I hope you enjoy this restoration of the Ingersoll Rand 231 Model A. Let me know what you think! Here is my Bench Grinder restoration if you haven’t seen it! ruclips.net/video/smQ5aaW6-yA/видео.html Have a great day!
Heat expends somthing on the inside as well as the outside. Only making it harder to get somthing apart. Cold contracs....but you can use heat to make the metal walk.
I have this exact one. Was given to me for free at the first auto shop I worked at. I was a broke teenager who barely had a $50 crescent toolkit to my name. It got me by for a long time. After watching this, I'll probably unbury it from the bottom of my tool chest and give it some new life. Great video.
The IR 231 is _the_ classic pneumatic impact. The rebuild kits are inexpensive, and there are numerous step-by-step instructions on RUclips or online forums. Its not the most powerful impact, but its my go-to for changing passenger car wheels.
Beautiful stuff. Overhauled these before at work and they usually get chucked in the bin half way through as we rarely have the right spares at the time. I’ll definitely continue to chuck them in the bin as my boss would ream me if I took this long.
I had my own air tool repair business for over 20 years. This one is an automotive impact. You can tell by the style of socket retainer. I didn’t make them look pretty, I just made them function again. I probably repaired 1000’s of these for the machine shops and oil refineries in Houston. Since I did this for a living I had presses and special tools, I could go through one of these in 15 minutes. I sold my company in 2001 and I miss it.
A RUclips video is what got me to rebuild my 25 year old 3-ton jack. This video is going to get me to dig out my impact and start using it again after I restore it. Many of my old tools belonged to my late father so they have incredible sentimental value
Repairs can sometimes cost more in parts than the tool bring restored. In this case the original tool cost next to nothing so the parts would not make a big difference. You ended up with a tool that looks and works better than an original because it was hand built with care. I loved the finished product. Keep them coming.
@@ericschulze5641 I didn't say it was cheap but referred to the fact that it cost $1, and I did not imply that it was not worth rebuilding, in fact just the opposite. Many restorers seem to spend a small fortune repairing tools that cost less to buy new than what they spent. They are obviously doing this as a hobby regardless of the cost.
@@ericschulze5641 In your opinion Milwaukee is better than Dewalt? lately Dewalt manufactures more compact equipment at a lower cost and with more strength. i would also like to ask you from which online site i could buy compact metal cases.
The first impact I bought as an aspiring mechanic at 17 years old. 30 years later I still have it and use it. it's been taken apart a few times over the years for simple maintenance, but has never failed and is still powerful. That tool has paid for itself 1000 times over.
I was hd diesel mech for over 12 yrs a while back. Big diesel head bolts and main bolts take their toll on impact guns. I had them all, none held up long... till I bought the I/R half inch drive. Best impact ever. No strain on all the diesel overhauls I did. In fact I still have and use the same impact... 30 yrs later!! I love it.
Was at work today and got inspired by this video to do the exact same thing. We have a similar gun there that had been sitting on a shelf for 15+ years and was just blowing air out the exhaust. All rusted out with no oil so it didn’t spin. So I found a exploded blueprint tore it apart degreased de rusted and regreased and that puppy works like a charm. Now we just need some real air tool oil not hydraulic oil lol. Thanks for the inspiration!
This brings back happy memories. Far more years ago than I care to recall, I used to work for IR selling parts for their products, including this one. It always was an impressive tool.
Years ago I rebuilt a Snap On 1/4 Air rachet for the first time got a rebuild kit dirrect from Snap On I really enjoyed to it and the rebuild went good. I find hit video very tranquil right up my alley love the restoration
I’m a mechanic and this is the exact gun I use daily, never fails me it’s an absolute ripper. It was given to me by a guy I grew up with who raced in the Australian V8 super cars in the 90s, it was one of his pit guns and I absolutely love it.
Ive rebuilt that same impact many times. Ingersoll Rand makes a darn fine tool. Used mine when i was an engine machinist for years. My old mentor gave it to me.
Wow does this bring back memories! I worked at the IR plant in Athens, PA for about 5 years, many years ago. There was a tremendous group working there and the town supported the plant 100%. Years before, during a hurricane, the Susquehanna flooded the town and the plant. The towns people came into engineering and took home the drawings and specs and hung them in their homes to dry out before bringing them back to the cleaned up plant. For years after you would sit at an old desk, open a drawer and find evidence of "flood mud" in the drawer. There were marks on the walls showing the depth of the water during the flood. This was back in the day when tools were made in America and you could count on them day in and day out. Today they chrome plate Chinese junk, add a fine old American trade name, and sell them as tools. They look pretty until you apply some torque whereupon the socket splits and you end up across the shop on your butt!
Thanks for sharing. That is interesting. Yes, stuff seems much cheaper… but more expensive (if you get what I am saying) thanks for the comment and for watching! Have a great day!
I have an Ingersoll Rand Air Impact like the one you have repaired and restored. I bought it off the MAC tool van in 1986. I have kept it oiled with the proper air tool oil and have greased the fitting in the rear by the plate you made. I use a grease gun needle to grease that rear bearing. It was the most powerful 1/2 inch air impact that MAC sold at that time. The Chinese have copied that model because it works and is durable. Thanks for showing us your restoration of it.
It's 4:47am, wed morning, can't sleep, RUclips, found your channel. Wow' what a calm & relaxed video. Love the no nonsense, and beautifully done /restoration of a fine piece of machinery. It came out better than factory. Sir' my hats of to you on your superior work
I used to backwards engineer machinery replacement parts for Dresser-Rand back in the 1990s and early 2000s. They have this dusty room filled with 150yo drawings of early steam powered machines. It was fascinating work.
I bought the same impact at the start of my career in the late 80’s. It is still with me now that I’m retired. Great tools built to last. Unlike the planned obsolescence of today.
Beautiful restoration!!!!! I owned 2 of these. Damn near every mechanic owned a 231. One of the first things we did to increase the power of the gun was grind the steel nose cone to make the exhaust ports fully open instead of partially blocked. It actually did help. Now I use an ingersoll 244. I’ve had it for almost 25 years without any problems
I still have my old Blue Point 1/2 inch rattle gun from when I was an apprentice 20 years ago. I bought it from the Snap on van and it was refurbished then. Only gave up the ghost a few years back, but that thing was a beast. Use to rip truck wheel nuts off no stress. Being young and dumb I was warned not to do that as it kills the hammers. I wonder if there are still kits for those, this has inspired me to rebuild my old girl. Great video, was very therapeutic to watch. Cheers from down under 👌🇦🇺
Thanks for the comment! And I wouldn’t be surprised if you could find a rebuild kit for it. It would be worth looking into. Thanks for watching and have a great day!! 👍
My dad has this same exact model IR impact wrench. He's had it since the early 90s I believe. It still works, but it could use a nice restoration. After seeing this video, I will show it to him and see if he can restore his own. Thanks. Awesome job!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Rebuilding these aren’t bad and the parts can be found easily on eBay. Thanks for watching and for the feedback. Have a great day!
I was given one of these at my Job doing heavy machining when I started in 1994. I am still at the same shop and I still use the same impact in industrial use daily. I think we have been into it 2 times for R&R.
Watching this rebuild was very calming and enjoyable. It is always very satisfying to see a finished product that displays the skill of the restorer. Nicely done!
When I started as a diesel/truck tech 45 yrs ago these were the gold standard air wrenches; did a lit of work on 855 Cummins engines, head bolts were torqued to 250ft.lbs. Chicago Pneumatics wouldn't touch them, the Ingersolls would handle them all day long. When you finally got yours you weren't a rookie any more👊
I worked for Ingressoll/Rand Proto Hand Tool Division from 1978 to 1984 in Tucson, Arizona until they sold out to Stanley Tools in Covington, Georgia..i was a Senior Forklift operator in the Receiving Warehouse.. 5:55
That's cool, I'm glad to see you doing this,I used to rebuild these daily at work,we had a pallet full to rebuild and a pallet full of rebuild kits for the production department ,then they changed to a different style and told me to to dump the pallets in the dumpster.I may have kept one or two 😉
I was quite inspired by the care taken to rebuild this wrench . I have a basic 800 ft/pd Harbor Freight driver that I purchased used for $10 and am looking forward to the restoration. Thank you for sharing your art of restoration, masterful!
I have one of those for about 40 years now! It could probably use a rebuild, too. Thanks for showing me how! I won't do a restoration, but at least it'll work like new again.
I have this exact same one, one of my old tech guys let me keep it and I love the power it has even at its ruffest shape , I just rebuild my Chicago pneumatic cp7748 older version after our shop burnt down all it needed was new gaskets
I ran a tool repair business for over 10 years in Modesto CA. My favorite impact is that IR 231 ,all styles. Very powerful and if you tweek'em a little they'll out do almost any other brand even the Sioux which s the finest piece of engineering I've ever seen ! I rebuilt hundreds of the 231's and they hold up for a very long time. Mine's still slammin' after 25 years ! Enjoyed your video, keep up the good work ! ! !
That is an absolutely gorgeous restoration! The beauty of this is that you can directly use it in further restorations, and I look forward to seeing her again!
The 231 IR Impact Gun brings back memories when I started at the Mazda Dealership back in the early 90's. That Impact Gun deserved that restoration they are the most reliable Impact Guns hands down and still have mine but retired it due to stronger Impacts out there today. Enjoyed the video thanks..👍🏻
I had the IR 231 back in the 80’s. It had the long shank with a flip socket for changing tires. I found it in the “broken tools” box. All it needed was an oil ring. I replaced it and I had it for 30 years before I gave it to my nephew. Good tool.
Those impacts are amazing. I had one years ago but ended up trading it in because it was loud as hell and I couldn't use it if my service manager was on the phone. IR impacts were tough as hell but also loud as hell. Beautiful work, I would buy it
I have two of this type.. I've always oiled them before and after use never had a problem..this one looks like it wasn't loved much..but it is now and should last a lifetime..
Job well done sir!! And the new label too! Awesome lol! I bought one off the ripoff truck at 16, working in a shop and that unit never failed and took off everything. Then I upgraded to the 2131, still chugging along 30 years later.
I got a 2131 30 years ago. Still the beast it was when I got it. I put half a kit in it once after it was submerged from hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.
I never thought about that. The sound of air impacts, air ratchets and even air drills is quickly disappearing. I haven’t used any of my air ratchets in years, I’ll occasionally use my air impacts and drills if I have the compressor going just to keep oil through them. I still use my 3/4” and 1” air guns all the time. I have a Milwaukee 3/4 gun but have no intentions of buying a battery 1” gun. I’m a field mechanic and have a big service truck. I have to have it running to use the pto compressor. 10-20 years ago I was entirely air tools with only a cordless drill. I used the computer daily. Now I’m pretty much entirely converted over to battery tools and hardly use my compressor. The same goes for the 4-1/2” angle grinder. Something I use daily. I either needed electric from somewhere or used my welder/generator. Now I have a cordless grinder and I actually just bought a second one. How times have changed
I have a 22 year old Harbor Freight impact that I believe is somewhat based off of this model with some slight changes. About 8 years ago it got jammed up so I took it apart and their design has a small ball bearing inside. It had basically turned into a block it was all flattened out. So being that I am a motorcycle mechanic I replaced it with a Yamaha part number ball bearing, cleaned up the inside and put it back together. Still use it almost every day. This video was fun to watch, great job!
now thats how you do a restore,not like some others who would have pulled it apart wash it and put it back together no new parts and paint it & call it restored no way. this was the right way to do it.
Damn. The best part about tiny projects like these is being able to pay attention to the tiniest details. I loved seeing every single piece got blu’d. I don’t see a reason why that thing won’t last 100 years. In 5,000 years when humans dig us up like dinosaurs they’ll find your stuff and be like wow! This dude was a true tool nerd!
I still have my Ingersoll Rand 231 and it's about 50 years old, I oil it before and after every use and has never given me a ounce of trouble. I know it's not as powerful as some of the new guns but that's why they make breaker bars. Good video and nice work especially with the cold Blueing.
Cracking open a rebuild/service kit that just has all the parts ready to go must feel so nice lol. I get that sounds simple but it's so nice to have a quick-fix kit to get everything running smoothly lol
Like "shit I need a new gasket here and the retaining spring for this specific speed adjustment bolt" and the kit just has them lol. And then has parts u didn't know u need to replace toooooo
First airgun i ever owned was an IR. I paid 45 dollars for it from harbor freight. Best airgun i ever owned. Guy i worked with bought a new snap on but used to borrow mine when his wouldn't break something loose.
I'm watching restorations of tools that keep my shop working. Is this a sign of age? Some dude's collectable German ratchet screwdriver is a daily hand tool.
We made 500-1000 of those a shift back in the day.... Always liked that tool. Only suggestion - removing and inserting the motor was done as a single group on the assembly line as the rear endplate was very difficult to keep straight in the bore. Never used heat; aside from hot air guns to heat the plastic boots (a major pain to put on).
Thanks for the info. It is nice to hear from someone that actually assembled these. And that makes sense about installing the motor assembly as a single unit. Thanks for the tip. Yes, this boot was the first I have ever installed and the hot water definitely softened the rubber and made it more workable. I found this trick from another RUclips video. Thanks so much for the helpful comment. I appreciate it! Have a great day!
We use these at the tire shop I work at. They last about as long as any other tool we have, and they get everything but the biggest cross threaded lugs off. Although that protective shell would probably greatly increase their service life. Very efficient for the money
I hope you enjoy this restoration of the Ingersoll Rand 231 Model A. Let me know what you think!
Here is my Bench Grinder restoration if you haven’t seen it! ruclips.net/video/smQ5aaW6-yA/видео.html
Have a great day!
Heat expends somthing on the inside as well as the outside. Only making it harder to get somthing apart. Cold contracs....but you can use heat to make the metal walk.
The is the model of my very first 1/2" impact I got back in 1987 and I still have it. Not super powerful but very reliable gun.
amazing man 👏
Awesome, do some ratchet repair videos please🙏
@@paulc7226I guess I've never heated a nut to get it off a bolt
I have this exact one. Was given to me for free at the first auto shop I worked at. I was a broke teenager who barely had a $50 crescent toolkit to my name. It got me by for a long time. After watching this, I'll probably unbury it from the bottom of my tool chest and give it some new life.
Great video.
Thank you very much! And that is awesome. The rebuild isn’t bad. I bought the rebuild kit on eBay. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!
The IR 231 is _the_ classic pneumatic impact. The rebuild kits are inexpensive, and there are numerous step-by-step instructions on RUclips or online forums. Its not the most powerful impact, but its my go-to for changing passenger car wheels.
Beautiful stuff. Overhauled these before at work and they usually get chucked in the bin half way through as we rarely have the right spares at the time. I’ll definitely continue to chuck them in the bin as my boss would ream me if I took this long.
I had my own air tool repair business for over 20 years. This one is an automotive impact. You can tell by the style of socket retainer. I didn’t make them look pretty, I just made them function again. I probably repaired 1000’s of these for the machine shops and oil refineries in Houston. Since I did this for a living I had presses and special tools, I could go through one of these in 15 minutes. I sold my company in 2001 and I miss it.
That’s great. Maybe you should start it up again. Smaller scale.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing and yes, maybe you should start it back up! 👍
With a fresh rebuild, that old Ingersoll will probably outlive most of us here.
Yes, you are probably correct! 👍
Just remember to oil it
A RUclips video is what got me to rebuild my 25 year old 3-ton jack.
This video is going to get me to dig out my impact and start using it again after I restore it.
Many of my old tools belonged to my late father so they have incredible sentimental value
I used to work at a tool repair company. I rebuilt many Ingersoll Rands. Excellent tools.
Very cool! Thanks for the comment! This is a nice unit!
Repairs can sometimes cost more in parts than the tool bring restored. In this case the original tool cost next to nothing so the parts would not make a big difference. You ended up with a tool that looks and works better than an original because it was hand built with care. I loved the finished product. Keep them coming.
Very true! Thanks for the comment!
@@ericschulze5641 Don't you like Milwaukee impacts?
@@ericschulze5641 So you don't like Milwaukee tools? wireless is a bit expensive
@@ericschulze5641 I didn't say it was cheap but referred to the fact that it cost $1, and I did not imply that it was not worth rebuilding, in fact just the opposite. Many restorers seem to spend a small fortune repairing tools that cost less to buy new than what they spent. They are obviously doing this as a hobby regardless of the cost.
@@ericschulze5641 In your opinion Milwaukee is better than Dewalt? lately Dewalt manufactures more compact equipment at a lower cost and with more strength. i would also like to ask you from which online site i could buy compact metal cases.
The first impact I bought as an aspiring mechanic at 17 years old. 30 years later I still have it and use it. it's been taken apart a few times over the years for simple maintenance, but has never failed and is still powerful. That tool has paid for itself 1000 times over.
Awesome! Hopefully this one will last that long again! Thanks for the comment!
impact drivers are probably one of the greatest inventions of the modern age.
I was hd diesel mech for over 12 yrs a while back.
Big diesel head bolts and main bolts take their toll on impact guns.
I had them all, none held up long... till I bought the I/R half inch drive.
Best impact ever. No strain on all the diesel overhauls I did. In fact I still have and use the same impact... 30 yrs later!! I love it.
Very cool. Thanks for the comment. This one should last a long time in our diy garage then! 👍 thanks for watching. Have a great day!
I used it to remove main brging on 350 Cummins and head bolts with 210 psi
Never quite
Was at work today and got inspired by this video to do the exact same thing. We have a similar gun there that had been sitting on a shelf for 15+ years and was just blowing air out the exhaust. All rusted out with no oil so it didn’t spin. So I found a exploded blueprint tore it apart degreased de rusted and regreased and that puppy works like a charm. Now we just need some real air tool oil not hydraulic oil lol. Thanks for the inspiration!
Very cool and good work! Thanks for the comment!! 👍
Nothing beats the sound of an Ingersoll Rand impact. Especially the thunder gun
honestly, good on whomever sold that for a buck rather than tossing it in the scrap bin as well. beautiful work cleaning that thing up!
Thanks much! I appreciate it!
Awesome restoration. Love the impact and how it turned out.
Thanks much!
This brings back happy memories. Far more years ago than I care to recall, I used to work for IR selling parts for their products, including this one. It always was an impressive tool.
Awesome! Thanks for the comment! Have a great day!
Years ago I rebuilt a Snap On 1/4 Air rachet for the first time got a rebuild kit dirrect from Snap On I really enjoyed to it and the rebuild went good. I find hit video very tranquil right up my alley love the restoration
That’s cool. I haven’t rebuilt any Snap on ratchets yet. Maybe someday. Thanks for watching man!!
I’m a mechanic and this is the exact gun I use daily, never fails me it’s an absolute ripper. It was given to me by a guy I grew up with who raced in the Australian V8 super cars in the 90s, it was one of his pit guns and I absolutely love it.
That is cool! Yeah they seem to be supper popular! Thanks for the comment!
Ive rebuilt that same impact many times. Ingersoll Rand makes a darn fine tool.
Used mine when i was an engine machinist for years. My old mentor gave it to me.
Very cool! Thanks for the comment👍
Wow does this bring back memories! I worked at the IR plant in Athens, PA for about 5 years, many years ago. There was a tremendous group working there and the town supported the plant 100%. Years before, during a hurricane, the Susquehanna flooded the town and the plant. The towns people came into engineering and took home the drawings and specs and hung them in their homes to dry out before bringing them back to the cleaned up plant. For years after you would sit at an old desk, open a drawer and find evidence of "flood mud" in the drawer. There were marks on the walls showing the depth of the water during the flood. This was back in the day when tools were made in America and you could count on them day in and day out.
Today they chrome plate Chinese junk, add a fine old American trade name, and sell them as tools. They look pretty until you apply some torque whereupon the socket splits and you end up across the shop on your butt!
Thanks for sharing. That is interesting. Yes, stuff seems much cheaper… but more expensive (if you get what I am saying) thanks for the comment and for watching! Have a great day!
Was it hurricane Agnes that flooded the plant?
I have an Ingersoll Rand Air Impact like the one you have repaired and restored. I bought it off the MAC tool van in 1986. I have kept it oiled with the proper air tool oil and have greased the fitting in the rear by the plate you made. I use a grease gun needle to grease that rear bearing. It was the most powerful 1/2 inch air impact that MAC sold at that time. The Chinese have copied that model because it works and is durable. Thanks for showing us your restoration of it.
Awesome! The seem to be a popular tool and durable. Thanks for the comment!
It's 4:47am, wed morning, can't sleep, RUclips, found your channel. Wow' what a calm & relaxed video. Love the no nonsense, and beautifully done /restoration of a fine piece of machinery. It came out better than factory. Sir' my hats of to you on your superior work
Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed. Have a great rest of your day!👍
A good reason to make sure your air supply is clean and moisture free.
True that!
I used to backwards engineer machinery replacement parts for Dresser-Rand back in the 1990s and early 2000s. They have this dusty room filled with 150yo drawings of early steam powered machines. It was fascinating work.
That is awesome. It would be interesting to se that! Thanks for the comment 👍
I bought the same impact at the start of my career in the late 80’s. It is still with me now that I’m retired. Great tools built to last. Unlike the planned obsolescence of today.
True. Thanks for the comment and for watching! Have a great day!
Yup still have 2 of them they mean business
That's true. My Eastwing framing hammer from 1987 works on cars too. Bodyman since 1990. The waffle head is now smooth. My Favorite hammer
after watching this video i got CP and IR impact from ship breaking yard in Alang in India
Beautiful restoration!!!!! I owned 2 of these. Damn near every mechanic owned a 231. One of the first things we did to increase the power of the gun was grind the steel nose cone to make the exhaust ports fully open instead of partially blocked. It actually did help. Now I use an ingersoll 244. I’ve had it for almost 25 years without any problems
Interesting idea. Thanks for the tip! 👍
I still have my old Blue Point 1/2 inch rattle gun from when I was an apprentice 20 years ago. I bought it from the Snap on van and it was refurbished then. Only gave up the ghost a few years back, but that thing was a beast. Use to rip truck wheel nuts off no stress. Being young and dumb I was warned not to do that as it kills the hammers.
I wonder if there are still kits for those, this has inspired me to rebuild my old girl.
Great video, was very therapeutic to watch. Cheers from down under 👌🇦🇺
Thanks for the comment! And I wouldn’t be surprised if you could find a rebuild kit for it. It would be worth looking into. Thanks for watching and have a great day!! 👍
Brings back memories, I used to maintain and repair air tools including this one when I was an apprentice in the early '60's.
Very cool! Thanks for the comment!
Nice. Still have my old faithful 231 i picked up from a 2nd hand tool store 15yrs ago.
Sweet! They were popular 👍
Excellent restore. Have had my IR 231 since 1997 and it’s still going strong. Fantastic tools!
Nice! Thanks for the comment! Appreciate it!
My dad has this same exact model IR impact wrench. He's had it since the early 90s I believe. It still works, but it could use a nice restoration. After seeing this video, I will show it to him and see if he can restore his own. Thanks. Awesome job!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Rebuilding these aren’t bad and the parts can be found easily on eBay. Thanks for watching and for the feedback. Have a great day!
Great workmanship keep up the awesome work you do
Thanks, will do!
I was given one of these at my Job doing heavy machining when I started in 1994. I am still at the same shop and I still use the same impact in industrial use daily. I think we have been into it 2 times for R&R.
Awesome. The seem to be very popular! 👍
NICE JOB GREAT RESTORATION!!!
Thanks much! I appreciate it!
Watching this rebuild was very calming and enjoyable. It is always very satisfying to see a finished product that displays the skill of the restorer. Nicely done!
Thanks much! Glad you enjoyed it!
When I started as a diesel/truck tech 45 yrs ago these were the gold standard air wrenches; did a lit of work on 855 Cummins engines, head bolts were torqued to 250ft.lbs. Chicago Pneumatics wouldn't touch them, the Ingersolls would handle them all day long. When you finally got yours you weren't a rookie any more👊
Awesome comment. Thanks for sharing. This one belongs to my dad so I guess he isn’t a rookie anymore! :) Thanks for watching!
I worked for Ingressoll/Rand Proto Hand Tool Division from 1978 to 1984 in Tucson, Arizona until they sold out to Stanley Tools in Covington, Georgia..i was a Senior Forklift operator in the Receiving Warehouse.. 5:55
Very cool! Thanks for the comment 👍
Beautiful job! God Bless!
Thank you! You too!
That's cool, I'm glad to see you doing this,I used to rebuild these daily at work,we had a pallet full to rebuild and a pallet full of rebuild kits for the production department ,then they changed to a different style and told me to to dump the pallets in the dumpster.I may have kept one or two 😉
Cool! Definitely worth keeping 😂👍
I was quite inspired by the care taken to rebuild this wrench . I have a basic 800 ft/pd Harbor Freight driver that I purchased used for $10 and am looking forward to the restoration. Thank you for sharing your art of restoration, masterful!
I have one of those for about 40 years now! It could probably use a rebuild, too. Thanks for showing me how! I won't do a restoration, but at least it'll work like new again.
Hey thanks for watching! And yes the rebuild isn’t bad to do. I found the rebuild kit on eBay .
I have this exact same one, one of my old tech guys let me keep it and I love the power it has even at its ruffest shape , I just rebuild my Chicago pneumatic cp7748 older version after our shop burnt down all it needed was new gaskets
Awesome! Thanks for the comment!
I ran a tool repair business for over 10 years in Modesto CA. My favorite impact is that IR 231 ,all styles. Very powerful and if you tweek'em a little they'll out do almost any other brand even the Sioux which s the finest piece of engineering I've ever seen ! I rebuilt hundreds of the 231's and they hold up for a very long time. Mine's still slammin' after 25 years ! Enjoyed your video, keep up the good work ! ! !
Very cool! Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
Came out great! One of their best impacts ever.
Thank you! It seems a lot of people like these 👍
That is an absolutely gorgeous restoration! The beauty of this is that you can directly use it in further restorations, and I look forward to seeing her again!
Thanks Stealth Donut (pretty cool name) 😁 and yes I’ll have to use it in another restoration video! Thanks for watching and the comment!
❤ Gorgeous rebuild and polish and blue I LOVE IT
Thanks much!
I have a IR 235 I bought well over 20 years ago at Harbor Freight.
Yes HF used to sell name brand tools.
Still works great.
Very cool video.
Thanks and that is interesting about harbor freight. Thanks for the info 👍
The 231 IR Impact Gun brings back memories when I started at the Mazda Dealership back in the early 90's. That Impact Gun deserved that restoration they are the most reliable Impact Guns hands down and still have mine but retired it due to stronger Impacts out there today. Enjoyed the video thanks..👍🏻
Very cool! Is seems a lot of guys had these. Thanks for the comment!
Nice job, getting this back together and working is no small feat IMO but that info plate you made was the cherry on top.
Thanks much! I appreciate it!
I had the IR 231 back in the 80’s. It had the long shank with a flip socket for changing tires. I found it in the “broken tools” box. All it needed was an oil ring. I replaced it and I had it for 30 years before I gave it to my nephew. Good tool.
Nice work. Because you were able to restore the air tool to its full, original function, you got way more than your money's worth on it.
Thanks much! This is still being used. Thanks for watching and have a great week!
the attention to detail on this restoration was great -- but that flame effect on the careful not to smoke o-ring text was ::chef's kiss::
Thank you very much! I appreciate it!
Old Ingersoll impacts go forever.i have a 30 year old 212 . 3/8 impact that i still use while bench building transmissions.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing!
Those are the best and mine is at least 50 years old, got it in early 70
2/3 of these died at my old work while I was there, I combined the 2 broken into 1 working, was cool to see someone else taking one apart
Very cool. Thanks for sharing
These are tanks, probably one of the best 1/2" impact guns ever made.
Pretty popular! 👍
I used to use that exact model of impact wrench when I was a mechanic many years ago. I loved that model of IR.
Awesome!
Those impacts are amazing. I had one years ago but ended up trading it in because it was loud as hell and I couldn't use it if my service manager was on the phone. IR impacts were tough as hell but also loud as hell. Beautiful work, I would buy it
Lol that is awesome! Thanks for sharing! And thanks for watching! 👍
I have two of this type.. I've always oiled them before and after use never had a problem..this one looks like it wasn't loved much..but it is now and should last a lifetime..
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
Those old 231a guns are virtually indestructible
They are rugged! 👍
Job well done sir!! And the new label too! Awesome lol! I bought one off the ripoff truck at 16, working in a shop and that unit never failed and took off everything. Then I upgraded to the 2131, still chugging along 30 years later.
Thank you and very cool! 👍
I got a 2131 30 years ago. Still the beast it was when I got it. I put half a kit in it once after it was submerged from hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.
That sound will forever live in my head, the new gen may never know it.
You probably aren’t far off 👍
I never thought about that. The sound of air impacts, air ratchets and even air drills is quickly disappearing. I haven’t used any of my air ratchets in years, I’ll occasionally use my air impacts and drills if I have the compressor going just to keep oil through them. I still use my 3/4” and 1” air guns all the time. I have a Milwaukee 3/4 gun but have no intentions of buying a battery 1” gun. I’m a field mechanic and have a big service truck. I have to have it running to use the pto compressor. 10-20 years ago I was entirely air tools with only a cordless drill. I used the computer daily. Now I’m pretty much entirely converted over to battery tools and hardly use my compressor. The same goes for the 4-1/2” angle grinder. Something I use daily. I either needed electric from somewhere or used my welder/generator. Now I have a cordless grinder and I actually just bought a second one. How times have changed
I have a 22 year old Harbor Freight impact that I believe is somewhat based off of this model with some slight changes. About 8 years ago it got jammed up so I took it apart and their design has a small ball bearing inside. It had basically turned into a block it was all flattened out. So being that I am a motorcycle mechanic I replaced it with a Yamaha part number ball bearing, cleaned up the inside and put it back together. Still use it almost every day. This video was fun to watch, great job!
That’s cool! Good work! Thanks for watching!
What a great video, first impact i got new when i started in the field.
Now I feel old......
😁 Thank you very much! Have a great day!
now thats how you do a restore,not like some others who would have pulled it apart wash it and put it back together no new parts and paint it & call it restored no way. this was the right way to do it.
Damn. The best part about tiny projects like these is being able to pay attention to the tiniest details. I loved seeing every single piece got blu’d. I don’t see a reason why that thing won’t last 100 years. In 5,000 years when humans dig us up like dinosaurs they’ll find your stuff and be like wow! This dude was a true tool nerd!
Thank you very much! If this last another 5000 years it won’t be anything I did! 😂 thanks for watching and have a great day!
Well done and a worthy restoration. Ingersoll Rand are top notch pneumatics.
Thanks much!
Bravo! I am a big fan of Ingersoll and old tools, so this was perfect. Great job!
Thank you very much! Have a great day!
I still have my Ingersoll Rand 231 and it's about 50 years old, I oil it before and after every use and has never given me a ounce of trouble. I know it's not as powerful as some of the new guns but that's why they make breaker bars. Good video and nice work especially with the cold Blueing.
Thanks much! And yes breaker bars are a must. Thanks for the comment!
Cracking open a rebuild/service kit that just has all the parts ready to go must feel so nice lol. I get that sounds simple but it's so nice to have a quick-fix kit to get everything running smoothly lol
Like "shit I need a new gasket here and the retaining spring for this specific speed adjustment bolt" and the kit just has them lol. And then has parts u didn't know u need to replace toooooo
Yes, for sure. Finding the right parts makes projects so much easier! Thanks for the comment! 👍
Great old gun! I have two old IR 231 in my toolbox. Great job!
Very cool! And thank you very much!
First airgun i ever owned was an IR. I paid 45 dollars for it from harbor freight. Best airgun i ever owned. Guy i worked with bought a new snap on but used to borrow mine when his wouldn't break something loose.
Very cool! If Harbor Freight only sold IR now! Thanks for the comment!
I first used a ir 231 Feb of 1985. It was at a Marathon service station. What a beast. We lubed it with Marvel mystery oil. Brings back memories
Very cool! They seem popular back in the day. Thanks for the comment!
Got one of these at least 20 years old best 1/2 ever made .
Awesome! Thanks for the comment! They seem popular!👍
Fantastic. Love the cold blue on there too, looks really good.
Thank you! It took me a couple coats but it looks good. Thanks for watching!
Ingersoll Rand makes some of the best impacts on the market. They have for sometime
Thanks for your input! This one feel’s quality
@RebuiltRestored just so you know they hit about twice as hard with oil
You do amazing work. Thanks for sharing the journey with us .
Thanks for the comment and for watching!
I'm watching restorations of tools that keep my shop working. Is this a sign of age? Some dude's collectable German ratchet screwdriver is a daily hand tool.
Thanks for watching!
Attention to detail and workmanship are superb, well done!
Thank you! Appreciate it!
That is one NICE job.
Appreciate it!
The problem with the air gun is a leaking seal very easy and cheap fix. I've done it a dozen times while working in the automotive business.
Yep. This had what appeared to
Be a split o-ring on the throttle valve assembly. Thanks for the comment!
Ingersoll Rand 231 is a very strong impact.. Good job
Thank you very much!
We made 500-1000 of those a shift back in the day.... Always liked that tool. Only suggestion - removing and inserting the motor was done as a single group on the assembly line as the rear endplate was very difficult to keep straight in the bore. Never used heat; aside from hot air guns to heat the plastic boots (a major pain to put on).
Thanks for the info. It is nice to hear from someone that actually assembled these. And that makes sense about installing the motor assembly as a single unit. Thanks for the tip. Yes, this boot was the first I have ever installed and the hot water definitely softened the rubber and made it more workable. I found this trick from another RUclips video. Thanks so much for the helpful comment. I appreciate it! Have a great day!
Best impact ever made. Pretty sure mine is the same model but the data plate is long gone.
I rebuilt one a couple years ago. I thought I did a nice job, but wow, you really went a full 120%! Nice work!
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
Fantastic Job !!
Thanks a lot! Have a great day’
We use these at the tire shop I work at. They last about as long as any other tool we have, and they get everything but the biggest cross threaded lugs off. Although that protective shell would probably greatly increase their service life. Very efficient for the money
Awesome. Thanks for the comment!
THANK YOU INGERSOL RAND!!!! FOR MAKING A HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCT!!!!!
HEY,
that was awesome
Thanks much!
Underrated channel
Thanks much! Appreciate that!
Super-impressive, fascinating, satisfying, and just beautiful to watch. Great job!
Thank you very much RestorationVideo!
Very nice refurbishing. Those IRs impact drivers are very good tools and have a lot of torque. Thumbs Up!
Thank you very much! Appreciate it!
Honestly say that fantastic work 👍 I appreciate you sir. This is a good tutorial for me💐
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed!
The IR 231 is one of the best bang for buck 1/2” impact guns available. What you’ve done is guarantee many more years of service.
That is the plan! Thank you very much! 👍
That’s mighty fine work ya done there!
Thank you! Appreciate it!
Amazing result. Looks better than new.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
I have the same Gun 43 years old still gets the job done
Cool cool!! It seems a lot of people had this gun. Thanks for the comment! 👍
Nice job , I have one of those and it has worked for at least 40 years
Very cool! Thanks for the comment!
Very well done!
Thank you very much!
Wow, it sounds so much better after being rebuilt
Thanks much!
The first thing I thought of when you put on the new cover on was…. Snoopy!😅 Great job!!!
Lol thanks for watching!