1" Impact gun, how important are these to own?

[MrJimi]

I am wanting to get one of these and its like this, do I really need one or do I just want one?
Yes I would have use for it someday and Harbor Freight has one on sale now till the end of this month, the twenty-eighth.
Jim

 

[_RaT_]

I am wanting to get one of these and its like this, do I really need one or do I just want one?
Yes I would have use for it someday and Harbor Freight has one on sale now till the end of this month, the twenty-eighth.
Jim

Well, I have yet to find a nut or bolt that my 1/2" Ingersol impact won't either remove or snap off. Of course, be prepared to pay for a high quality impact. Sometimes the tools at Harbor freight are less then stellar performers.

 

[Bird]

do I really need one or do I just want one?

Well . . ., that depends. Before buying one, I'd first try to determine just how much torque I needed for the jobs I was going to use it for. Then I'd look closely at the specs for different brands and models. What kind of torque does it produce? Some 3/4" impacts produce as much, or even more, torque than some 1" impacts. Personally, I would not want to use a 1" impact unless it was really necessary simply because they're so heavy to handle. And of course you'll need bigger air hoses and couplers or you won't get the full power of the tool anyway.

Another thing you might consider is who is going to repair it if it ever breaks. When I was in that business, I would not work on the 1" impacts; simply turned down those jobs and referred them elsewhere. Why? They're no different to work on than the smaller ones, except that I would have needed a bigger vise, bigger press, bigger cylinder hone, etc. There simply would not have been enough business to justify the cost of buying bigger tools. Naturally, the places that did work on the 1" impacts charged considerably more than what we charged for the 3/4" and smaller models.

But of course if you have a need for the power of a 1" impact, and you have the sockets, air hoses, couplers, etc. . . ., go for it.

 

[scott_vt]

Well . . ., that depends. Before buying one, I'd first try to determine just how much torque I needed for the jobs I was going to use it for. Then I'd look closely at the specs for different brands and models. What kind of torque does it produce? Some 3/4" impacts produce as much, or even more, torque than some 1" impacts. Personally, I would not want to use a 1" impact unless it was really necessary simply because they're so heavy to handle. And of course you'll need bigger air hoses and couplers or you won't get the full power of the tool anyway.

Mornin Bird,
In addition to all you have clearly stated, you might want to cross check the specs on your compressor to verify that it will adequately operate whatever gun your planning on getting IMO.

 

[MrJimi]

I have lots of air tools, I have done paint and body work all my life. I read a post here that a man had a 1/2 impact and it would not even budge the bolt on his RC. I will be getting one ( RC )and I am expecting I will need to change or balance the blades or something and they are at a good price now for this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92622
It on sale for $99.
And I have a 15% off coupon
That will sweeten the price. And the 1/2 inch hose is not a problem at all.
Jim

 

[scott_vt]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92622
It on sale for $99.
And I have a 15% off coupon
That will sweeten the price. And the 1/2 inch hose is not a problem at all.
Jim

Sounds like a done deal Jimi

 

[RobJ]

Probably another one of those can do without but if you have the means and wants then why not. At my place the thing that needs the most torque is the 1 11/16" nuts on the BH. I thin the specs are 180ftlbs. For the 2 times a year a cheater pipe will work. Everything else my 1/2" can get to.

But go for it!!

 

[_RaT_]

Probably another one of those can do without but if you have the means and wants then why not. At my place the thing that needs the most torque is the 1 11/16" nuts on the BH. I thin the specs are 180ftlbs. For the 2 times a year a cheater pipe will work. Everything else my 1/2" can get to.

But go for it!!

My old 1/2" IR has 600 ft lbs in reverse, 450 ft lbs in forward. Light, compact and a real joy to use on most everything. It was a whole bunch more then $99 however.

 

[Bird]

It certainly sounds like a great deal with 1400 ft. lbs. of torque, but that "tool weight, 31.7 pounds" would make me hope I never need one. By the time you add the weight of the socket and the hose, those are definitely two hand tools. But of course if you need that power, sounds good.

 

[MrJimi]

It certainly sounds like a great deal with 1400 ft. lbs. of torque, but that "tool weight, 31.7 pounds" would make me hope I never need one. By the time you add the weight of the socket and the hose, those are definitely two hand tools. But of course if you need that power, sounds good.

Bird, its like this, trust me, I wont be holding this very long. I hope its a good one, their regular price is $199 heck I like this already. And as far as air, I will have a 3/8 line going to a 11 gallon storage tank and a 1/2 coming out to feed the impact it should work great. And its not something I will be using all the time, mostly for big nuts LOL
Jim