Hi folks: posted this on 3rd Gen but told it was not appropriate for there, and I should come here or ramblings... Since ramblings is mostly non-auto weirdness, I'm here (for the first time!) OK:

I'm looking at a compressor and impact wrench for car work, and am interested in anyone's experiences (what's in YOUR garage, Road Rage?) The compressor is a quiet belt-driven 6 HP 25 gallon model from Craftsman (apparently almost the same as the Porter Cable version that's discontinued but a better air filter and more PSI, 150). Ingersoll-Rand 2135 STi impact wrench looks nice.

The obvious use of this rig is to change our two cars to snow tire wheels and back twice a year, to fill tires, and to spray air at stuff to clean 'em. With a "torque stick" I'll be able to tighten Honda lug nuts to about 80 ft lbs but at least evenly, not warping discs. I don't plan to use a nailer or sprayer, but who knows. I wonder whether air tools are more generally useful for car work (perhaps not an impact wrench but an air ratchet?) Do they make life easier in general, for instance, when I get around to installing the A-Spec suspension? Or is it basically for changing wheels?

After the only response that got through before the moderator killed the thread, now I also want the 3/8 IR 2000 ratchet (I just like to buy nice tools for not that much more money than the entry-level ones); what think ye all??

 

Your Home Depot sales rep would be of best service here. But the 25 gal one is nice. My buddy has a bigger one and he uses it for all kinds of stuff.

 

1/2" drive IR231 long shank, it will be the last gun a DIY guy will ever need. The composite and titanium guns are nice, but have questionable reliablity, the 231 is virtually indestructable with normal use and will have no long term reliablity problems. I only purchase 231's for my shop now, they last forever, are powerful and are very affordable. In fact my tool rep doesn't recommend the Ti guns or composite guns unless you need the torque, they don't hold up and he doesn't like to sell them because he has to stand behind them.

If you purchase a powerful air rachet and are not aware of its power you will probably break a finger or two, not a tool for weekend warrior who is inexperienced. You'd be much better served with a 3/8 gun, they are super handy and keep your knuckles out of harms way. If you get into larger projects an air hammer is a very valueable tool. I would recommend strongly against torque sticks, since they "spring" they can back lugnuts off when you release the trigger, they also wear out and can break causing injury. Purchase a decent quality 1/2" drive click type torque wrench and do them by hand.

 

Thank you, Tireguy, for the useful advice (we'll see how much of it I take!) The local Sears salesman was pushing the 1000 ft/lb guns, and it did seem like more than most of us need. But you can turn them down if you don't need it, can't you? The local Monro Muffler uses torque sticks on a daily basis; maybe one just needs a good one? I had a pretty good click type torque wrench and stripped some bolts cause it was way off. I now use the old-fashioned pointer type, but would like to skip that in the tire changing routine.

Certainly, a 3/8 ratchet would be all I'd be looking for, but I'm still tempted by the TI gun and the torque sticks. But I'm less sure than I was! Thanks again,

Narikin

 

I'm somewhat in agreement with Tireguy. If you are going to use this impact wrench a lot, you can't go wrong with some of the IR guns. One thing you need to do is ask yourself how much you are going to use it, and how much you want to pay. IR tools are very good, and usually cost a bit more too.

Check out this page at harbor freight tools:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...321&pricetype=

They have pretty good prices on IR impact tools, and also carry a bunch of relabled stuff (chicago pneumatic) that I would swear are old IR products, but marked down without the name. I bought one of these impact wrenches about ten years ago, and it has survived very well through moderate home garage use, including some marathon rusted-on-nut-busting episodes.

Air tools are great, and once you have the compressor, you will find a bunch of other tools that you want around the house. I have also made great use of an air driven cutoff tool, a die grinder, and an air chisel. I am now looking around for a pneumatic caulking gun for appying construction adhesive on one of my next projects.