Air wrench advice

Mine is dead. Looks like this is on sale at the zon:

ingersoll rand 1/2 on sale

Any thoughts on this unit? Mine wouldn’t take bolts off my rear blade on my tractor even after I busted them semi loose with a big breaker bar. Any other suggestions? I looked at the astro thor g2, but some reviews said they had issues. I probably don’t need a 3/4, I don’t use the air wrench often, mainly when working on tractor or trailer, sometimes tires.

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I try to stick to whatever “system” I’m already a part of like Dewalt, Ridgid, etc.

I bought a compressor 15+ years ago and it came with knockoff tools. I don’t use them very often but they always get the job done. If you don’t use it often, think of going the Harbor Freight route.

Or, buy a cordless one from whatever company (Dewalt, Ridgid) you already use and don’t mess with the air.

Also, that hyperlink is a whole mess. lol

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yeah, I might have to edit the hyper link using the tool.

I had an el cheapo air wrench, probably why it died while using it (it got oiled before each use). I don’t think there is a 1/4 impact on the planet that would suffice and I don’t think my ecosystem offers a 1/2 inch version. I mainly use my compressor and compressor tools for rust removal and bolts. You know what I mean, rusty nuts and bolts some with paint on them. It is either air wrench or the torch. I love my needle gun.

The new brushless electrics are just as good if not more powerful than air. My dad owns a repair shop and completely switched to 20v Dewalt. He claims the 1/2" brushless is more powerful than any air ones he has.

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wow, that is impressive. All the guys that do auto repair in my area are still using air for nuts/bolts. I will have to read up on that, didn’t know that they had that much torque. This one has 1100, which should handle everything I need it for.

You getting pounded with snow today? We are getting a slushy mix right now.

Edit : the dewalt has lower torque 20v max

  • Tackle wide range of fastening applications with 600 ft-lbs. of max fastening torque and 800 ft-lbs. of max breakaway torque
    Edit again: appears that different models offer different torque
    1030 ft-lbs of max fastening torque and 1400 ft-lbs of max breakaway torque and it costs about 50 dollars more than the IR. If I had the dewalt ecosystem this might be a no brainer

The brushless has a lot more torque than the standard ones. I first bought him the standard for Christmas a couple years ago and he liked it but wouldn’t bust lug nuts loose on big trucks. His new brushless will break loose anything he throws at it.

I have the 3/8" one for home use. It will take lug nuts loose on all my vehicles, but it’s no where near what the 1/2" can do. It’s perfect for me because it has enough power and it’s the same size as the 1/4", which is very compact compared to the 1/2"

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I used to use air wrenches for ughs duggas and went over to battery powered. They didn’t have enough oomph. My old next door neighbor (whos an helicopter mechanic) watched me struggle with a set of trailer tires that were NOT MOVING . I tried soaking them, heat, etc he pulled out a corded Milwaukee 1/2 and rattled the thing off in like 10 seconds and made me feel like a fool. I bought the same model and have never had trouble with anything else ever again using it. It’s what I bring to friends shops if they have some stuck.
I had always thought air was the best but this thing does way better. The new batteries in don’t have experience with so take this info and send it on back of you need to. Hope this helps.

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Agree, I’ve switched over to almost all Milwaukee M18 Fuel and haven’t looked back. 1/2 impact has 1100 ft. lbs. fastening and 1500 ft. lbs. breaking torque. Haven’t meet a bolt it didn’t like… but comes at a price, especially if you aren’t already a part of the ecosystem.

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Thanks everyone for the input.

I looked at my ecosystem and the one they sold is almost $300 without the battery. Makes no sense for me to buy that when I can get the IR for 165, for a tool I don’t use regularly. I think if I was a grease monkey it would make more sense. I already have an 80 gal compressor, hoses, nail guns, biscuits, sandblast cabinet etc.

I looked at other brands, but decided that I wasn’t going to get another set of batteries to maintain. It is already a PITA with the ones I have. Even with BF right around the corner, most of them weren’t cheap and the IR air wrench was a much cheaper option. Have I ever mentioned that I am frugal?

Once again, thanks a lot. I didn’t even look at cordless.