Questioning a 3/4in gun

[Sugarfryz]

Hello all
I work as an automotive mechanic, I have a 2235ti that 90% of the time rips anything off without flinching. I came across a few bolts today (live in the rust belt so some bolts just won't budge without heat) that I couldn't take off. I was wondering if a 3/4in gun would be a good investment. I very occasionally work on some big trucks and box trucks. When I'm in a tight place amd use a lot of extension and a swivel sometimes my 2235ti won't budge a bolt and off for the torch it is.

I was wondering if a 3/4 in gun would be a good investment for situations like this. I'm just an auto mechanic, and 1/2 in works great most of the time so it would most likely sit in the drawer a lot.

Also I know sockets are much more expensive for bigger guns like that, and the use it gets I wouldn't bother with buying from the truck


I'm wondering if any other auto mechanics have bought a 3/4 in gun and see it as a good investment or if it just wasn't really needed. Thanks

 

[Sugarfryz]

Also if you do, what do you recommend? I see a lot of people like nitro cats, I have a 1375xl 3/8th gun and can't stand it because you can't feather the trigger at all, are all nitro cats like that?

 

[bobcatdan]

As a former auto tech who jumped into equipment, I wish I had bought a 3/4" gun while working on cars. I don't care what the spec says your 1/2" will do, a good 3/4" will blow it out of the water.

 

[zkling]

Just keep in mind it can also cause you a world of hurt by just torsional shearing the head/neck off. What size bolts are we talking here?

 

[GTA Matt]

I have a proto (same as the newer mac) 3/4 gun. It's amazing the difference in power between it and my 2235. Keep in mind a typical 3/8 air hose setup will restrict the 3/4 gun. I have a 1/2" hose plumbed straight into mine with no fitting at the gun. The proto gun is smooth and very quiet, my next choice after that would be an ir or aircat. It's an expensive investment for the gun, sockets and hose, but it can be a big time saver.

 

[JJThrasher]

I'm a tech. I don't have a 3/4" gun but I have a 1" gun that I use. It only gets used once every couple months.

Does your shop have any 1/2" air lines? A normal 3/8" line will choke a larger gun.

Amazon has a used 3/4" Aircat for $215 listed as very good in the wharehouse deals program.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007ZON2ZY/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

 

[ItsNemo]

Get better sized sockets/extensions/swivels so you can minimize them. They **** up a ton of torque that even a 3/4" gun won't overcome. The 3/4" gun straight on a bolt that stuck is probably going to break things rather than loosen them if the 2235 can't do it. There's a reason why you need a torch and spray in the rust belt.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Most times a 3/4 socket and a huge bar works for me, but I'm sure the gun would be faster.

 

[plinker]

The Aircat 1680 is a pretty good impact, heavier then an IR 2145 though.

 

[sberry]

I saw some of the vids for new battery impacts and it cost less than a new air gun. They really got some hit.

 

[dnschmidt]

They work great if you have sufficient air and that means a big compressor and a 1/2" hose. The 3/8" hose that you use normally will not sufficiently power a 3/4" impact of any brand. HF Earthquake 3/4" probably has the best bang for the buck.

 

[Pipe]

Any form of whip hose attached to the gun will help tremendously.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

 

[gdocktor3]

I have Aircat 1600th and have mostly 3/4" chrome sockets, but I also have a cheap HF set of 3/4" impacts. Then I have 3/4" X 1/2" adapter to use with my 1/2" impacts and even with the adapter it's still much more powerful than my 1/2" MG725. FYI my 1/2" 20v Dewalt dcf899 is a beast and puts out 1200 ft lbs while the Aircat is 1400 ft lbs I think. Perhaps look into a good cordless unit instead as it would see much more use. Either way, I'd go with Aircat because of the low cost and high power/reliability. Btw I bought mine used on eBay for $110 I think.

 

[gdocktor3]

Any form of whip hose attached to the gun will help tremendously.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

People say I'm nuts, but for my 3/4" impact I use a short 3/8"X 1/2" tractor trailer brake hose with a 50' 1/2" Goodyear hose back to 1/2" filter/reg that comes off compressor at 1/2". http://www.finditparts.com/products...rvQct0FGrugtR3js_h0RvP5pohjFJroyY0aAtVP8P8HAQ

 

[BDT/NWMN]

You mentioned being an auto mechanic... In that case; 3/4" impact wrenches and sockets are normally furnished by the employer. This is also the case in many truck and implement shops.

I own 3/4" and 1" drive impacts because I have my own shop and work on big trucks on a regular basis.

Somewhere and someplace; You have to draw the line.. If you own the only 3/4" drive impact in the shop, everyone will want to use it. I rate 3/4" drive impacts with floor jacks, special pullers, and parts washers; all should be furnished in an auto repair shop.

 

[colin39]

You mentioned being an auto mechanic... In that case; 3/4" impact wrenches and sockets are normally furnished by the employer. This is also the case in many truck and implement shops.

I own 3/4" and 1" drive impacts because I have my own shop and work on big trucks on a regular basis.

Somewhere and someplace; You have to draw the line.. If you own the only 3/4" drive impact in the shop, everyone will want to use it. I rate 3/4" drive impacts with floor jacks, special pullers, and parts washers; all should be furnished in an auto repair shop.

Wish that was the case here in the y-uk i supply all my own tools inc diagnostic equipment