I need to get a 3/8 inch air impact wrench. anybody have any good/ bad stories about different brands ect?
or just a personal preference based on customer service or spesific features?

i'm somewhat budget minded about this, but i'd be willing to spend more if i know i'm getting more.

thanks for any info.

no takers i see.... well, i was thinking about some wrenches from harbor freight, but i could just get a craftsman one from sears, that way if i break it or fill it with peanut-butter i can get a new one. i'll most likely go that route.

On a 3/8" drive, I'd hold out for a brand endorsement, because often times the bargain brands don't have any power.  For example, the mail-order no-name (either Harbor Freight or Northern Tool) I use doesn't have enough pep to zap-off the GStwin brake caliper bolts.  And the torque rating on the box isn't worth the cardboard it's printed on.    

i wondered about that, some budget ones claim "massive torque!!!!!1!!!" and then in the print it lists 60 ft lbs.

a few other relatively cheap ones list around 300 ft lbs, but i don't know if i should believe them.

i'll probably go craftsman.

I've never even seen a 3/8 impact wrench.  You talking about one of those that is also a rachet, or the "gun" types?

How often are you going to be using it?  I wouldn't put a lot of faith in Craftsman pneumatic tools; if you're making a living or undertaking a major restoration with it then Snap-On or Ingersoll-Rand is the way to go. 

If you just need it a couple times a year for basic jobs Harbor Freight has some decent models at great prices.  Craftsman are overpriced.

-M

i'm going for a "gun" type.
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0203898

somthing like that.

it is for a job, but my feeling is that it will see only light to medium duty. my new employer spesifically said i would not need a impact wrench bigger than 3/8 inch.

I made the mistake of buying a cheap impact wrench a couple years ago... I still had to break the lug nuts on my car free with a 4-way which IMO defeats the purpose of the impact wrench.  Also, I was under the impression 1/2 drive impact wrench was pretty standard because of the amount of force they have to take.

Quote from: Church6360 on April 17, 2006, 05:02:24 AM
i'm going for a "gun" type.
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0203898

somthing like that.

it is for a job, but my feeling is that it will see only light to medium duty. my new employer spesifically said i would not need a impact wrench bigger than 3/8 inch.

I've never seen such a beast.  I have a 1/2" gun, along with 3/8" and 1/4" ratchets that I inherited.  They're cheap Campbell Hausfield crap, but they work for what I need most of the time.  I keep a 1/2" breaker bar around just in case though. 

Ok so it's not just me who thought a 3/8" impact wrench was wierd

yeah, 3/8 seems odd, but thats what they said i should need, i even double checked to make sure he hadn't just accidently said 3/8 when he meant 3/4. but he said 3/8 

I bought a compressor kit from Homedepot for $200.
The brand was Husky.  It came with the impact wrench, impact ratchet, air hammer,  rotary tool, and a paint spray gun.
along with a slew of other toys.  a 5hp compressor and a 30gal tank.

I use these tools all the time and haven't had a failure yet (2yrs).  and I treat my tools pretty tough.

I was scared to go with a "cheap" brand but I've been happy so far, and the kit has paid for itself twice over. 

**BTW -- I thought craftsman warranty was for hand tools only? 

Quote from: LimaXray on April 17, 2006, 11:08:09 AM
Ok so it's not just me who thought a 3/8" impact wrench was wierd

There's nothing weird about a 3/8" drive impact wrench.    It's smaller & lighter than a 1/2" drive and probably what they use on a motorcycle assembly line.  Good up to about 9/16" nuts.    

i still have about a week before i really need to get it, so i'm going to shop around, see how a few of them feel in my hand ect.
i'll post somthing once i get one. thansk for all the various 2 cents, it's good to hear what others have found/ done.

Check Tools Unlimited, 1941 W. Alexis,  419-472-1148

I'll have to check that place out, it's good to support local business, i'll give them a call today.

I've got three 3/8 impact wrenches, all Craftsman, one pistol grip and two butterfly style. had the longest 7 yrs and used in an industrial environment. Have had absolutly no problems with any of them and would recommend them to anyone

I use my 1/2" drive everyday and i have never had any problems with it. If it were me, I would stick with Ingersoll-Rand their about the best out there..