Decent 1/2" Impact Gun?.

[Keithmac]

My lad has started his apprenticeship and needs a good 1/2" Air Impact Gun.

I'd have bought him a Snap-on one ideally but interested in what other people use as well?.

He's got an M12 Stubby for light duty work, just needs a decent 1/2 Air Impact for the bigger stuff.

Any recommendations?.

Cheers all.

 

[armalites]

I have a Chicago Pnuematic CP7748 which is nice to use as it's light and it was the most powerful 1/2 impact at one point(many years back)

Many people are moving away from air so a used Snap On can be had pretty cheap, the good thing is they will supply parts lists and parts.

Would he not consider getting an M18 High Torque?

 

[jack-daniels]

Ingersoll Rand used to be one of the best for air tools

2135QXPA Series Impact Wrench | Ingersoll Rand Power Tools

The 2135QXPA Series Impact Wrench was built on the hardworking and respected foundation laid by the 2135TiMAX. The result is a light, quiet and powerful impact wrench that delivers an incredible level of performance and power.

powertools.ingersollrand.com

 

[Popcorn]

Milwaukee M18ONEFHIWF12-503X M18 FUEL™ One-Key™ 18V 1/2" 1898Nm Impact Wrench Kit - 3x 5Ah Batteries, Charger and Case

The Milwaukee M18ONEFHIWF12-503X bundle includes the Milwaukee impact wrench with friction ring, x3 5.0Ah batteries, charger and case.

www.sgs-engineering.com

 

[JOEPRO]

You likely know this already but the cheap all metal Sealey ones etc are no good at all.

IR as said or CP are good. Composite decent rated one would be good.

You have reminded me I have a CP one sitting here doing nothing. So I have added it on here in the for sale section for anyone who may be interested.

 

[welder_dave]

Nitrocat gun the most powerful air one i've got. very seldom used since milwaukee came along.

 

[qwakers]

Impact Wrenches - Aircat

aircat.com

best in the world imho

 

[qwakers]

i have this one

AIRCAT 1125- 1/2" Impact Wrench

Sets industry standard for weight, size & class! Hard hitting twin hammer mechanism, 1,250 (ft-lb) loosening torque, Durable composite housing, Patented ergonomically designed handle

aircat.com

 

[JOEPRO]

Don't get me wrong there are great Air impacts out there but will your son always have access to compressed air?

Really, these days people are going for battery tools.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel range I have experience with and they are likely one of the top ones for the £. For an M18 High Torque expect to pay £350 min for a new one depending on model.

Mine finally gave me trouble after 6 or so years of diy use. I was able to repair it myself with a new £15 rear bearing on ebay. So the parts can be got for them too.

Air impacts are comparably cheaper but then again he has much more limited use of those. and unless you buy a really good one at £200+ its not going to have the same power as a M18 high torque.

Not sure what industry he is in but if automotive then he would need a good battery impact for roadside calls etc.

For me, it's an M18 no question. Unless he is only working in a garage and will always have air hoses to hand and likes that. (I don't personally like using air tools as they feel restricted compared to cordless that I am now used to)

 

[not done it yet]

I somehow doubt that an apprentice (just started?) would be attending road-side calls? I agree that IR would likely fit the needs of an apprentice - but are tools not normally supplied?

 

[premmington]

Don't get me wrong there are great Air impacts out there but will your son always have access to compressed air?

Really, these days people are going for battery tools.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel range I have experience with and they are likely one of the top ones for the £. For an M18 High Torque expect to pay £350 min for a new one depending on model.

Mine finally gave me trouble after 6 or so years of diy use. I was able to repair it myself with a new £15 rear bearing on ebay. So the parts can be got for them too.

Air impacts are comparably cheaper but then again he has much more limited use of those. and unless you buy a really good one at £200+ its not going to have the same power as a M18 high torque.

Not sure what industry he is in but if automotive then he would need a good battery impact for roadside calls etc.

For me, it's an M18 no question. Unless he is only working in a garage and will always have air hoses to hand and likes that. (I don't personally like using air tools as they feel restricted compared to cordless that I am now used to)

I got Milwaukee M18 and M12 impact wrenches - I got a red addiction for buying them as well.

But I still sometimes use in the workshop - IR 1/2" and 3/4" air impact wrenches.

 

[premmington]

You likely know this already but the cheap all metal Sealey ones etc are no good at all.

IR as said or CP are good. Composite decent rated one would be good.

You have reminded me I have a CP one sitting here doing nothing. So I have added it on here in the for sale section for anyone who may be interested.

Agree - I was going thru two or three Sealey twin hammer ones a year at one point. Snap on ones just about lasted a year.

IR ones are the best of the best as air tools go.

 

[brightspark]

cp gear real good as well

 

[Keithmac]

I've gone for a Snap-on MG725 Impact Gun, as said I can get any spares off the van with no messing about.

I've bought him the M12 Stubby (which he says he wants to pay me back for) for light duty.

Eventually he'll end up with an M18 Hi Torque no doubt but he's only 2 weeks in!.

 

[mr haynes]

My Hazet 1/2" windy gun has never failed to loosen and been durable, but then i have mechanically sympathetic tendancies

 

[Keithmac]

I somehow doubt that an apprentice (just started?) would be attending road-side calls? I agree that IR would likely fit the needs of an apprentice - but are tools not normally supplied?

He has a list of tools to buy from college but to be fair his boss is really nice and has lent him use of his tools.

He took his toolbox from our work, has quite a good selection but more motorcycle orientated than car.

If there's any long 1/2 ratchets left on the van next week I'll get him one of those next.

 

[JOEPRO]

I somehow doubt that an apprentice (just started?) would be attending road-side calls? I agree that IR would likely fit the needs of an apprentice - but are tools not normally supplied?

I'm not even in the trade and family have phoned me to go fit their spare wheel at roadside. I throw my m18 in the boot and go.

Anyway I think circumstances aside it is an important limitation to consider on air impacts.

 

[Bobupndown]

He has a list of tools to buy from college but to be fair his boss is really nice and has lent him use of his tools.

He took his toolbox from our work, has quite a good selection but more motorcycle orientated than car.

If there's any long 1/2 ratchets left on the van next week I'll get him one of those next.

Wish my dad would buy me Snap-on tools

 

[Keithmac]

I'm just happy he's turned out OK and straight into a job from school.

Don't begrudge buying him a few bits and pieces to make work a bit nicer.

I started off with nowt so know how hard it is to get a tool kit together.

 

[chris pruteanu]

Agree - I was going thru two or three Sealey twin hammer ones a year at one point. Snap on ones just about lasted a year.

IR ones are the best of the best as air tools go.

Never hâd Any issues with snap on magnesium impact hammers, matter of fact I have 2 large ones and a smaller one for zipping smaller bolts however I didn’t take them out of the drawer since buying battery tools !
Milwaukee are great impacts shame they don’t build them with great quality in mind, on mine The batteries are so loose in the tool that I have to take them out repeatedly so the tool works. Also I have 2 drill drivers, one is draining batteries rendering them useless, the other one has issues with the trigger switch- they have been used lightly and blown the dust out regularly!
My snap on battery impacts are great,
Really good holding mechanism (makes me swear every time I put batteries on charge) and decent hitting as well…
As for Ingersol Rand tools, they are really, really good. I have a small die grinder which spins at 32k rpms, very light, very manoeuvrable and works just as well as the day I bought it ! I love quality tools built to last !
Last week my abac compressor packed in but I really don’t miss it much except from when I need to inflate/blow or test AC lines I weld !
As the others say, go for battery power or really good air impact, don’t go for cheap tools as they are crap !