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Peru, Lima
1 Level
738 Review
41 Karma

Review on Experience Unmatched Power With AIRCAT 1150 "Killer Torque" Composite Impact Wrench - 1295 Ft-Lbs by Julpikz Bellemy

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Competes with the IR for half the cost

There has been an older Aircat in my father's shop for the past 7 years which I have used on occasion. They picked it up as a test run, and it has held its own against the other IR guns and is still doing so, despite several years of daily use in an auto shop. Recently, when faced with the decision of what gun to buy for my farm shop, I compared some options, and settled on this one because of the price (it is quite a bit cheaper than the IR 2135 I was looking at) and because of it's history and performance in my father's shop.The performance of this gun, given its price and size, is impressive. On the farm, it loosens bolts that we previously reserved for an older IR 3/4" impact. For through-bolts, this impact is capable of snapping off the ones that are too much work to remove the conventional way. While I am sure the newer 3/4" guns may be more powerful, the performance of this 1/2" gun is still more than respectable.Pros:Powerful and Quiet (relatively speaking). Be aware that it doesn't sound like the gun is working hard. I learned quick the first time I snapped off a u-bolt.Light. The IR gun I was looking at was lighter, but also had less torque. I would call the power to weight ratio on this one exceptional.Air Deflects towards the ground. This is especially appreciated right after oiling the gun, as on some others, when the air comes out of the top, it can drip down onto the handle. This one does not have that issue.Air Consumption: This impact gun uses less air than some of the competitors. I don't have to listen to the compressor quite as often.Cons:The flange at the bottom of the handle annoys me occasionally. It is a bit too big for my taste, and gets in the way when holding the gun at an awkward angle. It isn't bad enough to remove a star from the rating. It is sort or nit-picking because there is so much I like about the gun.Also, the forward/reverse/power setting are all on one switch. I would prefer buttons for forward and reverse switching. I usually use the lower settings for tightening, and that setting is adjacent to the reverse setting, or this would be a bigger issue.Overall, I can't really complain about this gun While I wish the forward/reverse switch were different, and that the handle didn't have that flange at the bottom, both issues are relatively insignificant. Given the power, quietness, and overall build quality of this gun, I would be compelled to look at it even at the same price as the IR. It is considerably less expensive, so it is a no-brainer in my book.

img 1 attached to Experience Unmatched Power With AIRCAT 1150 "Killer Torque" Composite Impact Wrench - 1295 Ft-Lbs review by Julpikz Bellemy



Pros
  • Use almost every day love this gun.
Cons
  • May be too powerful for some tasks