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

250 lb/ft will work for most normal stuff. I don't know about the tough stuff though. My buddies cheesy cambell hausfield impact wouldn't take the rusted stuck lugs off his F250. But the I/R gun with 400lb/ft did. I thought a long time before buying an impact, and I ended up buying a used I/R.

Although $60 for the package....it'll probably work ok. Buy a better impact later when you find something you can't loosen with the cheaper one. :D

chris

Honestly, 250 ft/lbs is pretty weak for an Impact. You can get a decent IR 600 ft/lb unit pretty cheap (that's reverse torque) and the IR Titanium 1/2" impact has 1000 ft/lb loosening torque.

FYI, make sure to get impact-rated sockets and extensions; a good impact wrench can literally explode standard hand-grade sockets and extensions. Depending on where the parts go, you could be in for trouble (or pain!) Even if they don't blow up, they usually flex so much that the impact is either not effective, or you'll round the heads off fasteners.

Troy

There are 3/8 impacts that will do 250. Those tools are junk.

You'd be better off buying used name brand stuff than that new, low-budget crap.

Originally posted by Schurkey:
There are 3/8 impacts that will do 250. Those tools are junk.

You'd be better off buying used name brand stuff than that new, low-budget crap. Yup, I sold the impact wrench that came with my compressor at a garage sale. Bought the craftsman 600 ft lb one. I had to use a lug wrench to take off wheels because the cheap one couldn't break them loose.