Wanting first impact wrench

[Scooby074]

My toolboxes are Gerstner. Kennedy is for the apprentice. When your tools are in a Gerstner, you've arrived in paycheck. Gerstner is in Dayton, Ohio by the way.



I'll stand corrected then. I'm not a devout any brand person except for precision tools and then it's LSS, Weber or Mitituyo.

I have 4 roll around boxes with top chests, lets see, a Waterloo and 3 old line Crftsman plus 2 Gerstners, one mahogany and one oak, 3 lathes 2 milling machines, 2 surface grinders, a 3 axis CNC Haas, a LeBlond Frequency controlled servo shift, various presses, Mig, Tig, Smaw, OA, plasma, spray arc and a CNC plasma table not to mention 3 compressors, 2 reciprocating and one rotary..... and a couple employees too. Air conditioned in the summer and heated (floor heat) in the winter. I like to be comfortable and productive.

To think I started out in pre fabricated garden shed.

Gerstner makes a fine box ( as does kennedy) but you have to watch as Gerstner has an Import line now. Bugs me that these companies import from China and trade under their historic name. Its beyond ironic when you consider these companies cut their teeth and gained their reputation in the american manufacturing industry, yet by offshoring are doing their best to undermine that very thing.

 

[Bird]

Going to have to take exception to that. Ive used and owned both Snappy and MAC branded IR. The snappy is just better. And only about $150 more than my MAC is. My MAC is good, but if i wasnt made a sweet offer i would have replaced my Snapon with a Snapon.

Were you comparing apples to apple; i.e., the same power rating. Snap-on sold one particular model of half inch impact wrench that I quickly learned to decline to even work on at all, because the complaint was always the same; no power. I don't know why, nor did any of the experts I talked to know why it just did not have the claimed power, nor could anyone "fix" it so it would have.

Thats not correct. Snapon runs their own foundry. They make most of their own tools. They do contract some "fringe" tools out, especially under the Bluepoint brand, But if it says SNAPON there's a 99% chance it was made in-house.

I don't know what dates of manufacture you might be talking about, but when I was repairing them, they even had "Japan" stamped in the housing.

 

[Lt CHEG]

US made? Theres only one manufacturer left AFAIK. Snapon.

The MG725 is a HOG.MG725, Impact Wrench, Air, Heavy Duty, Magnesium Housing, Standard Anvil, 1/2" drive Absolutely the best out there in 1/2. It WILL take the place of a 3/4. Magnesium housing too so its light. I dont own one but tried one several times, I had an older snappy that died and the MAC guy made me an offer on a package of stuff i couldnt refuse.

In my deal with the MAC guy, i got a older version of this : https://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-318395-12-impact-wrench.aspx Which is essentially an IR 231. Its been a very good gun, used commercially by myself. However it isnt even close to the MG725. Cant speak to the COO of the current one, but mine was made in Taiwan i believe.

Your compressor and air line are fine for any of the 1/2" guns for your use. However if you step up to 3/4 or 1" you should increase your hose size.

That's good to know, I just bought the MG725 as my first impact. I know Snap On makes great stuff but it's nice to hear from a pro that my MG725 should be able to do what a 3/4" impact will do, especially with my brush hog and what not. I'm just a tinkerer and not a professional by any stretch, but I do appreciate quality tools and really prefer Snap On for a bunch of tools. I've replaced all my Craftsman ratchets with Snap On Dual 80's and a couple of Matco 88's (I prefer Matco's locking flex head ratchets because I like their locking mechanism). I love my Snap On 24" breaker bar and some of my specialty sockets too. I'm fine with Craftsman sockets though for my normal stuff and have all of the chrome sockets they offer in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive. I even use the raised panel Craftsman combo wrenches because I can't justify the cost of Snap On for most wrenches either. My tools all sit in a Matco 4s dual bay roll cab though.

In the case of my MG725, I was picking up my new FR80 3/8" quick release ratchet from my Snap On guy (I have an account with him, even though I pay in full and I meet him at a shop while I'm on my lunch break) when he showed me a special deal that they were running. I got the MG725 at normal price and a Blue Point 3/8" drive heavy duty air ratchet for free so I said what the heck. I'll be running it with a Kobalt dual stage belt driven compressor as I was limited to 120 volts for a compressor in my current garage that I rent and the Kobalt had the best output for the best price. I can't wait to try out the Snap On MG725 when I rotate my tires in 2 weeks. I know it's more impact than I need but I figured that by getting such a top quality unit, I really could buy one impact that would take the place of 2 for my needs and I'm glad to hear that a professional tech agrees.

 

[Scooby074]

Were you comparing apples to apple; i.e., the same power rating. Snap-on sold one particular model of half inch impact wrench that I quickly learned to decline to even work on at all, because the complaint was always the same; no power. I don't know why, nor did any of the experts I talked to know why it just did not have the claimed power, nor could anyone "fix" it so it would have.



I don't know what dates of manufacture you might be talking about, but when I was repairing them, they even had "Japan" stamped in the housing.

I was comparing my MAC to the snapon MG725. This would be a few years ago when the 725 came out. It was the Cats PJ's. Guys were rightfully proud of their purchase and liked to "prove" how much better theirs was than yours

Their also is a lighter duty MG3255 available in 1/2". Its only 325 ftlbs compared to 810 (1190 MAX) ftlbs for the 725. The 3255 has a smaller body and is good for some things, but it really is underpowered.

Both the 3255 and 725 are made in USA.

If your talking about a 1/2" made in Japan, id bet it was a Bluepoint. Theyre still made in Japan to this day. I havent heard much good about the BP's. Usually its either the SO or IR (or one of the branded clones) that guys buy.

That's good to know, I just bought the MG725 as my first impact. I know Snap On makes great stuff but it's nice to hear from a pro that my MG725 should be able to do what a 3/4" impact will do, especially with my brush hog and what not. I'm just a tinkerer and not a professional by any stretch, but I do appreciate quality tools and really prefer Snap On for a bunch of tools. I've replaced all my Craftsman ratchets with Snap On Dual 80's and a couple of Matco 88's (I prefer Matco's locking flex head ratchets because I like their locking mechanism). I love my Snap On 24" breaker bar and some of my specialty sockets too. I'm fine with Craftsman sockets though for my normal stuff and have all of the chrome sockets they offer in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive. I even use the raised panel Craftsman combo wrenches because I can't justify the cost of Snap On for most wrenches either. My tools all sit in a Matco 4s dual bay roll cab though.

In the case of my MG725, I was picking up my new FR80 3/8" quick release ratchet from my Snap On guy (I have an account with him, even though I pay in full and I meet him at a shop while I'm on my lunch break) when he showed me a special deal that they were running. I got the MG725 at normal price and a Blue Point 3/8" drive heavy duty air ratchet for free so I said what the heck. I'll be running it with a Kobalt dual stage belt driven compressor as I was limited to 120 volts for a compressor in my current garage that I rent and the Kobalt had the best output for the best price. I can't wait to try out the Snap On MG725 when I rotate my tires in 2 weeks. I know it's more impact than I need but I figured that by getting such a top quality unit, I really could buy one impact that would take the place of 2 for my needs and I'm glad to hear that a professional tech agrees.

Good choices in tools. Nothing wrong with using quality even if its not your livelyhood. My grandfather was a mechanic who got run his own trucking company. He was Snapon to the core. He's the one that gave me my appreciation for quality tools. Although im no longer wrenching (went into the electrical field) i still have that love of a well made tool. Buying good tools last a lifetime, I still have all my tools and could go back to being a mechanic... not that im looking forward to it, but the way things are going in my field, i might have to.

Ratchets: I have a soft spot for the FX80. Ive been wanting one for years. I hear Matco's 88's are sweet, but matco has no presence in Canada. Or at least my part of the world.

You did good in your deal for the 725.I should clarify that as good as the 725 is, sometimes the brute force of a 3/4 or larger is required. It can take the place of a lesser powered 1/2 gun to save digging out a more powerful and physically larger 3/4 gun. Basically it gives you a little more oomph than a normal 1/2 . Sometimes there really is no replacement for displacement.

 

[2458n]

Went to the Kennedy store in VanWert about 25 years ago. I wanted a really nice box but they had none at the store where they had factory seconds and discontinued items available. After being there for about a half hour some senior salesman said one had become available. The box could not have been newer or nicer. Lifetime customer since.

 

[Transit]

I gave up using air impact wrench, I now use a harbor freight electric wrench, 240 ft-lb. $35. and have taken off 2 inch nuts. Once removed I coat the bolt or nut with anti seize compound for the next time. You should be using a click type wrench to set the torque to the correct value.

 

[5030]

Gerstner makes a fine box ( as does kennedy) but you have to watch as Gerstner has an Import line now. Bugs me that these companies import from China and trade under their historic name. Its beyond ironic when you consider these companies cut their teeth and gained their reputation in the american manufacturing industry, yet by offshoring are doing their best to undermine that very thing.

I didn't know that either (Gerstner). I'm a member of the Owners Club and make the pilgrimage to Dayton every couple years. My boxes were made in Dayton. One is 40 years old, my dad bought it for me when I took my apprenticeship. It a Starrett Signature Box and according to Gerstner, there are only 3 know to exist today and mine has never had tools it it. It's pristine. My other box, my working box, is just as old but oak and looks used.

I've been offered 5 grand for the Starrett Box but it's not for sale.

 

[bullbreaker]

Needed a tire on Duetz 6806d rear.Tire repair truck man shows up.
I don't recall what type of compressor or impact set up he had but with his equipment and us trying cheater bars on lugs could not break-em loose.I tell him hang on one minute I go to my truck get a hand impact tool.Like this one :
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Wack all lugs with it put on air impact and they zipped off !
Don't know if many of you's own one but I have on occasion used one for years on stubborn stuff.Good tool to have w/impact stuff IMHO.

Boone

 

[pharmvet]

Considering these two 1/2" impact wrenches:

1) Ingersoll Rand 2135 (various models) says "assembled in USA"

2) Snap On MG725 says "made in USA"


USA may not be a big thing to some but is surely is for me. Anyone have any first hand knowledge of "both" of these. How to they pan out head to head?

thanks

 

[whistlepig]

Considering these two 1/2" impact wrenches:

1) Ingersoll Rand 2135 (various models) says "assembled in USA"

2) Snap On MG725 says "made in USA"


USA may not be a big thing to some but is surely is for me. Anyone have any first hand knowledge of "both" of these. How to they pan out head to head?

thanks

Snap On stuff is premium quality. I consider them one of the top names in tools. Snap On is very expensive. I believe in buying stuff that will last many years. A few extra dollars for quality has always served me well. You may want to price a Snap On before you decide. Its more than I am willing to spend.