Low cost 1/2" impact options

[Thegratenate]

I'm looking at buying this kit from enco mainly to have on hand for home use, is this the best deal I can get on an impact kit like this or does someone else have a higher quality kit available for a somewhat similar price? The way I see it I have a decent sized compressor so I might was well get an impact, I just can't justify spending a truckload of money on one. The fact that this one comes with a case and sockets is a huge plus, for a tool like this that I won't be using constantly I have started to select the tools more based on weather or not they come with a case, than any other factor. The bottom line is right now I'm not willing to spend much more than $100 so if the only options available to me are total **** I'll just save my money and live without until the need gets bigger.

Thanks

 

[4x4gearhead]

It will depend on what youre doing but I think youre going to get what you pay for with that one, 250 ft lbs max torque is pretty darn low, I might try finding an IR231 on ebay or something. No sense in spending even $40.00 on something that isnt going to work worth a damn.

 

[RKA]

Agreed. Other thing is if you primarily want to do tire rotations, many aluminum wheels will require a thin walled impact socket to fit inside the wheel holes. They make deep impact sets just for that purpose and you may find sockets included with sets like that won't help at all with tire rotations. First and foremost, get something with some ooomph. 99% of the time that's why I reach for a 1/2" impact, because I need the extra grunt. I've got other tools for the light duty work like tire rotations and don't really mind using hand tools for light duty stuff.

 

[skamp]

A lot of people seem to like the Harbor Freight earthquake 1/2" impact. It is on sale now with a coupon for like $75.00.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/impact-wrenches/12-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html

Steve

 

[lennoxlennox]

buy some ingersoll rand for cheap (great quality)

get the impact here for $80 (free shipping)

http://shopir.com/impact-wrench-235gheavyduty-1-2.aspx


buy the sockets for $46 (SAE, not metric - so you may have to buy elsewhere for metric)

http://shopir.com/SocketSet-74411-1/2.aspx

 

[bcradio]

Agree with the above for sure. I got a 1/2" impact in a kit. I was stoked that I even got one. Yeah cool!!! Well long story short, it wasn't that cool as it was a horrible gun. I ended up buying the 1/2" Earthquake later and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[wb2vsj]

Agree with the HF earthquake series. I also have one of those "kit" 1/2" impact wrenches that came with my Air compressor. POS. That HF Earthquake is a very nicely made unit. Made in Taiwan vs Mainland China. Torque range:50-550 ft. lbs.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Another Earthquake owner here.. have two have the 1/2" and a 3/4"

toss a 20% coupon on there, and they are very reasonable

 

[Bill R.]

An impact is definitely one of those items where you get what you pay for. I use IR2135qtimax at home and at the shop since its the most powerful quiet impact out there.
I also have nitrocats for the same reason, after your hearing loss gets severe enough you appreciate the quiet tools. It doesn't irritate the **** out of the neighbors either if i'm working at home with one. You pay more but it will be justified in the long haul.

 

[Samson]

Just purchased the HF Earthquake 1/2" the other day and used it to install my buddies coilovers yesterday and man the time we saved instead of using a regular ratchet! Took every bolt I put to it out like buttahh lol. Only downside for me is, I do think this has a little weight to it (well this is the first actual "professional" impact I've purchased maybe they're all pretty heavy? So... Really don't have any other to compare with) All in all I'm quite satisfied with it, aswell as the 21 piece impact socket set only downside was that the finish of the sockets seemed like it was scratching the wheels, just taped around it with painters tape, no biggie.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[bimmerZ5]

Just purchased the HF Earthquake 1/2" the other day and used it to install my buddies coilovers yesterday and man the time we saved instead of using a regular ratchet! Took every bolt I put to it out like buttahh lol. Only downside for me is, I do think this has a little weight to it (well this is the first actual "professional" impact I've purchased maybe they're all pretty heavy? So... Really don't have any other to compare with) All in all I'm quite satisfied with it, aswell as the 21 piece impact socket set only downside was that the finish of the sockets seemed like it was scratching the wheels, just taped around it with painters tape, no biggie.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

get these for the wheels. they go on sale for $30 now and then

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-pie...h-torque-lug-nut-impact-socket-set-94421.html

 

[transittech]

That 250 ft.lb gun is good for tire changes (but not with rusty lug nuts) and not much else. IR 231C always comes up in these discussions:

http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-231C-2-Inch-Super-Duty-Impact/dp/B0002SRM3I

 

[bcradio]

Another Earthquake owner here.. have two have the 1/2" and a 3/4"

toss a 20% coupon on there, and they are very reasonable

Did you get you 3/4" at the store new?

$200+ is a bit pricey for a tool that will seldom be used... But I REALLY wan one!

 

[MR_T]

Another HF 1/2" owner here and I am very happy with mine. Best bang for the money. Also have the 1/2" cheap HF impact sockets, think they were like $ 15 and have not run into any issues. (http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67899.html) my only complaint is that the walls are very thick.

 

[pipsters]

I have the $75 Harbor Freight Earthquake impact and it is more powerful than my (before I returned it) $280 IR 2135qtimax and on par with the $170 Aircat 1100k. Probably one of the best deals going at HF.

That gun you linked to is going to be a POS I wouldn't waste your $$ on it. While you're at HF grab some impact sockets for cheap don't forget your 20% off coupons.

 

[oilslick]

Today the Matco tool man walked up as I finished up a job with my earthquake, I asked him if he felt it (earthquake)and he laughed. He says it too heavy , I tell him that's what most chicks say. Truthfully my mg725 rarely comes out of the drawer! Matco man is cool and I do buy some stuff just to keep him coming back, I really like the boots they sell from austrailia.

 

[xestone]

Did you get you 3/4" at the store new?

$200+ is a bit pricey for a tool that will seldom be used... But I REALLY wan one!

Of course, but WHEN you need it, you will be glad you bought it!
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[crewchief888]

IR231 gets my vote.

sears $149
summit racing $139 shipped

it's a little more expensive than what you're looking for

ive seen them from $39 to $100 in pawn shops

been using a ir231 for nearly 20 years working on heavy eq.

grab some impact sockets from HF, most of my "home use" 1/2" dr impacts have withstood a beating

 

[GSteg]

amazon has the 231c for 123 shipped.

I loved that gun when I owned it. Its a real workhorse.

 

[DiscoBerry]

Stick with a IR or a earthquake from HF there both good i wouldnt go any cheaper the 75-100 buck

 

[dieselnut17]

i had the ir231 for years and ended up buying a snapon mg725 and only had it a year and had to have it rebuilt already......the IR is def worth the money

 

[slavegirl]

That 250 ft.lb gun is good for tire changes (but not with rusty lug nuts) and not much else. IR 231C always comes up in these discussions:

http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-231C-2-Inch-Super-Duty-Impact/dp/B0002SRM3I

That's what I use myself, good choice imo!
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[Bull]

Well now you guys have me feeling inadequate again. I just brought my old impact from my parents' garge a few weeks ago. It's a Japanese-made IR, but I can't recall the model...23-something I think. The box says it is rated to 300 ft.lbs, and this thread is making me think that isn't good for stuck bolts. Am I wrong?

 

[bimmerZ5]

Well now you guys have me feeling inadequate again.

you really shouldn't let those feelings get to you... you're on a forum where everyone has a habit of pulling down their pants and laying their c0ck on the table for comparison... you won't last if you have those feelings...

 

[Jawn]

This is pretty good for the size.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200419927_200419927

About half the size of most 1/2" impacts but still has more grunt than the cheapies.

 

[Danglerb]

HF for me on impacts.

 

[jannejan]

This is pretty good for the size.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200419927_200419927

About half the size of most 1/2" impacts but still has more grunt than the cheapies.

I think this is best choice.. You can't really be cheap when buying quality tools!

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

I haven't used or seen an HF Earthquake in use but I've heard it is a great gun for the money.

I have a bunch of IR guns and other air tools (2135, 2115, 2145, 231G, die grinders, ratchets).

I already had 1/2" and 3/8" IR impacts but I saw this kit at Lowe's one day so I picked it up. You get a Ingersoll Rand 231 impact, IR170 ratchet, a few impacts and adapter, in a case I believe, for under $150.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221131-2830...gersoll+rand+231g&pl=1&currentURL=&facetInfo=

I used a Harbor Freight 20% off coupon with it so that helped beat the price down even more. I wouldn't hesistate getting some impacts from HF to finish out your impact needs.

 

[Original Man]

I like the 231 but its pretty loud. Ive had good experience with my 1/2 earthquake so far. Its heavy though.