Finding a good impact

[ram_man]

Hey everyone a few months ago I traded a pretty new nitro cat for a snap on mg725 off the truck. My reasons were the nitrocat wasn't comfortable and it would easier to get a snap on tool
Fixed than the nitro cat. Fast forward to now I have a new job and currently the shop I am at doesn't have a so tool guy. I had to send my snap on back once already for leaking oil all over whil sitting in my box overnight. Got it fixed and life was good . Well Friday it started not working when I pull the trigger and just leaking air. It does work but you have to mess with it sometimes to get it to work. Of course we don't have a so tool guy now so I'm kinda stuck I am considering buying a new impact and when I eventfully get my snap on fixed I'll just sell it . Your thoughts? Who actually makes a good reliable impact.

 

[Doublehaul]

What tool guys do come to the shop? Service is a big part of the equation. IMHO the MG is the best gun going but the Mac guns are also very nice...they are rebadged Cats fwiw. I was always served well by IR guns as well but I'd do my best to arrange a weekly meeting with Snap-on if you can.

 

[spasm3]

I think several of us in a previous thread suggested the aircat 1150.
I have one its great.

 

[Doublehaul]

I like the cats too...I used one in 1/2 and 3/8 daily for years and couldn't kill them. They are quiet which is nice and have plants of power.

 

[clinebarger]

I use an 8 year old Ingersoll-Rand 231 at work, I don't do a lot of "Heavy Line" wrenching anymore...But would still be a good gun if you don't mind the noise...It's loud! Also look at the IR titanium line.

I have a AirCat at home that I like.

Don't buy Snap-On air tools, They do not make them.
Snap-On makes good hand tools & Their upper line tool boxes are well made.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
I use an 8 year old Ingersoll-Rand 231 at work, I don't do a lot of "Heavy Line" wrenching anymore...But would still be a good gun if you don't mind the noise...It's loud! Also look at the IR titanium line.

I have a AirCat at home that I like.

Don't buy Snap-On air tools, They do not make them.
Snap-On makes good hand tools & Their upper line tool boxes are well made.


Who makes them? I haven't been impressed with snap on really their diagnostic tools and tool boxes are good. But the ratchets are [censored] I hate my 1/4 locking flex head and my 3/8 flex head the head falls off lol not impressed and there tools guys are pushy high pressure sales types .

 

[JHZR2]

Why didn't you just buy the correct AirCat that Trav, who has decades more experience in the auto repair industry than you, recommended?

As I recall you bought a different model than the recommendation.

At $165 or something from Amazon, why not try the correct AirCat and see how it works?

 

[Donald]

I would have two impact wrenches if I was in the business. Two of anything that could wear and break.

I am a computer consultant and guess what, I have two laptops, either can be used for me to get online with my employer's computers in NYC. I do not want there to be a situation (that is preventable) where I cannot get online to do the job I am paid to do. I have a UPS to give me 80 minutes of power if we loose power.

In the wrenching business I would think you would have two of tools that might break and need to be repaired. Like an impact wrench.

 

[ram_man]

I do not care for the air cat they do not last. They're pretty much throw aways. They work great until they don't. I've seen a few guys have them and once they quit they aren't worth rebuilding . The tool guys sell them and they always say they aren't worth rebuilding ect ect.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
I do not care for the air cat they do not last. They're pretty much throw aways. They work great until they don't. I've seen a few guys have them and once they quit they aren't worth rebuilding . The tool guys sell them and they always say they aren't worth rebuilding ect ect.


Yet you've spent how much on other fancy brand tools that fail and leak and whatever else?

In just 24 hours I see air leaking from a screw on an IR and now a snap on that has broken. If the king of tools, snap on, can't fulfill your needs, Im not sure what can.

 

[ram_man]

The it ir was used and I knew it leaked when I bought it I paid hardly nothing for it so your point is mute. The snap on shouldn't fail it's ridiculous that it is. They're supposed to be great and American one of the main factors behind buying it. I personally do not care for how the air car feels and if you don't like how a gun fits your hand it's miserable to use everyday. I do have a back up gun it's an old ir231 and if they weren't so uncomfortable is use them exclusively because they are bullet proof!

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I would have two impact wrenches if I was in the business. Two of anything that could wear and break.

I am a computer consultant and guess what, I have two laptops, either can be used for me to get online with my employer's computers in NYC. I do not want there to be a situation (that is preventable) where I cannot get online to do the job I am paid to do. I have a UPS to give me 80 minutes of power if we loose power.

In the wrenching business I would think you would have two of tools that might break and need to be repaired. Like an impact wrench.


Just wanted to kinda touch on this. Though it's a good point and I agree have 2 of things is nice. Reality is being a mechanic is an expensive career. It's very hard to start out and have two of everything . Tools are so expensive and you need so much. Stuff the average person would never think about. I try to have a spare or atleast have a 3/8 impact to because it can do a good portion of what the 1/2 doses.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I would have two impact wrenches if I was in the business. Two of anything that could wear and break.


+1 A tool like an impact gun is subjected to a lot of stress just doing the job its intended to do and will need repair at some point. For a working mechanic having a repair kit on hand for your primary gun is more than a good idea
I keep my old IR 231 as a backup, its a good gun, a bit heavy and loud but totally usable.

For a working mechanic the loss of the common air tools is going to cost $$$ in lost wages and make jobs more difficult.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
I think several of us in a previous thread suggested the aircat 1150.
I have one its great.


Great tool, I have two of their impact guns now. They're a big bang for the buck.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Donald
I would have two impact wrenches if I was in the business. Two of anything that could wear and break.


+1 A tool like an impact gun is subjected to a lot of stress just doing the job its intended to do and will need repair at some point. For a working mechanic having a repair kit on hand for your primary gun is more than a good idea
I keep my old IR 231 as a backup, its a good gun, a bit heavy and loud but totally usable.


For a working mechanic the loss of the common air tools is going to cost $$$ in lost wages and make jobs more difficult.



How long have you had the air cat and have you had any issues

 

[JHZR2]

He has been telling us about it for years!

It's $172 on Amazon today. I get hand feel, but how do you even know the feel is anything like the 1200 you had? Compared to a $490 snap on super duty, it's cheap.

I have an 1150. I'm certainly not in it as a career, but I like the texture and feel of it, myself.

I have to wonder if you bought the 1150 at the start, as has been discussed countless times on here, if you'd be going through this drama at all...

And the fact that the IR leaked bring moot is false. You're buying "quality" tools and you're having issues left and right. Why not give Trav's multi-year advisement just a little consideration?

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3933954/1

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3350955/1

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3487476/Impact_gun_advice

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2126239&page=all

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: ram_man


How long have you had the air cat and have you had any issues


A long time, probably around 5-6 years. No trouble at all with that gun, its a good gun.
Its priced right, I have had higher priced guns not do as well as this one. All I can say is I use it a lot and I'm more than satisfied with it.

The Nitro Cat was the wrong gun from the get go for automotive work as you found out. Pin clutch air guns are not well suited for automotive work because of their torque characteristics.
Pin clutch is better suited to cordless tools and in air guns used for large diameter industrial fasteners.

The Snap On you bought sounds like a pin clutch mechanism also as its using oil up front.
The only thing you need to do to keep the air cat running right is keep it lubricated, a shot of grease once in a while and oil daily or use an inline oiler.

Read this..

http://aircat.com/faq/

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Who makes them? I haven't been impressed with snap on really their diagnostic tools and tool boxes are good. But the ratchets are [censored] I hate my 1/4 locking flex head and my 3/8 flex head the head falls off lol not impressed and there tools guys are pushy high pressure sales types .


Not sure who makes them. I just know they cost a lot more than your getting!

As for your Ratchets, There is a Torx screw that holds the head on, periodical tightening is required to keep the head from flopping around. You can Loctite the screw in place but makes adjustments (On how tight/loose the head is) difficult. I have used Snap-On ratchets for over 20 years. They are not for everyone.....Some folks like Matco, Mac, Cornwell, Hazet, Proto, S-K and so on.....You have to find what works best for you.

 

[Rand]

AIRCAT 1150

NOW that its been recommended for a second thread feel free to go off on a wild tangent and buy whatever like last time..

but at least buy a HF earthquake if you do(about 80$ after coupon)

 

[ram_man]

Well I bought an impact I looked at the air cats I just don't care for their balance. It's just not my style. I bought an ir 2135 got a good deal on it and really like it. And it's made in America which Is bonus points. Rand say whatever you want it's not like you actually know what it's like to use these tools 40+ hours a week.? But I don't like the mixed reviews on the air cat or its handle design or its balance .