[mikeweb]

Hey guys,

Im looking into purchasing a 3/8" impact gun as my snap-on 3/8" ratchet sometime doesn't do it and my 1/2" IR gun is too large at times.

I was wondering what is a better buy overall. Note that im pretty much a weekend mechanic so I dont make a living using these tools. I can acquire both tools for roughly the same price (they are both used)

I have an IR 24gal Garagemate compressor that puts out 5.7cfm @ 90psi

The guns im looking at specifically are;

- Snap-On MG31 3/8"
- Ingersoll Rand 2115TI Titanium 3/8"

[matt167]

from what I have heard. IR makes snap on Air tools. so there working function is likely the same.. I have used that IR gun and it is nice

[mikeweb]

I heard that IR makes Matco tools (or atleast Matco rebrands them), not Snap-On.

[302 Z28]

I never have liked the IR design impact. The Snap On looks like a Chicago Pneumatic ( not Harbor Freight) design. I still have my CP impact, it is over 30 years old and still works great and has never been rebuilt. I used it professionally for about 10 years.

Vince

[oldred]

Wow, what a choice! Fact is you will probably be delighted with either one, I would probably lean toward the Snap-On but then that's just me. From what has been said lately, both here and other places, it looks as if Snap-On service and warranty is slipping so you might also want to take that into consideration.



My old CP impact (1/2" drive) has also been around now a little over 20 years and it still does a good job, used and abused but hangin in there!

[Prairie dog]

I have both in my box at the shop. But I always grab the IR first just feel's better to me. I think they are both good gun's

[mikeweb]

^ How is the Snap-on in terms of balance? One thing ive found with IR's composite / titanium series is that they are well balanced (not front heavy)

Also, are they both loud or is one quieter then the other? I have an IR 2132G which is one of their quiet guns

[IRguy]

Can definitely say that we don't make that Snap-On tool.

I'm biased towards the IR tool....

Unfortunately we don't make a 3/8" quiet tool that I know of, so it is relatively loud.

[david ahluwalia]

Hey guys ,been a Mechanic/Tech mor ethan 25 years Had both.Telling you snap-on is # 1 except when itb comes to imapcts.Alays been true .still it.Had my current 3/8 IR over 10 years every day all day use it instead of a air ratchet w/ poss. first chocie.and list of power still going strong.My snap on got rebuilt and retired to home duty after half that time.And I heare the Titanium also lives up to the name.

[Wantabe]

I was a tech for 35 years. Then had to stop because of a back injury. I tried all different kinds. My I.R.s were the best IMHO. Still use them today in my business. Service truck that runs 10 to 20 calls a day. Most are tire changes or jump starts. First we bought a few different ones. Lasted about six months before something would break. Then i bought an I.R. and its been on the truck for about two years. They all have stayed outside in the back of the truck when its raining and are never oiled. The only reason i didn't buy an I.R. first is, I let the guy that runs the truck decide which one to buy. He liked CP, now he said he likes I.R. We also use it on big trucks with 33MM lugs and some larger with no problems. When it comes to impacts, its like Ford or Chevy. We did have impact fights at work. Hooking them up shank to shank and see which one would spin the other backwards.

[IRguy]

Originally Posted by IRguy

Unfortunately we don't make a 3/8" quiet tool that I know of, so it is relatively loud.

Ugh. My bad- we do make 3/8" quiet tools:
IR Website

Knew I should've checked it first.

[mikeweb]

I ended up getting the MG31, however I may end up trading it in for an IR Quiet 3/8" gun!!

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

my dad has an old chicago pneumatic impact... still kickin. I dunno if it's american or foregin made... but he's not much of a hotrodder (uses tools more than average diy) so for a lot of its life it's been sitting in a tool chest.

On the other hand, I think I'm the first person who lubricated it, so it wasn't maintained for crap.

Vintage IR tools on ebay are $$$$. Must be good. Ditto with other quality tools (snap on, etc.... )

just a fyi my real dad likes snap on hand tools, but for air tools he uses IR. He also despises Snap On warranty.

[mikeweb]

After a few days of using the MG31 I can deffently say I dont like the way it feels in my hands. I think im going to trade it for the IR2115Ti .. lesson learned