, it is big, heavy, bulky. The SO is big but side by side is noticably smaller and lighter. The SO has way more power, I was happy with the milwaukee, blown away from the SO. SO battery life is pretty good, I went back to ni-cad. The milwaukee lin ions don't work below 50 F, kinda a pain in Wisconsin. Don't get me wrong, I bought the milwaukee first and loved it. When the batteries gave up, I ended up buying the SO and taking the Milwaukee home to limp on with what life the batteries had left. Milwaukee's $130 batteries last about five years for me. The SO is just a better unit.

 

[aussiek2000]

I use my 3/8" MG325 nearly 100% of the time. Lighter than 1/2" and does just about everything I need it to. About the only thing I use my MG725 for is running the ball joint press, pulling pittman arms, and axle/pinion nuts.

 

[Gary S]

I don't have a 3/8" impact, so I don't use one. I seldom use my 3/8" sockets and ratchets either. I like my 1/2" tools. I figure if I can't twist off a bolt with my 1/2" tools, I'm getting a 3/4" next to do the job.

 

[mecpman]

I finally got a 3/8 Mac a couple of months ago and since then ive probly used my 1/2 inch a couple of times. Its lighter and fits into places better

 

[Motor-Mechanic]

Only use 1/2 impact, never needed to use 3/8.

 

[lennoxlennox]

constantly

 

[EvilWelder]

I use the 3/8 more than the big gun and my air ratchet, should have bought one years ago. I have the MATCO(IR titanium) and it will do most everything I ask of it.

 

[sdguy55]

Mg325 and 725 here also. Seems like i have been using my 325 ALOT more lately cause all i have been doin is truck ****** (HD) and it has never failed me yet. That gun coupled with a 5/8 swivel impact socket gets 80% of the bolts.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Toolman12]

Still have my IM31 snappy and still going great and i use it a lot

 

[Hoyer Motorsports]

I can't believe there isn't one mention of DeWalt DC825 or something equal
to it!
I've used SO and Milwaukee. No comparison.
Even with the 1/4" hex it's more versatile and powerful than the 14.4 MW and the SO.

I use it everyday on almost every job.

 

[blacK20]

About 50/50 between the 3/8" and 1/2" impacts, but I work on alot of 1ton trucks.