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Is CP still good?

Gumbycp

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Dec 16, 2008
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I have a old cp734 and i love it because it is very well balanced and it doesn't throw sockets and bolts everywhere because it slows down very quickly. i was wondering if the new chicago pneumatic tools are still reliable like the old one's. i am instersted in getting like a cp749 or a cp7750 but i have never heard of any one having one. i know the internals are different know like old cp have 2 little hammers and the new ones have clutch's. do they still last as long or not?
 
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a390st

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CP got pretty bad for a while, in my opinion. They were my choice of impact wrench for a lot of years, and they really disappointed me when they let their brand go to pot. I have IR impact tools now, but I have heard that CP is getting better. I think a member of the company was on here at one time. It may have been somewhere else, but I think he was on here.
 

TheToolMan

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I dont know about impacts but i just got a sander and a polisher, awsome for the money
 

83diesel

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I have a 3/4" and 1" CP impact, for the price and long life span they can't be beat. IR's have a lot of power but taper off even with good maintenance practices.

The CP's are a little heavier and are more honest with their torque values, unlike IR and AIR Cat that use misleading numbers. I have seen a CP7750 turn a IR and AIR Cat backwards on several tool trucks.

CP does not have the great marketing and sales team that IR has. A lot of people including myself have bought them because of the sleek design, the hype from the reps or the misleading torque values.

It really depends on the air tool you are buying, CP in my opinion has never had a decent 3/8" gun and certain IR's over the years have not been as good as they advertised. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Spookrider

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CP-749 is what putting food on my table.
I love it, it can whoop an IR-231 super duty ****!
I get the job done faster than IR 231-Super duty.
But, I have to say I also love the way you can feather and IR gun better than a CP gun but, you can pound on rusty nuts more heavier with an CP.
 

Spookrider

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Also I have a Air Hammer that was bought by my Dad in the mid 60's and still to this day it work and making money for the Tech(me). I found the receipt in the bottom on the case. He bought it at a NAPA store close by.
Also, it has not been used lightly in those year of owning it to. It look heavily used.
 

goodfellow

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Also I have a Air Hammer that was bought by my Dad in the mid 60's and still to this day it work and making money for the Tech(me). I found the receipt in the bottom on the case. He bought it at a NAPA store close by.
Also, it has not been used lightly in those year of owning it to. It look heavily used.

CP ownership tranferred so many times it's hard to remember when they had bad quality or good. I like the old vinatge tools and the very new, and try to stay away from CP stuff that was sold in the 1990's.

I've owned a CP-714 air hammer for 35 years. It was one of the first tools that I bought. Best air chisel they ever made. If my Rodac can't cut it, the CP will.
 

Fedwrench

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I use a few CP items at work. They're less than a year old but are working out so far. A couple of die grinders, a 90 degree drill, and an air saw. They're lightweight, powerful, and well balanced. I also have a CP7740 1/2 impact. It's very strong, has a small frame, and lightweight. It will fit into some places other 1/2 guns can't which makes it handy for suspension work. On the downside, I wish the handle was a little thicker and it's starting to leak air through the handle exhaust when hooked up and not in use. CP is supposed to come out with a new 3/8 gun around April according to a rep I talked to at a local tool expo. I agree that CP doesn't have the marketing push that IR has. I had a 734 many years ago that served me well. I guess for me the issue is that I haven't really found anything from CP yet that would make me put my IR titanium impacts away. Your results may vary.
 

LoneGunman

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I always thought CP was HF ****, I'm glad to know it is not, I've turned my nose up at many CP air tools at very cheap prices.

* nevermind, I was thinking Central Pneumatic
 

krusty the clown

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while i don't own any newer CP tools the older stuff was top shelf.

chicagp pnuematic has an interesting history. at one time they owned MATCO as a subsiciary of jacobs mfg (jacobs chuck, jake brake), they were sold off when danaher bought jacobs, they are now a french owned company.
 

Hawk321

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CP is the best on the market...best price and superior perfomance...

Have the 7740 (guess that's the number) 1/2" square and a total weight of 1,25 kg....a size of a 3/8" Impact Gun...cost...340,-Euro!
 

goodfellow

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I always thought CP was HF ****, I'm glad to know it is not, I've turned my nose up at many CP air tools at very cheap prices.

* nevermind, I was thinking Central Pneumatic

HF has a real nasty habit of confusing folks with the "Chicago" brand. They sell much of their welding equipment under the "Chicago Electric" moniker and the air tools as "Central Pneumatic" or "CP"; thinking that some folks will associate that stuff with the venerable USA made "Chicago Pneumatic" brand.

In the 50's, 60's and 70's US made CP, Ingersoll, Sioux, and Rockwell were among the most respected automotive pneumatic tools.
 

Hawk321

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HF has a real nasty habit of confusing folks with the "Chicago" brand. They sell much of their welding equipment under the "Chicago Electric" moniker and the air tools as "Central Pneumatic" or "CP"; thinking that some folks will associate that stuff with the venerable USA made "Chicago Pneumatic" brand.

Same here...a supermarket tries it with Hazet and SK...they stamp on the tools HZ or S+K...

It's perky!
 

eschoendorff

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HF has a real nasty habit of confusing folks with the "Chicago" brand. They sell much of their welding equipment under the "Chicago Electric" moniker and the air tools as "Central Pneumatic" or "CP"; thinking that some folks will associate that stuff with the venerable USA made "Chicago Pneumatic" brand.

In the 50's, 60's and 70's US made CP, Ingersoll, Sioux, and Rockwell were among the most respected automotive pneumatic tools.

Whatever happened to Rockwell?? I remember my dad having some neat Rockwell stuff...
 

goodfellow

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Watched an infommerical recently about a Rockwell tool. Don't know about their quality. Seems like I remember my Grandfather having Rockwell power tools

http://www.rockwelltoolsdirect.com/

jhn9840
John

I doubt that this manufacturer is associated with the "old" Rockwell. I seem to recall buying my air tools from "Rockwell Manufacturing" and then after a slew of mergers the company was "Rockwell International" in the 1970's --

EDIT: Their website states that they do own the Trademark though -- so it might well be a remnant of the old Rockwell International corporation -- in name only though.

http://x3technology.net/Default.aspx?alias=x3technology.net/positec
 
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goodfellow

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So, where do air tools come from these days? Are they all from China?

Some of the more expensive air tools and industrial grade items are still made in the US. I recently purchased a new Florida Pneumatic impact wrench that was made in Japan.

Many good commercial tools are still made in Japan and Taiwan.

So, I guess most of the consumer grade stuff is now made in China.
 

kartracer55

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I dont like CP Impacts. My boss had a cp734 that was an easy 30 years old and it still worked, but it sucked to use. Honestly, I find their guns to be uncomfortable to use and not as well balanced as many IR guns are. IMHO, the best part about IR is the fact that parts are so readily available for them. I would imagine CP is a little more difficult to find replacement stuff for. I doubt trucks carry CP rebuild kits like they do IR.
 

krusty the clown

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your showing your age jim :bounce:

30 years ago the cp734 was the most popular impact out there but as time changes so does peoples tastes and technology has changed as well. the 734 wasn't as powerfull as the modern guns that we use today and i doubt there are enough of them still in use to warrant tool trucks carrying repair kits, but i kept them in stock when i was a dealer.

besides i think the OP is refering to current models not antiques like the 734!

:beer:
 

kartracer55

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your showing your age jim :bounce:

30 years ago the cp734 was the most popular impact out there but as time changes so does peoples tastes and technology has changed as well. the 734 wasn't as powerfull as the modern guns that we use today and i doubt there are enough of them still in use to warrant tool trucks carrying repair kits, but i kept them in stock when i was a dealer.

besides i think the OP is refering to current models not antiques like the 734!

:beer:

Haha well still, Im loyal to IR guns. I think when I get around to buying a cutoff tool, it is going to be a CP. My bosses is pretty old and pretty powerful.
 

Bolster

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Are some/most IR air tools Taiwan made? Just got an IR jitterbug (inline) sander and it is Taiwanese.
 
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Marlin

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Are some/most IR air tools Taiwan made? Just got an IR jitterbug (inline) sander and it is Taiwanese.
Some are but not most. The Majority of their impacts are made in Athens, PA as is some of their ratchets and most of their industrial tool line.
 

kartracer55

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Some are but not most. The Majority of their impacts are made in Athens, PA as is some of their ratchets and most of their industrial tool line.

IIRC most of them come over from China, and the higher end ones are assembled in the USA.
 

vssjim

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CP has a plant in Rock Hill SC that is where the 749's are made, my everyday impact is a Cp 734 light and smooth works well. Most jobs don't require killer torque on auto and light truck work. I also have an older US IR 231 a Sears labels 2131 when stuff is real tight but day in day out the 734 works for me. I also stock all my own stock of air tool repair kits for my air tools and some others. CP is owned by Atlas Copco
 

Gregster

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I have a CP die grinder, Had it for 3 years. It works daily and just requires the normal daily oiling. I've had no problems with it at all. Made In Japan as well.

I also have an IR 2135Qti, very very nice, light, balanced and powerful. Had it for 4 years and only had to change the head because I dropped it and chipped where the c clip goes in place. Made in USA
 

MAD

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I picked up this little 3/8" gun on eBay a few months ago, brand new for 35 bucks. I am pretty happy with it. I have not touched any other 3/8" drive impacts in the last dozen years other than my butterfly, so I can't offer any meaningful comparison.
 

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CamarosRus

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In my FREE tool haul (another thread) from a couple weeks a go I got a CP734.

1) Is there any money in trying to sell this on EBAY or C.L. or do I just keep the darm thing for myself (This weekend I picked up a used MG31 Snap On that I'm inclined to keep)

2) Having very difficult time removing worn Blue Plastic Protective boot from CP734.
What is low cost source of buying new CP protective boot and what is trick of getting old one on/new one on ????? I warmed up with heat gun........helped a little but still didnt remove it.
 

CamarosRus

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TTT...................

Seeing as how this CP734 is obsolete........guess I'll be keeping it ?????

How can I find new Protective Boot for a C734. Google ?????

Thanks,
 

CamarosRus

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I used my free CP734 yesterday to R&R some Dodge Truck lugnuts (big deal)

Anyway, my question is how best do I determine condition, strength of this 734.....

I'm just am amatuer mechanic, so if not worth anythiing to sell, guess I'll just keep

_________________________________________________________________________

On another note I also have an obsolete SNAP ON AT500A 1/2" Gun. Still works, but at unknown level ???
I called up S.O. repair depot as they have a flat rate overhaul price (??). They no longer have parts or will rebuild this AT500A

Which of the two above obsolete guns should I retain for my own use and which should I try to sell ????????????
 

Toolhorder

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I'm not into impacts enough to know part numbers by heart but I used to have a Mac which was IR we called them "bulldogs" and many techs had them. Then I upgraded to IR's titanium stuff and never looked back after a new dealer let me demo one. I ended up getting a 1/2 and 3/8.
Then he came around 6 months later with a CP "turbo" model he said was slightly better but I didn't want a CP gun so I passed on it.

Here is a link to the model I'm talking about, http://www.alltiresupply.com/p-CP-7750.html

If anyone has used that one I'm all ears.
 

stricht8

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Is the IR 231C still a good gun? They are now made in China. I'm looking to buy one but might look for an older used one that is at least assembled in USA. Are any of the older 231s actually made in Athens, PA?
 

Toolhorder

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Is the IR 231C still a good gun? They are now made in China. I'm looking to buy one but might look for an older used one that is at least assembled in USA. Are any of the older 231s actually made in Athens, PA?

lol, the "bulldog" model.. That's the one I used to have, actually my second 1/2 impact. It was IR rebadged Mac.
Decent gun but heavy as hell compared to the newer IR's. I couldn't believe the difference in weight after a day of use. Much better. :bowdown:
 

stricht8

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Yes, the Bulldog. It actually kind of looks like one. Anyway this is a highly regarded gun and is supposedly indestructible but is this still so now that it's china made?
 

JakeD

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HF has a real nasty habit of confusing folks with the "Chicago" brand. They sell much of their welding equipment under the "Chicago Electric" moniker and the air tools as "Central Pneumatic" or "CP"; thinking that some folks will associate that stuff with the venerable USA made "Chicago Pneumatic" brand.

I'm glad I read this thread because I guess I was one of those people... Er, the reverse, really. I have a Chicago Pn 3" air cut off tool (874). It's always run fine, but I always half expected it to **** the bed. Now I may look at it a little different. Although I just went out and looked, and it says Taiwan on it.
 

Marlin

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Is the IR 231C still a good gun? They are now made in China. I'm looking to buy one but might look for an older used one that is at least assembled in USA. Are any of the older 231s actually made in Athens, PA?
Google IR patriot gun or 231-USA. This was recent version of the 231 made in PA.
 
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