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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Impact Wrench

A few years ago I was given a Clarke CIR24 impact driver.

Works fine some days and not great other days, the bearings have now gone.

I assume Clarke will not sell parts for a low end £100 gun.

So time to buy a new wrench.

I have a toy air compressor so I would need a new compressor to properly drive an air gun, therefore I will go for a cordless drive.

The top end Ingersol Rand is circa £500 but do not want to buy a Clarke one every few years.

What would the panel suggest.

I would use it a few days a week, some weeks not used

eddie
drumtochty

On the few occasions I've needed spares I've always found Machine Mart (Clarke?) very good on spares and the prices very reasonable so worth asking about the parts you need. Regarding bearings I would take the thing apart and see what needs replacing. My Clarke bandsaw needed a new worm and wheel and the parts were cheap enough but the original bearings I pulled were rubbish so I got some decent ones from a local stockist. The only air tool I've needed spares for was a nibbler and they had the parts in stock and sorted the problem, shouldn't have used it on stainless.
David Billington

I would use it a few days a week, some weeks not used....

Thats the most important sentence that says it all.

Ive got a harbor faight electric 1/2 inch drive impact wrench , very similar to your machine mart, it cost me $30 on sale and I really love it... but I only use it maybe 2 - 3 times a year and 5 minute at a time is an exaggeration ...its like my clarke $125 mig welder... I use it 1/2 hour per year, and it does great. I like it.

Now if I used these tools several times a week or even a month that would be a completely differant type of ball game.

For you a couple of times a week on avg at 5 minutes for 50 weeks is alot of usage 250 minutes of non stop continued usage a year ...esp for as you say a low end model...that clark probably dosnt carry spare parts for

Clearly you got your moneys worth out of, only lawerance can bring about extra salvation at this point, haha

Seriously... id be focussed on higher end models as you say in the $500 range

But... maybe not brand spanking new, try pawn shops and craigslist, ive gotten lots of great deals at pawn shops on stuff that still works great... my 1st mig was $15 @ a pawn shop, and lasted 10 hours till I burned out the core that makes the elctrical weld..

Another option look for refurbs... I love anything thats a refurb... its new, its cheap, and just as good as orginal sale from the store... some idiot before owned it, and returned it with damaged packaging...it gets a look over any damage is repaired and back on sale

My wash machine, dryer, stove and frig are all refurbs... still using electric and water 15 years later... only had to replace the light bulb in the frig last year

Like I said, for you another cheap $100 impact gun wont cut it, your just not using enough elbow grease to justify a cheap gun

My 2 sents I was planning on buys some tolit paper with.

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I am about to replace my second Clarke compressor so I know what you mean. . .that said in the three years I had it its worked hard. All I would add to the discussion is go for as big a receiver tank as you can to give you onward flexibility of what tools you can run, personally 100 litres is what I consider to be the minimum for me. And do check the oil level everytime your about to use it. . .don't ask me how I know :(
Wolf air do a 90 litre Compressor on Ebay for Late £200's that might be where I end up, as £500 or so for the next level up to me is a little harder to justify.
Be interested to hear what you end up with.
P Bentley

Can I ask a daft question ?

What do you use your impact wrench for ? - I ask cos I don't own one and have never needed one.

Malc
Malc Gilliver

You never knew you needed one until you use.one...haha

Not far from the truth....its an old mans tool, when your 23 your in your prime and full of piss and vinager, and you can just man handle the bolt/nut into submission....when your 45, the idea of an 8 foot cheater pipe to break free the crankshaft nut on the front of a 1275 is apperhinsive at best...its just so much easier to zip zip ziiiiipppp and done in under 12 seconds and you wont need a beer and a nap afterwords...theres alot of uses for it the older you get.

Its like a magnet on a stick... there not necessary, but if your 50, there your favorite of all tools.

I now own 5 magnets on a stick and have a special coveted place in my tool box for them...I never wrench without one.

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Prop.....I just spurted tea over my keyboard, that is hilarious
P Bentley

Thanks Prop - lol
Malc Gilliver

Haha... sometimes the truth of real life can be a hoot, certianly no exaggeration on my part

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I mostly just use my air wrench for the wheel nuts. Always get a kick out of the zippp sound as I run(well sort of) round the car pretending. Always good to let the inner child out ;-)

I have a cordless impact driver for screws etc that is invaluable for DIY
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

I think I remember someone in the 80s having that slogan on a T-shirt Prop, "Frankie says never wrench without a magnet on a stick". ha ha.

Malc.

M Le Chevalier

Hahaha.... thatsa good T Shirt to have

Dean,

I almost bought one of those cordless impacts a few months ago... but I was so broke even tolit paper seemed to expensive...haha
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I echo David Billington, Clarke/Machine-Mart have a very good spares service so if you're near one of their repair depots it's well worth a visit. I've found them very helpful. I have a small 50litre 3-horse cheap compressor that probably won't last long but I run air tools off it, spray with it and so-on - but some tools struggle with insufficient flow (the impact wrench is fine)especially if they ar not fully oiled.
Nick Nakorn

I have spoken to Clarke and they have sent me an exploded view by email with parts numbers linked to components.

So will strip the unit tomorrow and see if the working parts will come to bits or if it has a once only fixing.

Then if it comes to bit we will see if replacements are avaiable.

eddie
drumtochty

Took it to bits and the only thing that maybe was worn was the motor. Cost £51.84 with Vat and postage. New CIR220 that is the latest version circa £108 so not worth repairing as you get a new unit and two new batteries.

Gave it a lube and put it back together and working fine but for how long?

So a new better quality unit it will be.

eddie
drumtochty

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2014 and 16/05/2014

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