The #1 Selling Air Impact vs Modern M18 & Matco Rivals: 2235TiMAX Tested 

150PSI static test is more of the reallife test. I've never seen a shop where the pressure is at the factory recommended amount. Was the 165psi a static or dynamic pressure?

I've had my 2235 operating on 175psi for about 4 years constantly. Oil it everyday and had 0 issues

I brought (and still have) an IR 2135ti back when I was working at a diesel garage. We ran 175 psi of shop air and that thing would pull semi lugs off. I didn't do it often because we had a 3/4" shop gun with big line but if someone was using it I'd use my gun. That thing is a little beast and still runs just great! The other thing I did with all my guns (a tip an old timer gave me) is run a short piece of air line maybe (12" to 18") to get the fitting away from the base of the handle because the fittings can crack over time from all the vibration and spit the air line out, plus it gives you just a little bit more flexibility by not having the coupler right there.

I’m really impressed with the Milwaukees power. Having a tiny air compressor it really gives me an option for serious power.

Who knew watching torque wrenches being test (against each other) would be so entertaining and informative. I'm just wondering why the big TV execs at the MSM never thought of it, too.

Love this channel so much! Excited to see what you test next!

I love watching these videos! I feel my next purchase will be well informed

Never ran my guns on anything but 110-120psi. Maybe it's time to crank it up more.

Bought one of these about 10 years ago. Still doing well. I like the weight, the muffler (QTi), and the power. In our shop environment my Milwaukee hits harder and it's convenient to not have an airline, but I still reach for the IR now and then when I need a lower profile impact.

Awesome video! Your commentary kills it! I have an 850 Snap-on, now I’m going to pull the trigger on the TI MAX... keep doing what you do, thank you 🙏.

That interesting. With my old shop truck. Had the air compressor set to run 175pis. Always thought it might have damage my Ingersoll Rand titanium but she never let me down. Thanks for sharing.

Back when i was doing suspension and drivetrain work alot I learned the ol' more psi = more power lesson. Another key thing i learned was to use 1/2" air hose with large ID couplers straight from the air compressor tank. Make sure all your fittings have large ID right from the tank to your gun and it will really break some stuff real good!

That old gun is very impressive. I see them come up for sale on the used market, it would make for a great backup gun or home gun that will likely last forever. Thanks for this amazing test guys. Can't wait to see more electric high torques on the list soon!

I have this exact IR air impact and I love it.

I have the quiet version of this IR gun, was amazed just from the sound of it, and to know it’s one of the best guns that just makes me feel like a made a good purchase.

I bought the version of the IR in December 2006. It may not have the most power, but it has lasted all these years with no issues. I do oil the vanes a couple times a week. And every couple of years I clean out the grease in the hammer assembly and refill it. But it has been a bad-ass gun. IR air ratchets have been just as good too

My 2235 took a while to break in. It was so weak when I first got it I took it in to be looked at. The shop near me said they see it allot. Some are made to tight from the factory. After using it for a while it got noticeably stronger. The tool shop put it on their test rig again and said it was actually making more power. Now, it's a beast. They also said, give it at least 140 PSI

I got a 2235timax I bought back 2015. Anyways bought it used. Broke finally this past week 2023. Ingersoll makes a great gun!!! My nanvil snapped. I used it on semis. Forever the best gun out there

Yaaaa. Looks like i made a good purchase! Thanks for video. You're the best - for real.

I've been using the Ingersoll Rand 35QMAX for 2 months 5 days a week and love it. I use it at a automotive service shop mostly for wheel removal and initial assembly before torquing to spec only had a few instances needing a breaker bar to loosen lug nuts. Next step bigger tool would be nice for the stubborn nuts or incase I need to work on a dually.

I worked in a few very large machine shops where air pressure was limited to 90 PSI for safety / liability insurance reasons. Some air tools gave us fits. Those factory recommended of 90 PSI are just crazy.

I have those IR's and Milwaukee's and I absolutely love them both. I rarely use the air these days, but when I do I use Milton V series fittings and a large 2 stage compressor with a kick on set at 150 and peak static pressure 175-180.

wonderful work.

I have the 2235QTi max and it is a very reliable gun. Ive used it for about 4 years now and its fantastic. Worth getting the Qti version as it really saves your ears when not using hearing protection

Been holding off on purchasing a new gun specifically on your tests. This and the dewalt are on that list thanks for the great videos !

2235QTIMAX is the best air impact wrench that I have ever own. I work at a very busy shop mostly light duty work. But when some one can't get a bolt off. My 2235 has 80% of the time done the job. Been using it for the past 4 year. Still going strong.

I use this ir impact at work. It's been alright for daily use when a full size impact is needed.

Being a tool truck guy for a lot of tools I still run a 2235 at home and it does everything my matco does. The Milwaukee high torque is massive but the high torque and mid torque make a great pair

Was waiting for this test. I guess their's a reason one sees so many IR composite impacts as daily use guns in a shop.

I have both the 2235 and the Milwaukee and love them both. At the HD truck shop I work at the air pressure may or may not be at 150 psi and the 2235 is a beast. I was using it to semi-regularly take off tractor/trailer lug nuts. I used it hard one day, Suspension Z-spring and brake anchor pins and when I went to put the wheel on it I found out the air motor drive end had sheered off. Tough guns but it only lasted 2 years at 150 psi...

Back when the IR Titanium line was newish (2006) I bought one and worked in a shop with 160-180 psi air. It was almost scary. At some point i broke the end off of it so it no longer has a retaining ring but it still works, and it's probably seen 5 drops of oil total in all the years i used it. I still have it, it still works, but its a pointless backup since i now own a 2235 which will also never break. The reliability track record is what brought me back more than anything else. You can't do better than perfect..

We have a "fleet" of them so to speak at work for our tire shop. They always perform awesome, but what I really like about them is the way they feel in your hands with the grip as well as the forward/reverse switch location. It's a comfortable gun to use in a capacity where you use it all day. Much more comfortable than Snap On guns and even a tad better than my Matco. I would even say more comfortable than an Aircat too.

You just cannot beat the sound that these ir make especially with the ir thunder ⚡, it let customers know you mean business 😂

I love my IR 2135 because of the trigger control. Everyone else in the shop seems to have one of each of the competing brands, and frankly at 175psi static they all get the job done just fine in an automotive shop. To me it feels like the IR is the only one that has any kind of real trigger modulation. I can reliably tighten small bolts with my IR, yet most of the other impacts I use feel like nothing but on/off with the trigger.

I greatly enjoy your channel. I appreciate the methodology, honesty, unbiased test results.

I own pretty much all IR tools for my power tools in my box. I bought them out of tech school in 2010. As a heavy truck tech I've never had a single issue with them and my 3/4" back in 2010 had more power than Snap Ons 1" at the time had. Now my dad's worn out Matco 1/2" from 1986 does hold it's own against my 1/2" 2235 still. Guess I'm old school and not one to spend hundreds on a battery powered tool that I probably won't be able to get a battery for in 10 years especially when I always have access to a air line.

I'm on my second 2235. Very solid tool.

I run the M18 high torque & the 2235 IR up against each other everyday. In mine duty work the only reason I use the M18 is so I dont have inconvenience of the hose . Both awesome guns much better than snap on ( air or Batt.) Great vid thx

Loved my IR when I got it back in 2014 on clearance at Sears for $175. Kicked the crap out of my lead techs Snap On 1/2” and didn’t break on me like his. People where always borrowing it if they couldn’t get stuff off with their guns. They just seem to hit harder, and back then it was rated 650lbs of breakaway torque.

Good thing our shop runs at 150psi😀😀, I knew my 2235 was a beast

I’ve had my IR for years, going through the worst conditions, salt, oil, grease, diesel, gasoline, varsol, water, you name it this thing dealt with it. Bad air systems, lack of oil and grease. Replaced anvil and hammers cause the kit that was available off the truck, and anvil was chipped and couldn’t get the snap ring on any more. Bought a snap off 3/8 gun. It got oiled religiously every work day. Quit after a year, got it repaired under warranty which took 2 months to get dealt with. After another year it quit yet again. This time just after warranty was done. Bought an IR 3/8 titanium and ran it for years being abused, had to replace its anvil cause it busted the end clean off. Cheap and easy to repair, took 10 min and I was back running again. So much lighter and a lot easier on the wrists then the snap off. And so much more power. My wife is scared of the twins, neighbor loves them. My dad runs IR and has since he started being a mechanic 3 years after, yes that’s right after, I was already in the trade. These things love pressure and volume. I’ll be buried with these things or my kids will run with these. Can’t kill them. Loud as hell

Cornwell has some impacts made by IR. I have the Cornwell/2235Ti gun but my Matco has more power and I've had/have most of the top guns out there air or electric but I don't have the newest 1/2" Milwaukee. I'm waiting for a little while so I can watch for issues if any. I've always used higher air psi with high flow couplings for best results but working in a shop that works on everything from Mini Coopers to F800's or GMC KODIAKS with Cat diesels you'll have to get the bigger 3/4" or 1" gun eventually. The best gun I ever used was a Snap On MG31/325. That thing is a beast for a 3/8"! I have two incase one breaks. Unless there's something new out there(or a prototype) my choice is my 2779 but maybe the 2235Ti has more than my Cornwell version of it. Great video keep em coming!

Great video comparison, thanks!! IS the mystery the Capri CP35205

Other factors I considered prior to purchasing this gun is aftermarket support, reviews, quality. Some of the no name guns break often and can't get parts.

I've had the quiet version of the IR for about 6 years now and I really like it. It's well-balanced, not too heavy, not too loud (former lube tech got the regular one and, Christ, that thing was loud). I'm not sure what our shop air is set at. I think it's ~120ish. I oil it... occasionally. Hasn't missed a beat. Just a solid impact all around.

The cordless Milwaukee and the like will beat out all air guns on a little home gamer compressor at 90psi, so for that scenario I totally recommend the cordless stuff. However if you're working in a shop, chances are there's 160ish psi and a monster compressor backing it up with volume. In that scenario a 2235 will kick the pants off anything. They're designed to work in a shop. They have to put the lawyer approved 90psi on the box, but the IR engineers know exactly how they're gonna be used and design them accordingly. I had a mac gun that had almost the power of a 2235 when it was new but after 2 years it lost alot. It still works fine now even 7 years later but it has about the power of a 2135q now.

Please test the quiet versions of the 2135 both the titanium and the original.

Bought my IR for 75 bucks used had almost no power. After a 25$ rebuild kit. It's taking off head bolts from cummins isx engine. Not to mention still had some scoring on the inside. Best gun ever tbh

I love my 2235 timax. My home compressor runs 135psi and every shop ive ever worked at is 125 and they warn you to bring your own regulator if you need to step down.

Love that you included NM too for non US viewers like me watching from Norway :-) Would be cool if you could get a hold of a Mighty seven impact. Their "Nc4255QH" 1/2 inch impact claims 1627nm/1200ft-b max torque at a competive price. I am skeptic to their claims but I'm intrigued as to how it stacks up to the other half inch guns you've tested :-)

Damn I never knew it woke up that much above 90 psi. I worked at a Conrad's for a few years and bough one of these guns on sale for 250 and got a box of Grey Pneumatic sockets for free with it. Loved the gun and the sockets. Unfortunately it got stolen out of my box after I put in my two week notice and I never saw it again.

I love my 2235. I bought it from my automotive instructor for $250 and it's been a beast

Would love to see how Ingersoll’s 20v iq series W5133 3/8, W7152 1/2, and W7172 3/4 compare to what you’ve already tested.

You guys should do a video of all the Ingersoll Rand 3/8" air impacts ( 2115TiMax, 2115QTiMAX, 2115QXPA, and maybe the 15QMAX).

The 3/8 air hose is too small when I would use that gun I would hook 2 3/8 hoses together and run a 1/2 hose because at 90 psi it recommends to run 1/2 inch air hose. It needs the volume that a half inch hose can supply. Guys at work didn’t believe me either till they couldn’t get some hub bolts loose and I pulled air from 2 smaller hoses and ran a half inch hose. It broke all the bolts loose. Making their day a lot easier. I’ve had that gun for 10 years and have gone through 3 of them. Love it and would suggest that impact over any of them for an air impact with a lot of power.

This is a dumb comment but could you test the milwaukee 1" d handle? I've always been so curious maaaam

i have a 2135ti max 175 psi for 13 years, oiled daily, on first rebuild now

Many people told me that electric impact are better than air. But thats only true if you run air at 90 psi. I got both and i guarantee you that my IR has more torque, we run at 140psi (still fine since 12 year). Thank for this video showing those result.

I like that you added the weights on the table. The green text little hard to read for me. Thanks for all the hardwork.

Fascinating

I would like to see you guys branch out to other tool brands like snap-on and cornwell

I love that you did the pneumatic impact tests. How about the 2235 Q TIMAX? Any difference from this one?

I wonder what ever happened to real tool reviews. Used to love that guys channel and still go back to it sometimes for info

Could you put up like a link to the comparison chart (the one with your scores)

That ingersol impact makes the most power in reverse with the dial turned all the way to the left. It appeared to be turned to the right in the 10 second test, couldn’t tell which way it was on the max test.

Thanks for anuther great video

Tonight I had to remove a 55m yoke nut from a RV and my air IR 1/2” titanium was the only tool I had that did the job. Battery m18 couldn’t get it off

I don’t know if i got one of these exact models, but i have an IR Ti model in gray that i only break out when i have some stuff that is REAL stuck. Best $40 i ever spent. Heat + lube+ hammer + air gun usually gets it done.

Would you consider the makita xwt14 a smaller impact wrench? It isn't very big but has high power Claims. Love the channel and thanks for the content!

I would like to see the Snap on Pt 850. Good showcasing for that newer gun compared to the IR. I’ll even send in my pt 850!!

Awesome!

epends on application.. when your running in 200 rubber bars for a railroad sweeper you have to compact the pretty solid rubber down about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. That can do alot of strain on an electric motor while if you lube your air impact every here and their it wont show wear after the 2 hours of impacting your impacting each bar about 30-45 seconds straight

Hey guy's you need to test this brand called Air Boss our of Taiwan. One of the parts stores here in Australia, Bursons had them for sale for a while when I bought mine they had 250 in stock so must've got a pallet or two in. I think it was advertised at 900ish ftlbs, it's a steel cased gun and the catalogue said it had a full steel motor. I tested it on a truck wheel and it was pulling 41mm hex nuts off on Mitsubishi trucks. We tested it against the 1/2 version of the brushless 3/4 gun from Snap-on and it out did it and that's on 100psi static I think my work runs around 80 dynamic line size plays a role there. I can only imagine what what the little beast would do on 100 dynamic. Also the thing is tiny for a full size gun plus they're like $180 to $170usd well I paid $240aud so probably even cheaper in USD tbh. www.twairboss.com/ That's the brand mine is a light blue all steel gun.

I really liked your anecdote that higher pressures create magic with the 2235TiMax. After some frustration over a Honda crank bolt last week, I came here with torque envy. All I had to do was to crank up the volume. For a tool not often used, it's not an ideal fit for battery powered tools, unless you use those batteries for something else in between. What's the story behind the mystery tool, is it an experimental Astro?

Do you post the spreadsheet with the rankings/results anywhere?

I’m curious about power changes on air guns with and without the muffler in the grip I have pulled the mufflers out of several of my air guns and it seems to give a increase in power but I would be curious about dyno testing that

The ir is half the size of the cordless tools. The cordless is good for wheel nuts only as they are massive.

Are you going to test the IR W7152 soon?

can you guys do cp7748 or cp7749 would really like to see how it performs

I would be curious about the torque loss (if any) there is with the quiet version of this tool and compare the sound levels as well.

I actually have both the Ingersoll 2235QTIMAX and the Milwaukees High Torque and I have put them through the motions in real life situations in a high volume professional shop .....The Ingersoll does do very well but there has been quite a few situations that I could not remove something from it being over torque but my Milwaukee will remove anything that the IR can not but the Cordless is not my first primary go too ...Pneumatic is so to give the Ingersoll a fare shake it is a well decent gun I don't believe there is no gun out there that cannot fail depending upon how tight a fastener is over torqued just my opinion from using these tools in a professional setting day in day out ...Air restrictions could also enable one to get the full maximum performance out of there gun just as well with having wrong fitting

Lol. That’s our truck shop secret. 1/2 lines and 145 psi shop pressure with the power knob turned to low in reverse. Always have a spare anvil handy. My ingersoll ate 3 of them already

Hey could you guys test out the Cleco brand of air impacts. I feel like they are more durable and higher end as they are for commercial use but still fall into the same category.

Any chance you'd test the classic CP 734H? I bought one about 19 years ago and was never impressed. Also, how about the effects of using the wrong lube on torque?

Very impressed at the high pressure results. The price has gone up a bit, I bought mine on amazon 3 years ago for $250. Imo the current 20 dollar increase is well worth it, it's a great gun. I have put coworkers $500+ dollar impacts to shame with my ir. I oil it sometimes and it works as good as the day I got it

I kinda like that the numbers you get arent as high, makes them more credible to me. I have tried impacts that claim high numbers but struggle to get off lug nuts that are torqued to 1/5 of its rating. Allthough some part of me really like going Dr. Evil mode with ONE BILLION TORQUES

It would be interesting to see torque loss through an extension for air vs electric

I've had the IR impact for right at 20 years now so it's been out way longer than 12 years and yes it is the exact same gun, it's been a great old gun and has held up to the 190psi line pressure in my shop (actually proffesionall auto repair shop/bussiness I own) and years of use and abuse, I think it puts out more power than this test shows personally but air run guns is a thing of the past now that the technology has advanced so far with the electric rechargables, my IR and all my other air guns never get touched since I got my collection of Millwaukee and Snapon electrics,,having air hose all over the place is crap for the birds. my most used gun is my little Millwaukee M12 fuel stubby 3/8th drive,,it's got enough power to break loose 90% of any nut or bolt on 95% of any car or light truck you'll ever work on and even heavy truck as well, and has way more than needed to overtighten nearly all of those same nuts and bolts when putting them back together, so why use a heavier harder to use gun??

Love your tests. Looking forward to see how the HF Earthquake XT electric sits on your chart.

Absolutely loving this channel, any chance you'll be testing the Aircat 1058 compact? I'm aware of the issues you had with the trigger on the larger 1178, but I am still curious how its smaller sibling compares. Also it appears that Aircat is aware of the trigger issue and is currently looking into it, at least that my understanding from the emails I received from them.

Could you guys test the M18 1" impact?

Can you test torque sticks? See how accurate they are?

I feel validated.

I worked at a used tire shop back in the 80's that did a high volume of tire changing. We always used Ingersoll Rand 1/2-in impacts. I can tell you we would have never considered running that tool at only 90 PSI. I don't remember what we used but it was way over a hundred pounds. I don't have any memory of any Ingersoll Rand impact gun failing because of it. I did oil it everyday but other than that it got ran hard and dropped on the ground not treated gently at all. I would not want to buy an impact wrench that is designed to not increase the torque when you increase the air pressure

What’s with writing on the test rig with a sharpie? Why do yo do that? Also do you like acetone the steel to remove the writing in between every single test?

I bought the Xukoom impact wrench in Amazon. It looks like a carbon copy of the Kuccmo and Seesii. I'm working on my truck this weekend and we shall see if it delivers the bean.

Will you be testing the flex tools impact soon?

Can you have a look at Chicago Pneumatic CP7748. it's automotive tool 1/2" very similar to these testes today

I would like to see the IR 2235 tested best case scenario using 1/2 air line with H-style air quick connect fittings to see how much difference there is. That is how I run mine and I am curious how much of a boost it gives. I know mine does not seem to have trouble loosening much of anything I put it up against.

Please do a test on a 1/2 DeWalt XR electric impact. Really want to see how it performs compared to the Milwaukee m18 fuel and if it’s worth sticking with DeWalt or switching.