Looking at getting a Impact wrench electric that is..

[1-3-2-4]

Now I know what your thinking.. why not get an air tool... well first of all I don't want a huge compressor and I don't forsee myself using it that much..

Anyways the specs on this tool is here at Northern Tool it provides 235Ft. LB and is a 1/2 drive

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _7256_7256

[2.5GT]

I have the Snap-On 1/2" cordless impact. It's expensive, but i got a deal from a local Snap-On franchisee. Works wonders and hasn't have any problems with it at all.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

[1-3-2-4]

Hmmm I spotted a good deal on a air compressor which has me thinking again.. for a 10 gal tank for $79 with shipping and all it's like $125 or something like that... air flow at 90 PSI is decent.

But cordless can be handy sometimes.

[2.5GT]

Cordless is great and you can just throw it in your trunk for one of those emergency tools.

I suggest you invest in a decent one. Like the one i got

It's enough power to break away bolts, loosen lug nuts, etc...


Air compressors aren't bad, if you decided to use it at home only. There's some decent deals if you look around. Check Sears, Homedepot, Lowe's...

[1-3-2-4]

only thing is the one I was looking at I think was 250 Ft. Lb it was almost $80-85 where a air tool is cheaper.. but that was a corded version of the tool and not cordless..

[2.5GT]

Here's an Air compressor for for $300 from sears.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Inflators

[1-3-2-4]

I really need one that large? I think I can get by with a 10 Gal I'm going going to be hammering on it for 3 min at a time and I can wait.

[2.5GT]

I've used one like that before...if not the same. Bolts like suspension bolts, caliper bolts, cross member bolts, basically anything that's with alot of torque pounds will need excess torque to break them loose. It makes it difficult to wait and let the tank recharge and go at it again. But if you're patient, i guess it would be ok.

I'm actually thinking of getting one of those for home use.

[Grafton]

i have a cheapo harbor freight cordless impact wrench, it works but it it didn't seem like it really wanted to take off the lug nuts on my car

[ouch1011]

The problem with the electric impacts is that they are huge compared air tools. For stuff like lug nuts or whatever, that isn't a problem. But for some other jobs with less space, having a giant impact is very limiting.

[green97gt]

i have a craftsman 1/2 chordless impact. works wonders, and i keep it in my trunk just in case.

every once in a while ill come up on a CAR lug nut or suspension bolt that i might have to sit on for a few seconds to get it free.

but when im working on a big truck/van, particularly the ford E250s sometimes it wont break those loose, so i just carry an old 1/2 ratchet and 5 ft steel pipe.

but the thing is damn handy w/ a 1/2 socket set and some extensions, use it taking off almost anything.

just make sure you plug it in every night.

if your going air, just bite the bullet and buy a decent compressor.

i used a ten gallon for i think a day before i went and got a bigger one.

[JoshP]

I have a cheap harbor freight one, I love it

[rougeben83]

yeah the general rule is to get as big a compressor as your budget allows, having to wait for it to recharge after every big bolt is a hassle.

I just use a cordless Goodyear one...makes wheel changes much easier, most of the cordless bits won't be able to break really tight stuff that an air impact could however.

[Soul Shinobi]

The Craftsman air compressors seem to be unreliable, but parts are plentiful. I got a CH compressor and IR impact gun, each on Craig's List each for around $100, work great. And nothing beats an air compressor for filling tires or a blow gun for cleaning/drying things.

[greenspeed]

snap on cordless. the only tool everyone should have regardless of mechanical skills. hands down greatest thing I've ever used to work on a car with.

[2.5GT]

^ and the most expensive

[1-3-2-4]

hmm so since this thread I'm pretty much set on getting air tools while not highly rated I was going to pick up a 21 gal compressor from harbor freight. 50ft 3/8 hose a 1/2 impact and a possible die grinder but I really don't see what much I can use it on other then cutting stuck stuff on.

and not sure yet about an air ratchet.

[Huffer]

DON'T cheap out on a compressor. Get the biggest tank and the highest flow you can afford. It is much cheaper and easier to replace a tool than it is your compressor. Too many guys I know get a cheap/small tank with low flow and end up leaving it in the corner because they cannot change 4 tires without it kicking on.

[Soul Shinobi]

He's right. You should get a good popular unit so if something does go wrong parts are easy to come by. Like I said I got a good Campbell Hausfeld, nearly new, for $100 at a yard sale. It really isn't worth the trouble to cheap out on a compressor.

Assuming your location is accurate, 1-3-2-4, you're close to NYC, you should have near infinite Craig's List options.

I don't like air ratchets because they're so noisy, I often use my electric drill with my Harbor Freight socket attachment... thing. But that's just me.

[Reason]

Craftsman is a good unit. My local has one at the shop and it gets used every day. It's at least 4 years old, it's the black stand up units. I think 150 PSI? The biggest one they make. I'm sure it's exspensive, but some things like they said you shouldn't cheap out on.