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Looking to get some good air tools..

84CUCV

3/4 ton status
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Jul 1, 2002
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NJ for now
I have Ingersoll-Rand thunder gun and a air hammer. going to buy another thunder gun. Been great tools worth every penny. Not one problem.

looking to buy some more decent tools. Was thinking about staying with Ingersoll-Rand. Just looking for good quality. looking for:
7 inch angle Sander/grinder
3/8 ratchet
1/2 drill
die grinder
angle die grinder
grease gun
cut off wheel

Any recommendations please post up. Thanks a lot
 
was told by a ex i.r tool guy that had to leave cause thay closed up shop in his town that aluminum i.r tools are oversea's now but composit are still us based .

i have both in impacts and every day i go for the composit over aluminum based tool for less weight in my hands but still lots of power.
 
I <3 my Ti max IR guns.

I really like my f body snap on air ratchet aswell. Can be had on ebay for good prices.
 
MasterPower Air tools are freaking awesome tools, but very pricy. I paid $180 for my die grinder alone, but it's got INSANE amount of torque and it's bad ass. Will be getting a right angle die grinder as well when money permits, even though I have three or four of other some od odd brands already. Never can have enough right angle die grinders. Especially the high torque power guns.
 
I've had my IR 1/2 inch impact going on 15-16 years now. It's slowed down a bit, but I used it hard. I'm thinking about snap on for my next.
 
I've had my IR 1/2 inch impact going on 15-16 years now. It's slowed down a bit, but I used it hard. I'm thinking about snap on for my next.[/QUOTEmeh,

Meh, most are just rebranded. Your way better off just going with IR for your impact gun
 
have you taken it apart and cleaned it out and lubed it up ?

thay do offer rebuild kits also with new cylinder and vains for the air motor. also pins for the hammers and hammers.
 
ok ill look at the ir composit and the master power. never heard of them.. thanks
 
For the price the smaller stuff like die grinders, air saws, and 3" cutoffs are actually great from harbor freight. Especially when theyre only $15 each and replace them for free.

I began establishing some air tools last year. Waited for an H freight sale and bought all of what I just listed, plus an air hammer (which works amazing for $10 with all the bits) for about $80 investment with swivels and fittings on everything.

I cant comment on larger items like body sanders etc but their small stuff is excellent. I do how ever have a mac impact gun so I havent really ventured there with the H freight stuff.
 
The I.R. Ti series are the tools i swear by i have a 1/2" impact and a 3/8" ratchet. they both have been through hell and back an still cranking. When i have the money i will pick up a I.R. air hammer, my current one is a harbor frieght an it works went it wants to but i hate it i would have better like with a hammer and a chisel i think, i've seen people take off rivits without grinding the heads first and that is what dreams are made of. cut offs and die grinders, I get the 9.99 specials from harbor frieght an when they stop working i'll get more. . . . that being said i haven't killed on yet ony been a year on those.
 
For the price the smaller stuff like die grinders, air saws, and 3" cutoffs are actually great from harbor freight. Especially when theyre only $15 each and replace them for free.


Had one of the HF cutoff wheels, it sucked. I gave it way, just buy a good grinder and be done with it. Chicago Pneumatic has mid price line that is made in Japan. It is good enough for daily use. I did metal work for a year and a half with a straight and 90*. Dotco makes very durable ones.

Waited for an H freight sale and bought all of what I just listed, plus an air hammer (which works amazing for $10 with all the bits) for about $80 investment with swivels and fittings on everything.

I actually threw this away. Worst trigger I've ever put my finger on.

For the rest of the list:
3/8 ratchet- I've bought a couple, the only one I still have is a S-O FAR72. I also have the 1/4" FAR25 that I've used daily for years. It's been rebuilt once.

1/2 drill- I've got a big Blue Point that I almost never use, it's just too bulky. For every day stuff get a smaller drill, I've got an OLD Rodac at home and a Souix at work. If you need to make holes in confined spaces and want to drop a bunch of money look at a 90* drill. Just make sure it has a threaded chuck. If you need something like that a normal chuck is usually too big.

If its just for the house I'd still skip the HF stuff and buy IR. Also pass on the mini die grinders & air ratchets, unless you are getting them to supplement the full size ones in tight quarters. Just my 2c, happy shopping:pimp:

*Edit to add* If you plan on using them, get rubber covered grinders or your hands will get COLD.
 
I have an IR2135 gun, love it, best I`ve ever had. I also have a Snap on FAR-72B 3/8 and FAR-25 air ratchets, love them both. I have a Snap on PH3050 air chisel, pretty happy with it, want more power. I have a Bluepoint right angle grinder, use it with 3M cookies only, liked because it is very quiet. I also have a cheapo straight die grinder I use with a carbide bit only. I have a 15 y/o CP 3/8 revesable drill, works well, would like a 1/2 inch. I think the Snap on guns are too heavy, and have seen many go out for repairs. Souix is the company that makes the current drills for S/O.
 
ir on most everything, snap on for the 3/8 rachet and air hammer. i have the heavy duty air hammer its the DEAL. 5/8 balla joint rivets dont stand a chance! hands down ! ir for everything else. i have a lot of air tools and been though a some cheap ones the hf 1/4 air rachet is desent but it's either on or off the ir has the variable speed which is very nice. you will replace it with an ir you just can't go wrong with ir.
 
I only use harbor freight air tools with low torque setups. Like carbide bits and 3m scotch brite pads cause they have no power. I like the Mac die grinders for torque but don't have a good local rep in my area so I don't have any. That being said.

I buy Snap On only air tools as mine spend there life in a rolling tool box. They get rained on, snowed on, frozen, muddy, and thrown from 10 feet or higher. When my tools need rebuilt, I pay a flat fee no matter what the damaged. My last IR style SnapOn 1/2" had an egg shaped housing from a nasty drop. It cost me $85-90 dollars for a complete reman. I think the only part I got back that was original was the trigger.

I use my air tools in extreme conditions and might not be a good example. But I would give advise to research the true output of a tool and the support for that brand if you rely on it on the job.
 
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