Which impact to buy first

[maurice]

Currently nor have I ever worked at a shop( but looking for employment ) so I haven’t been exposed to what tools is used the most. I already have over 3k invested just in my hand tools so I’m not worried about that. It’s time to move on to power tools. Once employed at a shop I will by pneumatic but I don’t have the luxury of storing a compressor at my house so I will be buying electric. Doing everything by hand is fine but powered would be be nice.
My question is for you professionals what is the better choice for overall versatility, 3/8 wrench,3/8 impact or 1/2 impact. I will shortly get them all but at the moment can only afford one. The types of jobs I’m doing at home is brakes and suspension.

Topic

[Mike]

Here it is. It’s the quiet version of the tool, which I think makes it a lot more comfortable to use. It’s the quietest gun in the shop and if something is too tight for it, nobody else’s gun will loosen it either. That includes the Snap-On MG725, it’s main competitor, which the guy next to me uses. I use the Mac Tools version of it because it has different grips on it I like better, but it’s the same gun mechanically. I’ve been using it everyday for years, but I’ve tried a lot of different ones along the way.

You also want this gun first because it has all the 1/2″ power you will need on day one, but also the best control around. You can put a 10mm socket on it and gently run a tiny bolt in and properly tighten it with it on the maximum power setting because the trigger feel and control is so good. It can be used more gently and precisely than any other I’ve seen on any setting they have. No smaller 3/8″ gun will give you any better control with smaller fasteners, only a smaller gun that will fit in tighter areas.

[Bryan Carter]

Hey, that’s the gun I have. I like IR products in general, but love the 2135QTiMAX in particular. In fact, many of my air tools are IR. I also have a 3/8 2115TiMAX impact, IR 1207MAX-D3 ratchet, IR 2015MAX Hammerhead impact. I also have a Snap-on 3/8 MG325 impact, Snap-on 3050B air hammer, Mac AR249 1/4″ air ratchet, along with an assortment of old Aero air drills and grinders.

Out of the collection, I probably use the IR 3/8 impact the most. It’s very quiet when running bolts, it only get noisy when it’s actually impacting. How quiet? It’s quieter than any of the electric impacts I’ve used. It’s a good tool.

But to be fair I’m not a pro technician, just a serious enthusiast.

[maurice]

Thanks fopeano, I will look into that gun when I’m ready for an air impact. I’m alittle confused though. It sounds like your talking about 3/8 but the gun is 1/2.
That’s cool that you guys like IR tools cuz that’s the brand I was looking into already.

[Mike]

I’m talking 1/2″. You need that for lugs, axle nuts and all kinds of larger stuff right from day one, but it has the finesse that you don’t NEED smaller impacts until you can get them as a luxury.

[maurice]

Oh I understand what you mean now

[Pat61]

[quote=”ainokea96744″ post=109997]
My question is for you professionals what is the better choice for overall versatility, 3/8 wrench,3/8 impact or 1/2 impact. I will shortly get them all but at the moment can only afford one. The types of jobs I’m doing at home is brakes and suspension.[/quote]

IMHO your first impact should be a 1/2″ gun. You’re sure to use this puppy even if you do nothing more than change the blade on your lawn mower. I would look for something like the 18v DeWalt so often praised on this forum. I am not fond of 110v tools that will see use out in the elements, under wet cars, etc, etc.

[Author]

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