Hello everyone,

I recently added an air compressor to my shop (FINALLY!) and I have a couple questions about air tools. The compressor I got is a Craftsman 220 volt (15 amp) motor, 5 HP, 2 cycle, belt drive, 60 gallon tank. A really nice machine I think! (and I got it for cheap)

Anyway, Home Depot has a combo Husky kit that includes an impact wrench (aprox. 250 lb of torgue), an air ratchet handle, a 2.5 ton jack, and a set of jackstands for $59.99.

My question is: What do you look for in air tools? Is 250 lb's of torgue for the impact wrench high enough for tough jobs?

Thanks for any info! I appreciate it.

-Hoovestol

All that for the price of a good set of jackstands, probably can't go wrong. Pretty much any 1/2" impact will do in a home shop. Its probably similar to lots of others and will have a 4 position "knob" to set "torque". When putting wheels on etc. I usually set it low then use a torque wrench to finish. On high setting my cheapo impact takes off most anything. Its the 'hammer' action that does the work.

I think you will be VERY unhappy with a 250 ft-lb torque impact.

You want something up over 400 ft-lbs reverse for "tough jobs".

IMHO, the best deal goin' is the Craftsman 1/2 Composite Body impact with 600 ft-lbs. The Composite Body is both strong and super-light, and the torque is outstanding. When I bought mine it was the strongest 1/2" around (not anymore). Very easy to move around and work with do to the light weight, hasn't gotten stuck yet.One finger direction changes. This particular impact is made by Ingersol-Rand and private labelled for Craftsman. Lifetime warranty, made in the USA!

With a nice manly compressor like that you don't want a weenie gun, you can justify the $150 cost by thinking of it as a lifetime investment.

Check it out, its a heck of a nice piece, worth every penny!

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I meant to add, yes thats a great price, especially with stands, but you did say "for tough jobs". 250 won't cut it. My dad has a Chicago-Pneumatic with 400 ft lbs and I am stuck all the time without enough muscle to unlock stubborn wheel lugs, etc.

I like to buy it once, buy it for life. Ask yourself what you really need it for, I'll reiterate that that is a decent size compressor, since you went fairly big on it, why not use it to drive a real nice tool? If you really need it for tough jobs, like getting pinion nuts off, or really rusted fasteners, gear pulling jobs, etc better step up the ft-lbs. If you are just changing tires once and a while, go for the HD deal.

Just my .02!

Originally posted by Hoovestol:


Anyway, Home Depot has a combo Husky kit that includes an impact wrench (aprox. 250 lb of torgue), an air ratchet handle, a 2.5 ton jack, and a set of jackstands for $59.99.

Thanks for any info! I appreciate it.

-Hoovestol To be honest with you, I wouldn't crawl under a ANY car that is held up by a 59.99 jack and stands. For saftey sake, save you money and buy a quality jack and a strong set of stands, they will last you many years and possibly save you from a bad accident.

Mike

Thanks guys!

I just talked to my Dad and he said he picked up a nice Ingersoll/Rand at an auction but his compressor won't run it. So I think I will pick up this kit for now and just wait for him to come visit.

The reason the kit caught my eye is it looks like it has stuff I would use and the price is right. I over-bought on the compressor and need to save up some money (universal problem, I know)

Mike - Don't worry. They would be for backup jackstands only. I have a good set of jackstands. Since I work alone, I don't take safety lightly.

my experience with cheap air tools is they eat up alot of air and cheap impacts usualy don't have much torque. The first impact i ever had wouldn't even break most lug nuts loose.

My .02 cents
I have a 60 gallon 5 hp compressor.
I have an Ingersoll/Rand 2131 1/2" impact that works great.
I paid about $50 at a pawn shop for it.
I really think you didn't overdue it on the air.
I think you will be happy you got a good sized
compressor.

Look for anything I.R. used,they last forever.My brother left a 1/2" drive I.R. impact gun in an open spackle bucket outside over last winter,wet,frozen.He told me to take it,I brought it home,a little W-D. I used it yesterday.