Recommend a 1/2" Air Impact

[danmcph]

I have a Milwaukee M18 2658 3/8" impact wrench. I want to buy a high quality air impact in 1/2" for high torque usage when needed. It would be nice to have the tool be as quiet as possible and I want to buy the best unit I can for a life time of usage. What would you recommend?

 

[freudianfloyd]

Aircat 1150

 

[shockwave]

I always recommend the ir2235 newer version of the ir2135 I have been using for years and still hits strong

Snap on I hear need to be rebuilt to often
No experience with aircat or newer Asian made impacts slot of the trucks are starting to sell

 

[gdocktor3]

Have you considered buying the M18 cordless 1/2" brushless impact #2763-20? I don't think you will find anything quieter than battery powered and it is just as powerful as many of the top impact guns. I have the Dewalt brushless impact and I haven't touched my MG725 since buying it. It is absolutely amazing how powerful that thing is. If you insist on air, the MG725 is super loud and not that powerful, so I would stay away from that. IR has always made reputable stuff, so you can't go wrong with the 2135 or 2235. Aircat is probably the best bang for buck in terms of power. They're very hard hitting. Check Amazon Warehouse for deals on IR, Aircat, CP, etc.

 

[WhiffySpark]

The cordless doesn't have near the hitting power or an air. I have both and my m18 struggles to take off stuff the 2235 zips off. They hit different I don't think cordless have hammer. It's more like a giant ******** lol

 

[KBATN]

matco mt2769

 

[59 wagon man]

hf earthquake is very impressive for a reasonable price

 

[IMStuner]

Recommend a 1/2" Air Impact

Air cat guns


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[casmurbax]

hf earthquake is very impressive for a reasonable price

^x2

I was totally surprised about the power of that HF impact gun

 

[KMdef9]

LOL, OP asked asked for high quality and quiet, and people recommend HF...



Here's an example of high quality and quiet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV9YC76/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Also happens to be very strong. It's amazing the difference in db between the q series and non-q series.

I have this one too, and it's amazingly quiet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LPVLB6/?tag=atomicindus08-20



No battery powered tool can keep up with the daily grind of an air tool, which happens to be what the OP asked for. Let's keep the thread on subject.

 

[IMStuner]

Recommend a 1/2" Air Impact

LOL, OP asked asked for high quality and quiet, and people recommend HF...



Here's an example of high quality and quiet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV9YC76/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Also happens to be very strong. It's amazing the difference in db between the q series and non-q series.

I have this one too, and it's amazingly quiet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LPVLB6/?tag=atomicindus08-20



No battery powered tool can keep up with the daily grind of an air tool, which happens to be what the OP asked for. Let's keep the thread on subject.

High quality is subjective and leave rooms for opinion. So HF brand is cheaper and for the price your paying it's the best bang for the buck. I personally like Air Cat but I own many Snap-On guns and refuse to pay premium pricing anymore.


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[firworks]

I don't know if it's just me but I find the M18 2763-22 to be pretty loud. Especially doing suspension where everything rings out. Not that air impacts in general are quiet but I don't know that I would call the electrics quiet.

 

[paulzy]

I had a first gen IR titanium, currently have the snapon magnesiums, and an aircat 1100. The aircat was the quiestest. The snapons are the strongest. The IR was my favorite because it was lighter, just as strong as anything made nowadays, and almost as quiet as the cheap ones.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have heard people complain about SO guns but I have had my SO MG425 for three years and haven't had any issues at all. I do oil it.

 

[nczo6]

another vote for the aircat 1200, that thing flat out rips!!!

 

[handymancanfixit]

I would definitely recommend taking a look at the Harbor Freight Earthquake XT line. The quality is well above most other HF stuff. And the price is only 149.99, and you can catch it on sale for 129.99. It is one of the HF items that they don't accept the 20% coupons on. Most of the items that HF sells that are excluded from the 20% coupon, are typically their highest quality stuff. Go look, touch and feel it....you just might like it....especially for the price.

 

[paulzy]

I have heard people complain about SO guns but I have had my SO MG425 for three years and haven't had any issues at all. I do oil it.

I like my snap on guns, only thing that I didn't like was how noisy they are

 

[Bondo]

I always recommend the ir2235

Ayuh,.... Ditto that,....

Pound for pound, Dollar for dollar, there's No better 1/2" impact gun,....

 

[skruft]

I have used IR 1/2" but see no reason the others suggested wouldn't be fine. More and more good is said about HF and at a recent estate sale there was an Earthquake for $10.

 

[bcradio]

LOL, OP asked asked for high quality and quiet, and people recommend HF...



Here's an example of high quality and quiet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV9YC76/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Also happens to be very strong. It's amazing the difference in db between the q series and non-q series.

I have this one too, and it's amazingly quiet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LPVLB6/?tag=atomicindus08-20



No battery powered tool can keep up with the daily grind of an air tool, which happens to be what the OP asked for. Let's keep the thread on subject.

Yes please, let's!

The HF Earthquake is a high quality gun. Maybe you should try one before just spewing stuff out.

 

[trekgod3]

Another vote for the HF Earthquake. I have the 1/2 inch and the 3/8 . The 1/2 zips the lugs off my Frontier in about a second each.

 

[Tom.C]

Mac awp impacts are great, if I had to go buy an impact tomorrow it would be the mac awp or the proto version.

 

[Eric29]

My brother has the HF Earthquake and I have the IR2235TI (not the quiet version which I understand is as powerful as the non quiet one I have). When we work together, he grabs my gun when he can't get things loose with the HF gun. I use an impact so I don't risk breaking rusty bolts. If that's your use, might as well get a good impact. I don't consider the HF gun in the same class.

Yes please, let's!

The HF Earthquake is a high quality gun. Maybe you should try one before just spewing stuff out.

 

[anndel]

IR 2235QtiMAX

 

[Strouty]

So, the OP asked for a high quality and QUIET impact, pretty sure that rules out the earthquake impacts. Those things are ridiculously loud.

 

[oldtools]

IR2235 if you have the budget. Earthquake if you are on a tight budget.

 

[Skin]

Yes please, let's!

The HF Earthquake is a high quality gun.

Its really not. Its built to a price point. Lets look passed a single comparison test of max torque shall we?

Open one up, its got one of the smallest rotor outputs for a 1/2" impact, the air motor housing isn't plated, machining is done to a bare minimum, and its hammers & cage are on the smaller side. Is it good for the money? Sure. Is it built the same as a premium impact? Not even close.

So, the OP asked for a high quality and QUIET impact, pretty sure that rules out the earthquake impacts. Those things are ridiculously loud.

The old ones were loud, the newer XT is muffled down and is very tolerable.

 

[bczygan]

Comparison teardowns of AirCat 1150 and Earthquake XT:

 

[excavator]

The 1/2 inch Earthquake XT is very impressive, I have 2 and love them

I just rebuilt this undercarriage on dozer and removed 430 old bolts with the 1/2 inch earthquake

 

[bcradio]

My brother has the HF Earthquake and I have the IR2235TI (not the quiet version which I understand is as powerful as the non quiet one I have). When we work together, he grabs my gun when he can't get things loose with the HF gun. I use an impact so I don't risk breaking rusty bolts. If that's your use, might as well get a good impact. I don't consider the HF gun in the same class.

I have both the red last gen earthquake and the 2235. I also do not consider them in the same class as the 2235 has more power, but they are both excellent guns all around. I have no problems reaching for either one... although I rarely use either as the 2115 3/8 gun handles pretty much everything.

 

[bcradio]

So, the OP asked for a high quality and QUIET impact, pretty sure that rules out the earthquake impacts. Those things are ridiculously loud.

Not as loud as my 2235

 

[Sugarfryz]

I don't know if it's just me but I find the M18 2763-22 to be pretty loud. Especially doing suspension where everything rings out. Not that air impacts in general are quiet but I don't know that I would call the electrics quiet.

I have that gun and it's insanely loud. Everyone in my shop yells at me to use my air, which is just a regular 2235ti, which is pretty loud.

I'm pretty much ready to retire my Milwaukee impact for this reason. It's starting to be unbearable.

 

[Sugarfryz]

Not as loud as my 2235

True, had a guy who visited our shop with that gun, was definitely way quieter than my 2235

 

[hdmark80]

Re: Recommend a 1/2" Air Impact

Air cat guns


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That's a nice looking tool

 

[Eric29]

So you are saying that the HF gun won't last if it's used a lot.

I think this is good to know, although not a surprise. It seems like you're the only one responding who has opened one. I'd take this as better advice than advice from people who have used only the HF gun and like it because it works for them. I like my tools to last.

Its really not. Its built to a price point. Lets look passed a single comparison test of max torque shall we?

Open one up, its got one of the smallest rotor outputs for a 1/2" impact, the air motor housing isn't plated, machining is done to a bare minimum, and its hammers & cage are on the smaller side. Is it good for the money? Sure. Is it built the same as a premium impact? Not even close.



The old ones were loud, the newer XT is muffled down and is very tolerable.

 

[KMdef9]

High quality is subjective and leave rooms for opinion. So HF brand is cheaper and for the price your paying it's the best bang for the buck. I personally like Air Cat but I own many Snap-On guns and refuse to pay premium pricing anymore.


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Not when you put the word "high" in there. HF might be quality, but is it amongst the best (synonym for high in this situation) quality? Nope.

The OP didn't express concern for bang-for-your-buck. That's when mentioning the HF would be relevant.

Yes please, let's!

The HF Earthquake is a high quality gun. Maybe you should try one before just spewing stuff out.

If you think IR and HF are the same quality, you need spend more time behind pneumatic tools. I use them for a living nearly everyday, sometimes my impact is the only tool I use for the day.

IR is higher quality than HF, no opinion there. It's a fact. EVERY sane/experienced person would take a free 2235qti over a free Earthquake.

Not as loud as my 2235

Doesn't mean all IR are loud. Anyone with a "q" in the model # is the quiet model.

 

[IMStuner]

Recommend a 1/2" Air Impact

Not when you put the word "high" in there. HF might be quality, but is it amongst the best (synonym for high in this situation) quality? Nope.



The OP didn't express concern for bang-for-your-buck. That's when mentioning the HF would be relevant.







If you think IR and HF are the same quality, you need spend more time behind pneumatic tools. I use them for a living nearly everyday, sometimes my impact is the only tool I use for the day.



IR is higher quality than HF, no opinion there. It's a fact. EVERY sane/experienced person would take a free 2235qti over a free Earthquake.







Doesn't mean all IR are loud. Anyone with a "q" in the model # is the quiet model.

My father has been a mechanic for 45-50 years and I have been working in a repair shop since 7 to 28 and than move into a IT job. I own a lot of Snap-on, Matco and Mac tools and I can tell most of the time big brands tools are built with quaintly and you pay for it up the ***. The best tool is the one that works when you need it to work. It will fail if you don't take care and it doesn't matter if it's Premium brand or cheap ones. For the price I rather buy 2 air cats 1200k for a single 2235QTI because I like have spare tools on hand.

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[bczygan]

If you watch the YouTube videos you will see that the HF XT is comparable quality in the way it is designed and constructed and it has the same capabilities as far as features and torques as the other "high end" impacts. If you buy the extended warranty, it matches warranty, with faster (Immediate exchange) turnaround. The only real difference is no rebuild kits that I know of.

So if the others are high end, then it is too.

Bill

 

[KMdef9]

For the price I rather buy 2 air cats 1200k for a single 2235QTI because I like have spare tools on hand.

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There's nothing wrong if that's what works for you. However, what works for you doesn't work for the OP. He isn't asking bang for your buck or one of the other 'positives' the others have to offer. He wants a quiet high quality impact. I'm not saying that all other impacts mentioned here don't have their place, but they don't meet the OP's request as well as the IR does.

If you watch the YouTube videos you will see that the HF XT is comparable quality in the way it is designed and constructed and it has the same capabilities as far as features and torques as the other "high end" impacts. If you buy the extended warranty, it matches warranty, with faster (Immediate exchange) turnaround. The only real difference is no rebuild kits that I know of.

So if the others are high end, then it is too.

Bill

I guess I haven't seen those videos. How is the quality being tested in those videos? Please link them when you get a chance. I've only seen the torque testing ones, which isn't a factor for quality, short of consistent numbers.

The design looks copied from others (doubt HF has a large R&D department), and it's construction is sub-par as stated by a fellow member.

Features are personal preference, not a mark on quality.

As far as the warranty, isn't HF's only 60-90 days? And the extended is only a year? IR's is 2 years, but as you stated, isn't a quick exchange (for most) as HF's.

I've read there are no rebuild kits for HF, but that could change.

 

[bcradio]

Not when you put the word "high" in there. HF might be quality, but is it amongst the best (synonym for high in this situation) quality? Nope.

The OP didn't express concern for bang-for-your-buck. That's when mentioning the HF would be relevant.

If you think IR and HF are the same quality, you need spend more time behind pneumatic tools. I use them for a living nearly everyday, sometimes my impact is the only tool I use for the day.

IR is higher quality than HF, no opinion there. It's a fact. EVERY sane/experienced person would take a free 2235qti over a free Earthquake.

Agree that the IR is higher quality, but HF earthquake is still high quality... hence why it is relevant in this conversation.

Doesn't mean all IR are loud. Anyone with a "q" in the model # is the quiet model.

correct. I don't think the non 'q' models are loud either... which means the HF earthquake is definitely not loud... which is what I was pointing out with my response.