Most common drive size for automechanic
 

My best friend works at an autosport place as a mechanic and as a gift i was going to buy him a impact gun. I don't know what he'd find more usefull, 3/8 drive or 1/2 drive. I'm assuming 1/2 because of all the larger peices that need to be taking off with an impact gun, and 3/8 for an air ratchet.

I'd say 1/2 drive.

1/2" impact for sure



you want to be my friend? i need some new tools

1/2" for sure if you're talking impact gun.

the 3/8" impact gun is crazy useful too, i use it way more than my 3/8" air ratchet. but i use my 1/2" impact gun more than my 3/8"

so uh.. you want to be my friend too..?

i like my 3/8th but for impact depends on what, if its for wheels and crap 1/2 if its engine stuff 3/8!

you should get him a 3/8th impact gun if he doesn't already have now. And i would suggest the Ingersol Rand top model

Get him the 1/2" gun and one of these:

http://www.thegrillstoreandmore.com/...cs/371678b.jpg

or even just this:

http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/1644/164446_300.jpg

i use the 1/2 just as much as the 3/8. But given a choice where both a 1/2 and 3/8 would work, i'll always reach for the 3/8 first. Lighter and easier to handle

lighter??? my IR 1/2" impact weight like 5 lbs max

just get the 1/2"

That's true, but try using IR's equivalent 3/8" gun. You'll fall in love. Way easier to handle and maneuver around in tight areas.

My IR weighs less than 5 lbs too, 4.6lbs to be exact. My 3/8 weighs 2.6lbs. Having to hold an impact over my head in akward postions, the 2 lbs does make a difference. Especialy the with the smaller size, it gets into tighter spots.
But for me, i do find the 1/2 is a required tool. The 3/8 is a very nice handy addition to the collection.

Chances are the guy already has a 1/2". Everyone does. Unless he has a piece of crap 1/2", get him a nice 3/8". Most techs don't know how useful a 3/8" impact gun can be until they get one.

my bf is a body tech and he uses 1/2 for the things on the tire..... ^.^

^hahahah I don't know if it's just me, but I found that comment hilarious and cute. LOL

you guys have no idea how useful a 1/4" impact gun is then huh??

http://www.mactools.com/product/tabi...0-awmc140.aspx

i never thot i'd ever use one of these... then when i tried one, i couldn't let it go... i do a tonne of body panels, valve covers... heck, i might as well weld my magnetic 10mm socket to this gun... it's sooooo worth it... great for bodymen who take a lot of japanese/import fenders off...

^That's sweet.

I'm convinced... so are you getting me one for Christmas?

I would say the 1/2 inch you need it first then he can worry about the 3/8 later, and just make sure its Ingersol Rand:thumbsup:
Everywhere in the lowermainlands a little overpriced for impact guns its well worth the trip to the sears across the border that usually has the 1/2 and the 3/8 in stock

1/2 is the obvious choice, but any mechanic with 3 days under his belt should have a 1/2 gun already. 3/8 wrench or gun would be my choice.

just make sure it's an ingersol, or don't bother buying it heh

I'm a second year automotive apprentice. I have an IR 1/2 Impact, IR 3/8 air ratchet, and SnapOn 3/8 Impact. The 3/8 gets used the most by a long shot. Much more usefull for all the small things. For big stuff, ie wheels, ball joints, axle nuts, subframe bolts, obviously a 1/2 is necessary. The air ratchet is by far the least used of the three, but is still used alot. Make sure you have a good set of 1/2 torque sticks for doing wheels if you're doing this alot. Makes torquing your wheels alot quicker when you don't have to hand torque them. Just never use an impact on nice lug nuts ;)

A 1/2 should do the trick for the most part and then just get an adapter to change it to 3/8ths..

air tools are a thing of the past...i had a 1/2" IR titanium impact(only like 3.9 lbs or something super light). I then got the Snap-On electric impact. Probably my favorite tool ever. ..

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

Not exactly cheap, but for a trades person...convinience goes Through The Rooof cause you dont gotta haul around an air line. For my 3/8" stuff...i got a Mastercraft electric impact. Its 1/2" as well but a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter solves that...its got enough torque to tackle any engine related work. And its got a freakin 5 year warranty!!

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...08474396673423

its listed at $280 but goes on sale often for $130.