lets talk impact wrenchs

[George2615]

My opinion is you don't have a large enough compressor (CFM) and with only a 25 gallon tank you are running out of air to operate the gun efficiently. A friend of mine has a similar compressor and tank and when he pulled the trigger of his air gun to loosen a lug nut the air gauge drops dramatically. I took my impact gun to his garage and it did the same thing. He replaced his compressor with a new larger one (more CFM and bigger tank) from Northern tool and hasn't had a problem since.

 

[RobJ]

I bought a Blue Point 1/2" impact in 1979 from my snap-on dealer because I couldn't afford the snap-on model (that one was sweet to use and nice looking). In the last several years I bought 2 cheaper ones from HF and Northern tool. 29 years old and only some squirts of oil every now and then and it'll out twist the others on the same air hose.

Buy the better one unless you are prone to losing tools.

 

[Bird]

Hey all you impact experts: Years ago I invested in a good impact wrench and it's still going strong. I remember looking at the IR but ended up with a Chicago Pneumatic. The guy sold both and said they were pretty much equivalent. I have no complaints, just curious about CP (and NOT Central Pneumatic, HF brand).

Yep, Rob, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. I don't know which CP you have, but the CP734 is rated at the same power level as the IR231, but the design is entirely different. Those are the two brands' most popular models for years. I prefer the IR and my brother prefers the CP. He likes the CP best because it's easier to reverse directions with one hand. I like the IR because it has a lot fewer moving parts. And most of the MAC, Matco, and Cornwell air tools are made by either Chicago Pneumatic or Ingersoll-Rand. Both very good products.

 

[Bird]

I bought a Blue Point 1/2" impact in 1979 from my snap-on dealer because I couldn't afford the snap-on model (that one was sweet to use and nice looking). In the last several years I bought 2 cheaper ones from HF and Northern tool. 29 years old and only some squirts of oil every now and then and it'll out twist the others on the same air hose.

Buy the better one unless you are prone to losing tools.

I never really understood why Snap-On has them with both the Snap-On name and the Blue Point name. In many cases, the parts are interchangeable, so I'd buy the one that was cheapest. I'd just as soon have one as the other.

 

[Zick]

I just got this one to replace my 10 year old pos cheap impact. Works good, light and very quiet!

Ingersoll-Rand 1/2 in. Impact Wrench, Quiet Tool - Model 2131QT at Sears.com

 

[Bird]

I've repaired a number of 2131 impacts, but they didn't have the "QT" or quiet model back then. It sure makes me wonder what's different. The IR212 (3/8" impacts) came only as one model, but for reasons unknown to me, some had a filter/silencer and some did not. It was nothing more than a coarse filter material rolled up and inserted in the exhaust. If a customer complained that it didn't have enough power and I couldn't find anything wrong with it, I'd leave the filter out and let him try it that way. Invariably, they were happy. It made a lot more noise and sounded more powerful and I guess a straight out exhaust gave it a little more power anyway just as it would a car without a muffler.

I just looked at a parts breakdown and, while I can't say for absolutely sure, it does appear that a couple of little pieces of foam filter material inserted in the exhaust is the only difference in the 2131 and the 2131QT. But of course those things are powerful enough that you'd probably never miss what little power you loose with a tiny bit of exhaust restriction.

 

[kossetx]

Zick, That is the same tool I was asking about from HFT. Your is IR, there's is something else and it is also sold by ADT and some other companies. The HFT one says it develops 700+ lbs but I'd bet it is more like IR states it's tork is. I guess it's made in you know where to be marketed by many companies. I really don't think this CH impact develops the 350 lbs it says it does.

Oh, 3/8" 25' hose on my compressor.

 

[ScottAR]

My IR 2131 has been the best wrench I've ever used. My friend has the quiet version and it really is very quiet compared to my "loud" one. We've noticed no difference in performance. The new 2135Ti's we have at work are very light to handle; Nice gun. Sometime soon, I'll get the 2141 big daddy.

As to the chicago pneumatic, another friend has a CP gun. He's had no problems and speaks highly of it. They don't market themselves as aggresively so perhaps that's why they are not as popular.

 

[wushaw]

My 1/2" Mac/IR is 23 years old and still going strong right along with my 3/8 Snap-on that has just recently been updated to the composite version.

 

[Harry c]

I have a 3/8 CP and a good 1/2 IR. Both work fine. I recently bought a 1/2 inch drive Dewalt 18 volt battery powered. I haven't used it yet but my son says it works great. No wait for the air to build up and just grab it and go wherever you need it. My wife keeps hijacking my 18v reciprocating saw to trim her bushes too! I got tools, I just can't always catch up with 'em!