Deceided to bite the bullet and get an IR2135ti impact wrench. This is my first air tool and have a couple of question. Is it normal to be able to hold on to the end of the impact wrench and have it slip. Was expecting this thing to twist my arm off. Allthough when put on a bolt and it did its thing.(broke it free) My guess is the torque is just pulsed for a short duration.

You went all out. Nice strong High Torque tool
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

Rather have one high quality American made tool than 2 cheap imports that last half as long.

absolutely. just started purchasing Air tools. FINALLY!

I bought Good Used Snap Ons and a Ingersoll Rand IR109XP 3/8 wrench.

By good and keep forever, that's my motto
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

thanks for all the tips and help.
So its normall for the gun to slip if I grab hold of the socket and pull the triger?

Ingersoll Rand, excellent choice too. Get an air rachet and you are all set. I have a cheap campell housefield impact wrench and air chisel from home depot. Works, but uses oil like water. someday i'll have a nice set like IR.

At least I can say that air tools enable a SKINNY guy like me to do all sorts of stuff.
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'88 244 170K, '87 BMW 325e 172K (used to feed a '84 245 'till 227K)

Well, they create torque by applying hammer blows to the drive spindle... hence the name impact wrench. Basically it's the same as if you were to tap on a wrench with a hammer.
The idea is that it's EASY for you to apply large amounts of torque to a bolt or nut, without breaking your arm off! The torque wrench can kick from you hand a bit, and you really should observe a few precautions, but overall it's easy to use and it does NOT put the 200,300, 400 ft-lbs of torque right through to you.
So note- the wrench can rotate suddenly as you start applying torque particularly to a very stuck nut. This can force your hand up against something, and pinch a finger or trap your hand. It could put you in a situation where you can't release the trigger- that can cause serious injury. Awareness of what direction the tool may move, and keeping a good grip on it is essential.
You can seriously hurt your fingers when changing sockets. Change sockets or extensions only when it's unplugged from the hose. It's way too easy to hit the trigger while pulling a socket off, and believe me, it hurts.
Grease, water, and rust can fly off the socket when it spins quickly. Eye protection is a must. I work on a lot of pipe flanges- 8 or more large bolts to tighten. When doing these, I shield the socket with my hand so stuff doesn't fly out and get me or co-workers in the eye. It happens, and it's unpleasant.
Tighten your wheel nuts by hand. All too often you will overtorque when using the torque wrench, and it might distort the brake rotor, or make it impossible to remove sometime on the road if you get a flat. I always use a breaker bar to tighten lug nuts to final torque.
DO not use regular (chrome) sockets on impact tools. They shatter. Results are disastrous. Enough said.
Oil your tools regularly. Squirt oil right into the inlet hose or fitting. Makes them last a long time. If you don't have air tool oil, use Marvel mystery oil.
Good luck with it!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

Rob, it seems I always learn a lot from your posts. I'm new to air tools too and this information was helpful to me. Thanks.

Great advice on safety issues. A smashed hand could ruin more than just your morning. Reminds me of an understatement I saw one time that a captain had put by the steering wheel of his ship. "Be careful. An accident at sea can ruin your whole day."
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 244, 140k , auto.

correct...
an impact wrench is exactly what it says it is

there is a small vane motor to spin the socket under low load
this makes the ZZZZIP sound you hear after the bolt loosens up
the primary torque is provided by a hammer/anvil like arrangement
this is the whacka whacka sound you hear while breaking a bolt loose

note that if you have a 'soft' connection like some suspension bolts
an impact wrench will just bounce the bolt without loosening it

Miguel
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My First Volvo - stock (for now) '84 244, 230+kmi. Owned it since 9/03