I am a mold setter in an injection molding plant. One of our primary tools is the impact gun.
Many of us have been supplying our own impacts, because the company impacts are AWFUL! They are not particularly powerful, are trouble-prone and seem to weigh a TON.
Myself, I got an Ingersoll-Rand 2135Ti (through Sears), and am VERY satisfied with it. The guy I work with most of the time got himself one of these (Craftsman #19864).
I have used his impact on several occasions, and it is very good too. Not quite as powerful as my IR going forward, but about as powerful in reverse. It is also fairly...review »
I researched the web for a 1/2" impact wrench that would do any job for a reasonable price. There are cheaper ones out there, but they may not be able to loosen your bolt/nut. This baby sings. The reverse torque is awesome. The forward torque is adjustable. It performs. One caution. Craftsman makes more than one "Craftsman Professional 1/2 in. Impact Wrench". Be sure you get this one. It's better than the other(s). Sears item# 00919864000 Mfr. model# 19864.
One anecdote. I was removing the flywheel nut from a 1988 CRX. I borrowed 3 wrenches from friends (all 1/2" impact wrenches). They just hammered...review »
I bought this impact over 2 years ago. I have been very impressed with the reverse power. I had a friend that could not break an axle nut off his acura and asked me to come over to see what I could do.
He had a 6ft pipe and a socket and could not break it loose. I used a small portable tank and my impact and had it off in under 30 seconds. Great product and I cant say I oil it every time.
Only thing I would like to see is a nice rubber cover made for it. Now it is time for me to put a seal in the trigger as it is finally loosing air.
I use this 4-5 time a week, building rotary motors, removing...review »
This gun is made for craftsmen by florida pnuematic. Bought this gun used from a diesel mechanic. 4 years old now and can still break nuts and bolts free. Took lugnuts off of a school bus that the shop 3/4 could't do.
I got the impact after trying to loosen axle nuts on a civic. The impact (also craftsman) that came with the compressor wouldn't do the job. I tried using a breaker bar with a long cheater bar and ended up making a trip to sears to replace the breaker bar. I couldn't believe how fast it broke the nut lose. The only reason I didn't rate it five stars is because I haven't had it long enough to determine how reliable it is.
Perhaps one of the most discreet models of Craftsman. An excelent tool. A plenty of power. Very well balanced and very little vibration. Is in addition quiet.
I've just recently purchased this air tool to disassemble an old car. It really works great. Very lightweight and comfortable. I have a small compressor, so I like this tool because it uses little air. Excellent bang for the buck. Have to be careful with all that torque... it'll snap small bolt heads off if you're too heavy on the trigger!!
Within one year of purchase it has broken twice on me. Once it would work under load and now the drive bit doesn't even spin. I oiled it daily and took care of it, but the quality of this impact gun has left me disappointed.
After 3-4 months of use, and oiling it daily like the instructions said, the hammer mechanism broke. The pins inside the transmission sheared right off. It had decent power, while it worked.