so im in need for a new one and im gonna ask for one for xmas dont wana spend to much but this is what ifound on ebay what you think? or what do you guys use?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/COMPOSITE-AIRCAT-1-2-Twin-Hammer-AIR-IMPACT-WRENCH_W0QQitemZ180056696340QQihZ008QQcategoryZ439 88QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi, I use this Snap-on 700 ft-lb model.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=yes&tool=all&item_ID=75955&group_ID=19826&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
It's a little pricey but I've found that when it comes to impacts you don't want to skimp. This model has huge torque. When I'm doing suspension stuff thats rusted on and I'm gonna replace it anyway I just use this thing and the bolts just snap right off. Better to have too much power than not enough.
Mike

I use an IR 231 (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=221112-28309-231G&lpage=none). I usually try to stay with name-brand tools, even if they're a bit more expensive. Mine is not as powerful as the one you have been looking at, but it hasn't failed me yet. You can usually find good deals on tool/socket sets so a combo can be a good way to justify a more expensive tool. You will need impact sockets (don't use regular ones!), so add it all up before you decide.

BTW: They show pictures of two different tools in that ad. You should probably investigate that, chances are that they got the specs mixed up too.

I second the overkill impacts, I was doing the timing belt on the wifes hyundai the other day. I have a new, given to me husky home depot special. I couldnt get the crank bolt off no matter what I did, even with a breaker and a 3 foot breaker, the car just wanted to roll. My friend lent me his ingersoll rand titanium composit impact and it was off in a sec. Jim

what do u think of this one???

Mastercraft 1/2-in. Impact Gun

$99.99

Product #58-8414-2

400 lb/ft. of torque for tightening and removing stubborn nuts and bolts
5.1 scfm @ 90 psi
Twin-hammer design
Soft rubber grip
Built-in regulator for better control
Push-button forward/reverse for easy one-handed operation
Pin-clutch design delivers consistent high-torque output for maximum performance
Alloy steel impact mechanism
Screened inlet http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/products/images/CompressorsAirTools/Tools/0588414_450_CC_300ab.jpg

The IR #2134 Titainium is the only impact I would ever recommend. Funny thing is, I dont even own one. Tried several others in the shop and plan to get one. But I have been saying that for months but I will soon.

BTW: They show pictures of two different tools in that ad. You should probably investigate that, chances are that they got the specs mixed up too.

yea i noticed that to....i emailed him so lets see where this goes...if all goes well i might go for the aircat they are apparently really quite compared to all other name brands and dont vibrate and shake ur arm off but still delivering high hitting torque. but i dont know what gun to get the aircat or the mastercraft gun above, the aircat has 1 year warrenty 1000lbs of torque, and there isnt anywhere in my city or near me that can service them and the mastercraft has less torque but has a good rating 3 years warrenty and i have 8 places in town to service them.

I have a new ingersoll rand 231C. I had Snap On impacts but they wouldn't last. I bought a 231 because one of the guys that I work with has one over 15 years old and still going.
Paul

Up until my shop got broken into, I used a Snap-On Shockwave. It was advertized at 450lbs ft of torque. In 1994 that was a lot. Anyway, I bought a cheapie to replace it for now. I was looking into the IR also.

IR231 Only Impact wrench to own.

I've got an IR 2131 for 1/2", a Snap-On IM31 for 3/8", a 12v Snap-On 3/8" cordless, and an IR 2141 3/4" composite gun. They all have their place. The 3/4" gun is going to be getting a good workout starting about a month from now, and lasting a couple of months. The cordless usually goes on the road with me, and the other two stay at the shop.

I have a 750 lb 3/4" craftsman I've been very happy with. Its got 3 forward speeds and a reverse, and if I remember correctly I only paid about 200 for it. I'd buy it again no problem. Remember there is nothing more expensive than cheap tools, whatever you do get a brand you know is good. I've never heard of "air cat" so I wouldn't buy it. I'd buy a used gun from a good company way before I'd buy a new one from a no-name. I bet for $100 you can get a great slightly used impact gun for cheap on ebay and probably a set of sockets to go with it.

Used Snap-On IM5100. Paid about $50 from the Mac dealer. Makes ordinary guns look silly.

IR, Mac, CP, etc have competitive impact guns if you look at the premium products. The point is that a cheap gun WON'T DO THE JOB but a premium gun will. Don't buy the cheap gun, it's throwing your money down the toilet.

I have had my IR 1/2 and 3/8 for years, hard fleet use and still work great.

IR 213...something or other. It's up in my garage. Bought it on e-bay..abt. $250 or so. It does the job. Only one I've ever owned, so I can't compare with others.

Trevor Andersen
65 Elky in pieces

Used Snap-On IM5100. Paid about $50 from the Mac dealer. Makes ordinary guns look silly.

IR, Mac, CP, etc have competitive impact guns if you look at the premium products. The point is that a cheap gun WON'T DO THE JOB but a premium gun will. Don't buy the cheap gun, it's throwing your money down the toilet.


This is the same gun I use...unfortunately I bought it new and paid full snap-on retail. :sad:

I worked at Just Tires for a few years during high school. We would mainly use IR’s. A couple of CP’s, but were much weaker. These guns would always see 160 psi + and rarely oiled.

They eventually would break, but would take an IR over a CP anyday.

Matt

Are MAC impacts made by IR? The casing looks very similar.

This is the same gun I use...unfortunately I bought it new and paid full snap-on retail. :sad:

Still a sweetheart, though, isn't it?:beers:

so im in need for a new one and im gonna ask for one for xmas dont wana spend to much but this is what ifound on ebay what you think? or what do you guys use?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/COMPOSITE-AIRCAT-1-2-Twin-Hammer-AIR-IMPACT-WRENCH_W0QQitemZ180056696340QQihZ008QQcategoryZ439 88QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I.R. COMPOSITE..

Snap-on all the way!:thumbsup:

You can get the IR231G and the IR170G, plus 1/2" sockets all in one kit from Lowe's http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=221131-28309-2317G&lpage=none

Not bad for $129.

I bought an "Aircat" 1/2" drive from Northern tool and it works great!!! I don't use it every day so I don't know how durable it is but it's taken off some nuts and bolts that my elcheapo impact wouldn't think about budging. I think it's made in the USA.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=861253&R=861253

http://www.aircat.com/cms/

I use a Craftsman 875 and haven't had any problems with it.

Here is the gun I use
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/IR-2135TI.html
that is a good price and a good website for automotive tools.

I've used all brands from Campbell Hausefield to Snapon and none out perform the Snapon,I currently have the 1/2 inch Snapon IM6100 I use at work and the IM 6500 I have at home.the 6500 is IMO the best all around gun on the market,for around $300 and some change you cant beat the versitility,works the same with 150 psi or 60 psi.
the IR 231 isn't a bad gun either
LONG LIVE SNAPON!!!

Van Hurst

Here is the gun I use
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/IR-2135TI.html
that is a good price and a good website for automotive tools.

ditto to that one. i use that one at school and it's an awesome gun.

I use the Home Depot Husky one. I'm not a pro wrench, so it does a good enough job for me.