Seeking 3/8" Impact gun feedback

[alteredpilot]

I'm in the market for a new 3/8" impact gun for daily use in a medium volume automotive environment, and I wanted to see who has bought what lately and how you like or dislike them.

I cant remember ever buying one off the truck although i have owned truck brand units. most of my stuff was made by IR whether branded or rebranded, and i've always been happy. my CP stuff has also been pretty faithful as well.

what say you?

 

[Greg85mcss]

I started a similar thread recently. You can check that one out for some good responses. I'm looking at the cornwell cat2150/napa 1122/matco 2138 (all the same) & ir 2115. There are others I'd buy if a deal came along but I'm a little broke. Bought a new box & had my son's first & bday recently.


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[VDubJoe]

I just got an Astro 1828 Nano 3/8 inch. Unbelievably strong and very compact.
Very nice gun and reasonably priced.

 

[WhataTool]

I've been waiting for the 1828 to come back in stock, I've only heard good things.

 

[908Jim]

While I am not a professional, I absolutely love my nitrocat (aircat) 3/8 impact. I believe it's an older style "twin clutch" that has since been discontinued, but it has held up extremely well over the past 5 or so years. it is quiet, smooth, has plenty of power, and is sold at a reasonable price. I would not hesitate to buy another one from them.

 

[dave89iroc]

IR 2115Ti

 

[AutoTeck84]

I assume your not buying 3/8 impact for the amount of *** it has. I like the Milwaukee m12 3/8. Can't be beat in speeding through engine work because of its combination of small size, decent power and not having to be tethered down.

 

[alteredpilot]

While I am not a professional, I absolutely love my nitrocat (aircat) 3/8 impact. I believe it's an older style "pin clutch" that has since been discontinued, but it has held up extremely well over the past 5 or so years. it is quiet, smooth, and plenty of power sold at a reasonable price. I would not hesitate to buy another one from them.

I have a Nitrocat that's been sitting in my box with a broken trigger for a couple of years now. i took it apart today and the part that fell out, which i'm assuming is the valve stem, was a cheap cast part. i'm gonna call them tommorow and see about a replacement. the nitrocat is quiet and has the anti freewheeling mechanism which keeps from throwing nuts and small bolts across the shop. i seem to remember liking it.

I use my nitrocat 1/2 everyday without a single hiccup for probably 6 years or so.

 

[bubinga]

While I am not a professional, I absolutely love my nitrocat (aircat) 3/8 impact. I believe it's an older style "pin clutch" that has since been discontinued, but it has held up extremely well over the past 5 or so years. it is quiet, smooth, and plenty of power sold at a reasonable price. I would not hesitate to buy another one from them.

Good to Know!
I have one too, and it's seen light use, but I always felt it would not hold up for some reason.
Just the feel of it I guess.
Good to know you had long solid life with yours.

 

[crewchief888]

I assume your not buying 3/8 impact for the amount of *** it has. I like the Milwaukee m12 3/8. Can't be beat in speeding through engine work because of its combination of small size, decent power and not having to be tethered down.

i'd have to say my 3/8" impact (IR 212) is probably my least used air tool since buying an 18v milwaukee fuel 3/8" impact.

 

[53chevy5]

i'd have to say my 3/8" impact (IR 212) is probably my least used air tool since buying an 18v milwaukee fuel 3/8" impact.

If you need an air one, i would strongly look at IR, it has crazy power for a 3/8. Otherwise, the above statement is true, I didn't really think about it until I read it. I went from using my air 3/8 every day a lot to maybe taking it out once a month or so ever since I got my 20 volt dewalt impact, and I think the Milwaukee Fuel has quite a bit more power than the brushed yellow ones.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

i'd have to say my 3/8" impact (IR 212) is probably my least used air tool since buying an 18v milwaukee fuel 3/8" impact.

Same happened to me after buying my 3/8" M12 Fuel. Does just fine in the place of the IR 2115 (and my 18V Dewalt), and is portable for onsite service work.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have the Cornwell Cat2150. Love it.

 

[619DioFan]

I have been using the HF earthquake 3/8 impact for about a year . works good ( listed at 300 flbs ) pretty small. I have a friend that is a master tech and uses the same one every day without issue. the astro nano looks really good ( member jersykat did a nice video review of it ) will probably pick one up.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

At my personal shop I have an MG325 Snap On I bought lightly used for 180, and like it. I was always a fan of the IM31, so this felt natural. The F-R selection is a bit cumbersome till you get used to it and the boots fit like chit, but that's about my only complaints. Don't think I would pay retail for one though.

At work we have IR Ti, no complaints there really. Feels light and small in the hand, good power. If I had to run out and buy a new gun off the shelf tomorrow, the IR would be my first choice. IMO represents the best of all ergo/power/cost/availability/support.

I have m18 cordless at both places, handy sure- but I don't feel it has replaced the air guns. Not sure I would replace it quickly if it failed.

 

[Rlfd213]

I have a Mac that is just a rebranded IR and it's great. It's over 20 years old and still works well. IR seems to be the best out there.

 

[crewchief888]

If you need an air one, i would strongly look at IR, it has crazy power for a 3/8. Otherwise, the above statement is true, I didn't really think about it until I read it. I went from using my air 3/8 every day a lot to maybe taking it out once a month or so ever since I got my 20 volt dewalt impact, and I think the Milwaukee Fuel has quite a bit more power than the brushed yellow ones.

Same happened to me after buying my 3/8" M12 Fuel. Does just fine in the place of the IR 2115 (and my 18V Dewalt), and is portable for onsite service work.

i'm a full time field mechanic, and rarely work in the shop. mine gets used every day for zipping access covers off equipment.

the 18v milwaukee replaced a 14.4 bluepoint cordless that lasted about 2 years before all 4 batteries wouldnt hold a charge.

the milwaukee is about 2.5 years old now, batteries are holding up good so far, i'll drain a 4.0 battery about every 7-10 days, same goes for the 2.0 12v battery i use for my flashlight.

 

[anndel]

I have the Astro Pneumatic 1828

This little thing is not only very compact but it rips wheel nuts of like nothing. I tried it on a Honda 19mm crankpulley bolt and it ripped it right out.

 

[wesst]

Like most recommendations, it will come down to how much $ and how often you will use it. At our shop we use the HF Earthquake and it works great. We prefer the 20v brushless due to the portability. I would go with spending
more money on a quality cordless setup.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I went with the NAPA (same as the Matco & Cornwell). I asked the guy behind the counter at NAPA what was the lowest price (it was priced at $229) and the guy told me $182 out the door. I bought Matco cushion cover for it, its my go to 3/8 pneumatic. I have a SnapOn 325, IR 212 and Harbor Freight Earthquake and the NAPA is the strongest.

TheGrooveking

 

[Respect21]

IR 2115Ti

I second this. I have this impact and it surprises me every day. A bad little thing that just doesn't quit.

 

[emort007]

Has anyone tried the 3/8th Kobalt impact gun? The price is right at $49.99, but I wonder who makes it.
I've always just used my 1/2 at work, but as I get older, I keep thinking it would be nicer to have something a little lighter and smaller than my IR-231.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've never heard anything good about any Kobalt air tools. I'd avoid it

 

[zmotorsports]

As far as new ones go, the new IR composite looks nice as does the Snap-On MG325 but it will be a cold day in hell before you can pry my old school Snap-On IM31 out of my hands. I have had it for the better part of 20+ years and still love it.

Mike.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I love my MG325

 

[HAP]

3/8" Hammerhead.

 

[zkling]

I love my MG325

I don't.

It has the power and soft handle though.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I don't.

It has the power and soft handle though.

I have tried the IR ti max guns too and they are really nice, I just can't bring myself to part with my snappy guns... I also like the looks of the Proto and Mac guns but have no experience with them.

 

[zkling]

I have tried the IR ti max guns too and they are really nice, I just can't bring myself to part with my snappy guns... I also like the looks of the Proto and Mac guns but have no experience with them.

Yeah, I like it overall, especially since I got it on a drastic sale, but the power and direction selector IMHO is of a horrible design. I also have a older all metal cornwell that is maybe a hair behind in power but much more user friendly for power and directional control. All in all, if I was buying new I would go with an IR or, actually one of the newer compact 1/2 or 3/8 guns.

 

[bubinga]

Tempted to get the
I have the Astro Pneumatic 1828,
Then I'd have 4, 1/2" guns at home. LOL