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Air tools rule

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drooartz

drooartz

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So I decided to bite the bullet and buy a compressor and impact wrench. Takes about 30 minutes to set up and run through the initial cycle. Tank full, I grab the impact wrench and proper impact socket.

10 seconds later the crank pulley bolt is off.

Woohoo! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
drooartz said:
Woohoo! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Click to expand...

Excellent! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Maybe now that you have that bad azz compressor you can consider painting it yourself and saving some bux!
 
Maybe, John, but only maybe. Tunebug's paint isn't too bad for now, white is a great color for a mediocre paint job! Paint's a long way off, but I'm looking forward to using that air ratchet for some serious bolt removal.
 
A couple years ago I was at an estate sale with a lot of old tools. I spent about 200 dollars there that day for two truckloads of old stuff. In one of the boxes was a 1/2" drive Ingersol-Rand 120v electric impact wrench. I figured it was probably useless. I paid a dollar for the whole box of stuff.

Lo and behold, I pulled that thing out and cleaned it off with brake cleaner and it works. Not only does it work, but it works well. I can zip off/on lugnuts like I'm in a pit crew.

And here I'd been using my 1/2" drive ratchet and breaker bar these past few years! Never again.

I still don't have an air compressor.. I'm holding out for a big stand up one so I can do all kinds of air heavy tasks like grinding and air chiseling.
 
As I have gotten older, I find that I *need* air tools to get things done. Especially now that I am having some shoulder problems.
My personal favourite is my 3/8" air ratchet, which I *live* off when it comes to "wrenching".
I just stripped down a complete Ford Escort parts car (for my 'Scort GT racer) and I hardly put the air ratchet down all day.
 
What size did you get Drew? Gal capacity and such like?
I've been thinking of one myself but didn't want to spend hundreds and my garage space is premium.
Glad it worked out for you, I think I'll also invest.
 
Indispensable, IMO.

Space here is of utmost concern. My compressor is a bit of a 'thing', cobbed up out of an old (older than ME!) compressor, a Sears well pump 220V motor, black pipe manifold and three inverted steel fire extinguisher tanks. Big dryer (silica), secondary separators (Florida is REALLY humid) and two outlets: one regulated adjustably for painting, one not. Compressor/motor are shock mounted on the floor, tank/manifold mounted to the wall above. Whole affair is 15" deep, 36" long at the floor.
 
Good for you. I've always considered projects require tools and part of the cost of the project is the cost of the tool. The next time you need to break a bolt loose, you will remember you should have been using the air rachet and it would already be broke free.
 
Baz said:
What size did you get Drew? Gal capacity and such like?
I've been thinking of one myself but didn't want to spend hundreds and my garage space is premium.
Glad it worked out for you, I think I'll also invest.
Click to expand...

Sounds like he got a pretty big one. When it comes to compressors, I've always been told buy the biggest one you can afford. You'll always want more CFM!!
 
Tools make the man or is it mechanic.
 
"TECHNICIAN!"

"Mechanics" fix wagons. With hammers. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
Bought my compressor and tools as a kit from Sears for the same reason...to pop off the pulley bolt. It's been a great asset to have not only for car projects, but for woodworking too.
 
It's a 33 gal upright tank, 150psi compressor. Loud, but seems solid and usable:

https://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00916732000

$300 for the compressor and the included tools. A fair deal, and should last me a good long time. The upright is nice as it doesn't take up quite as much space as some, and I can wheel it around as necessary. I had looked a a bunch of other ones, and this seemed to be a sweet spot of price versus flow capacity. HF ones were cheaper, but didn't flow nearly as much.

My first real job was at a shop that built trade show exhibits. Huge compressor and lots of air tools all over the place. I have a real appreciation for air tools.
 
tosoutherncars said:
DrEntropy said:
"TECHNICIAN!"

"Mechanics" fix wagons. With hammers. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
Click to expand...

Mechanic! Technicians fix computers, not cars! :p

-Duncan
Click to expand...

Look, MA!!! I'm a teknishun!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Drew, did you buy the 1-5/16" socket from Sears? I'm thinking about it, but it would be my first socket in the 3/4" drive range.

Impact wrenches are awesome. When I was a small engine mechanic in college and working with professional tools (Mac, Snapon) I could completely rebuild an engine and clutch with a 3/8" impact wrench, pausing only to pick up a normal ratchet to get the con rod bolts, and a wrench to torque down the head. Otherwise, the output of that little MAC impact was so selectable you could do anything with it. That impact would let you rebuild a seized engine/clutch in less than 3 hours. Impact wrenches are awesome wrist savers until you forget to turn it down that first time and wipe out some threads... I've never really liked air ratchets, though. The ease of a normal ratchet outweighs the trouble of an air hose and hearing the compressor run. Maybe that will change as I get older. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Mark
 
I've got a 30 gal that runs a lot when I use it. Great to have for nail guns to sanders to rachets. I can't wait though to get a larger one and take on some serious painting projects. MG's perhaps? I've sprayed some stuff with it but I don't want to burn it out.
 
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