1/2" Impact Wrench???
- Thread starter My442
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Air or electric?
If you've got a compressor - you can get an nice ingersoll-rand 1/2" impact and 3/8" ratchet for about $150 at Lowe's.
Both good quality, will last as long as you need them...
and if you don't have a compressor, now's the time...you can use it for so many things...
Both good quality, will last as long as you need them...
and if you don't have a compressor, now's the time...you can use it for so many things...
ingersoll-rand is the ONLY AIR TOOL as far as im concerned.
they make all the air tolls for mac and matco so you know your getting a quality product but what i like most of all is the power.
titanium is the best with 700 ft pounds of torque but it runs around 300.
i have had a 235 for 2 years and im very pleased. it only cost 100 bucks from tractor supply.
my 3/8 titanium has almost as much power as a 1/2 in and fits in very tight places, so im very pleased with it as well.
as far as an air ratchet i like a 1/4 in with a 3/8 head. they are much smaller and lighter. plus when your using an air ratchet you dont need alot of torque, its just a time saver.
those walmart cp airtools are junk dont waist the money! not to be confused with chicago pneumatic which are professional grade tools
they make all the air tolls for mac and matco so you know your getting a quality product but what i like most of all is the power.
titanium is the best with 700 ft pounds of torque but it runs around 300.
i have had a 235 for 2 years and im very pleased. it only cost 100 bucks from tractor supply.
my 3/8 titanium has almost as much power as a 1/2 in and fits in very tight places, so im very pleased with it as well.
as far as an air ratchet i like a 1/4 in with a 3/8 head. they are much smaller and lighter. plus when your using an air ratchet you dont need alot of torque, its just a time saver.
those walmart cp airtools are junk dont waist the money! not to be confused with chicago pneumatic which are professional grade tools
How much CFM is your compressor?
I have a 25 dollar Kobalt from Lowes. It gets used maybe five times a year, and I'd buy it again. I don't doubt you can get something better for six times that, but if you're looking for something cheaper it works well and if it doesn't you can return it forever or you're not out too much cash.
The IR 231 is the industry standard. It's rated @ 425ft lbs but IMO will do more. I use mine to remove the lugnuts from my Peterbilt! It takes about 10 seconds of pounding but it does take them off.
I can loosen 5 of them this way before my 20 gallon compressor has to start up.
I can loosen 5 of them this way before my 20 gallon compressor has to start up.
JHZR2
Staff member
I have an IR electric. Really is a great tool with common batteries and charger for other stuff...
Originally Posted By: Chris142
The IR 231 is the industry standard. It's rated @ 425ft lbs but IMO will do more. I use mine to remove the lugnuts from my Peterbilt! It takes about 10 seconds of pounding but it does take them off.
I can loosen 5 of them this way before my 20 gallon compressor has to start up.
I used mine to do the same thing at work.
The IR 231 is the industry standard. It's rated @ 425ft lbs but IMO will do more. I use mine to remove the lugnuts from my Peterbilt! It takes about 10 seconds of pounding but it does take them off.
I can loosen 5 of them this way before my 20 gallon compressor has to start up.
I used mine to do the same thing at work.
The compressor that I got was from Sears: oil-less, 6 Hp and a 35 gallon tank...about $300, I think...that's plenty to run an impact, they don't use much air...die grinders and other turbine type air tools use a ton of air...
Oil-less won't last as long but they're cheaper and you don't have to filter to use it for spraying or other things that need clean air.
I wouldn't go electric on the gun itself if you want to do suspension and other heacy duty bolts. Electric is OK for lugs...but I don't think they've got enough torque for big suspension bolts that have rusted in place...
cheers,
Oil-less won't last as long but they're cheaper and you don't have to filter to use it for spraying or other things that need clean air.
I wouldn't go electric on the gun itself if you want to do suspension and other heacy duty bolts. Electric is OK for lugs...but I don't think they've got enough torque for big suspension bolts that have rusted in place...
cheers,
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Originally Posted By: Astro14
Oil-less won't last as long but they're cheaper and you don't have to filter to use it for spraying or other things that need clean air.
You will still need to filter out water if you are spraying. Oil from the compressor is rarely a problem spraying paint. Most oil contamination usually comes from an inline oiler which is why most people run two separate sets of airlines (wet and dry) if they use inline oilers and spray equipment.
Oil-less won't last as long but they're cheaper and you don't have to filter to use it for spraying or other things that need clean air.
You will still need to filter out water if you are spraying. Oil from the compressor is rarely a problem spraying paint. Most oil contamination usually comes from an inline oiler which is why most people run two separate sets of airlines (wet and dry) if they use inline oilers and spray equipment.
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I have some of the better HF impact wrenches. They have a 1-5 dial for torque power. It seems to me its cheaper to go to a HF 3/4" than to get a expensive IR 1/2". But if a fairy dropped the best IR in my tool cabinet I would use it.
On a budget http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-twin-hammer-air-impact-wrench-94803.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html
Plus use 20% off coupon out of inside (towards the back) any Popular Mechanics magazine
More Quality go with IR or Campfield Hausfeld
http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/chPrd3_10051_10001_97799_-1_10676_10715_
Note 230 lbs will struggle loosening 100lb torqued lug nuts, many torque ratings are a max torque and not a true effective torque, do not buy ones in this range thinking they will handily zip off lug nuts.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html
Plus use 20% off coupon out of inside (towards the back) any Popular Mechanics magazine
More Quality go with IR or Campfield Hausfeld
http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/chPrd3_10051_10001_97799_-1_10676_10715_
Note 230 lbs will struggle loosening 100lb torqued lug nuts, many torque ratings are a max torque and not a true effective torque, do not buy ones in this range thinking they will handily zip off lug nuts.
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Amazon sells IR impact wrenches. They have a IR Titanium 1/2" wrench for $280. I think it has a max torque of 1200 ft/lbs and the wrench weighs only 3.5 lbs. Thats a monster for a 1/2". They say it will remove a bolt tightened to 1000 ft/lbs in 6 seconds. I doubt any HF wrench could do that. Although I do not think I have anything with bolts tightened to 1000 ft/lbs. Although the blade on my brush hog was somewhat close I think. The only thing I read slightly negative is that under load it consumes 25 CFM. I guess thats why I have a 2 stage compressor with a 60 gallon tank.
JHZR2
Staff member
The IR electric tools are excellent too. Once you get the battery/charger, you can also use flashlights (good LED ones that are bright and last forever), ratchets, etc. off the same system. Very nice.
I got one of these on ebay last year,they are on all the time for around $100.Very quiet with decent power.
Northern list it as Made in USA but mine was made in England,the quality is excellent.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200342894_200342894
Northern list it as Made in USA but mine was made in England,the quality is excellent.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200342894_200342894
I know a impact will take off bolts from pulleys that would otherwise spin and other stuff that would be a pain to do without air.
But what I've been wondering is, is an impact safer to the hardware? Let's say you have a rusted bolt that will likely shear when you lay into it. Will an impact not do this? Its tough explaining, but is there an advantage to air tools besides the obvious lack of busted knuckles and grunting?
But what I've been wondering is, is an impact safer to the hardware? Let's say you have a rusted bolt that will likely shear when you lay into it. Will an impact not do this? Its tough explaining, but is there an advantage to air tools besides the obvious lack of busted knuckles and grunting?
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