[tjoy427]

Hey, if you use air tools and don't have one of these yet, GET ONE! These are the best thing since sliced bread. I had an ingersol Rand impact ratchet years ago but it wasn't much. This is a true, 180 ft. lb., reactionless (doesnt' hurt your hands) impact tool that looks like an air ratchet. It does NOT work like an air ratchet. It is an impact wrench that gets into tight spaces. My kids got me one for Christmas and the first time I used it on a simple timing chain job is about made me wet my pants. Sweeeeet. Its a bit heavier than a 3/8 air ratchet but not that bad. Mines 3/8 drive and I know they make a 1/2 inch drive but I don't know about 1/4" drive. If they have the 1/4, well..... my birthdays comin up soon. My hands are full of arthritis and this thing makes a few annoying jobs much more tolerable. I love my Snap-On air ratchets but they sure hurt my hands. Thought I'd pass it on. Tom.

[willowbilly3]

I've been using IR reactionless 3/8 rachets for at least 20 years, used to wear out about one a year when I was a full time tech.

[tjoy427]

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

I've been using IR reactionless 3/8 rachets for at least 20 years, used to wear out about one a year when I was a full time tech.

Hey willowbilly3. My discription is misleading. This tool just came out last fall. It is not a ratchet and cant be used as one. It is an impact gun shaped like an air ratchet. It will loosen or tighten lugs if you wanted to but you can't use it like a ratchet once you let off the air like you could with the other units. I used the one you're talking about also and it was a nice piece but not like the Max. I was one of those guys who let another use his tools sometimes. Yeah, someone stole it. I usually had a big Snap-on and a Chicago P. regular size. The last couple years my shop was open, and since the small stuff is so prevelant, I probably use a 1/4 inch unit more than any thing else. This impact is cool because you can squeeze into the tight areas and blow stuff apart that you could never get near with even a butterfly impact (my favorite tool). The reverse is totally different too. Its down at the handle. Keep em spinnin. Tom.

[willowbilly3]

Tom, that sounds like a cool wrench. Many times we need a good impact in a tight place, like harmonic balancer puller. I also use my 1/4 drive air ratchet the most and still prefer the Mac, although there may be better ones now.

[302 Z28]

I used a 3/8" impact gun for many years when I was a mechanic. It was a true Chicago Pneumatic (CP) not a HF knockoff. While not as versatile as a ratchet shaped one, it was a great tool. I still have it in the bottom of my tool box and it still works.

Vince