AIRCAT Pneumatic Tools 1150 1/2-Inch Composite Impact Wrench : Compact & Low Weight Power Tool : Impact Tool for Automotive Repairs & Maintenance

After a year, two months, and roughly 1600 tire rotations (as well as a handful of shock absorber-control arm mounting bolts and other high-torque applications), I think it's safe to say I'm quite pleased with this fine impact gun, and can vouch for its quality. The selector still moves smoothly and stays in place, the hammers do what they're supposed to... well, suffice to say I haven't had to have it replaced or attempt any repairs on it. I've made sure to oil it before its first use each day, and it's given me no cause for complaint. It's even been dropped a few times (about two or three feet each time) and still works like I just got it yesterday.As far as torque goes, I've only been impressed. In every contest with a stubborn nut or bolt, it has won. I once had to remove a wheel previously affixed to a van by one of the fine folks at [a business I'll be kind to and not name] who must not have wanted it removed. Ever. One particular lug nut was practically on sideways, as it simply wouldn't back off, until the Aircat ripped it off, complete with half of the stud inside it.While I've operated impact guns of comparable torque that do a somewhat better job of absorbing the push against the arm I'm holding them with, they have expensive words on them like "Snap-On," or "Mac Tools." If I've had a good night's sleep and enough carbs for breakfast, my arm doesn't start feeling fatigue unless I'm removing and replacing more than four ordinary wheels' worth of lug nuts in rapid succession, and even then, it's not enough of a problem to where I'd give this less than five stars. At this price point, if the rest my arm gets between each service is enough to keep me using this from 9 to 6 without any serious joint pain after repeated usage (and no irregular muscle growth between my business arm and my not-business arm), I feel it was worth every penny.Ultimately the reliability, power, lack of lasting discomfort, and the great price earn the Aircat 1150 a five star rating from me. If I can remember to I'll update this review after five years of service.

It's rare I'll take the time to write reviews for things, especially things that already have a 5 star review. So here's my take on this wrench:If you're just doing lug nuts then this wrench is overkill. Any cheap 250 ft/lb impact will handle that without issue assuming they were properly torqued on in the first place.. This wrench won't speed anything up under the hood either, unless you're removing a crank bolt on a harmonic balancer. Impact guns don't belong in the engine bay- for that you want an air ratchet.I would consider myself an advanced home mechanic having done lots of brakes, suspension overhauls, complete front end rebuilds on cars and trucks, starters, alternators, A/C, electrical, cooling systems, timing, you name it. I bought this to speed up the rear wheel bearing job I needed to do on my Subaru- which entails a notoriously frozen 10" bolt that holds the knuckle to the trailing arm. It did the job without a hitch. Lug nuts zip off as fast as you can pull and release the trigger, axle nuts too, rusty strut knuckle bolts snap free in under a second, as did the rest of the hardware I encountered. Compared to my old Craftsman 250ft/lb wrench (which was used heavily and did quite a good job for it's price) this is a Cadillac of impact wrenches. The Craftsman (rebadged CH) routinely had to hammer stubborn bolts for 10 seconds or more before cracking them free. With this gun it's hard to tell what's stuck and what's not because they all crack free instantly. With an 8 gallon compressor I did the whole job without issue, without kicking the compressor on much at all, and best of all it's very quiet. All you hear is the impact mechanism hitting- no different than working with a high end electric impact wrench. An Ingersoll Rand 231C is deafening with no load on it. The Aircat is night and day quieter and worth it's price for that alone. If you do your own car maintenance at $161 it's a no brainer. Professional grade torque and build, quieter than any impact I've seen, and the power adjustment is cake to use. You'll love it and your neighbors won't thank you- because you won't be bothering them in the first place. Make sure your regulator is set properly, and put a couple drops of oil in it after each use- amazon sells Lucas air tool oil- it's good stuff.FYI Mac Tools rebadges Aircat products and sells them on their trucks (for quite a markup).I'd recommend the Ingersoll Rand SKM14 impact socket set for $35 to go with it. Great sockets, amazing price.