air impact wrench brands? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

moruzzi · #1 12-01-2006, 10:24 AM

Maybe slightly off topic but I plan to use them on my Mercedes. And I have searched but found minimal info.

Planning on finally buying a 1/2 air impact wrench - and looking for info on brands. The safe path seems to be Ingersoll Rand such as the 231G or 231HA,

Anyone know anything about other brands such as Aircat which have very high torque specs (which seems to be based in WA state but who knows where they are made, claim to fame seems to be noise reduction which is not really a big deal with home use)

Thanks
Paul
400E 1992
E320 4matic wagon 2002
300SD 1984 (With only 114K!!! another long term diesel)

seo · #2 12-01-2006, 10:38 AM

In my own shop I have an Ingesoll 3/8" ratchet, an electric 1/2", and a 12V electric 1/2" I use the 3/8 most, and it works fine.
On various ships and tugboats I've used all kinds and brands, from the fanciest 1" Ingersoll monsters to cheap throw-away stuff made in Taiwan. I have to admit, that my advice would be to get a couple of cheaper wrenches, maybe a 1/2" conventional and a 3/8" butterfly or ratchet-handle type. The butterfly type is very nice for quick work on small bolts. The 1/2" is overkill for almost everything but suspension parts, in my ignorant opinion.
If your shop is at all short on air, you might consider a 110V electric 1/2 impact, which are sold by most of the DeWalt, Milwaukee, ilk. They're a little clumsier than air, but they don't run out of air, and electrical plugs are sometimes easier to find than air.
Really nice air tools are nice, sort of like Snap-on wrenches. But I've gotten along for years with lesser breeds, and get most things done.
seo

Alkraut · #3 12-01-2006, 11:11 AM

I have had a Sears Craftsman for years and it has really done well for me. I do not have a business shop, but use it at home. This one was made in USA, but is at least 20 years old! Sears has a professional model on sale now at around $140 that you may also want to consider. Sears item #00919914000 Mfr. model #19914. I have found the top-line Craftsman tools to be very good performance and quality.

Moneypit SEL · #4 12-01-2006, 11:20 AM

My Ingersol Rand has survived 15 years of the worst abuse I can give it. About 10 years ago, I bought a bearing and seal kit because I figured it was due for some tlc. I have yet to open either the kit or the impact gun.

gmercoleza · #5 12-01-2006, 11:35 AM

Check this out, you really can't beat the price:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=53176

Yes, it's a cheapie but it will get the job done. I am using something very similar right now, a generic Campbell Hausfeld which came with my compressor. So far there isn't anything I haven't been able to loosen with it. 250 ft. lbs. ain't bad if you ask me. Especially for $15 - when it breaks, just pitch it and buy another.

Just print out the sale price and walk it down to the store - they will honor it. I also have a coupon for 50% off in my Entertainment coupon book which they will honor on top of the sale price. At $7.50 for 250 ft. lbs. you really can't go wrong.

ProV1 · #6 12-01-2006, 12:28 PM

i didnt want to deal w/ the air hoses, coupler etc and also didnt have enough $ to buy a high quality air compressor. so instead i bought a high quality cordless electric impact wrench, rated at 300+ lb ft torque. still havent run across a bolt i couldnt free. i love it! love the portability factor when i'm taking my S2000 to the track and doing quick tire changes.

but yes, if i knew i was living at my house for longterm and working on my cars more, i'd get an air compressor...

G-Benz · #7 12-02-2006, 08:06 AM

Another wonderful thread!

I have the opposite problem...got a giant air compressor in my home garage, but drew blanks on cheaper impact wrenches...mainly not enough torque!

I'll take a look at the ones mentioned so far...

moruzzi · #8 12-02-2006, 08:53 AM

Thanks for all the info.

My inclination is to go with and Ingersoll Rand 231C (seem to be available new for about $110 shipped)for a 1/2 inch and probably a cheap one for a 3/8.

I have done the cheap route in the past on items like weed wackers and leaf blowers and in both of those casses I wound up purchaseing the better one I should probably have started with. So my logic with this is start with the higer end and then if I want a smaller tool get the cheap one there.

The Harbour Freight is tempting but they have no stores in MA (closest in NJ and NY) even including shipping it is cheap. However you can get a lower power Ingersoll Rand from Amazon for $40 - 375 ft/lbs
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-IR-235-Drive-Impact-Wrench/dp/B0000224KH/sr=1-2/qid=1165067144/ref=sr_1_2/104-9365525-2617501?ie=UTF8&s=hi

I currently have sufficent shop air and in the future will be adding a lift and a large 2 stage compressor. I'm getting the impact stuff because I am going to be doing a bunch of front end and suspension work.

tvpierce · #9 12-02-2006, 10:10 AM

After much research, I bought a 1/2" impact driver from Home Depot with the Husky name on it. It's $99 and is rated at 550 ft/lbs -- and has a LIFETIME warrantee. The same tool sold as a Craftsman at Sears was $20 more and had only a 3 year warrantee.

I'm very happy with my purchase -- I've had it for about 3 years now and it's performed admirably. I must say though that I've encountered several fasteners that it would not remove -- at 550 ft/lbs. I can't imagine a 250 ft/lbs driver being much good for anything.

I also have a 3/8" air ratchet that I got from Harbor Freight for $20 -- it works very nicely. Torque rating on a 3/8" driver is almost irrelevant: 3/8" tools are speed/convenience tools.

jp

ChicagoJones · #10 12-02-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvpierce

I'm very happy with my purchase -- I've had it for about 3 years now and it's performed admirably. I must say though that I've encountered several fasteners that it would not remove -- at 550 ft/lbs. I can't imagine a 250 ft/lbs driver being much good for anything.
jp

I have to agree that 250ft/lbs is not much good for anything. I have a 1/2 inch drive Craftsman impact this is 250ft/lbs rated and I was very frustrated with because it wouldn't loosen anything that was really tight. I ended buying a slightly used 1/2 inch drive IR 2131QT that's rated at 600ft/lbs and after almost four years of use I am still very happy with it.. There is not much this thing wouldn't break free.

I'd look for an impact wrench with the highest ft/bls rating that is within your budget.

Good Luck.

Uriah · #11 12-02-2006, 12:26 PM

Mine are mostly Snap-On and Mac which work great. However, you could buy a set of IR impacts and take your wife to a nice place to eat, and fill your car with gas for what one good Snap-On will cost off the truck.

I've also got one of the new Snap-On electric impacts which works killer. I should have gotten one years ago, they work great. Really great. They're not quite as strong as my better 1/2" drive (air) stuff, but again, work great for 90 percent of what I use it for.

Anyway, as a general rule, buy the best tools you can afford. It's better to have one decent tool then 10 junk ones. For home occasional use, you don't really need professional tools (but they're nice to have) but again, you want something that will last for years which is why I like the more professional stuff.

BTW, you can find some good deals in pawn shops/flea markets, ect... if you look around.

pcmaher · #12 12-02-2006, 12:33 PM

I'm also in the market for an impact. Anybody have any experience with this brand?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2623

Seems like a good deal for 625 ft lbs of torque.

manny · #13 12-02-2006, 12:55 PM

Heck, with a name like " Earthquake ", I'd buy it even if it wasn't any good.

90mbenz · #14 12-02-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcmaher

I'm also in the market for an impact. Anybody have any experience with this brand?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2623

Seems like a good deal for 625 ft lbs of torque.

Apparently, that's the tool most shop guys used on most of my vehicles before I got them - but only to TIGHTEN.

nazrat · #15 12-02-2006, 09:05 PM

In my experience the earthquake wrenches should be named "Thunder" instead. Noise isn't a big deal until you have to have your head near the wrench. They also use a lot more air (causing your compressor to cycle more often) and despite being rated for 550 or 600 ft-lbs I find that they might be a bit optimistic.

I have a handful of impact wrenches right now. The cheapies (it doesn't matter if you buy one at Lowes, HD, Harbor Freight, etc) are all the same. They are very good right up until you use something else.

In my book, short of finding a snap-on or aircat on a half price sale, get a Husky. I'll go so far as to say that the regular Husky is great, and the composite version is just as good, but 1/3 the weight.

You also might want to consider a torque stick for the lug nuts. Get a full set if someone else is paying, or but the one that you need from ebay, where there are people who buy the sets then sell the sticks separately.

-Tad