Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have been performing maintenance on the family cars since my dad died when I was fifteen. That makes over a quarter century of brakes jobs and tire rotations, removing and tightening lugs with a T wrench. A couple weeks ago, I bought a compressor; mainly to keep the tires inflated, but I couldn't resist sizing it at least marginally enough to run an impact wrench. Then I couldn't resist going ahead and getting the wrench. I worked a li ttle overtime, made my order, and my Ingersoll-Rand 2130 was on the table when I got home from work this evening. I immediately went out to perform an overdue rotation on the Silverado. Those who've used impact wrenches regularly will laugh, but I was downright dumbfounded when the wrench tapped the lug nut a few times and spun the nut off in a fraction of a second. And the wrench hardly attempts to turn in your hand. Had I known an impact wrench would make life this easy, I would have invested in the wrench and compressor years ago.
I did some research before purchasing, reading a lot of reviews and comparing specs. I pretty much decided one was wasting his money going below about the $110 point. The other contender that would minimally meet my needs at the lowest price was the Ingersoll-Rand 231C 1/2-Inch Super Duty Air Impact Wrench. I'm sure I would have been happy with that, b ut moving up the 2130 seemed to be good value. For about $30 more you got a little more forward torque (500 ft-lbs. vs 350), a little more speed (9500 RPM vs 8000), about 2/3 the weight (~4 lbs. vs. 6) at very little additional air use (4.4 SCFM vs 4.2, however they measure that).
I was a bit concerned about my compressor being up to the wrench. It's a Sears Craftsman 20 gallon, 1.5 HP, 150 max. PSI rated at 3.8 SCFM at 90 PSI (however THEY measure that). A lot of experts would say it's not enough. Sears said it was fine for 1/2" impact wrenches and only appropriate for intermittent use with a 3/4" wrench. I did some math and took the risk. For performing a tire rotation, the compressor was every bit up to the task. I really can't imagine any job in which the wrench would be used so continuously to really tax the compressor. If you're a shade tree mechanic, this compressor had no problem with the wrench. In fact, I had almost completed the rotation when I realized that I had turned off the compressor earlier when my three-year-old came outside and was terrified by the compressor. I had done the job with only stored air, it was still holding 90 PSI, and I had noticed no reduction in the performance of the wrench.
I did not find any photos of the 2130 on the web that showed the rear the wrench. (I intend to post a photo or two in a the next few days) The red button in the side photo pushes left and right, choosing forward and backward. There is a five position toggle (at least on mine - the manual says it's three) in the rear to choose the maximum power. The switch is labelled from 1 at the lowest setting to 2 at the highest setting. Go figure. Power is also continuously variably controlled with the trigger, and I have to say that it is a fabulous trigger with fantastic control of speed. I've never used a power tool with fine control like that. I was also amazed at how quiet it was. It certainly makes littl e noise when it's not hammering, and when it is, I don't believe the 100 dBa plus listed in the specs (on the verge of pain.) I also ordered the Ingersoll Rand SK4M14 1/2-Inch Drive 14-Piece Metric Standard Impact Socket Set. This appears to be a great value as well.
Time will tell how it holds up, but with my use, I expect it last a long time before requiring a rebuild. I can't speak for professional mechanics, but if you're a do-it-yourself mechanic, I don't believe you will go wrong with this wrench.
Oh yeah...while you're waiting for your new toy to come, get a bottle of air tool oil. None is included.
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Product Description:
The new 2130 has all the performance and features you have come to expect from the IR family of impact wrenches. This Impact features a powerful twin hammer mechanism and a new composite housing, yielding superior ergonomics in lightweight package. 1/2-Inch Drive Heavy Duty Air Impact Wrench - 600 Ft/LbThe new IR2130 has all the performance and features you have come to expect from the IR family of Impact Wrenches. This Impact features a powerful twin hammer mechanism and a new composite housing, yielding superior ergonomics in a lightweight package. 600 ft./lbs. of maximum Torque. Full stroke tease throttle. Easy glide forward/ reverse switch. Multi position power management. Lightweight reinforced aluminum hammercase; weight only 4.2 lbs.
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