lets talk impact wrenchs

[CATMAN]

gsdavis1: I had a Mac 3/4" gun that "physically looked" the same as the Harbor freight unit that you are looking at. It didn't perform well unless it had 1/2" hose with big quick couplers hooked to it. There are disadvantages to a large impact(weight and size=won't fit in tight locations). My current 3/4" gun is a BluePoint (can't remember the model), BUT it does really good on a standard 3/8" air line at 135 PSI, which makes handy as I don't have to drag out the cumbersome 1/2" hose at work. Even mechanics have to break many bolts loose by breaker bar(40") and muscle that a 3/4" impact won't turn or won't fit into that location.

 

[Bird]

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?

First thing to remember is that the 3/4" impact isn't going to have that power unless you get bigger hoses and quick couplers to allow the higher volume of air through it.

I only had a couple of the MT1744s in for repair and in both cases, no oil in the front end, and corrosion in the cylinders. In other words, the owners simply failed to put the air tool oil in the air inlet and motor oil in the oil plug on the side of the housing.

 

[RobJ]

First thing to remember is that the 3/4" impact isn't going to have that power unless you get bigger hoses and quick couplers to allow the higher volume of air through it.

I also worked for Senco for a while (air nailers), many times I went on a service call saying the gun wasn't driving nails all the way. Get out there and there is 200' of 1/4" hose. It was hard to convince some people that the hose is running out of air, not the air compressor. And how a finish nailer might work but not a 3.5" framing nailer would not work.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Hi guys. Pretty new to TBN but not to impact guns. I mostly read the threads(not having a lot of experience with my Kubota yet), but couldn't resist here. I've been an automotive technician professionally for 12 years and have lots of experience with these things. Not only using my own but other mechanics'. So I've used almost every kind made. My favorite is the Matco MT1769Q. It has loads of power, is very light weight and very quiet. In fact, it's so quiet when I first got it I checked lug nuts after tightening them cause it sounds like it's hardly working(and yes I use torque sticks). I wish everyone I worked with had one 'cause everyone elses is so noisy. Athough It's quiet it has broken its share of bolts......and sockets.

 

[Bird]

Matt, I guess you know that most of the Matco impacts are made for them by Ingersoll-Rand with all the parts interchangeable. I believe the MT1769Q is the same tool as the Ingersoll-Rand 2135QTi. And yes, a fine tool indeed.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I thaught it was made by IR 'cause it's very similar to my 2131 that I loaned to a friend and, well....returned in a manner that was rather unpleasant

 

[gsdavis1]

I hear you about the need for bigger hoses and such, but according to the specs on Harborfreights website, it doesn't look like it really needs all that.

Greg

 

[gsdavis1]

Bird, do you know any torque specs on my Matco MT-1744? Just wondering if it is worth a rebuild. I bought it on ebay about a year ago.

Greg

 

[Bird]

Greg, I've run 3/4" impacts with a quarter inch hose to see if they were working. You can certainly do it, you just won't have anything close to the power it's rated for.

As for the MT1744, I can't remember for sure (so don't hold me to it), but I think that's a CP734 which is rated for about 425 ft./lbs.

 

[gsdavis1]

Thanks Bird, I agree that it probably is a CP734

So I guess the question is, will a 3/4 inch gun (run on a 3/8 line) have more power than a 1/2 inch gun run on a 3/8 line?

Greg