1/2" impact wrench?

Impact wrench died yesterday, time to go shopping. Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for a 1/2" air impact wrench?

I am not looking to break the bank, but I do want something decent, any thoughts?

Get a used, older (when they weren't made in China) IR-231. It will last forever.

IR 2145Ti, I think. Whichever the 1/2" drive Ti series one is.

I've got an IR-231. It's a thing of beauty.

bought a IR 2135 PTI several years ago offa ebay store, shopped around for the right price, great gun

ppddppdd wrote: I've got an IR-231. It's a thing of beauty.

I bought mine new in 1978. I used it for almost 10 years professionally, and have used it in my home shop heavily ever since. It has never broken, and never lost power. When I worked at Matco Tools I tested it on our torque tester and it put out more than it was rated at new. It was 15 years old at the time. No reason to buy anything else.

If you are on a budget, check out the Harbor Freight "Earthquake" line. I bought this one last year:

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html

This thing is a BEAST. 20% off coupon FTW! I paid around $70 for mine. It seems to be a lot nicer than some of the more expensive Craftsman/ entry level IR ones I've used.

If you have the money though, the nicer IR ones can't be beat. A friend has one that I'm pretty sure retails for well over $200, but he's had it for 5+ years and sees lots of abuse, and it is awesome.

IR 231 on e-bay at 31.00 right now. FWIW

SilverFleet wrote: If you are on a budget, check out the Harbor Freight "Earthquake" line. I bought this one last year: http://www.harborfreight.com/12-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html This thing is a BEAST. 20% off coupon FTW! I paid around $70 for mine. It seems to be a lot nicer than some of the more expensive Craftsman/ entry level IR ones I've used. If you have the money though, the nicer IR ones can't be beat. A friend has one that I'm pretty sure retails for well over $200, but he's had it for 5+ years and sees lots of abuse, and it is awesome.

That's a Chinese knock-off of the IR-231. It may do fine for some people, but it would never hold up to the abuse a real 231 can take. The difference is all in the alloys and heat treatment. I'd personally go for the Ebay unit mentioned above.

I'm sure the IR-231 is a great tool.

When I was shopping, I didn't want to plunk down the cash for an IR-231 and didn't have time to wait for an eBay deal. (I needed the wrench that day.) I bought the Earthquake wrench and 5 years later it's still my favorite Harbor Freight tool. No it won't last a lifetime of shop abuse but it will last a home hobbyist for a long time and will put up with a decent amount of abuse. It will spin off a 1UZFE crank bolt quickly and easily (181 lb-ft torque spec!). I haven't had anything it hasn't conquered yet, but then I can feed it up to 175psi if I have to.

Buy the Ingersoll Rand if you have the dosh, but think about the Harbor Freight tool if you don't. It's worth a look.

I bought a IR 2135 ti a few years ago when my old Craftsman gun wouldn't remove a pinion nut. I don't use air tools often, but when I do I need it to work.

Don't forget/neglect to oil it once in awhile. I try to do so before each use since its so infrequent.

I recently detonated my 1/2" Harbor Freight Chicago Pneumatic impact. It was the $20 one and I'd had it over 5 years, so I wasn't too hacked off. I looked at all the HF stuff at the local store but ended up paying about $90 for a Kobalt branded one from Lowe's. So far I like it, but it seems a little short on torque. It is really nice ergonomically and a lot nicer to use than most I looked at. I also picked up their 3/8" impact and am loving having a lightweight, easy to maneuver impact wrench.

i bought a Husky at Home Depot about 10 years ago, and it's got pretty good power.. it's kind of heavy, tho, but it has been dropped numerous times and kicked/pulled across the floor with the hose and it's barely scratched up.

I love my IR 2135 Ti. Got it off the snap on truck for $100 used in an emergency (northern gun quit without two weeks notice, not eligible for rehire). The people who had it before took out some muffling and it has a small oil leak right now, but I oil it every few days and it is perfect.
Squeeze the trigger for less than half a second and it spins off a lugnut. its pretty ridiculous.
plus it sounds like a thunder gun lol

There's a reason everyone is saying IR is the best.
That reason is that IR IS the best.

I have the HF Earthquake gun and it is pretty nice.

Air tools wear out if not cared for. I would rather have a brand new HF piece than someone else's used up IR.

Pretty sad that IR is building guns in China now, I didn't know they had gone that route. I've4 inherited a nice Rockwell Int. 2210 (I think) impact as well as an ANCIENT Black & Decker. Not sure where I'd get rebuild parts for either but they seem to be in good condition. I'd have no problem going used if I could test them before purchase.

I just bought a 1/2" Kobalt gun for $29.00. So far so good. I'm reasonably sure it wouldn't last long for professional use, but for as much as I use it, it will probably be fine. If it lasts as long as the three year warranty I'll be happy.

Isn't the CP you get at harbor freight Central Pneumatic? The old Chicago Pneumatic tools were awesome, I have two; one bought new in 97 and the other I found at a garage sale new in the box for ten bucks. Still haven't wrecked my old one and I use it four or five times a week.

chandlerGTi wrote: Isn't the CP you get at harbor freight Central Pneumatic? The old Chicago Pneumatic tools were awesome

Yes, but Chicago Pneumatic is still around. thetoolwarehouse.net sells them, among other vendors.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/m-43-chicago-pneumatic.aspx

I have had alot of the cheep knockoff stuff come and go through my tool box. The IR stuff just keeps on going. By IR and you will not replace that tool again.

pres589 wrote: Pretty sad that IR is building guns in China now, I didn't know they had gone that route. I've4 inherited a nice Rockwell Int. 2210 (I think) impact as well as an ANCIENT Black & Decker. Not sure where I'd get rebuild parts for either but they seem to be in good condition. I'd have no problem going used if I could test them before purchase.

Hard to find an air tool that isn't made in China anymore.

bravenrace wrote:

pres589 wrote: Pretty sad that IR is building guns in China now, I didn't know they had gone that route. I've4 inherited a nice Rockwell Int. 2210 (I think) impact as well as an ANCIENT Black & Decker. Not sure where I'd get rebuild parts for either but they seem to be in good condition. I'd have no problem going used if I could test them before purchase.

Hard to find an"ythin" that isn't made in China anymore.

Fixed that for you.

TreoWayne wrote: I would rather have a brand new HF piece than someone else's used up IR.

Not me. My used IR Ti is worlds better than my off brand impacts.

I have an IR titanium (dont know the number, but one of the first) that is 6 years old now, used professionally since then, and i have oiled it like... twice a year. If i wanted to put oil in it right now, i dont even know where some is other than to drive to the story and buy some.

AND IT STILL WORKS GREAT!

Biggest things for me that opened my eyes: 1. light so you never get tired of holding it. 2. very fine trigger control. I use mine on every single thing down to hose clamps! precise trigger control is THE BOMB.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_226943-28309-2132G_0__?productId=1062885

i have that one and love it. i've had it for probably 6 years. i've got a nice big bottle of air tool oil in my air tool cabinet and i am not sure i've ever used it. i'm bad about that.