lets talk impact wrenchs

[Bird]

Rob, I'd just as soon have a Blue Point as a Snap-On anytime. But I'd throw away those "mud retainers". At least that's what we always called those covers.

 

[RobJ]

Rob, I'd just as soon have a Blue Point as a Snap-On anytime. But I'd throw away those "mud retainers". At least that's what we always called those covers.

Funny Bird. The old BP ratchet had a red cover on the end, long gone. After I took the picture I thought about taking off the red BP impact cover. Just couldn't do (tears and all ). So to make up for "thinking" about cutting it off (that soft plastic has turned rock hard), I took the black nose cone and black band from my HF cheap impact and fitted it on the BP impact. The snap on leather case is neat but hardly needed, one of the things I liked about that model was the large rubber bumpers to protect the tool. I'm one that will use the crap out of my tools, but I like to keep them in decent shape to!! Funny I received the snap on yesterday, took it outside and zipped it a couple times to make sure it worked, removed a lugnut on the truck. Unless I'm just missing it or haven't looked hard enough, I don't see a torque control?? The BP has the round 1-4 knob on the bottom of the handle. Know anything about these? I though it was at the trigger but I think it was just the piece that holds the trigger button in...it was a little loose.



Rob

 

[Bird]

thought about taking off the red BP impact cover. Just couldn't do (tears and all

Yep, occasionally I could heat them and get them off without tearing, but anytime we took one in for repair that had one of those on it, we just told the customer up front that it would be destroyed. Of course my brother sold new ones on the tool truck, but very few mechanics bought them. I can't tell from the picture what model that Snap-On is so I don't know about the torque control on that one (I might not even know if I did know the model number). I guess you know that all the torque control does on any of them is change the size of the inlet air passage in one way or another; i.e., it simply adjusts what volume of air is allowed through. Most mechanics never mess with it. They just leave it set for the maximum. If they don't want to tighten something to the maximum, they simply hold the trigger for less time.

 

[RobJ]

It's model IM5AB, I actually used the adjustment a lot on mine. I used it for assembly, running in bolts at slow speed. Air ratchets are to slow and make to much noise. I never got a small 3/8 impact. The BP set on 1 was perfect.

I'll look closer at the snap on tomorrow, Iwelded up another swing this afternoon.

Rob

 

[Bird]

Rob, I've been out of the air tool repair business now for about 6.5 years and I don't know about that model. I've sometimes wondered why companies make so many different models that are so close to being the same. Anyway, I've repaired half inch Snap-On impacts, models IM51, IM51A, IM510, IM510B, and IM5100, but don't recall hearing of an IM5AB.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm currently looking at IR2135QTiMAX for $250. Specs show 780 ft lbs and only weighs 4.05 lbs. The Q stands for "quiet". If anyone has one, I would like their opinion. Thanks. Sorry, I'm a little of topic for "cheap" impacts.

The rating game if far out of control. I have a CP746 and an IR2135TI-Max [I would love for it to be quieter]. The ratings are grossly different at 450 vs 625ft-lb. I have used them side by side. The real difference is slight, but at least it is in favor of the higher claimed rating. Before I bought the IR I talked to a guy at IR about the rating. He said he wished IR had never gotten into this rating game competition, as the numbers were not realistic. They are inflated to compare fairly to the inflated claims of the competition. Tricks are used to come up with these numbers. Im guessing the 6-700 ft-lb figures are at some undisclosed psi that reaches the failure point of the wrench. When have you ever put an honest 6' cheater on a 1/2" breaker and then exerted 100 lbs at the end.?
larry

 

[CATMAN]

SPYDERLK; I already purchased it(IR2135QTiMAX). It is quiet and lightweight. I haven't yet put it to the "test" on cylinder head bolts, engine main cap bolts, and rusty, stubborn rear engine mount bolts on semi-tractors. That will be the area where it either has it or it doesn't.

There are just some locations where I can't get my 3/4" impact into, that a strong 1/2" impact is a worth the money.​

Thanks for the reply. Mike

 

[Bird]

Larry, I don't doubt that the manufacturers play that game and think it's necessary to compete. And of course there are different ways of measuring, even with the same air pressure. You can simply hold the trigger wide open until the nut, bolt, or measuring device will not turn any further. Another way is to give the tool the air pressure for a specific amount of time. On assembly lines, they can invest the kind of money necessary for good measuring equipment and test their tools about once a week. Then there are valves made so the operator doesn't have to guess or time how long he holds the trigger. Instead, he pulls the trigger and gets a blast of air that automatically cuts off in a specified time (usually 5 seconds, I think). Of course, they'll have an automatic oiler to keep the tools lubricated. And under those conditions, they may actually use the adjustment knob on the tool to get the proper torque when they do their weekly test.

 

[gsdavis1]

OK I have been watching this thread. I have a Matco MT-1744 and it has no power whatsoever. I was thinking of upgrading to this:

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

It is within the specs for my compressor. But I don't know about the 1400 ft lbs???

I am looking at the 3/4 inch one because of more power and I can always use an adapter to use all my 1/2 in sockets. Does that make sense?

 

[wushaw]

You run the possibility of twisting 1/2 stuff off when you get big torque on em.

I have busted many 1/2 & 3/8 sockets and adapters just with my 1/2 impact.
Although most were Cornwell impact, Impact on chrome is just asking for split or rounded sockets.