Last year I product tested the awesome Chicago Pneumatic CP7749 1/2″ air impact wrench which was actually so good that I couldn’t face handing it back and bought it. It has been a great tool in daily service and repair tasks and I am now privileged to have been sent it’s ‘little brother’ to be put to the test.
The CP7729 is a compact, lightweight 3/8″ air impact wrench that really packs a punch considering it is so deceptively small in size. It feels well balanced and is just right to hold in one hand whilst working. Being that bit smaller it is very handy for accessing areas that a 1/2″ impact gun is just too big for.
Whilst using it I have found that the CP7729 fills a substantial gap where certain fasteners are too tight to be tackled by a 3/8″ air ratchet and are not big enough to get a 1/2″ impact wrench on. I believe that I was actually able to work quicker as I could use the CP7729 for more fixings that I may have previously resorted to using a hand ratchet and socket on.
Trigger button
In use the CP7729 effortlessly tackles all sorts of nuts and bolts and is surprisingly quiet in use with minimum vibration. My first job using the CP7729 was a dual mass flywheel replacement on a Mondeo TDCi. The little black and silver beast was excellent at zipping off the gearbox mounting, bell housing and flywheel bolts, just to name a few.
In line with the other CP impact wrenches in this range the CP7729 has a selectable three position torque regulator dial for forward tightening and a constant full power setting for reverse un-doing. The established S2S (side to side) technology allows you to change between forward or reverse direction whilst holding the tool with only one hand in any position. The ‘full tease’ trigger button is comfy to use and allows good speed control in use.
The CP7729 3/8″ impact wrench is designed to run on a clean supply of compressed air, regulated to 90p.s.i. The working torque range is 68 – 407 Nm and the maximum tightening torque is stated to be 563 Nm, which is impressive. The 3/8″ square drive socket retainer ring has a secure feel to it and has no problems holding your sockets in place whilst working. The CP7729 is only 163mm long and with a composite material housing construction, weighs in at just 1.26kg.
VERDICT: Before this product test I must admit that I had never really considered an impact wrench for 3/8” drive socket work but having used the CP7729 for a while it has opened my eyes to the new ‘effort saving’ techniques that it allows for service and repair work.
