Ingersoll Rand 231HA-2 1/2-Inch Pneumatic Impact Wrench

Had to replace old gun works great

This is an awesome impact wrench. I'm just a homeowner and use it infrequently, but when i do use it, it comes in very handy. Two different cars in my household, the lug nuts are tightened at 80 foot/lbs, and the other at 130 foot/lbs, and the 231C impact wrench easily loosens both on the lowest mode setting ( # 1)... and there are 4 other more powerful settings too. After every 40 hours of use, you need to take off the housing and remove the old grease and put new grease. I just did it myself and it was very easy. There's a YouTube video on how to take it apart and grease it too. If you do take it apart, just remember to note how the "hammers" are situated. There are 2 hammers in the housing that sit on top of each other. You need to stack them back the way they were originally.

When I got my first and only one back in the mid 70's It always worked. I was working for an independent shop doing work on semi's and the shop had a 3/4" huge impact. When I took my 1/2" IR out it took the lug nuts off no trouble at all. The other fellows working there soon got their own . I had mine for decades and never had one issue .

I can't say if the new ones are as well made since I don't have one or the old one to compare. I'm retired now and have a cheap IR 1/2" 223 yet I know it does not have the power because in the shop it would not take bolts out that this model had no trouble doing . I'd borrow one if my cheap one couldn't do it. Most techs had the IR 231C. A few fell into snap on trap and were sorry they did.

This is strong enough to take off big tractor tires and works well for me. The button to switch directions comes stiff but thats to be expected and gets easier with use. I found another with the same brand and 1/2 size for 30$ more that has 700 torque at tractor supply. Just fyi.

So, my single gripe about this tool is that it’s not made in the US. That said, this impact wrench is of very high quality and, with my limited use, will likely be in good working condition decades from now. I’m very pleased with the build quality and the fact that this tool works well with the small compressor/ long hose setup I have. I’m using a small 5 gal, 4.5 cfm, framing/finishing compressor. I do realize that I’m not getting anywhere near full power but it suits my needs very well to just do lug nuts on the few recent model cars and trucks I own. I have to wait a few seconds for the compressor to catch up once in a while, but I expected that. Also, I always finish up with a torque wrench, so the lack of ultimate driving power isn’t really a problem for me, it’s actually just right. If I ever need more power, I’ll just get a bigger compressor and shorter hose.