I want a good air ratchet, Which one though??

tomnky · Dec 18, 2003

Bird ,
I appreciate You being candid.
The reason I asked is I do have quite a bit of hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise and being struck by lightning in the left ear!

I asked about this particular one as I would like to save as much hearing as I have, plus the fact I would like to have as much torque as I can get out of a 1/2 drive tool.
And yes even Sears handles this impact wrench...........at least they have it on their site for $200.00

Best Regards,
Tom

Bird · Dec 18, 2003

( I do have quite a bit of hearing loss )

How well I understand; I've been wearing hear aids in both ears now for almost 11 years. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif And yes, Sears sells the IR impacts now. Ingersoll also makes the same tools with other brands on them. For instance, Matco has for some time had the MT1759 (and now has an MT1759Q); same as the IR2131 and IR2131QT. The little rubber gasket between the main housing (handle) and the front end housing is a different color and the reverse buttons are a different color, but they're interchangeable.

tomnky · Dec 19, 2003

Bird,
You are a wealth of knowledge on this type stuff.......

Funny that the Matco version on their site is $119.95 higher than the Sears price though /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Amazing what one can learn just by asking questions /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Dec 19, 2003

( Funny that the Matco version on their site is $119.95 higher than the Sears price )

Actually not surprising at all. Remember the Matco/MAC/Snap-On/Cornwell (and now even a few Craftsman) trucks are expensive rolling showrooms that call on garages each week to sell to professional mechanics. Their prices are always high, but:

1. They usually accept trade-ins.
2. The mechanic doesn't have to go shopping; everything comes to him.
3. The mechanic has a tax deduction for his tools.
4. IF the tool is defective or breaks during warranty, the truck will either bring him a new one next week, or send the broken one in for repair instead of him having to take it to a store or ship it in for repair.
5. The truck may even have "loaners" for some tools if they have to be sent in for repair (my brother usually had used and/or rebuilt ratchets and impacts on the truck for that purpose).
6. The mechanic does not have to pay outright when he gets the tool; will probably pay 10% to 20% of the price per week on his "truck account" with no interest.
7. The distributor running that truck is an independent businessman (a franchise of sorts) who can negotiate the price any way he wants.

So buying from one of the tool trucks is usually not a good deal for individuals, but is for a professional mechanic. And naturally Matco posts their "retail" price on their website, which may or may not be the price that the distributor actually charges.

tomnky · Dec 19, 2003

I agree that You pay more for convenience and At the door delivery.

I also agree that for an individual like me it is far cheaper to buy at other locations than a Tool Truck Dealer.
On the other hand I to have bought from Snap-On and Mac..because they do offer things You simply cannot find anywhere else ,With that said there is no wonder they are higher on prices .

I will say that when I had no other option I was more than glad to pay whatever I had to in order to get what i wanted.

As they say:Time is Money /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tomnky · Dec 28, 2003

Bird,
I got a first hand look at the 2131qt today at Sears .
I must say it is the best feeling impact I have ever held in my Hand and I will be getting one as soon as I hide enough cabbage /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

AFine looking tool if I ever saw one ,it fits my had like a glove . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Dec 29, 2003

Tom, the first time I saw one of those with that lightweight composite body and aluminum cylinder instead of steel, I just couldn't believe they would hold together, but the only busted housing and cylinder I ever replaced was because a mechanic let a car lift down on it and partially crushed it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Don't forget to get a little needle nosed grease gun with it. The grease fitting on those is on the side of the impact housing or front housing instead of on the back end like the 231.

tomnky · Dec 29, 2003

Thanks for the tip Bird,
I am going to have to find a kit online somewhere as the Sears Guy looked at me dumbfounded when I asked him if they also had the maintenance Kit for the Ingersol-Rand's, Who Knows, I may be able to find it cheaper online somewhere /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Dec 29, 2003

Tom, the only "maintenance" things are the little grease gun (Ingeroll would like you to use their special grease and that may be best, but other general purpose greases seem to work just as well) and a bottle of air tool oil to apply through the air intake. Ingersoll has more than one kind of grease and I used the one for the IR231 in everything, although the original grease in the 2131 is a different color. If or when it should ever break (which isn't too likely), there are a lot of parts that can be bought individually, but they also make "tune-up kits" and "throttle valve kits". Of course the only time you should need those is if you run it dry too long or let it get dirt in through the air intake.