1/2" Impact Wrench recommendations?

I run a small auto repair shop, the 1/2" air impact is far and away the most-used air tool in the shop and it's time to buy a new one.

-We don't have a ton of cash to throw around so value is important. (refurb stuff maybe? used seems like a crapshoot)
-We will use the tool several hours a day, six days a week, 52 weeks a year until it wears out.
-We know how to maintain air tools
-We don't give a E36 M3 about brand names, it can say 'Mattel' on it for all I care
-If I had to rank them, I'd rank durability first, then low-cost, then high-torque

Our last couple have been an AmPro and a Wal-Mart brand. Neither fell apart immediately, but I'm interested if I can spend twice as much and get a tool that lasts five times as long.

Thanks,

Joe

ive had 3 impact guns over the years. the first a 1/2" ingersol 'ti' series, picked up at sears for a little over $200 on sale. ive used it professionally for almost 5 years, is lightweight, has very good trigger speed control, and is pretty powerful to boot. still have it and love it.

i then added an aircat 3/8" gun to my box which worked great for around 100 bucks, though the trigger control wasnt as good as the IR... except its now sitting in the basement as the motor vanes are all sticky and it wont work reliably.

i replaced that with the 3/8" IR 'ti' and wish i had just bought it in the first place as it has all the same characteristics as its bigger bro.

i know some other mechanics that have had snap-on guns for a long time as well and seem to like them as i like my IR.

I used to sell and service air tools.

IR 231 all the way.

Best damn 1/2" impact made, period.

Every tire shop in the world has these impacts. I have one that's older than I am and looks like it's been dragged behind a truck. Still works great.

The Titanium guns from IR are ok but they don't take abuse as well as the older 231. If you buy a TI or QTI from IR, keep them oiled. Nothing kills a modern impact as quickly as a lack of oil.

Shawn

I agree with the IR231. I bought one in 1993 when I became a tech, and despite almost 20 years of absolute abuse, it is still stronger than many of the fancy parts-truck $500 impacts that my buddies have. In fact, it has never been apart, I am terrible about oiling it, and now that I'm running three shops, its quite common for my guys to come ask me to borrow it to break something loose.

its old, its big, its heavy, but it has never been opened for service, it cost me $168, and it outperforms a lot of "boutique" guns. Use it, abuse it, and 20 years from now you can buy another one.

IR 231 with the long shank is my vote if you do a lot of tires as it is handy with a flip socket.

Also I have heard very good things about the IR QTI.

No real experience here, except that I have a Husky impact from H-D. It looks nice and rugged, but it barely meets my needs as an occasional user. No way would it be up to the rigors of a professional shop. My dad used to work for IR, so they've got my vote too!

another one for the IR231

we got ours about 10-11 yrs ago. it has only been used for personal use but we have def beat the hell out of it and it hasnt missed a beat! dad jsut picked up a TI one a few years ago, much lighter and the trigger is very nice but i havent had the chance to use it much.

if thats a bit out of your budget i know www.tptools.com has a house brand of air tools that are a bit cheaper and a pretty good product. i cant speak to how long it will hold up compared to the IR stuff but i bet it would be better then the wally world junk

Durability=Snap-On

I love my IR Ti. Light and seems to be powerful (my only other gun was a crappy Craftsman model that could barely remove lug nuts). The Ti will zip off FWD axle nuts with little effort.

IR 2131 TI (I think). I'll find out for sure. It's me second one and they kick butt. Light, quiet and STRONG!

I have a Matco impact. I NEVER use it anymore since I bought a USED SnapOn 3/8" impact. If I do use it, it is for truck wheels and wheels that use require a socket I do not have in 3/8" drive.

Ingersoll Rand=Chuck Norris of airtools. You won't be dissapointed.

TRoglodyte wrote: Ingersoll Rand=Chuck Norris of airtools. You won't be dissapointed.

even if it's the IR tool packs you can buy at Wal Mart for under $100 that comes with a 1/2" impact, 3/8" air ratchet, air chisel, and a bunch of random accessories all neatly arranged in a beautiful plastic blister pack?

If it was badged IR I would try it. Haven't seen anything but Campbell Hausfield in Wal Mart.

I bought this:

IR 231C

Hopefully this is the right one, amazon describes it as the replacement for the 231.

Thank for all the advice!

Joe

TRoglodyte wrote: If it was badged IR I would try it. Haven't seen anything but Campbell Hausfield in Wal Mart.

you're right.. the $100 IR air tool blister packs are at Home Depot. i got my bargain stores mixed up.

they don't have them all the time, but i see them from time to time. i do know that the cheap IR die grinders are junk.

I got lucky 10 or 12 years ago when I went to the pawn shop to see if they had any 1/2 impact guns around. The nicest looking one was an I-R 231, so I bought it for $75. I've only ever found a couple things so stuck it couldn't get it done. So I got an oxy-acetylene rig.

I also have a 3/8" butterfly impact made by Central Machinery when the stuff was still Taiwanese. That's a great little gun.

ShadowSix wrote: I bought this: IR 231C Hopefully this is the right one, amazon describes it as the replacement for the 231. Thank for all the advice! Joe

Yup, that'll do it.

motomoron wrote: I also have a 3/8" butterfly impact made by Central Machinery when the stuff was still Taiwanese. That's a great little gun.

Kinda funny how we're now nostalgic for when cheap tools were made in Taiwan or Japan....

Another vote for the IR231. I own 2

IR 231 or 2135Ti

I have an IR 2135Ti and wouldnt trade it for anything.