Any good impact for under $100?

I started to install new struts on the front of my truck last night and my impact died on the first bolt. Ive had it a couple years and thats way longer than I expected it to last.

What do you guys recommend for under $100?

I have a lowes locally and thought of trying a kobalt so I could return it if not happy. we also have autozone, advance, oreillys, napa and walmart if any of those might have something.

 

Do you have a Harbor Freight around you? Their tools aren't bad for the price. If it's not under every day use, they'll last a while.

 

unfortunately no. Its about an hour away. I always end up buying stuff I dont even need when I go there just cause its so cheap.

 

If your gunna spend money on tools get something reliable like most of the good name brands

 

Most of the time I'd agree with you but for the common home owner or DIY mechanic who will only use the tool a few times a year or may install a lift and not touch the tool again for years, it's not worth spending 3 or 4 times the money on a well known, reliable name brand vs. Harbor Freight or the Lowes/Home Depot brands. For most people, the off brands hold up perfectly well for light/moderate use. Hell, I've had a Ryobi 18v set for years and even did a fairly substantial home renovation using them and they've held up surprisingly well.

 

I'm kinda looking around as well. I was hoping to get an air impact, but what kind of air compressor would I need to run it? Would I be looking for a high volume tank or one with a high PSI or both? Any help would be great.

 

Ive got a craftsman compressor. 33 gallon upright tank. 150psi.
It was a little under $300 and the impact that just died was a freebie deal they had with the compressor so I definitely got my moneys worth.

 

crap.. lol n here I was researching the little 3-6 gallons with 150-200 PSI... with such a low volume, I'd be waiting for it to refill quite a bit I imagine??

 

I agree ... picked up my air tools (Impact/ratchet/nailer) at a yard sale about 3 or 4 years ago. I think they are Husky brand. For the 3 or 4 times I use them a year, they serve their purpose and have held up. FWIW

 

If you're running it for a while, then a big tank is a must, unless you are using a gas engine compressor. Gas ones fill faster, but it wont' help your waiting if you tap that tank out quickly. I have a 5 gallon, twin tank electric compressor and it does just fine for turning lugs or long bolts. I just bought a Harbor Freight, no-name air impact and it works great.

 

Check your local pawn shops.

 

For a tank (for household or lighter duty use), I'd look for a higher cycle rate on the compressor or a large volume tank. If you run a shop, you want both. I have a small Bostich compressor that's got a decent duty cycle but it's a pancake tank so it's not overly large.

Some compressors are 100% duty cycle meaning you can hook the gun right up to the compressor, no tank needed. All the tank does is create a reserve so the compressor doesn't have to run 100% of the time. You have to determine your use and decide what trade offs you're willing to live with (big tank, takes a while to drain down but a long time to refill or small tank but a more expensive, high duty cycle compressor).

 

I love me some Harbor Freight. I can fill up a tool box for $25, and most of their 'solid' tools hold up great (open end stubbies ftw!).
Like others said, if it's a tool you will use one or twice a year, you don't need a $450 impact. Hell, they are technically only to *remove* bolts/nuts anyway. I work on CVT engines daily, and the Harbor Freight impact that I had just couldn't hang. I worked well out of the box, but would lose it's balls, or sometimes just lock up after a few weeks of very hard use. Sure, I could replace it for cheap under the HF warranty (which are awesome), but it was a hassle back and forth after the second time. I've had a Craftsman now for awhile and it's held up okay.

 

I worked in Auto Body for six years. The master body and frame technician recommended to me the Ingersol Rand IR-231 impact gun. In his view it was the best entry level impact gun available. It has been around for ages and you can even get rebuild kits for it when the seals eventually wear out.

Amazon has it for $122 shipped.

$130 Ingersoll Rand 231C 1/2” Drive Air Impact Wrench – Lightweight, Max 600 ft-lbs Torque Output, Adjustable Power, Twin Hammer, Silver, 3.4 x 8.2 x 8.8"es

http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Ran...RM3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325775386&sr=8-1

 

^This is your best route, i manage a pawn shop and we have cornwell, mac and sometimes snap-on impacts around 100 bucks. Right now i have a cornwell for 49 bucks. Pawn shop FTW

 

mmmm power tools i might want to invest in some

 

My dad has the HF electric impact and its ran great for years. Ive used it many times on my truck. get one of the 20% off coupons and go get one!

 

sorry dont mean to hijack or anything, it just hooks up to an air compressor right?

 

We also got an electric one from HF as well (for back-up, or emergency use on the road). Hooked into a cigarette lighter, or to the +/- battery terminals. GREAT for removing stuck nuts/bolts. That thing still breaks loose anything, and I mean anything, that my Craftsman can't.

Oh, and total win on the pawn shops, and yard sale suggestions! Found my best (used) tools at them.

 

you can get air powered, electric, or battery operated.