Impact Gun What should i get?

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Alright so i would like to get an impact gun 1/2 for use on many of things, mostly repair. I would like to use it for on heavy duty work also such as breaking bolts/removing.I have some choicesAir Nitro CatOr this other tool i saw for on sale at my local TSC storeHere is the details for this one (note i'm not buying it from this site)  Now i figured it out , it would only cost me about 80$  more to buy that Nitro Cat Impact over , for twice the power 500-1000 Ft/Lbs. The thing is though , is i have never heard of this Neiko Tools Usa who makes the Nitro Cat. Quality may be an issue with that product.  Any ideas on what i should buy?
Reply:Just me, but I would go with the Porter Cable. Actually I might even scope around for a used IR first.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:I am a mechanic and have been for 30 years.  Snap on just doesn't have the balls that an Ingersoll Rand has.  I had an IR 231 for years, then a couple of years ago I bought the "Matell" version.  Its a plastic rear case, metal nosed tool.  It has more torque than any other on the market period.  I think I have used em all.  I use this every day.  Its lighter and has the most torque. It might be a model 2131, but I am not sure.  It can twist off a 5/8 bolt.Cost is about $239-$259 but if you are going to use it, its the best.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Want to buy a slightly used Snap On 6500?  I think I paid over $300 for it.  It just sits in the tool box.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I got two Snap On 6500 guns.  Its a good gun.  But I much perfer IR guns I use at my part time gig in the winter.  More balls and a whole lot lighter.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Originally Posted by itsgottobegreenI got two Snap On 6500 guns.  Its a good gun.  But I much perfer IR guns I use at my part time gig in the winter.  More balls and a whole lot lighter.
Reply:Alright so in other words you don't recommend either of those that i showed, but anyways what one do you think would be better. So IR is the best for Impact Gun? I'll look into it, see what i can find.
Reply:Other things you should considerI live in CanadaAlso about the compressor , i don't have a huge one so i can only put out around 4-5 chfm. Just to let you know.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RI am a mechanic and have been for 30 years.  Snap on just doesn't have the balls that an Ingersoll Rand has.  I had an IR 231 for years, then a couple of years ago I bought the "Matell" version.  Its a plastic rear case, metal nosed tool.  It has more torque than any other on the market period.  I think I have used em all.  I use this every day.  Its lighter and has the most torque. It might be a model 2131, but I am not sure.  It can twist off a 5/8 bolt.Cost is about $239-$259 but if you are going to use it, its the best.David
Reply:Originally Posted by BikespotAlright so in other words you don't recommend either of those that i showed, but anyways what one do you think would be better. So IR is the best for Impact Gun? I'll look into it, see what i can find.
Reply:why does everyone recommend IR ?? What makes them so good?
Reply:Originally Posted by Bikespotwhy does everyone recommend IR ?? What makes them so good?
Reply:Impacts are more efficient at air consumption than grinders or drills.While I think that an impact with factory flames is cute, I wouldn't own one.  Nor onewith a plastic housing.  I own 2 Snap-On IM5100's.  Perhaps not as powerful as an IR, but comfortable.  If I need more power then I grab my IR 258 3\4" drive impact.I definitely do not like the cross-bolt style of forward/reverse controls.  Or the front/back style.  Or the kind where the power control is higher/lower depending whether in forward or reverse.  If I want min\med\max power, then I want that setting for loosening or tightening, both.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyImpacts are more efficient at air consumption than grinders or drills.While I think that an impact with factory flames is cute, I wouldn't own one.  Nor onewith a plastic housing.  I own 2 Snap-On IM5100's.  Perhaps not as powerful as an IR, but comfortable.  If I need more power then I grab my IR 258 3\4" drive impact.I definitely do not like the cross-bolt style of forward/reverse controls.  Or the front/back style.  Or the kind where the power control is higher/lower depending whether in forward or reverse.  If I want min\med\max power, then I want that setting for loosening or tightening, both.
Reply:Plastic is a word that could discribe hundreds of materials. I can assure you that the composite that the I/R impacts are tough. The Craftsman impacts with the composite and chrome body and look just like the I/R impacts are or were made by I/R. I might add that if you only use an impact wrench ocassionally you really don't need to spend $250-$300. Neither would I buy a $40 impact wrench. A good mid priced impact wrench will serve an ocassional user a life time.
Reply:as a ford diesel tech i love my IR the other clame to be more powerful they may be but they dont last63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:I would not buy a 40$ impact , way to cheapy. They also only put out like 300 ft/lbs which will not be enough.I know that it won't be used very often , but when it is needed it will be worked on all jobs including ones that are going to need a lot of force. I know there will be many of thing i will need to use it for repairs to get off rusted bolts and nuts , not sure how much force i will need there because depending on the size of bolt. I do know though for sure that the wheel nuts on the truck are put to around 450-550 ft/lbs. It would be good to get those off with the impact.As for price range i would say 0-220$ CAD around 0-200$. I'm not willing to spend a huge amount of money , but i want something that is at least decent quality. Any other suggestions?
Reply:Originally Posted by Bikespot I do know though for sure that the wheel nuts on the truck are put to around 450-550 ft/lbs. It would be good to get those off with the impact.?
Reply:Originally Posted by BikespotI would not buy a 40$ impact , way to cheapy. They also only put out like 300 ft/lbs which will not be enough.I know that it won't be used very often , but when it is needed it will be worked on all jobs including ones that are going to need a lot of force. I know there will be many of thing i will need to use it for repairs to get off rusted bolts and nuts , not sure how much force i will need there because depending on the size of bolt. I do know though for sure that the wheel nuts on the truck are put to around 450-550 ft/lbs. It would be good to get those off with the impact.As for price range i would say 0-220$ CAD around 0-200$. I'm not willing to spend a huge amount of money , but i want something that is at least decent quality. Any other suggestions?
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiIf your going to be using it for truck tires your going to need a 1" impact, maybe a really good 3/4". My boss bought me the harbor freight twin hammer 1" that goes for about $120. I would have trusted it but it's worked so far. We've had it about 9 months and it gets used about twice a month.
Reply:Well I've never seen a 1/2" drive Budd wheel socket. That should tell you something. 450 ft. lbs. maybe be the torque but it might take nearly twice that to remove them.
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiWell I've never seen a 1/2" drive Budd wheel socket. That should tell you something. 450 ft. lbs. maybe be the torque but it might take nearly twice that to remove them.
Reply:Wheel studs rust. When you add adaptors or extensions you loose torque between the gun and the socket. Using an under size gun is the best way to break it. You just can't hunt grizzly with a 9 mm.
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiWheel studs rust. When you add adaptors or extensions you loose torque between the gun and the socket. Using an under size gun is the best way to break it. You just can't hunt grizzly with a 9 mm.
Reply:get ir gear , we also have one knuchken or something it seems good but its for earthmoving equipment cost 2000 australiaI brought one from this one on ebay is a Harbor freight gun cost a little bit to get to aus but is great I use for everything from 1/4 " sockets to 1" 1/2" sockets with a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter  has never let down in the 4yrs i have had it so far I use it on bud wheels we pull them up to 500 ft lbs I use my gun on them then a tension wrench only ever need 1 push on the wrenchCreative metal Creative metal Facebook
Reply:Originally Posted by welloI brought one from this one on ebay is a Harbor freight gun cost a little bit to get to aus but is great I use for everything from 1/4 " sockets to 1" 1/2" sockets with a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter  has never let down in the 4yrs i have had it so far I use it on bud wheels we pull them up to 500 ft lbs I use my gun on them then a tension wrench only ever need 1 push on the wrench
Reply:I looked around on the net and found some.Here is one that i could buy at my local sears store.Ingersoll-Rand® 1/2" Impact WrenchNow i went on ebay and there wasn't anything good from Canada , so i looked for ones from US. Not sure how well that will work for shipping, duty fees. Any help on that?Here they are.This one had Max 600 Ft/lbs but only runs at 50-400 ft/lbs IR 1/2" DRIVE ULTRA HEAVY DUTY AIR IMPACT WRENCH 2132GHere is the big gun i found  Max 1000 ft/lbsINGRERSOLL-RAND 1/2" AIR IMPACT WRENCH NEW #2135TIAny more suggestions? Or i could just wait in till i find a good deal some where.
Reply:here are the specs on this page http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2623Creative metal Creative metal Facebook
Reply:Alright , i figured out what i will buy. Either the Ingersoll-Rand 2132G (red) or a 231G off of ebay.Any suggestions?
Reply:I like the IR gear as well but I have a 12 year CP (Chicago Pneumatic) not Central Pneumatic that has been just as good.  It is strong and durable but make sure you get the older style with the all metal housing.  The newer plastic gripped ones don't have the same torque.  The Chicago Pneumatic are going to be less than the IR and Snap-on.Michael
Reply:I think the 2135TI is the one I have.  I have yet to see one with more balls.  Its light and works great.  Had it for over 2 years.  If it dies, I will buy another one just like it.  The model 231 is an old stand by and I still have mine.  I keep it as a back up.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiWell I've never seen a 1/2" drive Budd wheel socket. That should tell you something.
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevyAt the Northeast Service Center of Ryder Trucks, you'd be fired if a boss found out you tightened Budd wheels using only a 1\2" impact, no matter the brand or the hyped power rating.But please let us all know how you make out with your choice of a..."seven vane motor delivers Nut Busting Torque that will loosen a nut tightened to 1,000 ft.-lbs...in 6 seconds!"   Good luck!
Reply:I am happy that I have seen the word balls used here, because all I can think of when using my IR THUNDER GUN is "BALLS". I smile every time I use it. The neighbors must hate me because it is THE loudest and most powerful impact gun that I have ever owned.
Reply:I believe when it comes to air tools you get what you pay for unless you find a used IR in some old lady's yard sale.  The IR I got from TSC is 550 ft/lbs. I think and around $180.  I love it.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by MJDamianiI am happy that I have seen the word balls used here, because all I can think of when using my IR THUNDER GUN is "BALLS". I smile every time I use it. The neighbors must hate me because it is THE loudest and most powerful impact gun that I have ever owned.
Reply:For serious work I'd have to vote for Chicago Pneumatics. I've got an old dawg I bought used a couple decades ago, couldn't read the label when I got it so have no idea what it's torque is. But when my newer, lighter guns fail I get out that old 20 pounder. It ain't met it's match yet !! If you run across any old CP at a sale snag it, they made good stuff. And as with any air tool, ALWAYS give it a few drops of oil before hooking the air up. One of those clear picnic style condiment bottles works great, nice little cap to keep the oil from being contaminated.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:nevermind I was thinking something elseDewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:I have to second Wello's suggestion. I own both an IR (slightly older model)  and the Earthquake 1/2" impact. That was the best $80 I ever spend. It has not failed me ever in the few years that I have owned it and I swear the specs on it are totally underrated. That thing pounds and uses very little air. I pull it out every time, almost daily because I was afraid to beat up the IR. This Earthquake takes a beating for sure. Its been dropped off my lift, everything, and keeps going strong. Thats my vote for "cheap and very functional". Don't get me wrong, I love IR guns but for the price I'd go with the HF one.
Reply:Originally Posted by yellowI have to second Wello's suggestion. I own both an IR (slightly older model)  and the Earthquake 1/2" impact. That was the best $80 I ever spend. It has not failed me ever in the few years that I have owned it and I swear the specs on it are totally underrated. That thing pounds and uses very little air. I pull it out every time, almost daily because I was afraid to beat up the IR. This Earthquake takes a beating for sure. Its been dropped off my lift, everything, and keeps going strong. Thats my vote for "cheap and very functional". Don't get me wrong, I love IR guns but for the price I'd go with the HF one.
Reply:Nice sized thread, no time to read the whole thing, sorry!Try this gun, mine is 3 brutal years old and still rips hitch balls off and on, wheels, everything!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I'm with 383BigBlock.  ALL of my air tools are CP (Chicago Pnuematic) and they have lasted me over 20 years of daily use w/o even a rebuild, just oiled occasionally.  Still hitting hard.1/2" drill (500rpm)3/8" drill3/8" butterfly impact1/2" Impact3/8" rachet driverMy mechanic now has a CP (Central P - HF) and I can hold the socket at full bore.  No where near the impact of mine.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene