mac tools gggrrrrr

[colin39]

Im now beginning to loose the will to live,you have possibly read my posts regarding my right angle impact wrench
This one

I use it as a transmission buster and its great, when ive got it today while pulling a gearbox on an 4 axle grab lorry, the fcuking geared end chewed the gears out again.
This is the 4 time ive only had it back a few weeks
The gease started to spray then before i new it it smashed the geared head. Ive contacted mac and they want to fis it again, i want it replaced ive told them ill post the pics in social networks if i dont get it replaced. Ive only had this a year and mac has had it as much as me.
Sorry to moan but i havent heard of anybody having issues with these impacts and i know of a few people with them.

 

[gdocktor3]

Doesn't exactly look like you take care of it based on the picture, can we be sure this isn't a user induced breakdown?? I just like playing the Devils Advocate...

 

[paranoid56]

so sounds like you abuse it, and then you threaten them with social media. supersized they didnt just say STFU lol

 

[hoston23]

so sounds like you abuse it, and then you threaten them with social media. supersized they didnt just say STFU lol

 

[AA/FC]

Wow, that thing looks beat to death.

 

[TK-421]

You've only owned it for a year, we'll say you've had it six months and they've had it six months, since you say they've had it as much as you, and it looks like that? What did you do, take a grinder to it or something?

 

[jd_1138]

Why jump to probably false conclusions that the OP abuses his tools? It's beat to death because he's a professional technician/mechanic who USES his tools everyday. They aren't shelf queens.

A lot of things get scratched up through normal use. Scratching a tool up shouldn't effect its durability anyway.

 

[1982fxr]

I was under the impression op is a mechanic. I read somewhere their tools get dirty. Sarcasm.

Who cares about cosmetics if it's the gears going south?

 

[jumbojak]

I don't think it looks that bad. Dusty but not bad. My tools sometimes look worse before I clean them off to put them away.

 

[Olafur]

It looks like it's actually been used by a professional making a living by repairing commercial vehicles.

Some of you guys don't quite understand what that is all about in many places of the world.

 

[Vortaku]

well atleast we know you use it.

 

[lazer50]

Maybe they will replace it this time? It does look pretty rough!

 

[Olafur]

Just a useless fun fact (sorry OP for the derail of the thread):

The later years MAN trucks used as snowplows and salt sprayers over here 4-650hp trucks, need a new Oil pan each year. I kid you not, it's corroded through. And they need new engine block every 10 years because of the very same reason. Even the transmissions (some of them) have the same problem. And then everyone drives on spikes 7 months of the year shredding the asphalt. So underneath each and every commercial vehicle is a 1/2" thick layer of salt/asphalt/dirt. Removing transmissions and doing undercarriage work on these vehicles is extremely though on tools and just looking at them makes you want to take a shower.

I believe the OP has similar situation in the UK.

 

[ptschram]

Just a useless fun fact (sorry OP for the derail of the thread):

The later years MAN trucks used as snowplows and salt sprayers over here 4-650hp trucks, need a new Oil pan each year. I kid you not, it's corroded through. And they need new engine block every 10 years because of the very same reason. Even the transmissions (some of them) have the same problem. And then everyone drives on spikes 7 months of the year shredding the asphalt. So underneath each and every commercial vehicle is a 1/2" thick layer of salt/asphalt/dirt. Removing transmissions and doing undercarriage work on these vehicles is extremely though on tools and just looking at them makes you want to take a shower.

I believe the OP has similar situation in the UK.

There is very little of UK where significant snow occurs on a regular basis.

Granted, it is an island surrounded by salt water-their vehicles exported to USA rust on the ships on the way over.

I've sold a few of those made by I/R. So far, no problems, but what appears to be ground up metal near the anvil is of concern to me.

 

[Olafur]

There is very little of UK where significant snow occurs on a regular basis.

Granted, it is an island surrounded by salt water-their vehicles exported to USA rust on the ships on the way over.

I've sold a few of those made by I/R. So far, no problems, but what appears to be ground up metal near the anvil is of concern to me.

Yes.
I am in south Iceland, close to the shore. And we have endless cycles of freeze/thaw and most of the year it's really wet similar to the UK I believe. In the north - rust is much less of a problem even if (or rather because) they have colder climate and more snow. Dryer in the winter.

Since I don't have access to real tool warranty I have not acquired one of these "hammer heads" - I have had my suspicions about the durability of the final drive. That said I have hated my self for that on many occasions - these are very useful tools no doubt!

 

[woody 73]

I need some help so question for you guys, is that mac a copy of the IR hammerhead model??? I though the first generation was having all kinds of problems?

Or is the op's Mac air tool not even close to the IR model?

As far as I can tell Mac will fix the problems give them a toll free call at:
1-800-622-8665 along with a link to this post.

 

[2jz4me]

so sounds like you abuse it, and then you threaten them with social media. supersized they didnt just say STFU lol

How exactly do you "abuse" an impact wrench? More specifically, where exactly in his description did you get the impression that he abused it?

 

[Skin]

For what its worth the IR Hammerhead has the exact same weakness.

 

[abvw]

Do you grease the head regularly? The vent looks very dry, mine is moist but not oozing with grease. My IR Hammerhead is still strong after 4 years, but I don't let it rattle past 5 seconds.

Maybe consider in one of those super stubby 1/2" impacts, they can hit north of 450lb-ft.

 

[6MocoA]

Buy Milwaukee and let the slobbering goobers here defend Mac and accuse you of 'abuse'. Im not a pro and all my Milwaukee cordless tools look likr your ratchet or worse and none have broken or failed to work (unless the charge was low).

 

[abvw]

Buy Milwaukee and let the slobbering goobers here defend Mac and accuse you of 'abuse'. Im not a pro and all my Milwaukee cordless tools look likr your ratchet or worse and none have broken or failed to work (unless the charge was low).

Milwaukee doesn't make a 200ft-lb, 3" tall impact wrench that is impervious to fluids.

For a professional, cordless tools are a complement, but will never truly replace air tools.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have a solution. Buy another and then when one goes for warranty you have the other. Therefore always have one to use.

 

[colin39]

Do you grease the head regularly? The vent looks very dry, mine is moist but not oozing with grease. My IR Hammerhead is still strong after 4 years, but I don't let it rattle past 5 seconds.

Maybe consider in one of those super stubby 1/2" impacts, they can hit north of 450lb-ft.

Thats not a vent its just the holes for the tool to tighten the head.

No its not a shelf queen, im busting gearbox out with this on a weekly bacis and this is possibly the 2nd time ive used it since it came back, as the last time it was used was the day i got it back from repair and the hog ring snapped off at it took mac driver 4 weeks to get a new one. The photo was taken straight after it failed when i sent it to the mac guy for yet anither reoair date.

 

[dnschmidt]

I completely agree with the comment to dump the hammerhead and buy an Astro Nano, or other mini impact like the M7. Twice the power and very close to the same width.

 

[gasman23]

This topic backfired quickly

 

[crewchief888]

It looks like it's actually been used by a professional making a living by repairing commercial vehicles.

Some of you guys don't quite understand what that is all about in many places of the world.

^^^^
That pretty much sums it up for me.
Not every professional works in a "sanitary" shop environment.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Seriously guys stop criticizing condition, looks better that my air tools. I think some people forget everyone on this forum isn't a tool polisher.

 

[crewchief888]

Seriously guys stop criticizing condition, looks better that my air tools. I think some people forget everyone on this forum isn't a tool polisher.

 

[dutchgray]

Yep agree with posts above, it looks pretty clean compared to most impact guns I see in the shops around me and I don't even want to go into how some of the mobile fitters keep their tools, literally open side door of the Transit, throw tools in, shut door, get in and drive off.

 

[Al Borland]

Looks to me like he uses tools on rusty vehicles. Hence the rusty debris near the anvil.

And if the tool is called a "Hammerhead"... well...MAC is just asking for trouble.

 

[newchris]

stupid question but do you physically use the tool to break the botls like you would an air ratchet then use the power to take them off? i feel like if you do that may cause the head to fail since its an impact wrench it should only be use impacting and not breaking

 

[Skin]

Looks to me like he uses tools on rusty vehicles. Hence the rusty debris near the anvil.

And if the tool is called a "Hammerhead"... well...MAC is just asking for trouble.

MAC/M7 are made in Taiwan by Kuani Gear, they're a knock-off of the IR Hammerhead. Only reason I mentioned the Hammerhead was that they both had issues with the beveled gear teeth in the head breaking. I know the Hammerhead was revised a little to solve it and I believe the Kuani version was as well since MAC is on version B.

stupid question but do you physically use the tool to break the botls like you would an air ratchet then use the power to take them off? i feel like if you do that may cause the head to fail since its an impact wrench it should only be use impacting and not breaking

You cant since its built just like an impact with the anvil connected directly to the motor. There are no gear teeth and pawl in the head like a conventional air ratchet. Think of it more like a right angle die grinder with an impact anvil assembly than an air ratchet.

 

[wvrailroader]

stupid question but do you physically use the tool to break the botls like you would an air ratchet then use the power to take them off? i feel like if you do that may cause the head to fail since its an impact wrench it should only be use impacting and not breaking

You can't use these like an air ratchet. The anvil will turn freely until the trigger is pulled, just like a regular impact wrench.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

 

[colin39]

stupid question but do you physically use the tool to break the botls like you would an air ratchet then use the power to take them off? i feel like if you do that may cause the head to fail since its an impact wrench it should only be use impacting and not breaking

Do you use a ratchet to break a wheel nut and then use an impact gun? As its an impact gun!!!!

Well they have agreed to replace it, begrudgingly but hey ho. Its no shelf hore its a well used tool im payed to work not polish my tools

Wiped over over wiv damp rag and wd40

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Do you use a ratchet to break a wheel nut and then use an impact gun? As its an impact gun!!!!

Well they have agreed to replace it, begrudgingly but hey ho. Its no shelf hore its a well used tool im payed to work not polish my tools

Wiped over over wiv damp rag and wd40

At least mac are replacing it! Ignore the tool polishers!

 

[c39er]

MAC tools are not what they used to be.
A lot are re-badged imported tools of not the best quality.

You buy snappy/ Mac tools because you pay a lot and expect a lot out of them in the line of everyday professional work.
They get dirty...that's normal in business. Wipe em down when you can.
The OP has had several failures... not sure why but I think possibly because of a poorly designed weak tool.

 

[cm_osu]

So you threatened to post it to social media if they didn't replace it, then posted it here anyway before you got an answer?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[colin39]

So you threatened to post it to social media if they didn't replace it, then posted it here anyway before you got an answer?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Thats the way i roll, i spoke to them they day before i posted it and was tood that they would only repair it the day a posted it here.

Dirty diesels:- i do

 

[Skin]

MAC tools are not what they used to be.
A lot are re-badged imported tools of not the best quality.

You buy snappy/ Mac tools because you pay a lot and expect a lot out of them in the line of everyday professional work.
They get dirty...that's normal in business. Wipe em down when you can.
The OP has had several failures... not sure why but I think possibly because of a poorly designed weak tool.

MAC never made air tools. In the past many were sourced from SP/Kuken of Japan. Kuani Gear seems to be a pretty decent manufacturer. They make quite a few of Astro's tools and I have 3 of their impact ratchets under the Jet brand that im liking quite a bit.

The way the tool is designed you have a pinion gear impacting into beveled gear teeth which in turn transmits it to the anvil/socket. They'll all eventually wear down/break.

 

[bcradio]

Sorry to derail, but does anyone know the serial number on the 3/8 hammerhead where all after that have fixed this issue?