Stubby Impacts

[PartsGuy27]

Hello all,

I have a few regular sized impact guns, 2 IR's and a Snap-On, but I am looking for a stubby to get to those hard to reach places.

I have watched many tool reviews (looking at you Real Tool Reviews YouTube) and am torn between the Aircat 1056-XL and the M7 stubby.

I am leaning towards the Aircat because it is more powerful and slightly less expensive.

I would like some real world feedback on either of these.

Thanks,

-Brian

 

[Mr_B]

facom NS.1600F
Best stubby impact I ever used .
Astro 1822 good if price conscious but the facom is 'facom nasty' and real pleasure use .

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the IR stubby.

They're a cool concept, but aren't the god-send I hoped for. For instance, forget about taking out caliper bracket bolts bigger than 15mm. Ain't gonna happen.


That said, it's really nice for tight areas, especially for quick reassembly. It's like a 3/8 + impact. It's not going to keep up with a 2135IR.

 

[Mr_B]

^ upgrade to a facom, at 125psi line pressure it shifts heavy equipment fixings even at 24mm size, on cars I not had nothing I need get old big guns out for yet .
If get a stubby get the best ...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

^ upgrade to a facom, at 125psi line pressure it shifts heavy equipment fixings even at 24mm size, on cars I not had nothing I need get old big guns out for yet .
If get a stubby get the best ...

Looking at $250 for the Proto rebrand. My IR was only $140, that might say something.

 

[gdocktor3]

Here's a thread I made about a year ago. I haven't updated it since, but still gives you an idea... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323116

 

[Moto77]

I have the 1076-XL and its fantastic. I use it daily and couldn't imagine the 1/2'' version no being great. It likes a lot of air but it is nice and relatively quiet.

 

[md21722]

Since getting a 3/8" cordless impact I've delayed purchasing a stubby impact. I'm torn between the Matco and Astro. In tight spots I don't like the forward/reverse on the back because its hard to get to when you are trying to loosen up something stuck. It's one reason I like the old Snap On MG series. The power control is useless but F/R works great. The Matco is Sunex/PTP same as some of the others.

 

[Mr_B]

Looking at $250 for the Proto rebrand. My IR was only $140, that might say something.

The facom is only about $180, it well priced for the specs .

 

[Finky198]

I have the IR stubby.

They're a cool concept, but aren't the god-send I hoped for. For instance, forget about taking out caliper bracket bolts bigger than 15mm. Ain't gonna happen.


That said, it's really nice for tight areas, especially for quick reassembly. It's like a 3/8 + impact. It's not going to keep up with a 2135IR.

Which do you have cause I have a IR 2115 , IR 2135 and the 35max compact and all of mine will take off tire lugs and brakes. Even on our Jeeps and full size trucks, I've been very impressed. I did my complete brake job tires and all with the 35max less then a week ago. Sounds more like an air problem then a tool problem... what kind of psi, line, fitting, and cfm are you running?

 

[mlum6969]

Bought a 1056XL from my snap on guy. great little gun. i've had it for ~3 weeks and it does great. I've done fwd wheel bearings, ball joints, cv axle nuts without getting the big guns out.
Buddy at a GM dealer also got one but says the opposite. He's having trouble with truck lug nuts with the gun. I told him its probably just his air compressor. My shop runs ~150 psi and 200 gallon air tank, where his shop runs ~120 psi and a smaller air tank.

 

[Finky198]

Similar set up here 150 psi and 120 gallons. I get approx 120 psi wide open at the end of a 1/2" 50' reel. Our 3/8" line is regulated down to 120 psi will not run the tools nearly as well. It's about having enough air at the right pressure with the drop across the line taken into effect. It's basic supply and demand.

 

[PartsGuy27]

Thanks for all the feedback! This is why I love this site!

The Facom is interesting, I'd consider it but I cannot find it for sale in the US. I'm only seeing it available in Europe, specifically England.

 

[colin39]

facom NS.1600F
Best stubby impact I ever used .
Astro 1822 good if price conscious but the facom is 'facom nasty' and real pleasure use .

Imhop i must agree, bought this last lear and couldnt be happier

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Which do you have cause I have a IR 2115 , IR 2135 and the 35max compact and all of mine will take off tire lugs and brakes. Even on our Jeeps and full size trucks, I've been very impressed. I did my complete brake job tires and all with the 35max less then a week ago. Sounds more like an air problem then a tool problem... what kind of psi, line, fitting, and cfm are you running?

It'll pull off lugs and such, IF they weren't hammered on last time, or caked with rust. Same deal with caliper bolts. Often, in the time spent hammering on a bolt, I could have got a full size gun and gotten it off.




Shop has 2 compressors tanks, 5 feet long by 3 feet tall or so. 120 psi indicated line pressure (maybe down to 110 on the furthest racks, compressors are 140ish). Regular ol' industrial, 1/4 npt fittings, 3/8 line IIRC. 2235 hits just fine.

EDIT: It does well on Subaru crank bolts though.

 

[Mr_B]

Thanks for all the feedback! This is why I love this site!

The Facom is interesting, I'd consider it but I cannot find it for sale in the US. I'm only seeing it available in Europe, specifically England.

Proto or MAC have what appears same gun rebranded but not great prices.
Can find the Facom in europe/uk for around $180 and actually can retail on offers for sub $130, not easy see shipped to US for less than $200 currently though.

One main thing get best out of stubby impacts though is minimum working pressure of 120psi and good flow so good compressor airline and fittings compliment the tool massively.
I've got the Astro 1822 as well as bit shorter and that is good gun if got air system that can feed it the pressure and volume.

 

[Katodog]

I have a Flexzilla Pro compact impact, so far it hasn't failed me in anything I've put it to. I use one at home and one at work, the one at work gets a lot more use because I let the other guys use it. Never fails to remove anything we put it on.

Look into the Flexzilla Pro kit, comes with a hose (that you probably won't need) and high-flow connectors...which are great for getting better air flow to the tool. It's a good option to look at if you're looking for a compact impact.

 

[PartsGuy27]

Proto or MAC have what appears same gun rebranded but not great prices.
Can find the Facom in europe/uk for around $180 and actually can retail on offers for sub $130, not easy see shipped to US for less than $200 currently though.

One main thing get best out of stubby impacts though is minimum working pressure of 120psi and good flow so good compressor airline and fittings compliment the tool massively.
I've got the Astro 1822 as well as bit shorter and that is good gun if got air system that can feed it the pressure and volume.

I just can't justify the price of the Proto or Mac over the Aircat.

I have a Flexzilla Pro compact impact, so far it hasn't failed me in anything I've put it to. I use one at home and one at work, the one at work gets a lot more use because I let the other guys use it. Never fails to remove anything we put it on.

Look into the Flexzilla Pro kit, comes with a hose (that you probably won't need) and high-flow connectors...which are great for getting better air flow to the tool. It's a good option to look at if you're looking for a compact impact.

That's interesting. I wonder who makes that for them.

 

[Katodog]

That's interesting. I wonder who makes that for them.

I haven't got a clue. I tried to figure it out when I first saw the kits but my sleuth skills weren't up to the task.

 

[thefoobag]

90 bucks for the air cat, heavy equipment tech here and with the compressor on my truck I've had zero issues with larger bolts. Thing is also surprisingly quiet and very durable.

 

[kctyphoon]

Astro makes one too I believe.
Might like this

And this

 

[Finky198]

It'll pull off lugs and such, IF they weren't hammered on last time, or caked with rust. Same deal with caliper bolts. Often, in the time spent hammering on a bolt, I could have got a full size gun and gotten it off.




Shop has 2 compressors tanks, 5 feet long by 3 feet tall or so. 120 psi indicated line pressure (maybe down to 110 on the furthest racks, compressors are 140ish). Regular ol' industrial, 1/4 npt fittings, 3/8 line IIRC. 2235 hits just fine.

EDIT: It does well on Subaru crank bolts though.

Yeah Im not buying it. It Won't do a rusted lugs or brakes. ( Which I've already done on multiple occasions), but it will loosen crank bolts

BINGO. theirs your problem
1/4" fitting on a 3/8" @ 120psi is not going to run a impact at its full power.
How do your know 2235 hits fine if your running it on the same system. It's most probably underperforming as well and you don't even notice???

You could have 5 tanks of air, but If you can't keep the pressure at the tool end above 100 with the trigger pulled your never going to get full power out of it. Regardless of the make or model.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Yeah Im not buying it. It Won't do a rusted lugs or brakes. ( Which I've already done on multiple occasions), but it will loosen crank bolts

BINGO. theirs your problem
1/4" fitting on a 3/8" @ 120psi is not going to run a impact at its full power.
How do your know 2235 hits fine if your running it on the same system. It's most probably underperforming as well and you don't even notice???

You could have 5 tanks of air, but If you can't keep the pressure at the tool end above 100 with the trigger pulled your never going to get full power out of it. Regardless of the make or model.

That's the truth. Sometimes it hits great, other day no dice. Very sensitive to extensions and wobble sockets (wobbles always being used on caliper bolts, at hard angles). Today it fought more with some lug nuts on a Kia Forte, than on a subaru axle nut.

2235 and snappy guns (even my old 2135) can snap studs without much trouble. Spins die grinders, cut off wheels, all sorts of stuff.


I'm more perturbed about the way the mini-impacts are/were market. It isn't ever going to replace a full size gun. I'd run bigger line and high flow fittings on every bay if I could. But I'm not paying to outfit the shop.

 

[Mr_B]

extensions, wobbles etc all reduce performance on any gun big or stubby.
It just fact you got less reserve power on the stubby so you soon notice the issue.
Main thing with stubby is always buy most powerful you can and make effort have good line, fittings and enough pressure to get best from it.
I started with a IR and unbranded taiwan gun, both not great at busting fittings, sold them on and got the Facom and difference was massive, also bought the astro as tiny bit smaller and wanted test their tools and that pretty decent if can put good 130psi in it.
Basically it one of those tools you can't cheap out on if expect lot from it and need good supporting accessories to make it as useful as you planning .