Air Impact Wrench

Devin Arends · Jan 10, 2011

I need help finding the right impact wrench for me. It will be for moderate personal use like removing tires from my vehicles or maintenance on the tractors. But it will need to be strong enough to remove the large rusted bolts on the tractor. I have seen them from $25 to $300 but I would like to stay under the $125 mark.

So, What is the most reliable, durable, strong impact wrench for my small budget???

Janicholson · Jan 10, 2011

CP (real ones, not imported imitations) are fine tools. Ingersol are also good. Jim

soybeanjoe · Jan 11, 2011

Over the years I have had several different brands of air impacts. Today, the only brand I will buy is Ingersal Rand. They may cost a little more than the others but worth every penny IMO. Currently own 3/", 1/2", 3/4", & 1" IR impacts. My current 1/2" IR will do more than the non-IR 3/4" I use to own.

I might add, no matter what impact you buy, a lot still depends upon your air compressor'ss capacity.

Matt Weltz · Jan 11, 2011

We also use Ingersoll and Rand impacts. They seem to be very good to us. My brother is in auto repair and uses Mac impacts and they seem VERY nice too.

LarryT · Jan 11, 2011

Jim, Devin is recommending CHICAGO PNEUMATICS, Not
Harbor freight Central Pneumatics. LarryT

CraigChristian · Jan 11, 2011

I've used a CPs USA-made one for 25 years for exactly what you propose doing. Love it, but IR is probably even better, just a bit spendy for what I need. Craig

mkirsch · Jan 11, 2011

Compare specs before you buy. Some wrenches are rated for more torque than others...

You'll think you got this great buy on a nice brand name IR or CP wrench, only to find out it's only a 250 ft-lb model, and won't spin a finger-tight nut.

That said, we've had the same results and same luck with either "CP" brand, Central Pneumatic, or Chicago Pneumatics. The expensive wrenches just haven't proven themselves to be worth the extra money. They last about the same amount of time with occasional use.

Don't buy the $19.99 wrench. It's obviously junk. You can feel it. Look at the ones in the $50-$75 range. They're rated at 450-600 ft-lbs of torque and are clearly built better.

I've had one that I paid about $65 for three years ago. Still works when I need it and has no trouble with lug nuts when I open up both air compressors.

tractor vin · Jan 11, 2011

also invest in a couple of cans of P B Blaster soak for a day or two it will be your best friend

R.J.Miller · Jan 11, 2011

One big missed point.If the wrench says it will
output 450lbs,it needs CFM CU.FT./Min.If your
compreser does not flow what the gun needs,you
paid alot of money for nothing.It is the old
sales game.They try to sell you the "numbers".
Frist I always look at the comp.There is always
a tag that states the current type (120,240)and states the CFM at what pressure.Take these
numbers with you when buying ANY air tool!! If
the tool does not show the CFM@ what pres.move on.
2.Most home comp. do not have an inline oiler,
thats ok if you put 2 drops of (airtool oil)in
the air inlent each time you use it.IF you do
this,almost any tool will work right and live longer the you

Anonymous-0 · Jan 11, 2011

mkirsch; Are you saying you tie two compressors together to get higher cfi's for more ft. lbs. Buck c

shawnm · Jan 11, 2011

(quoted from post at 09:25:32 01/11/11) One big missed point.If the wrench says it will
output 450lbs,it needs CFM CU.FT./Min.If your
compreser does not flow what the gun needs,you
paid alot of money for nothing.It is the old
sales game.They try to sell you the "numbers".
Frist I always look at the comp.There is always
a tag that states the current type (120,240)and states the CFM at what pressure.Take these
numbers with you when buying ANY air tool!! If
the tool does not show the CFM@ what pres.move on.
2.Most home comp. do not have an inline oiler,
thats ok if you put 2 drops of (airtool oil)in
the air inlent each time you use it.IF you do
this,almost any tool will work right and live longer the you

... and remember to get proper couplers. Not much sense in running 3/8" I.D line and bottle neck it with 1/4" quick connects. I run high flow connectors on my impact (1/2" Blue point 600 ftlbs) and use the same line for my HVLP paint gun. Night and day difference.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 11, 2011

IMHO there is no impact like the classic IR 231. They have been making it for 25 years. Amazon for $158+shipping. Another excellent gun is the IR 231C. Same as the IR231 except it has single hammer action instead of double. Same ft/lbs, just a bit slower. Amazon for $117 free shipping.I try to stay away from Harbor Frieght. I have had bad luck with 80% of the stuff i have tried from them. I have both of the IR guns and also a older CP and that is also a very solid performer. I don"t know about the new ones though. I always use Amazon for price checking and usually end up printing their price and having a local store price match. Good Luck!

Haas · Jan 11, 2011

Most impacts under $125 will not do large rusted bolts. The cheaper ones that say they have 250 ft-lbs of torque will barely do a 3/8 inch bolt. I'm using a Sears at present it is supposed to do 600 ft-lbs and it is strong enough to strip the threads on a fine thread 1/2 inch bolt. However, the sears has had some other issues with the trigger mechanism so if I get another, it will likely be an IR. I'm talking about 1/2 inch drive impacts here. Even the strongest 1/2 inch drive impacts may not do much with a 3/4 inch rusty bolt.

mkirsch · Jan 11, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:36:03 01/11/11) mkirsch; Are you saying you tie two compressors together to get higher cfi's for more ft. lbs.

Yes. I have two 21-gallon portable compressors that I connect together when I need to run things like impact wrenches, paint guns, air chisels, and especially die grinders.

It was a lot cheaper than a single 40-gallon 5HP stationary compressor, and I can take one or both of them anywhere if I need to.

Right now I think my limitation is the 3/8" air hose and 1/4" fittings. If I ran 3/8" fittings and 1/2" air hose I could max out my system.

mkirsch · Jan 11, 2011

By the way, once both compressors kick in, they will keep up with continuous use of an air die grinder.

Devin Arends · Jan 11, 2011

Thanks for all the great advice.

My compressor is a 33 gallon Craftsman, 150 psi, with 5.1 SCFM at 90 psi. Hopefully it will do everything I will need it to do. Any opinions as to my compressor?? I was hoping to use it on nuts and bolts, sandblasting and painting.

My father and grandfather sold Snap On there entire careers. They have plenty of hand tools I will some day inherit but no air tools. I wish I could afford Snap-On.

Wrench_one · Jan 11, 2011

Heavy Eq. Mech for 20 yrs.
IR 231G on sale now Northen tool $129.00
I M O the best gun for the money @ 500ft/lb
22 cfm at load

Devin Arends · Jan 11, 2011

Will a 33 gallon Craftsman, 150 psi, with 5.1 SCFM at 90 psi support it for small jobs such as removing a tire?

504 · Jan 11, 2011

The best for the money and durability has to be an IR 231, if you buy the extended anvil you will never go back to a regular impact. We used to run them for two years before they were junk, and I mean run,10hr a day 6 days a week, water in the line and little oil.

mkirsch · Jan 12, 2011

(quoted from post at 19:38:26 01/11/11) Will a 33 gallon Craftsman, 150 psi, with 5.1 SCFM at 90 psi support it for small jobs such as removing a tire?

Yes. When fully pumped up, the compressor can provide much larger volumes of air for a short time.

It can NOT keep up with continuous use of the impact wrench, but you only need it for a few seconds at a time when changing tires.

I can remove 6 lug nuts, replace 6 lug nuts, remove 6 more, and replace 3 of those before the first compressor kicks on if I start with both fully pumped up. I have 42 gallons total capacity.

Devin Arends · Jan 12, 2011

do you think it is enough to paint with?

Wrench_one · Jan 12, 2011

should not be a problem.

charles todd · Jan 12, 2011

I have 4 impacts. One is a 3/8" Central Pneumatics (Harbor Freight) for light work. I have a 1/2" Craftsman that came with a 33 gal compressor and it is light duty as well. Next I have the IR brothers. Both are composite body HD impacts. The 1/2" is titanium and composite (+300 ft/lb) and the 3/4" is steel and composite (+1400 ft/lb). I run the IR's on 1/2" hose with 3/8" couplers and with a homemade 150 gal compressor, 175 psi, 13 hp gas (I can post pics.

CT

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