Whats a good air impact ?

[dan01]

Good morning next month im starting off as an auto mechanic and i am looking for an air impact since there are soo many out there having trouble choosing one anyone have any tips on a good stong reliable one for a fare price thanks
What ft lb torque should i look for

 

[ex-x-fire]

I've had good luck with IRs (I've used the ancient IR231 for years), I'd strongly recommend getting a mini 1/2" for tight areas too.

 

[Htscheg]

Ive had many IR over the years and performed great, recent ones not so much

 

[Vt_k9]

I've used IR, Aircat, Craftsman, and Snapon.

No doubt the snap has some torque, but it comes with a price. I like the Aircat a lot. It has good balance, comfortable, and reasonably quiet. They also make a stubby unit which works well. I have a friend who has the full size, smaller 1/2", and 3/8" Aircats and uses them daily. Mine are for personal use. Take a look at them.

Mike

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

We each have to find our own way.....

I bought IR's when I started out, but they didn't last. Maybe it's my shops air system that killed 'em, I don't know. Maybe they are better now, but I felt pretty let down by IR in general. I gave up after a few of them and just got what the tool man had on the SO truck. I've only had 2 1/2" guns and one 3/8" since and that's been over 15 years. Each time I finally wore out a SO gun, it was out of production / not worth rebuilding when the tool man took it in trade towards a new gun making the price comparable to any brand that's better than no-name junk tools.

 

[blake101]

IR. Use it daily

 

[dan01]

Ive been looking at the aircat 1150 with 1295 ft lb reviews some amazon review say it doesnt have the torque it says
Just wondering if you heard anything on that model thanks

 

[ChrisLS8]

The stubby Aircat and Earthquake XT have both done everything I've asked of them. Imo it's good to use a compact fo the majority of the work then a big bruiser for the times you need to snap some bolts in half

That setup also cost less than 250 for both

 

[Hugemoose]

I just got the Aircat 1150 after using an old crappy craftsman impact for over a decade that always managed. I'm just a backyard mechanic so they don't get used professionally.

The Aircat is very nice and way more torque than I am used to. It's comfortable, and much quieter as well. That was a nice surprise. A IR 2235 would probably be able to do more, but for the price you can't go wrong. I think I picked it up for around $135 off NorthenTool using a 20% off $100 coupon.

 

[Hugemoose]

Also, get yourself some good high flow couplers to get the most out of your tool. Harbor freight has a decent high flow set that I've noticed to help. Or you can spend more and get some higher quality Milton fittings.

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-x-38-in-automotive-series-coupler-and-plug-kit-4-pc-68187.html

 

[WhiffySpark]

Ive been looking at the aircat 1150 with 1295 ft lb reviews some amazon review say it doesnt have the torque it says
Just wondering if you heard anything on that model thanks

Get yourself an ir2235. It’s worth the money.

One of those air cars or nitro cats you can’t use torque sticks with.

 

[bczygan]

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-composite-xtreme-torque-air-impact-wrench-62891.html

 

[bcradio]

The stubby Aircat and Earthquake XT have both done everything I've asked of them. Imo it's good to use a compact fo the majority of the work then a big bruiser for the times you need to snap some bolts in half

That setup also cost less than 250 for both

This is about the same route I would take, except swapping the stubby Aircat for a Stubby 3/8" Astro.

I would then work on aquiring cordless impacts as you can.

 

[kb1982]

I would suggest a stubby over a fullsize for general auto repair. The size lends it to being more useful, the downfall of course is the lower output. I have several Aircat tools, and haven't had an issue with them. The same can be said about my only Chicago Pnumatic tool which is an air die grinder. I just got this from a guy at work a few nights ago for 10 dollars. Apparently Aircats are junk because it wouldn't remove bolts put in with a SnapOn 725. I told him if he went with a comparable model like the 1250k or even the 1150, the outcome would have been different. I was happy to give him 10 bucks for his Aircat junk.

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[XJSuperman]

SnapOn if you can, IR if you can't. Both have been good but I would seriously look at older ones if you can find one in good condition at a sale or somewhere.

I lucked out and bought my SO for $8, yes 8. Its been fantastic.

Ive worn out more HF impacts than I can count, but the air system wasn't great either. Do yourself a favor since you'll be using it daily and get a better brand.

 

[bcradio]

SnapOn if you can, IR if you can't. Both have been good but I would seriously look at older ones if you can find one in good condition at a sale or somewhere.

I lucked out and bought my SO for $8, yes 8. Its been fantastic.

Ive worn out more HF impacts than I can count, but the air system wasn't great either. Do yourself a favor since you'll be using it daily and get a better brand.

Brands aren't what matter... people need to look at specific models. Brands make good models and bad models.

 

[Tonyuk]

I like the Facom 1/2" compact and wish it bought one much earlier on;

There are a few brands that have the same thing re-labelled. Aircat is one im sure.

 

[XJSuperman]

Brands aren't what matter... people need to look at specific models. Brands make good models and bad models.

True, poor wording on my part. Thanks.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I like the Facom 1/2" compact and wish it bought one much earlier on;

There are a few brands that have the same thing re-labelled. Aircat is one im sure.

I can’t stand that trigger.

 

[Earp69]

I would suggest a stubby over a fullsize for general auto repair. The size lends it to being more useful, the downfall of course is the lower output. I have several Aircat tools, and haven't had an issue with them. The same can be said about my only Chicago Pnumatic tool which is an air die grinder. I just got this from a guy at work a few nights ago for 10 dollars. Apparently Aircats are junk because it wouldn't remove bolts put in with a SnapOn 725. I told him if he went with a comparable model like the 1250k or even the 1150, the outcome would have been different. I was happy to give him 10 bucks for his Aircat junk.

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That's the same one I got, works great and it does have some serious ***

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[MattPersman]

Imagine you are looking for a 1/2 for wheel removals and such?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NPT61123

http://www.propowerseries.com

Napa 61123. Cornwell and matco sold this gun as well under their name. Great gun for the money and can buy local. Should be on sale right now as well. Any of the aircats like the 1200 or 1250 are good too IMO


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[fordnut85]

Honestly if I was starting over I would start with an IR titanium 1/2" gun and a Milwaukee 18v 3/8" gun. You would have a good stout air gun for the tough stuff and the cordless for everything else then you can add on the 1/2" bare tool later.

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[dr_clyde]

I'm quite happy with my Snap-On wrenches. I have the MG725 and the MG325. The 1/2" I bought new and the 3/8" I purchased used.

 

[Earp69]

My aircat smokes the Ingersoll titanium we have at work. Smokes the price too

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[Bad Eye Bill]

I've got an old CP that I dug out of the scrap bucket at a place I worked back in the '80's. It was dirty and full of ****, took it apart, cleaned and lubed everything real good, works great. My kids bought me a new Fat Max by Stanley a couple of years ago. Not bad but the old CP is quieter and stronger. If I had to buy another I'd go with CP.

Bought an IR Edge Series air chisel/hammer a while back, not real impressed with it.

 

[Katodog]

We sell Flexzilla Pro impact kits, the ones I use in the shop and the one I have at home are fantastic. Worth a look considering you get the gun, air hose, and high-flo connections.

 

[anndel]

If you can afford it, Snap On PT850. If not then either IR or Aircat. For small, Astro Pneumatic Nanos (1822, 1823, 1828).

 

[skippy_ps]

Aircat 1150, Milton hi-flow fittings.

 

[crewchief888]

ive been using IR 231's for years.
i typically get 7 or 8 years out of them (const eq field mechanic) before the cost to rebuild is close to the price of a new one.

last one i bought from summit racing, $139 shipped to my door in 3 days....

i rarely use a 3/8" dr air impact anymore, since i switched over to a milwaukee 18v fuel

 

[Ben1967]

I would look for a Used Mac impact, or used Blue Point. I have both, and love them both!

 

[Jim c]

I have been purchasing impacts since the 1980’s. Started out with a Chicago pneumatic basic gun think I paid maybe 150 for it back then off tool truck. You know, they were long lasting and got you through the day and I probably overpaid substantially for it because it was from the tool truck. But it is nice when you are working with something all day to have a little more oomph. For sure you want your gun to perform; broken gun is serious disappointment for your money. Maybe stay away from hf gun for shop. Ok for home. I bought a 1” hf earthquake because of the price and because my budd6 said they had oomph. It hits like a 1” gun but I hardly use it so can’t say how it wo7ld hold in shop. I have had ingersoll rand guns.. go to northern tool and use coupon... best deal ever. Period. Same gun as tool truck maybe 60 % of the price. Please, I am n9 fan of the tool truck man and they know it. Go to northern. You work hard for your dollars. Stay off that tool truck. Couple years ago I bought air cat 1200 nitro cat Kevlar. Like 250 at northern with coupon 220 or so. Has a filter in the exhaust to keep it quiet. After a while you gotta clean the f8lter or it obstructs air flow no big deal really, but the gun is nice, very light weight which makes a big difference when you use it a lot. And, I don’t believe any of the advertised torque specs on any gun, but that gun definitely has s9me oomph. So that air cat really is a good purchase. Young guys won’t like it because it is quiet.

 

[Jim c]

One of those air cars or nitro cats you can’t use torque sticks with.


Whiff spark , tell me, please, why can you not use torque sticks with air cats?

 

[JJ_From_NC]

Back when I was a millwright I used one of the newer composite Chicago Pneumatic guns with great results, day after day of abuse most of the time on fasteners over 1" and it never let me down, this thing has survived drastic falls, being used as a hammer and a sub-par air system full of desicant, I rarely use it now as a maintenance technician in food production but it has my back when I need it, this is what it looked like new

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[JuliusPepperwood]

I have the small harbor freight red earth quake in 3/8 and 1/4 drive. Been using for almost a year and it still out performes snap on. One of the guys at my shop actually sold his and bought the harbor freight after trying mine.

 

[Fedwrench]

I am a long time IR composite Impact Wrench fan since they first came out. However, for the last couple of years I've been using Proto impact wrenches and i don't miss my IRs at all.
My favorite Proto 1/2 drive impact is their compact 1/2 drive model. It's powerful, compact. lightweight, well balanced, and durable. I also have their full size 1/2 drive impact in case i need more umph.