Chicago PneumaticCP7748 1/2 Inch Air Impact Wrench, Red, Metal

Ideal

I've been using the CP7748 for over a year now in my engine shop and I gotta say it hasn't let me down. It hasn't met a bolt it can't loosen yet and that's pretty impressive in my view. The last impact I had from another company had some issues with rusty bolts, but the CP7748 zips them off with ease. I'd definitely buy another one and for the price you just can't beat it. I've compared this impact to a few different very expensive impacts and the Chicago Pneumatic beat them all. You definitely want to get a CP7748 if you use impacts all day. I give it 100 stars.Update:Its been roughly 5 years and this impact is still my favorite. I even tried other impact wrenches that were supposedly better but they still couldn't handle what the CP7748 can handle. I haven't had to replace any parts on it yet and its still blasting bolts off like the day I got it. This particular impact wrench has amazed me for how tough it is and how long its lasted and it shows no signs of giving up anytime soon.

This is by far the best 1/2 inch impact gun out there. I have used snap-on, blue point, campbell hausfeld, ingersoll rand you name it and was dissapointed. Snap on is expensive and loud, blue point is also expensive but weak. IR is quite but still doesnt meet my expectation when it comes to torque figures and CH its cheap and loud actually not too bad for the price. But CP 7748 IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT! Quiet, not too heavy, compact, looks sexy, cheap and most of all its the most POWERFUL impact gun I've used. Im a mechanic by trade and been doing it for 10 years, see the boys and I always have comps about whos got the strongest gun in the workshop. The previous champion was a Sidchrome gun which smashes all the big names until my CP 7748 came in the mail. Centre Hub bolt on a VW jetta 2007 (rusty and nasty) thats when my gun defeated the sidchrome, none of these zap forward then backward crap, hold it in reverse for 3secs the bolt came right out! And ever since my impact gun is the reigning champion. I highly convinced anyone that needs a powerful gun at the right price think Chicago pneumatic 7748.

Price is great. Weight is much better than my last 1/2" drive impact. Torque is incredible and it's quiet. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the ergonomics. The bulge of the gun tends to rest on the top of my old arthritic thumb joint. In that respect, my old Matco had a much more comfortable grip to it but was much heavier.

Overall great tool, had it for 4 years, used pretty much daily still going strong, comparing the price to other brands definitely best bang for buck.

First let me say I have been in the auto / light truck repair business for 25 plus years. Everyone in the business seems to compare power of air guns based on removing Honda crank bolts. And for good reason! I had ordered this gun along with a Ingersoll-Rand 231C 1/2-Inch Super-Duty Air Impact Wrench from Amazon after my old IR died on a Friday afternoon. I happened to get a Honda t-belt job in about two weeks later. I purposely removed the drive belts before trying to remove the crank bolt with the IR and struck out. Then took out this CP and it removed the bolt without even breaking a sweat.I do not use this gun everyday. I find it heavy, cumbersome, and cant "feel" how tight it makes a bolt. But, when Im in a corner I now have what I feel is a great backup.FOR NEW MECHANICS: Buy this along with the 231C mentioned above and you will be set. I recommend staying with the 231c for everyday use and this for the wont move stuff.

Out of the box felt solid the majority of the housing IS constructed of a metal alloy housing with composite material wrap. The impact wrench's directional dial cliked between the settings with solid precison and when I finally put air through it, the gun was amazingly quite and smooth. I used to use an old school craftsman before this that I enjoyed and lasted a long time but there is no contest between them as far as, weight, power, size. Quality. Simply put i couldn't have asked for a better impact wrench. My use has been limited to mechanical frame peices and large connector bolts. BUT ...I talked to a group of steel girder workers that switched to this make and model, having used a 3/4 inch Ingersoll Rand before they were happy with the power of this 1/2. Working high up the gun made several 20 foot drops back to the concrete earth and despite the height the housing stayed intact and the gun continued functioning perfectly throughout long 10 hr days of non stop use.

I've been a mechanic for 40yrs. My first 1/2 impact was CP 734 back in the '70s. I've gone through several over the years. I like the way this one hits and feels. A little heavier than my IR Titanium, but seems to hit harder. I'm a little concerned how the selector switch is going to hold up. Seems to be well worth the money. If you turn wrenches for a living and looking for the most bang for the buck this is the impact for you.It's been over a year since I bought this gun, I love it. Can't recommend it enough. Follow up: Been 4yrs since I purchased this CP, best damn impact I've ever owned. If you mechanic for a living and you're in the market for an impact, this is it. Fantastic. Followup: Going on 6yrs now and still the best impact I've ever owned, what a work horse