Another tool question....

[alex e]

Gotta replace my long gone air impact wrench with something good. I was thinking CP 734-749 series. Lots of them on ebay and cheap enough for me buying used. Can they be ruined though if used?
What type of tq. numbers do I want to have when working on
cruiser-ish projects? I am not a tool spec junkie so I have no real world comparison of 500 ft lbs tq in reverse versus 336 tq in reverse, 5-500 ft lbs working tq, etc.......how much do you really need?

What about air ratchets? Good for tight spaces, probably buy one at the same time. Same question here: how powerful do you wanna go?

Thanks guys.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I use the combo pack they have on sale at Harbor Freight from time to time. The set I have came with 1/2" ratchet and a 1/2" impact wrench, I also got a 3/8" ratchet. Since I use a relatively small compressor I use the 3/8" as much as possible to cut down on how much time I have to wait for the compressor to catch up. I also use a torque wrench or regular ratchet as required to finish tightening things up.

If I were a professional I'd buy a high quality set of air tools, cheap tools suck if you have to use them everyday. But as a shade tree mechanic the cheapie stuff is working out okay.

 

[619TOY]

I use IR for both. The advantage of the IR composite impacts are small size, light weight and about the highest strength in their class. I use both a 3/8 as well as a 1/2.

For a ratchet I use the biggest IR because even the strongest of ratchets is still relatively weak. I think mine is a 109XP or something like that.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The IR impacts are very nice. It's a good place to spend a few $$. You get more power, and better air efficiency with better air tools.

The impacts get used all the time, so this is a good place to spend cash. I have a cheapy air ratchet. I want a better one, because the Harbor Frieght "Professional" I have is an air hog and is slow. I'll likely get another IR unless someone has a better plan with data.

 

[fj40charles]

Another vote for IR.

You need to quit being cheap when it comes to tools. You generally get what you pay for.

500 ft/lbs torque in reverse may mean the difference between getting the nut off or not being able to do it.

 

[Tools R Us]

Gotta replace my long gone air impact wrench with something good. I was thinking CP 734-749 series. Lots of them on ebay and cheap enough for me buying used. Can they be ruined though if used?
What type of tq. numbers do I want to have when working on
cruiser-ish projects? I am not a tool spec junkie so I have no real world comparison of 500 ft lbs tq in reverse versus 336 tq in reverse, 5-500 ft lbs working tq, etc.......how much do you really need?

What about air ratchets? Good for tight spaces, probably buy one at the same time. Same question here: how powerful do you wanna go?

Thanks guys.

I wouldn't buy much of anything from CP, for impacts IR makes some of the best. The 231 series are probably the most durable ever made and will have plenty of power for your needs. The plastic guns are nicer to use, make more power and are slightly less durable, more expensive to repair, pick your poison, ether will work for what your looking for and with basic care will last a long time.

For a good ratchet I would also pick IR. The 109 is an excellent tool, but for home/small shop use a 107XP is a great choice. Air ratchets are designed to be used like a hand ratchet to crack the fastener loose, then hit the button and let the power wind it out. I know, no one operates them that way, but that's how their designed. The rated "power" of the tool is relatively irrelevant, I pay much more attention to the speed when comparing them. The older designs run at about 150 rpm, newer designs are 300+ rpm.

 

[Tools R Us]

One point on the 231's: On some of the later ones IR tried to update the design by adding a teasing throttle and handle exhaust. The throttle has proven to be much more problematic and a pain to work on. My recommendation is get the standard throttle, it's stupid simple, if it ever has a problem, a new o-ring and you back in biz!

IIRC the 231XP has the teasing throttle and the 231C or classic is the original style? They look like this, original on the left.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

One point on the 231's: On some of the later ones IR tried to update the design by adding a teasing throttle and handle exhaust. The throttle has proven to be more problematic and a pain to work on. My recommendation is get the standard throttle, it's stupid simple, if it ever has a problem, a new o-ring and you back in biz!

IIRC the 231XP has the teasing throttle and the 231C or classic is the original style? They look like this, original on the left.

Thanks for the pics-I have the 231C as pictured. No teasing throttle! The only thing I've had problems with is the socket retainer-the C-clip that sits in the end of the anvil. Can that be replaced?

Now shopping for an IR 107-looks like $100 or so on Amazon.

 

[Tools R Us]

... The only thing I've had problems with is the socket retainer-the C-clip that sits in the end of the anvil. Can that be replaced?

Sure, most of the time it's an easy fix. Is your clip coming off or just not holding sockets?

Most of the time drive anvil and/or clip problems are from running chrome sockets. Chrome is very hard and the metal that they are made from is harder than impact sockets, the anvil beating on that hard chrome greatly accelerates wear. The best plan, if you need to run chromes is run a short impact extension all of the time to protect the anvil and clip.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Sure, most of the time it's an easy fix. Is your clip coming off or just not holding sockets?

Most of the time drive anvil and/or clip problems are from running chrome sockets. Chrome is very hard and the metal that they are made from is harder than impact sockets, the anvil beating on that hard chrome greatly accelerates wear. The best plan, if you need to run chromes is run a short impact extension all of the time to protect the anvil and clip.

That's a good call. The problems started after I used a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter that was chrome steel. The impact extension is a good tip.

The clip was actually bent sideways-I straightened and re-installed but it isn't quite right. I'll try to source a new one.

 

[Tools R Us]

That's a good call. The problems started after I used a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter that was chrome steel. The impact extension is a good tip.

The clip was actually bent sideways-I straightened and re-installed but it isn't quite right. I'll try to source a new one.

Most hand chrome sockets have depressions on the drive broach to work with the retention balls used on hand drivers. Some of those depressions are profiled so that they can catch impact rings, pulling them off, bending the clip, etc.

The groove in the anvil for the ring can become deformed, steps to install a new ring; Remove the old ring and o-ring, clean up the groove. Take the new ring and roll it around in the groove backwards, like fitting a piston ring. It should roll around smoothly, if it catches anywhere clean up the groove with a file, etc. Install the o-ring. Lay the retaining ring on a flat hard surface and push the anvil down onto it, this will push the ring onto the nose of the anvil, use a socket to seat.

 

[alex e]

Thanks for the tips......looking into the IR.

 

[WristPin]

i am a snap on tool fan all the way. i currently own the latest model, the XT7100
its presion balanced and delivers a heck of a lot of power.

but its not for the weekend wrencher.

i started out in the automitve industry with a IR 231. they still and have been making them for 25+ years.

one thing i never liked about it was the wieght and length. these suckers will make you buff in a month of using it every day

but they are strong, reliable and easy to service. ( like any mechanical apparatus it does require maintenence)

 

[Corbet]

x2 on the Snap On XT7100. I picked one up off Ebay last year and its done every thing I've asked of it.

 

[alia176]

When it comes to air tools, whatever ToolRUs says, I follow like a blind man....

 

[Cruiserdrew]

For a good ratchet I would also pick IR. The 109 is an excellent tool, but for home/small shop use a 107XP is a great choice. .

Back to the top to report a good deal. I was at Pep Boys and they have a remainder table with cheap crap on it. I could not believe my eyes, but there was a brand new in box IR 107XP for $49. I asked the dude to take off another 10% and he did! ANyway, I was stoked, and got a nice new IR ratchet for $44. On line they seem to be $115 or so.

So, you might check the local Pep Boys cheap chinese remainder crap table for a surprise or two.