Air Impact Wrench

BillyP · May 18, 2003

I bought a Chicago Pneumatic 734H last year. Don't know if as good as the IR 231 but it works for me. I think I gave 70 something bucks for it. It has a working torque of 25 to 310 ft lbs and max torque of 425 ft lbs at 90 psi. Average air consumptions is 4 cfm.

Bird · May 18, 2003

Billy, the CP734 is just about the same torque rating as the IR231, and is pretty close to the same popularity. They are an entirely different design but similar performance. I had a slight preference for the IR231 and my brother preferred the CP734 (he liked it because it was easier to reverse directions with one hand). The CP734 has more moving parts and the important thing is to not let it run out of oil in the front end. It's supposed to have 20W or 30W non-detergent motor oil in the front end, and there's an oil seal (just like wheel bearing grease seals only much smaller) in the nose. If that seal wears out and leaks a tiny bit at a time, you may not notice it, but you don't want to let it run out of oil. If you open that little hole labelled "oil" on the side and set the wrench down with the hole at the 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock position, it should be filled to that level; i.e. half full or about 4 ounces.

ScottAR · May 18, 2003

I have nearly exactly the same combo and I have no problems using the impact to it's full power. I've never had to stop waiting for the compressor. The 2131 is an awesome gun. I've also used the 231 and the Chicago and both are very good.

OkieG · May 19, 2003

Bird,

 If his compressor will move 6.4 SCFM at 90 psi and the impact wrench is rated to use 5 SCFM at 90 psi, no problem at all. 

I understand what you're saying. My comment, however, was directed at GaryK's statement:
 most impacts use a lot of air, generally over 90CFM 

I use my IR-261, 3/4" wrench to loosen the blade bolts on my BushHog Squealer brush hog. It works with my little compressor, but the air runs down fast. I get the feeling the wrench would have even more "power" if the air flow was higher, even at the same pressure (ie 90 psi).

In fact, I have no idea what the recommended or optimum air flow is for an IR-261 or if my little Sears compressor even comes close.

OkieG

MikePA · May 19, 2003

I have no idea what the recommended or optimum air flow is for an IR-261 
The average air consumption of an IR-261 is 9.5 cfm. I'd be surprised if your little Sears air compressor can supply that. So, you wont get the maximum 900 foot pounds of torque the IR261, an almost $400 tool, can deliver. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Bird · May 19, 2003

OK, OkieG, I agree. That IR261 would definitely benefit from a higher volume of air; works much better with larger hose, larger quick coupler, etc. And of course the air inlet size is larger for that reason. I've seen cases in which folks thought the IR2131 was more powerful than the IR261, and they were right /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif because they were using the same 1/4" quick couplers on 3/8" hoses for both. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 19, 2003

Thanks to everyone for the comments.

I ordered the IR 2131 from Harbor Freight. I will let you know how it performs when it arrives in a week or two.

John

jmattox1 · May 19, 2003

I am in same situation as you looking for a good impact wrench.

IR is a great tool. Something to think about is you might want to look at getting a long anvil nose. May make life alot simpler.

BillyP · May 19, 2003

Thanks for the heads up Bird. I'll keep my eye on the oil level.

Anonymous Poster · May 19, 2003

I wonder if my AllTrade is made by Chicago Pneumatic. It has a set skrew on the side that you fill with 20w non-detergent oil.

John

Anonymous Poster · May 19, 2003

jmattox1... I do not know what you mean by a "long anvil nose". What is it and why should I have one of those?

John

Bird · May 19, 2003

John, there are many, many CP and IR clones around and I doubt that CP and IR made those cheap ones. I used to have a Central Pneumatic 1/2" impact myself, and it worked just fine for many years as long as you didn't need more than about 210 ft./lbs. And it was a CP734 clone. However, when you open them up, they even have "similar" parts, but are certainly not interchangeable. And I quickly learned that in many cases, parts are simply not available for those cheap ones, and in other cases, they can be found, but would cost more than just buying a new tool. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But, yes, they have the same basic design and are to be lubricated the same. Some of those with oil in the impact assembly call for 20W oil and some call for 30W oil, but since it gets hot in Texas, I just put 30W in all of them. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Now of course CP and IR do make tools and put many other names on them, but they're usually not much cheaper than the ones with their own names. For instance, you can buy a Craftsman 19905 impact at the same price as the IR from Northern Tool, or you can buy a Matco MT1759, and they're the same as the IR2131 and parts are interchangeable. They'll do things like the reverse buttons being red in the IR and black on the Matco, or the gasket you can see between the handle and the impact housing may be white or may be blue, but they're the same tool otherwise.

OkieG · May 19, 2003

Mike,
Thanks for the cfm used by my IR-261. I read (past tense) Ninety and not Nine in GaryK's post. I don't know enough about flow requirements to know 9.0 from 90.

My brush-hog needs a 1-11/16" socket to loosen the blade bolts. It's comical to see my 1/2" impact wrench even try. That big socket has so much inertia that there's no power left to try and loosen the bolt. I think I could almost hold the socket still with my hand. My 1/2" impact wrench is a Sears model rated at 400 ft-lbs of "working torque"...what ever that is.

The IR-261 does loosen the bolts, even with my little compressor. I'm sure you are right...it is not functioning to 900 ft-lbs, but those bolts are the toughest impact wrench job I have right now. The next step will be a larger compressor...someday.

By the way, new IR-261s can be had for <$300 on eBay.

OkieG

OkieG · May 19, 2003

I doubt that CP and IR made those cheap ones. 

Bird,

I'm not sure IR even makes the IR ones! I've heard they're spec'ed out overseas and imported, but don't know for sure. My 261 doesn't have where it's made printed on it anywhere.

OkieG

OkieG · May 19, 2003

Bird,

My Sears 1/2" impact wrench is pictured. I was wondering if you might recognize the company of origin, so to speak. This one does say "Made in Japan" and it's probably 5 years old or so. Just curious. Thanks.

OkieG

Pacesetter300 · May 19, 2003

Bird, I answered the post and when I went back, you had posted too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I had a 2131 and my local Cash Converters got in an almost new IM5100. I tried it and it seemed more powerful than my 2131 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif so i sold the 2131. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I used the IR on my old Sanborn 60 gal. single stage and the Snap-On on my Quincy 80 gal. 2-stage, but like this thread goes, that shouldn't have made a difference. I always keep my regulator at 100 psi static so the pressure at the gun is 90 while flowing air and always use 3/4" pipe to the regulator, 3/8 air hoses with hi flow DeVilbiss fittings. The IM5100 takes off old Chrysler rear brake drums from the tapered axles with a puller, the 2131 wouldn't. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Maybe mine was hot rodded /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm amazed at the 3/8 2112. It has a lot more power than my Snap-On / Model??. That IR is my most used impact, actually most used air tool period - love it.
Pacesetter

Anonymous Poster · May 19, 2003

I called AllTrade today and they said that the torque rating on my air wrench is 215 ft. lbs.. I should noitce a big difference when I get my IR 2131. He said that they manufacture their own tools in Asia and they are sold under several labels.

John

Anonymous Poster · May 19, 2003

I was thinking about getting the IR- 2131 and they make it with extended anvil for just a little more,that extended anvil looks like it would come in handy,no extensions needed some times?Are there any draw backs to it? RICHARD GAUTHIER

Anonymous Poster · May 19, 2003

I got a standard kingkutter and was wondering what size socket I needed for the blades,you said 1 11/16" for yours.what kind you got?Also is it righty tighty?Also where did you get a air socket that size?Biggest one in the sears tool book is 1 1/16",northern cat. is 1 1/2",I would guess napa could order one. RICHARD GAUTHIER

OkieG · May 19, 2003

rgauthier,

My brush-hog is a BushHog Squealer 600...a 5' light duty model. The blade bolts are righty-tighty. The socket is from a local tool wholesaler (Steve's Wholesale Tools) in Oklahoma City. Most stuff is made in Asia, but the prices and selection, especially of "larger" type tools leaves Sears in the dust. Socket is pictured.

OkieG