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Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:36 am

Ok, so I recently bought a compressor, and the next thing I need is an impact air wrench/gun. I want to use it for anything from wheel removal to separating body from pan.

I looked into some models and have some questions for the more experienced folks here.

I'm currently looking at 3 models, from weak to strong:

Bergen 8511: Torque Range: 11-280 ft./lbs
Ingersoll Rand 2130: Torque Range: 50-500 ft/lbs
Aircat 1100K: Working torque: 200-850 ft/lbs

Is the Bergen strong enough for work such as opening the gland nut on the flywheel (217 ft/lbs according to the 1200 Owner Service Manual)?

The Bently manual says to torque wheel lugs to 133 ft/lbs. So if the wrench specs say Working Torque: 200-900 ft-lb (Aircat) - does that mean it's too strong and can't torque at 133 ft/lbs?

The Bergen can work on as low as 11 ft/lbs - is that an advantage?

And most importantly: can the torque be adjusted to specific figures, thus eliminating the need for a manual torque ratchet?

Thank you.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:30 am

I have an IR 2130, great gun. That would be my recommendation. As far as setting torque, you will need a torque stick for that, or a manual torque wrench. Even torque sticks aren't that accurate, but are good for things like wheels. For engine stuff, you will still need a torque wrench, but that impact will be great for the gland nut.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:39 am

X2 I have had an Ingersoll for years and years, can't be beat. have not found many old rusty nuts and bolts it would not take off including 46MM bus axle nuts. You really need to careful of it's power :wink:

Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:29 am

You NEVER use an impact to torque stuff back on! If it's supposed to be torqued, you do that by hand with a torque wrench.

This question of which tool is often decided by your budget.

The IR should be a nice tool. I have a couple of their impacts here and they have never been a problem.

If cost is a factor, you may want to look into what Craftsman has to offer.

If cost is NOT a factor, see the Snap-On man.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:47 am

drscope wrote: You NEVER use an impact to torque stuff back on!

Even wheels? Tire shops always put wheels back on with an impact gun.

Cost is always a factor, but the 3 I posted above are about the same price. What concerns me more is power - I don't want an underpowered tool, but I'm afraid overpower is just as bad - breaking bolts and such.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:03 am

beetleman217 wrote: drscope wrote: You NEVER use an impact to torque stuff back on!

Even wheels? Tire shops always put wheels back on with an impact gun.

Cost is always a factor, but the 3 I posted above are about the same price. What concerns me more is power - I don't want an underpowered tool, but I'm afraid overpower is just as bad - breaking bolts and such.

Every time i've gone to a tire shop they tighten the lugs about twice as much as they should be. After having them snap a lug from over tightening I now just take them the wheels off the vehicle

Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:11 am

Even Sam's Club (whom dismount my stinky barn find wheels) use a torque wrench now days.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:20 am

For any of those guns to be accurate and perform as specified you will need a compressor that can supply not only enough pressure, but more importantly enough CFM. Check their use requirements to be sure your compressor is adequate. They usually require a large commercial compressor and/or large reserve tank to get the most out of them and obtain their maximum torque power.

All these guns should have an adjustment feature so you can set it to obtain the lower torque figures for smaller fasteners more accurately.

The Bergen looks like a quality unit, but I'm not familiar with that brand.

I like this gun for it's value, reliability, and it's adjustment features. It is also not too heavy or noisy. It has an average consumption of 106 CFM...
http://www.cp.com/usen/whatwedo/powertools/classic/products/cp734H.aspx

P.S. I would re-check the value you stated for the wheel torque, don't think it's 133 ft lbs.!!

Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:50 am

Thanks for the heads up on the CFM. My compressor is up to it.

I'm just about to decide between the IR and the Aircat. What concerns me the most is the Aircat spec says working torque 200-850 ft/lbs. Does that mean the lowest power setting is 200 ft/lbs? That may be destructive to a lot of bolts, no?

The IR is not as strong but if the above is correct, the IR is more versatile starting at 50 ft/lbs.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:25 am

Ingersoll Rand and Chicago Pneumatic are the two brands that came up as being the best when I did my research a while back. Both are quality tools that will provide years of service with the appropriate care and maintenance.
The reason that so many shops only use impact guns on wheels is that they deal in speed and volume. It's the old "get 'em in and get 'em out" mentality, and with today's cheaply made rims, it will result in bent or warped rims, if you can get them back off. I had to cut the lug off of my truck with a torch when some "ape with an air gun" got it way too tight. I insist that they be torqued to spec, or torque them myself.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:16 am

beetleman217 wrote: drscope wrote: You NEVER use an impact to torque stuff back on!

Even wheels? Tire shops always put wheels back on with an impact gun.

Have you ever tried to get them off latter? I just broke a quality 19mm impact socket trying to get the wheel off my Jeep.

Many of the better tire shops no longer use an impact to put the wheels on. They either do them by hand or with a torque wrench. My friend in the tire business uses a torque wrench. He says it's a liability issue and he wants to make sure his guys do things to factory specs.

NASCAR may use an impact, but the guns they use are WAY out of your budget. And NONE of those parts are ever going to be reused after a day of racing.

As for air tools, the biggest difference between good ones and not so good ones is the amount of air they require. Cheap tools usually require high CFM while the more expensive tools don't need so much.

It's not a bad idea to buy cheap air tools from someplace like Harbor Freight when you are getting started. If you watch their sales you can quickly have a large inventory of air tools without spending a lot of money. Then you just replace the ones you use the most with better stuff as time goes by.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:27 am

drscope wrote: beetleman217 wrote: drscope wrote: You NEVER use an impact to torque stuff back on!

Even wheels? Tire shops always put wheels back on with an impact gun.

Have you ever tried to get them off latter? I just broke a quality 19mm impact socket trying to get the wheel off my Jeep.

Many of the better tire shops no longer use an impact to put the wheels on. They either do them by hand or with a torque wrench. My friend in the tire business uses a torque wrench. He says it's a liability issue and he wants to make sure his guys do things to factory specs.

NASCAR may use an impact, but the guns they use are WAY out of your budget. And NONE of those parts are ever going to be reused after a day of racing.

As for air tools, the biggest difference between good ones and not so good ones is the amount of air they require. Cheap tools usually require high CFM while the more expensive tools don't need so much.

It's not a bad idea to buy cheap air tools from someplace like Harbor Freight when you are getting started. If you watch their sales you can quickly have a large inventory of air tools without spending a lot of money. Then you just replace the ones you use the most with better stuff as time goes by.

Recommending a noob start with crap from Harbor Freight is a big disservice.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:54 pm

Don't like any of them. I use a Matco something or other hooked to an 80 gallon compressor. My backup gun is an older campbell hausefield. Both guns have a similar design...no rubber crap to collect dirt and a separate anvil housing. If you own the gun long enough both of those features will come in handy.

The ch gun was my first gun bought back 15 years ago for 69 bucks. Still works great and still available for the same cash.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:34 pm

I have the Ingersoll-rand, ive owned quite a few impacts in the past and this one cant be beat. Ive had mine for 12 years now.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:51 pm

I still have my Mac AW.234 made by IR. You can also buy recon. from IR. and most other brands at places like this.
http://www.powertoolrepairohio.com/products.php?product=RECON%252dAW234
Trade ins or repaired tools from Mac and snap on or other tool truck guys can be a good buy also.

Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:45 pm

drscope wrote:
If cost is NOT a factor, see the Snap-On man.

X2

Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:55 pm

Ir and aircats are both good guns. Mac air impacts are re badged aircats except for the new guns out. I have both as well as a older snap on. Get a quality impact in your budget.

Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:21 am

I have a 24 year old Snap-On IM151 (I think that is the number) gun as well as an IR Titanium series here at the shop.
Both 1/2" drive.
Both have been flawless since new.

Cry once and buy the best gun you can afford.
Keep the air clean and moisture free.
Lube at recommended intervals and they should last a very long time.

Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:41 am

With just a impact wrench it will stretch the wheel studs over time and cause them to snap. Not fun to fix by the way.

Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:53 am

Thank you all for your input. On the same subject, I'd also like to get a hand torque wrench, preferably a clicker type, for those more accurate torques.

I am a home user, not a garage, so I don't need anything super good and super expensive, but I also don't like one season junk. Any suggestions?