impact wrench torque rating

[JStieger]

I'm shopping around for a new 1/2" impact wrench.



I noticed the cheaper ones have a lower torque rating than the more expensive ones. However, for the most part each has the same air requirements (pressure and CFM).



So if the air requirements are the same how does the more expensive impact wrench output more torque?



Is there something mechanically different inside the wrench?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Yes there is. I've had cheaper impacts and now I have an IR2135QTI which is rated at 1,000 ft/lbs in reverse and only weighs 4 lbs and is REAL quiet - but pretty expensive. There's no comparing them. I've found the same thing with other air tools as well. At first I thought the cheap air tools were great but once I had better ones I wouldn't go back.

 

[icman95]

I'll ditto Steve's post. When I first hooked up my compressor, I got a starter kit of air tools and immediately found out the air gun sucked! Couldn't pull the lug nuts off my wife's '87 Mitsubishi Mirage. I called the company and they sent me the next model up. I'm still using that one today, but it is barely up to the task of a dually's lug nuts. I tried to take the lugs off of a friend's motorhome a few months ago and just couldn't. Had to use a breaker bar with a pipe on the end. Half of that was they were on too tight and the other half was the gun wasn't up to the job. I didn't really pay much for the starter air tool kit and got exactly what I paid for. When the time comes and money allows, I'm going to put down more money for a nice one. If your wallet allows get the nicer one. You won't be dissappointed.

 

[SRadke]

The higher quality guns use a twin hammer design. I use a Mac. 600 ft/lb in reverse and surprisingly affordable considering the name.

 

[MA2LA]

Again steve is dead on, i waited to get the same one he has and it is worth every penny, i even picked up the little brother to it (3/8ths) and i hate to use anything else

 

[tgordon]

Bigger is better. Dad started out with a 5 gal. Sears compressor, a cheap gun, and the smallest hose they had. He is now up to a 60 gal. industrial compressor, 1/2 inch hose, and a top of the line gun. Now he is not looking back, granted this is for farm use.

 

[Adventure Bob]

I have a Harbor Freight Earthquake... Now before everyone starts laughing... We at Moabjeeper Magazine are typically sceptics. We hooked this $89 gun up to a controlled lab regulated air supply and hit a digital dynometer with it. No kidding this little thing really does hit 625ft/lbs at 4. 7 CFM. I use it as a trail gun (my jeep has air) and I would hate to take an $250 IR out on the trail where it could be lost or stolen or just beat to crap. But for $89 and the $10 HF lifetime replacement warantee I figured if it actaully hit its torque figures, I couldnt go wrong. The HF is a twin hammer design and if you take it apart it looks suspiciously like an older version of the IR 231.

 

[LostTrucker]

I have been a I. R man for along time, they make good quality tools. I just bought a new snapon 1/2 drive air gun. Its got a brake, when you let off the trigger the mandrel slows down so your wobble socket on a long ext. does't go flyin across the shop:-laf It has good power to. :-laf

 

[RHestand]

I also have a 1/2" drive IR. It's been a great gun for many years, untill I moved here to N. WI, and tried using it this cold winter. (Only been used in CA. since new. ) It's lost at least 70% of it's power. I tried a couple drops of lube, still no power. Any ideas?

If needed, can these be rebuilt, and is it worth it?

Air tools are so much less expensive now, than when I bought this one.

Maybe I'll wait till it warms up some, and see if it works better.

Ray

 

[icman95]

Are you sure your supply line or compressor tank isn't frozen due to the weather? If they were, they'd be blocking most of the airflow to the gun causing the lack of power. The water in the compressed air will freeze given the opportunity. This can happen in the air brake system of big trucks and is why they have air dryers on them. In some extreme cases the drivers can add an alcohol based air line anti freeze that will keep the water from causing problems. If your hose is plugged with ice, and you want to use this stuff, you can find it at any truck stop or ask for it at an auto parts store.

 

[Mokerz]

I bought the new Snap-On 1/2" air gun 1150ft/lbs in reverse and 800+/- in fwd. I love the thing, I'm scared to use it on cars, but I use it on big trucks all the time. It is loud and it is expensive, but it was worth it to me.

 

[Mokerz]

They have "winter" lubes available for air tools, I run them in my shop truck that does service calls and they do work better than normal lube, however nothing works better then warmer temps.

 

[kenny61]

Any tool falls under the category of you get what you pay for. I have never has a tool that said made in China that held up to a real job for very long. I will keep a set of cheap tools in the truck for on the road or off the road emergencies. But when it comes to the big scheduled work it is only snap-on, mac craftsman I-R etc. Once you have a cheap tool break or not function properly on a sunday evening and you have to be at work monday morning you will really understand the difference in price.



I picked up one of these when I redid my front end a few years ago



Craftsman Professional 3/4 in. Drive Pro Impact Wrench - Model 18593 at Sears.com



I'm guessing my yet to be born grandchildren will be using it long after I'm gone

 

[RHestand]

icman95 and Mokerz,

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking it out today.

Man, the learning curve is steep, here in cold country. So many small details!

From slipping, sliding, falling, on ice, to sticking a cold 0 degree Mini-Mag flashlight in my mouth,(I needed light to see, and both of my gloved hands, to work under my hood). This winter stuff can be harsh, on a newby.

Ray

 

[rbattelle]

I picked up one of these when I redid my front end a few years ago

Craftsman Professional 3/4 in. Drive Pro Impact Wrench - Model 18593 at Sears.com

I'm guessing my yet to be born grandchildren will be using it long after I'm gone

Sweet! [Impact "guns" will probably be outlawed by the time your grandchildren are old enough to use one. ]



Some day I'd like to get one of these monsters. I could do some real damage with something like that.



Ryan

 

[E7mack96]

Here is the gun I use for the "Big" jobs



290 1" Impactoolâ„¢



I have used it with a 1 to 3/4 and a 3/4 to 1/2 adaptor to get a starter broke loose on my Pete 379.



I ws afraid of possible carnage, LOL