I'd go for the 19905 (aka Ingersoll Rand 2131) or the 19984 (AKA Florida Pneumatic FP743A) Both pretty strong, both pretty good too. They will hold up well and aren't too expensive, more than you have to spend, though. Recommend staying away from anything they sell at torque ratings under these except the 19986 mini at 500 ft. lbs., it's impressive although the longevity isn't what it should be on that one.
Which impact wrench from sears?
- Thread starter Flatsbroke
- Start date
I'd go for the 19905 (aka Ingersoll Rand 2131) or the 19984 (AKA Florida Pneumatic FP743A) Both pretty strong, both pretty good too. They will hold up well and aren't too expensive, more than you have to spend, though. Recommend staying away from anything they sell at torque ratings under these except the 19986 mini at 500 ft. lbs., it's impressive although the longevity isn't what it should be on that one.
My findings with ALL the IR 1/2" impacts in 6 years of repairing is that their rotor output shafts are too small. Have had many broken ones through here. The other day was a 232TGSL Thunder gun (same rotor as the 231C) Seen it over and over again with Ingersolls. Don't expect them to last forever, maybe they will, maybe they won't. I feel there are better choices for a bit less money, and stronger too, and I use them myself with no issues , but that's just my opinion of it. Many 1/2" impacts out there with bigger rotors and that don't use those cheap plastic tip valves that IR uses ,that fail as well, like the 2131, 2135, 2132G, etc.
The 231C is a good wrench,and why it lasts as long as it does is the steel end plates of the motor for one reason, and o-ring on the inlet valve instead of the more complicated and flimsy plastic tip valves. The rotor is what i see as the weak point. Use the proper PSI to it, don't shove 150-170 psi at it and it will most likely last a long time. Guy at work broke two rotors in his,we had 170 psi from the compressor and lots of moisture too, he didn't believe in using a regulator, or a drier.
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Snap_cap
Well-known member
I picked up a NOS display model IR 2131QT yesterday for $94.27 otd.
No box, no paperwork, and needed some sticker residue cleaned off with alcohol; but it's none the worse for wear being oft-fondled never worked and then put back on the shelf.
Spent this morning on the IR site printing out the owners manual, parts diagram and maintenance sheet.
redwrench60
Well-known member
I picked up a NOS display model IR 2131QT yesterday for $94.27 otd.
No box, no paperwork, and needed some sticker residue cleaned off with alcohol; but it's none the worse for wear being oft-fondled never worked and then put back on the shelf.
Spent this morning on the IR site printing out the owners manual, parts diagram and maintenance sheet.
I ran a regular 2131 when they came out. Good impact. It was the impact that first ruined me on the old heavy metal impacts. Now for me it's composite IR or nothing.
Nick.Watson
Active member
I just bought this one I paid $235 after some discounts! I havent used it yet but I heard its one of the best!
JBradley500
Well-known member
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- Jul 19, 2013
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- 781
I picked up a NOS display model IR 2131QT yesterday for $94.27 otd.
No box, no paperwork, and needed some sticker residue cleaned off with alcohol; but it's none the worse for wear being oft-fondled never worked and then put back on the shelf.
Spent this morning on the IR site printing out the owners manual, parts diagram and maintenance sheet.
They have the same thing at my local store as a returned item. Ive been watching the price drop.
That's a 231C, real good wrench, however heavy and loud compared to an IR composite, or most any other 1/2" composite for that matter. Good wrench though. If the extra weight and noise is no issue, it's a good choice. If it is, I'd recommend a 2131QT, 2135QTImax, or Nitrocat 1200K. My personal choice is the Nitrocat, for torque, and quality in 2 areas that the IR's do not have it.
rcjoy
Well-known member
I got a new IR 2135TIMAX at Sears a month ago for $157 (local deal + coupons).
Used it for the first time a week ago and I am quite happy with it.
Used it for the first time a week ago and I am quite happy with it.
bubinga
Well-known member
Is the new style Earthquake 1/2" impact,that much better than the old style one?
I had one of those Campbell Hausfeld guns and it was useless! I upgraded to a Craftsman Model # 19984. It supposedly pumps out 580 bs of torque ands seems to work really well fr what I use it for at home doing my own auto repairs, hasn't failed me yet. The price is right and I think it's on sale for $90 bucks right now.
Hope this helps!
Chuck
Hope this helps!
Chuck
ijroorda
Well-known member
I have an Ingersoll Rand 231 and love it for DIY mechanic work. My compressor is painfully slow (ancient Quincy 1-cylinder spinning real slow), but with a 30 gallon tank it hasn't ever been a problem running an impact at my wrenching pace.
If the IR died tomorrow, I'd buy a Harbor Freight Earthquake to replace it - I've been very impressed with them too.
If the IR died tomorrow, I'd buy a Harbor Freight Earthquake to replace it - I've been very impressed with them too.
I sold my used "old style" for $50. Bought the new one for another $30. Well worth it. I've seen the new ones as low as $69.99. It's quite a bit quieter, smoother in operation, has more power, and is lighter. What's not to like?
WHAT-A-STEAL at that price. It absolutely SMOKES the 2135TIMAX series in pure power. OK, so it's not as light, or as quiet as the Q series. Who cares? It's got it where it matters, especially for hobbyist usage. The 2135QTIMAX, when I bought it, was $279, what a joke compared to the HF Earthquake.
For a backyard mechanic the HF tool is fine if you have a good air supply. Plenty of testing has been done under numerous air supply conditions and the results you describe have never been dupplicated. The HF tool always comes up short on reverse torque and uses about 30% more air. It's unfortunate that you were not able to take me up on my offer a few years back to check out the 2135TiMAX that you had issues with.
bubinga
Well-known member
thanks guys.
they're good wrenchs, however I'll never call them great and this is why. In almost 7 years of repairing, buying, selling this is what I have seen. Problem with the 2135timax is the cheap plastic tip valves and the rotor outputs are too small, they will break and they do,they are the same rotor that the 2131 used with one more slot cut in it for the 7 vanes. I've had too many of them through here with broken rotors and many more than that with broken or separated and failing tip valves. I know you are all for Ingersoll, but flat out, the IR's are the smallest rotor outputs, I've found none smaller, and most are larger on other brands. Same goes for the 2141 too. Look an an Aircat or even an old Earthquake 3/4" rotor and they are so much larger, and I have yet to find those brands with a broken rotor. Those parts are flat out expensive for Ingersoll's,and it's no laughing matter when they break. I gotta call a spade a garden tool here.
Yes, I heard you the first several times you mentioned the rotor splines. I think you might be basing you judgments on old info. Older 2135's had a hole in the center of the splined shaft, these had a high failure rate and the design was quickly changed and they have not been made like that for years. The tilt valve design was beefed up in 2007 and the life was tripled. With the number of these models out there will there still be failures, yes but if you take into consideration the population of these impacts compared to the others you mentioned I'm sure the failure rate is much lower.
Not saying they're bad wrenches, they're not. Good that they have made changes there, but I have found them all to be broken on those, new and old, and also changed out a failed tip valve several days ago on an almost new 2135timax, and it's not the only one of those in an almost new timax I have come across either. There are a lot of them out there, but the issues are almost always the same failed parts when they don't work, is what I have found with them. Granted, some people abuse their tools, but the only other brand of wrench I've seen with a broken rotor was a Nitrocat 1000M, and it was one time, back when they were making them almost the same size as the Ingersoll's. They are much bigger in their wrenches now. I have never seen any 1/2" impact with the bigger rotor break one, and I've had FP, CP, Cornwell, Earthquake, and other brands through here on a regular basis for several years. The Ingersolls are just small, and as a result, they break with enough use/abuse. I've simply seen it enough to not want to own one for my use. Guy in our shop broke the rotor on his 231 twice. No other wrench in our shop broke one, that's about all I can say, is what I've witnessed. I feel that for the price IR commands for their composite impacts especially, the insides need to have bigger rotors and a one piece metal tip valve, as I've yet to see any other brand that is built like that fail in those areas.
redwrench60
Well-known member
It's a shame this thread has turned into a lets pick on Ingersoll thread. I too have repaired a great number of air tools including Ingersolls. Not professionally just my stuff, the guys I work with, tool guys, friends and the occasional flea market rehab. I'm also given lots of broken air tools which I fix and use/sell or strip for parts.
Being a full time Auto Tech and a constant power tool user I can say that impact wrenches, like cars will all eventually break or wear out if used enough or neglected. At one point or another I've had to fix most all brands of air tools from budget brands which aren't usually worth buying parts for to premium brands like Ingersoll, Snap On, CP, Aircat, professional tool products and many different rebrands.
One has to keep in mind that Ingersoll Rand and all the companies who rebrand Ingersolls have a huge presence. Anywhere you go their products are seen. From Auto repair shops and dealerships, to truck shops and equipment repair shops. Factories and mines, to home garages and farms Ingersoll products tend to dominate. There's lots of them out there so there's going to be lots of them being worn out, broken and abused. I've seen all brands fail prematurely because they all have one thing in common: they're made and used by Humans and Humans make mistakes.
I prefer most Ingersoll products because to me they offer the best balance of power, price, ergonomics and availability of parts and ease of service.
Being a full time Auto Tech and a constant power tool user I can say that impact wrenches, like cars will all eventually break or wear out if used enough or neglected. At one point or another I've had to fix most all brands of air tools from budget brands which aren't usually worth buying parts for to premium brands like Ingersoll, Snap On, CP, Aircat, professional tool products and many different rebrands.
One has to keep in mind that Ingersoll Rand and all the companies who rebrand Ingersolls have a huge presence. Anywhere you go their products are seen. From Auto repair shops and dealerships, to truck shops and equipment repair shops. Factories and mines, to home garages and farms Ingersoll products tend to dominate. There's lots of them out there so there's going to be lots of them being worn out, broken and abused. I've seen all brands fail prematurely because they all have one thing in common: they're made and used by Humans and Humans make mistakes.
I prefer most Ingersoll products because to me they offer the best balance of power, price, ergonomics and availability of parts and ease of service.
foreverfalcon40
Well-known member
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- Feb 12, 2013
- Messages
- 856
Strongly Recommend this...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-P...1505183515&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
2 years and still running strong as a professional.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-P...1505183515&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr
2 years and still running strong as a professional.
Tarheelgarage
Well-known member
Ye speaketh the truth.....
That's a rebadged IR2131 and a daym tough impact....
raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
Can you even get parts for a Harbor Freight Earthquake? The reason people like it is that it is a Chinese reengineered Ingersoll Rand 231 impact inside. Lets Imagine that you already had an Ingersoll Rand 231 and you wanted to rebuild it. There are cheap Chinese kits and the original Ingersoll Rand kits. You would most likely want the better Ingersoll Rand genuine parts. Why in the heck would you buy an earthquake that is made of 100% China parts? Sears doesn't have an earthquake impact anyway.
I believe these were made by Florida Pneumatic, same as the Earthquake air ratchets were. The 1/2", I believe is the Florida Pneumatic FP-746a. These were some pretty good tools, really. I still have a 3/8" Earthquake air ratchet, same one as the Cornwell CAT8000SD, just a different color, and a lot less money. Lots of power and made pretty well.
I'm not picking on any one brand, if it's me you're implying is, but simply stating what I have seen, over and over. Nothing more. I like facts, not opinions. Opinions mean nothing at all to me. Many people will let their emotions influence what they say, I don't. These are the facts about what I have seen.... IR has had EVERY broken rotor I have found, except one, and just about every failed tip valve, most likely because they are plastic with a metal rod, and they fail in 3 ways I have seen so far. New, old, don't matter, I've seen it in all the 2135 series as well. Seen broken rotors in the 2141,231,244 as well.
For many people these wrenches are their preference. For me, they are not, as I like the hard working expensive parts of my impacts to be engineered large enough to last the life of the wrench at this price level. I've seen and measured the differences of all of them inside. I do own a 212, and am using a 2141 right now at work, simply because it was cheap, it's strong, and most important, I have spare parts for it, if I break it. I will be trading it out for something else when the right deal comes along, most likely a 1600TH.
Snap-On impacts have some heavy parts inside them that are nice, but I'll never own a Snap-On impact wrench, not at any price, after what I've seen with those, but that's another story. I will own an IR if the price is low enough. They are nice to use. I say use what you like, that's really what most people do anyway.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Yeah I hear ya. I'm not trying to argue or pick at you. Your observations and experiences are valuable here, my whole point is that ALL machines, weather it's a car, an impact wrench or the Death Star have weaknesses. Nothing is perfectly made. They all have that one part or system that if there's gonna be trouble....that's where it'll be. I agree with what you said: we just have to pick what we like and are comfortable with. For as many Ingersoll products as I've owned and used over the years I've had very little trouble and in the rare instance I do they're very easy to get parts for and fix. I'm not the type that just throws this stuff away at the first sign of trouble so a availability of parts and ease of service factor in.
bcradio
Well-known member
Because Earthquakes have proven power and reliability.
I'm with you, I love to repair things, many times after they should be thrown away probably. I just hate the thought of one part costing 70 dollars inside those timax wrenches if it breaks. It keeps me away from them, they are light and strong and easy to use. I've found I really prefer the pin style hammers of the Nitrocat because they are so smooth, and the wrench has fantastic torque, even though I don't feel those pins and cam and ball in there last as long as twin hammers do, but the parts that wear and/or break are pretty cheap to replace when needed. Haven't had to on my wrenches yet, but sure I will eventually, as I have seen them this way in Nitrocat's plenty of times, and all wrenches of that style as well, including the Ingersoll Rand, 252,255,258 series 3/4" impacts, they actually have pins too, but are some strong, great working 3/4" impacts for sure.
warweapon762
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2013
- Messages
- 323
This, get a beefy twin hammer impact. Almost all the craftsman models are garbage these days. I think I had to take 3 of them back due to the anvils in them mushrooming after a week (WHAT THE F!&#^#!?).
I think I ended up buying the first gen of the Harbor Freight Earthquake models as my first impact gun and use it to this day.