Looking For A Decent Impact Gun

[darkside]

I only have a 5 gallon air compressor (90 psi). What can I get for an impact gun which will actually remove the lug nuts on my truck. The one I have is garbage. It won't even turn them on the highest torques setting. Or is there something different I should do with the gun. Not familiar with air tools much.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Your impact may be OK, I suspect that your pressure is the problem. If you have 90 psi AT THE tANK you may only have 80 psi or less at the gun, and that would be only for a moment till the tank empties and you have nearly nothing and the compressor is running.

If you had 90 to 100 psi at the gun, then you would be OK, but you WILL have an air pressure drop in the hose.

I used to use my old CP impact (now about 35 years old) on a 12 gal tank compressor with a max of 100 psi and a pump start up of 80 psi. It worked OK and I never really thought it was an underperformer. I now use that same gun on a regulated 100 psi from my 80 gal/175 psi compressor and what a difference!!! It will remove all four wheels from the car and the pump won't even kick on, and it has lots more power, as the pressure is steady, with more flow behind it.

You would do well to have a bigger compressor.

Charles

 

[bmwpower]

I've got an IR 2135. No compaints. Light and powerful. I've used lesser IR's as well as generic stuff, but this one works better than all of them

 

[Sundowner]

I have an IR2131 gun, which was the big thing from IR before the Ti model bmwpower has came out. yeah, $200 is a lot of green to drop on a gun, but you get what you pay for with airtools. my IR air ratchet has more grunt than my buddies $45 home depot special.

 

[caffeine]

i tell you what, i have snap-on battery operated (i think 18v?) impact, and DAMN if that thing works AWESOME. worth every penny.

 

[kartracer55]

I believe M3transporter has a similar snap on battery impact.

I agree with charles... Its the compressor, not so much the gun. Even upgrading to an oiless 30 gallon craftsman will make a big difference with whatever gun your using.

The gun Ive got at home is an IRthunder gun. Its VERY loud, but its pretty powerfull, havent had any thing it wont break yet. I have heard of guys snapping studs and bolts with it.

Its from when the 2135Ti just came out and was selling for like 300$. Id consider both. Ive used both, cant tell a difference in power, both are excellent, but the 2135 is definetly lighter and a bit quieter, yet more expensive

Jim

 

[milly]

I have three 1/2" impacts (two Campbell Hausfield and a Husky) and one 3/8" impact (Bluepoint). All four work well on my Husky air compressor. I have the built in regulator set at 120psi, and have had no trouble removing lug nuts or anything else, for that matter.

 

[randydupree]

i bought an air-cat off ebay,its a badass gun for 100 bucks. i use it almost everyday and its holding up well,i make a living with my tools,and i'm tough on them.
randy

 

[ringer]

I also have an IR 2131 gun that I like a lot. I scored a brand new one in the box for $85 shipped on ebay. One of my better buys.

 

[chrislib]

I have (in order of aquisition) and old Mac tools gun (Mac version of an IR244), an, IR244, IR231, IR2131, IR2135ti and a SnapOn 1/2 in cordless. Wich is the best? IMO it depends on what your doing with it, for example, I use the 2135 titanium as my everyday gun (the weight makes a big difference on my old wrists), but if I have something REAL stubborn the IR244 will either loosen it...or snap it off. Don`t buy into the hype of XXXX ft lbs of "nut busting" torque, the 244 is hands down the most powerfull gun I have, and it also has the highest air requirments. The Snappy cordless I use at home (no air comp at home) and I find it is almost as stout as the 2135ti. IMO unless your going to upgrade your air (100 psi or better @ the gun) get a GOOD cordless (SnapOn,Milwaukee,Dewalt). The other upside of the cordless is you can toss it IN the truck and take it with ya if needed.

 

[Cebby]

x2 on the 2135Ti. Great gun. I've used it a bunch on my little contractor twin tube compressor and it has been "OK". Definitely better with more air volume though...

A couple more pics here: http://toolandfab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181

 

[caffeine]

I have (in order of aquisition) and old Mac tools gun (Mac version of an IR244), an, IR244, IR231, IR2131, IR2135ti and a SnapOn 1/2 in cordless. Wich is the best? IMO it depends on what your doing with it, for example, I use the 2135 titanium as my everyday gun (the weight makes a big difference on my old wrists), but if I have something REAL stubborn the IR244 will either loosen it...or snap it off. Don`t buy into the hype of XXXX ft lbs of "nut busting" torque, the 244 is hands down the most powerfull gun I have, and it also has the highest air requirments. The Snappy cordless I use at home (no air comp at home) and I find it is almost as stout as the 2135ti. IMO unless your going to upgrade your air (100 psi or better @ the gun) get a GOOD cordless (SnapOn,Milwaukee,Dewalt). The other upside of the cordless is you can toss it IN the truck and take it with ya if needed.

if you use it once a week for maybe wheels and whatnot, GET A CORDLESS. the snapon is WELL WORTH IT. i saw one for 300 used on craigslist not too long ago. the thing kicksass....and i HATE HATE HATE battery op. power tools....

the only ones that are good are the milwakee sawsall, and this impact. take that to a junkyard and MAN you can get ALL the good parts noone else can get.

 

[Willy Victor]

Have you ever thought about an electric impact? I have several air impacts but I also have a Craftsman 1/2 in that is over thirty years old. The only thing Iv'e done to it in that time is replace the brushes. Aside from some scratches and dings it still works like new. I don't know how the battery jobs work, for instance how many lugs can you get off with one charge. If they are any good they would be great out on the road to change a tire.

Willy

 

[brownbagg]

when I was looking for impact, I look at all the guns that tires store was using. 90% had the IR231. which is what I bought. its been ten years now. cant kill that gun.

 

[tuned10]

x3 on the 2135Ti, it works very well if supplied with enough air. Plus its powerfull, quiet and lightweight.

 

[l_bilyk]

I only have a 5 gallon air compressor (90 psi). What can I get for an impact gun which will actually remove the lug nuts on my truck. The one I have is garbage. It won't even turn them on the highest torques setting. Or is there something different I should do with the gun. Not familiar with air tools much.

Since you're canadian, take a look at the jet magnesium series
Just google that

2135Ti is a great gun too