Wanting first impact wrench

[fbiwrench]

I've been turning wrenches for most of my life and currently own about 4 now. IR, CP, Craftsman, and a no name cheap model. They all do a great job, some just last longer than others. The best air wrench in the world is only as good as the air supply! Too many times I've seen someone with an impact wrench rated at 450 or 475 ft. lbs try to run it on too small of air hose or too restricted air couplers. Air tools need volume.
Air tools are great for multiple fasteners, but for one or two its hard to beat the value of a 3/4" socket set and "long" handle breaker bar.

 

[5030]

I've been turning wrenches for most of my life and currently own about 4 now. IR, CP, Craftsman, and a no name cheap model. They all do a great job, some just last longer than others. The best air wrench in the world is only as good as the air supply! Too many times I've seen someone with an impact wrench rated at 450 or 475 ft. lbs try to run it on too small of air hose or too restricted air couplers. Air tools need volume.
Air tools are great for multiple fasteners, but for one or two its hard to beat the value of a 3/4" socket set and "long" handle breaker bar.

That's a fair statemet however, we now have an 'armchair society' so being mechanized is preferrable over armstrong power.

I've busted some big nuts with my Williams 1" drive and breaker bar, BIG NUTS. Like Charles Atlas said, "Give me a long enough lever and I'll move the world"......

From what I see, the majority of home shop's have undersized compressors for running air tools. Most are not very efficient and require more CFM than the box store compressor can supply. I probably over do it myself. I have 30 CFM available at 150PSI continuous but that takes a serious compressor that costs serious money.

The guy across the road has a little CH direct drive compressor that he attempts to run a 1/2" chi-com impact with, with poor results. It's amusing to watch. Not a clue.

 

[Bird]

being mechanized is preferrable over armstrong power.

That reminds me of why I bought my first impact wrench. I had to change the starter on our 1970 Oldsmobile, and lying on my back reaching way under the car, I pulled on the wrench hard enough to badly strain a muscle. I got the job done, but I sure had a painful injury for awhile. And yep, I prefer being mechanized over armstrong power.:laughing:

 

[5030]

That reminds me of why I bought my first impact wrench. I had to change the starter on our 1970 Oldsmobile, and lying on my back reaching way under the car, I pulled on the wrench hard enough to badly strain a muscle. I got the job done, but I sure had a painful injury for awhile. And yep, I prefer being mechanized over armstrong power.:laughing:

Bird...

I believe it has more to do with our age. When I was young, I didn't give a though about the aftermath. Now I do.

I had the pressure blaster out the other day and the guy from across the road stopped by. He was amazed how the air pressure just kept coming. I smiled.

 

[whistlepig]

I have an Ingersoll Rand 2131 in 1/2" drive. About the best all round wrench for my use. It's not that big and bulky, has adjustable torque control,and has done everything that I have expected and a bit more. I have had this impact for about 15+ years. It will twist off frozen bolts up to 3/4" with a blip of the trigger and zip off the nuts on brush hog blades with out hesitation. My compressor is 6.5HP, 60 gallon, 9.6CFM at 90PSI. Ingersoll recommends running this wrench at 90PSI. On the real tough stuff my compressor tank has to be at its maximum recommended pressure for this wrench to perform at maximum. 2131PSP

 

[pharmvet]

My compressor is an Ingersoll Rand 5.5 HP, 11.8 CFM At 90 PSI (Honda motor) My line is 3/8. What size gun will do well with this setup? thanks

 

[KitC]

I have used several name brand air impact wrenches over the years. Got tired of dragging the air hose around and went with an 18 volt Milwaukee model 2662-22 M18.

This thing has all the torque I could ask for. Very portable.

Just sayin....

 

[kude]

I have a cheap 1/2 impact and 3/8 air rachet wrench I got from JC Whitney 20 years ago. Still work well. Spray them with wd40 and they run and run. These won't work too well with a small compressor. I have a 230 volt Cratsman tank compressor 50 gallons. The air rachet is neat. I put a 3 garage doors together with it super quick, very good for repeated assembly work.

What I haven't seen mentioned is buy air socket sets, metric and AE. Yoiu will kick yuorself when you ruin a good socket from a normal socket set. My air sockets are not shiny but they are hardened steel and will last, just watch out for rusting.

 

[LD1]

Chalk another vote up for the IR2135TImax

I have one and wouldnt be without it.

You asked the question "what can a 3/4" do that a 1/2" wont do"

Well that is a hard question to answer because they are all different.

The 1/2" can be had from a low as 100ft-lbs to 1000ft-lbs
The 3/4" can be had from ~600ft-lbs to over 1500ft-lbs

So I guess if you have a 1/2" with 1000ft-lbs and a 3/4 with 600, the 1/2" can actually do more.

And as far as sockets sizes go, I personall have a 1/2" set AND a 3/4 in set And use adapters for the 3/4. My 3/4 set is 7/8 up to 2-1/2 and my 1/2" set goes up to 1-5/16.

So I guess to sum it up, for a home shop (unless you are a trucker or big farmer) get a 1/2". They are a lot lighter, they are faster (3/4" are SLOOWW), and even the good ones are usually cheaper.

And DONT get the $30 ones at walmart or a-zone. I have had a few of them and its a 50/50 shot as to wether they will even break a lug-nut on a car loose:confused2: There have only been a few times my 2135 has let me down. And both times required the use of a 24" pipe wrench and a 4' bar as still a lot of grunt.

 

[LD1]

What I haven't seen mentioned is buy air socket sets, metric and AE. Yoiu will kick yuorself when you ruin a good socket from a normal socket set. My air sockets are not shiny but they are hardened steel and will last, just watch out for rusting.

Excellent point I forgot to mention as well.

Chrome plated sockets and impacts do NOT mix very well. The chrome chips and cracks and flakes and is VERY sharpe. Dont ask me how I know