Air Tools
 

It is finally time for me to get some pneumatic tools for working on my car and doing other odd jobs. At this point I just need an impact wrench, hammer, and maybe a compressor and tank.

Right now I have a Craftsman oilless 2hp 90psi/3cfm 125psi max compressor without a tank (used for winter purging the sprinkler system). Can I just buy a remote 11 gallon tank, or should I get this?:
Coleman Air Compressor
I am completely new to air tools, so how many gallons is generally needed for just a few bursts here and there? Is that CL post a good deal? That was the best I could find locally for the price.

I also need an impact wrench that is able to do everything on the car. I need it for suspension bolts, rear hubs, exhaust, diff bolts, PPF, and generally everything that would make my life much easier. I've read that impact wrenches less than 500ft lbs are inadequate for suspension work. Does this look okay?:
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I would definitely suggest getting the bigger compressor, you can probably sell the one you have now for 100, but my little 2 gallon can't run my die grinder for more than like 10 seconds. For most air tools, especially the impact wrench you just need a bigger compressor. As far as harbor freight tools go, they're hit and miss like ebay turbos. I would try to find a better brand impact for 100 dollars though, or a cheaper one from harbor freight.

A little compressor with a tank (like what you'd have if you put a tank on your current one) works OK for filling tires and running an impact wrench. Air ratchets take a bunch more air flow, so you'd run it and then have to wait for it to fill the tank again. A die grinder is basically worthless with a little compressor like that.

One thing to consider strongly when looking at compressors is noise. The cheaper big compressors are LOUD, so if you get one expect to be wearing hearing protection a lot.

As for the tools themselves -- odds are, if you buy a new compressor, you can find a deal that will throw in a set of cheap air tools (impact wrench, ratchet, air hammer, etc). If so, try 'em out, and find out firsthand where they're acceptable and where not. Then buy better tools once you know more specifically what you need.

--Ian

go big or wait 5 mins between each torqueing or 30 secs of use on your cutoff wheels etc. I went big and am loving it you should as well. Buy the biggest compressor you have room/$ for. Air wrenches are easy but overrated imo, eat some more spinach and you should be fine.

Lol normally I would just take the popeye approach, but I have stripped and twisted off many heads this way.

Yeah, the compressor I have now is loud. I guess I won't be able to use it late at night, which is good I suppose.

I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Coleman compressor on Craigslist. I also am probably going to get the harbor freight wrench. I have been doing a lot of searching, and this seems to be the most cost effective solution. I have looked at a lot of Ingersoll-Rand, Chicago Pneumatic and other wrenches, but $150 only gets you around 450 working torques. For $100 I can get a wrench with 950ftlbs of max torque, which would end up being I'm guessing like ~600 working torques. Mainly right now I need something for that really long control arm bolt that is giving me hell, and the exhaust cat bolts which are seemingly welded on.

Thanks for the input

You need to figure out what tools you are going to use. They should each list what sCFM they require to operate properly. Decide on the tools then match the air compressor, not the other way around.
If shopping at Harbor Freight, US General seems to be a good brand.

7.5 HP Kellog American Model 340TV Tank Air Compressor - eBay (item 330369904595 end time Feb-16-10 15:23:04 PST)


no afflitation to this at all but i picked up a simular compressor ten years ago. a kellog american. i got used. it was built in 1966.
it just went in for it's first rebuild last month grand total $200 they said it should keep on ticking for the next 40 years.
i use my compressor on pretty much a daily basis it runs my sand blaster die grinders ect... nostop no problems. best part they are pretty damn quiet

What the fuck to you need a 3/4" impact for on a Miata? Overkill much?

Your little compressor will NEVER run that 3/4" wrench. In fact it'll probably not run a 3/8" impact properly.

I've got a 60gal 5HP 220V compressor that works pretty fucking hard to keep up with a 1/2" 400ft/lbs crafstman impact that uses 6CFM @ 90PSI. My Chinese die grinder eats air at an alarming rate, even though it is rated at something like 4CFM.

The 3/4" wrench you have posted will never run at 6CFM, probably closer to 8-9CFM. A little "2HP" oilless compressor will never be able to handle that.

Don't waste your money.

This compressor requires 3ph power. Unlikely the OP has 3ph running to their garage.

That 5hp rating on the Coleman compressor is pure fiction. 120V/15A in reality it probably closer to 1.5HP running.

Jay is your compressor single or two stage? I've seen single phase 220 two stage 60-80 gal in good used condition here for ~$400-500. That's what I'm thinking of for the new garage.

To the OP- I picked up a 30 gal Husky with cast iron cylinder pump and separate motor for $125 in excellent condition. This unit is far superior to the crafstmen 25gal all-in-one I had before. I suggest you be patient, keep shopping you'll get more compressor for dough.

Mine is single stage 220V. Dual would be better for sure. My compressor will handle everything I throw at it. The blasting cabinet pretty much makes it run constantly but it seems to keep up. If two people were trying to work off the same compressor it would be a different story for sure, and would necessitate the dual stage. Since I'm pretty much a hermit that isn't an issue for me :) I paid about $600 new for mine. It's a twin piston run by a 5hp motor.

I've only had air since building my house and garage, now I couldn't live with out it! I just wish I had the space for a lift.

about the only advise i can give is think it through and look for a decent phase one or phase two 220. air compreesor. it is high ticket item you don't want to limit what you can do at home due to a compressor that can't keep up.

and no chinesse shit:vash::vash:.they are cheap for a reason