What´s a good impact wrench?

[Rubberduck]

Hi

I´m fed up with my $30.- impact wrench. This thing´s just not stong enough.
What impact wrench are you guys using when it comes hard?

I did a little research and found these two here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46085

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2623

Both have a Torque range of 40-400 ft. lbs.

Please help.


Mario

[MOPARHOUND!]

Ingersoll-Rand is king.

There are a few models Craftsman sells reasonably priced, made for them by Ingersoll-Rand.

Snap-On, Mac, and others are followers.

Used to be a regular at the flea markets for a few years, buying tools, etc.

The foreign made stuff was about worthless to the used tool dealers.

[Chatt69chgr]

I agree that the Ingersoll Rand is the best.  Note that the Harbor Freight piece is a direct copy of the Ingersoll Rand and, as such, may be a good wrench particularly for the money.  These wrenches use a twin hammer design but they do take a lot of air to operate properly.  I have one of the Ingersoll Rand wrenches and it wouldn't break lug nuts loose with the little Sears 2HP, 20 gallon tank air setup I had.  It does it easily with the two stage 80 gallon Ingersoll Rand air system I have now.  I highly recommend that you do what it takes to get the water out of the compressed air since water will ruin an air tool faster than you can imagine.  Don't forget that Harbor Freight has continuous sales.   I just got one of their sale papers with a 15% off coupon in it.  Better yet is to make friends with the local Harbor Freight manager.  Who knows, he might be a MOPAR fan.

[MOPARHOUND!]

A link to a 375 ft lb maximum torque, 1/2" Ingersoll-Rand model at Sears, $109.99 :

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Mechanics+Tools&pid=00919690000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Automotive+Air+Tools&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

On that same page is a link to a composite handle Craftsman model for $20.00 more, putting out 580 ft lbs of maximum torque.

[DC_1]

I bought this one at Harbour Freight for $79......... its 625ft.lb and I haven't had a bolt it couldn't loosen yet.

If you are using it every day I would probably spend the money on a Snap On or Ingersoll....but for the weekend mechanic who is only going to use it once a week I think this is an excellent deal. It is a little on the heavy side but I am not putting on wheels every day either.

[twilt]

I use the IR made Craftsman composite on a daily basis. Its a great gun for the money. I have been using and abusing it daily for about 6 years now working in a shop with a very poor air drying system.  Prior to that, I had been using cheapos and used guns and killing them at a rate of 1 every 6 months.

[Skyview69]

IR231 -Does more than the average mechanic needs

[mikepmcs]

One more for IR here at this camp, i've had mine since 1992 and it is still the bomb.  I bought it from a buddy for $25 and it was well used when i got it.

v/r
Mike

[whitehatspecial]

I've had a CP (Chicago Pneumatic) for years and its a great tool.

[911bear]

IR-231 IS KING!!  BULLIT---PROOF!

[Ghoste]

I have IR and Craftsman at home.  At work they supply a Japanese one whose name escapes me now (it starts with an "M") and IR.  If you get your hands on the IR, you don't leave it laying around or one of the Japanese ones will mysteriously appear in it's place.

[jaak]

Im with everyone else Ingersoll Rand, its the best

Jason

[Rubberduck]

Thank you all very much for the information.

So I´ll go with a Ingersoll-Rand.



Mario

[bill440rt]

Im with everyone else Ingersoll Rand, its the best

Jason

Yup, I-R here as well. Reversable, 5 torque settings. Great gun.

[70 Charger RT]

I just bought a CP and it has 625 ft  lb.  I've had CP in the past and I haven't had any trouble with it.

[GTX]

CP and Craftsman for me here. I've had my CP for about 20 years and the Craftsman came with my compressor, never used it yet.
The thing to look at I think is the bpm or blows per minute and the torque output. I seriously doubt that most deliver what they claim to.

What I'd like to get is a 3/4" or 1" 110v impact that can handle some real torque ( an honest 500+ foot pounds) without paying a ton but I guess that's a bit beyond what most of us normally use them for. Needs to be 110v so I don't need an air source.