Ingersoll Rand has come out with 2 new air impact wrenches, a super compact 1/2″ impact, model 35Max, and a 3/8″ quiet impact, model 15QMax.
IR says that the new impacts are small, but powerful enough for techs and other users to get the job done in confined spaces.
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The 1/2″ impact delivers up to 450 ft-lbs of max reverse torque, and the 3/8″ impact up to 380 ft-lbs of max reverse torque.
Both the IR 35Max and IR 15QMax are just 4.6 inches long, and they weigh in at 2.6 lbs each.
There are other similarities between the two tools, such as:
- High power-to-weight ratio
- Easy-to-operate regulator dial
- 3 Power settings
- One-handed push button forward and reverse
- Twin hammer mechanism for reduced vibration and better control
Why now?
In the press materials, IR product manager Michael Cafferty said that:
The access points in vehicle frames are getting increasingly confined, and common impact tools cannot fit in areas that need servicing. Lightweight yet powerful, Ingersoll Rand Ultra-Compact Impactools help technicians and equipment engineers get the job done right every time.
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We have seen high-powered cordless impact wrenches that can deliver at least as much torque as these new IR pneumatic models, but they are also much larger and heavier. That’s partly why these new compact air impacts caught my attention so strongly. It’s great to see that brands such as IR are continuing to advance their air tool lineups.
Ingersoll Rand noted that, although the new impact wrenches have 3 power settings, they can both deliver full max torque at each of those levels. Do you find this to be an advantage? And, forgive the gap in my familiarity, but do other air impact guns operate in a similar manner?
It does make sense. You usually want torque control when driving in and tightening fasteners, and full power when loosening or removing them.
You get the same composite housing and durable construction as other IR impact tools. IR says that their internal testing shows that these new ultra compact impact guns will last twice as long as competitive models. That’s a bold claim, but IR tool construction quality is certainly top-notch.
If you noticed, the model numbers are slightly different. The Q in the 15QMax 3/8″ impact stands for quiet, which indicates that this model features IR’s premier quiet technology to reduce the amount of noise the tool creates.
Lower noise in an impact? Sounds good.
The new impacts are designed for vehicle repair and maintenance, including work on tire and wheel lug nuts, engine bays, brake hubs, axle wheel nuts, interior dashboard components, support brackets, and undermount installation and repair tasks. Additionally, industrial applications include machine maintenance, manufacturing equipment repair, machinery installation, and equipment disassembly.
Price: ~$175 each
Buy Now(1/2″ 35Max via Amazon)
Buy Now(3/8″ 15QMax via Amazon)
In case you missed it, Chicago Pneumatic also came out with a compact 1/2″ impact wrench
fred
You may have posted about the older IR low profile (but much longer) impact wrenches like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2025MAX-Impact-Wrench/dp/B003UM8VV0
I also saw that Hang Fire talked about the Astro Pneumatic Onyx (Nano) Impact Guns (#1822 – 1.2 inch drive and #1828 – 3/8 inch drive) that sell for about $110 each.
Back at my ranch – I have a CP734H 1/2 inch drive gun and a smaller IR 2101 1/4 inch drive gun – that so far meet my needs – but I no longer do any real car repair.
Hang Fire
Thanks for the mention. The AP Onyx Nano 3/8″ will be mine one of these days, but it has an uncanny way of going out of stock just when I have spending money, and then coming back when I don’t!
Cr8ondt
My son has been talking about getting the 1/2″ (he’s a Ford cert. mechanic). He said a few guys at his shop have them and love em. I hope he picks one up soon, hes trying to ween himself off the Snapon DRUGS!
fred
Nothing wrong with SnapOn quality as I understand it – but like other tool trucks and retailers who rely on “easy credit and time payments” to promote sales, their siren song can easily have a worker “foundering on the rocks.” When we took over one business (metal and pipe fabrication) – we told the few (not like the auto repair shops) tool truck operators who visited – that the business was now buying the tools needed for the job – and it would be based on cost/benefit analysis. We wished them good luck selling to the employees – as long as it wasn’t on company time.
Mike
When they say full torque is available in all power settings, they are referring to the regulator only operating in forward mode. Reverse always has full power available. Most (may now all?) of their newer models operate this way. Older models have dual regulator settings so each direction can be adjusted.
My newer IR impact has the forward only adjustment and at first it made me a little uneasy. But I haven’t ever found a single situation where I would want less than full power removing a fastener, so I think my fear was unjustified.
Some other manufacturers have forward only or dual adjustments as well. Some less expensive models have a single adjustment for both directions. That isn’t a problem in most cases. But sometimes you do leave it full open to remove fasteners, forget to change the regulator, and slam fasteners down hard when you reinstall. Or leave it in a lower setting and get angry when you can’t remove a fastener when you know it should rip right out.
BikerDad
But I haven’t ever found a single situation where I would want less than full power removing a fastener, so I think my fear was unjustified.
Methinks the dual adjustment is handy for those rare situations when one is dealing with reversed threads.
Harry
IR is a little late to the compact impact party. First came the mighty M7, then a bunch of clones, CP produces at least three with their latest. Hell Proto even got into the compact impact game. I’m glad IR is finally releasing their versions. I would like to see a quiet version of the 1/2 drive compact though. Those hearing tests every two years aren’t getting any easier.
John
When the manufacture says torque Max:450Nm (what ever) that maybe a rating 10 to 15 seconds after you pull the trigger. When you first pull the trigger it could be 30% less!