I'm going to be purchasing a Craftsman 17 Gallon Air Compressor either later today, or tomorrow.

I will need to purchase an Impact Wrench, and Air Rachet for average home use. I work on my car over the weekends doing moderate repairs such as, suspention, wheels, and basic maintainance.

I have narrowed down my choices to these three products:

1) Craftsman 10 pc. Air Tool Set - $99.99

10 pc. kit includes 3/8 in. ratchet wrench, 1/2 in. impact wrench, air hammer and 3/8 in. 25 ft. air hose - plus accessories.
<U>Ratchet:</U>
160 RPM free speed
45 ft./lbs. of torque
1-1/8 in. ratchet head lets users get into tight places
Front end exhaust directs air away from user
<U>Impact:</U>
1300 impacts per minute/7000 RPM free speed
230 ft./lbs. torque
Max 300 ft/lbs torque
Built-in power regulator
Pin type clutch and ring type socket
<U>Hammer:</U>
Uses standard .401 shank chisels
Alloy treated barrel and heat treated piston for smooth, fluid motion, longer life


2) Kobalt 21-Piece 2-Tool Impact Ratchet Kit - $69.94

<U>Impact:</U>
350 ft./lbs. torque
Avg. 4 CFM @90 PSI
<U>Rachet:</U>
60 ft./lbs. torque
Avg. 3.5 CFM @90 PSI


3) Ingersoll-Rand 1/2 in. Impact Wrench, 3/8 in. Air Ratchet and Impact Socket Kit - $139.99

Ingersoll-Rand's Air Tool Combo Kit with 1/2 in. Impact Wrench, 3/8 in. Air Ratchet, 5 pc. Impact Sockets, Socket Adapter and Carrying case.
<U>Impact:</U>
- 25-350 ft-lbs.
- Max torque 550 ft-lbs.
<U>Ratchet:</U>
- 55 ft-lbs. of torque
- Free speed of 160 RPM.


Could anyone who has used these products please chime in. I have no clue which direction to go at this point. I have read the reviews on the Craftsman Kit, and they are good and bad, but its cheap.

Thanks for you feedback!


Modified by NGUSPEED at 11:22 AM 9/11/2008

 

I've had the IR set I bought from Lowe's for about 3 years now and it has never given me any problems and love it. It will remove almost any bolt with my 30gal compressor.

If there's a Lowe's near by you can get it from there and pick up a 10% off coupon from the USPS moving packet or request one at the link below.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...=drd7

 

Do yourself a HUGH favor and don't get any of those. They all suck. If I remember right I don't think the craftsman can even take off lug nuts. Go to http://www.maxtool.com They have really good prices on air tools.

Do your self a hugh favor and buy good quality air tools, they will pay for them selfs the first time you use them. Here is my advise. You don't need a 3/8" air rachet, I rearly use mine. Get a decent 1/4" air rachet, and these 3/8" and 1/2" impacts: IR2115TiKB and IR2135TiMAX. These are both IR and will last a long time and work great.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alupso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've had the IR set I bought from Lowe's for about 3 years now and it has never given me any problems and love it. It will remove almost any bolt with my 30gal compressor.

If there's a Lowe's near by you can get it from there and pick up a 10% off coupon from the USPS moving packet or request one at the link below.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...=drd7
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was really considering the IR Kit.

I actually work at Sear's, and they can price match the Lowes price, plus my employee discount, so Im going that route. Thanks for the heads up.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbowa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do yourself a HUGH favor and don't get any of those. They all suck. If I remember right I don't think the craftsman can even take off lug nuts. Go to http://www.maxtool.com They have really good prices on air tools.

Do your self a hugh favor and buy good quality air tools, they will pay for them selfs the first time you use them. Here is my advise. You don't need a 3/8" air rachet, I rearly use mine. Get a decent 1/4" air rachet, and these 3/8" and 1/2" impacts: IR2115TiKB and IR2135TiMAX. These are both IR and will last a long time and work great.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was looking at those individual ones, but I am on a really tight budget right now, and this is something I need to do the repairs on my car.

 

You should wait until you can afford better quality. A good impact gun will be over $300 alone. I can do everything on my car with hand tools.

 

That is what I was thinking, but the last time I did my suspention, I tried to remove the Rear Lower Shock Bolt, and it wouldnt budge. I ended up almost stripping it.

Keep in mind, I have a child, mortgage, wife, and bills to pay. If I could afford a $300 impact gun, id definately buy it. I just need something for the garage at home to use on the weekends. Ill probably end up using it no more than a few times a month.

 

Honestly of the choices you posted, i'd get the IR. I really want one of their highend guns. "1100ft/lbs of nut busting torque"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Garage 808 Hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honestly of the choices you posted, i'd get the IR. I really want one of their highend guns. "1100ft/lbs of nut busting torque"</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's actually what I started leaning toward, after doing some more research. If I had money, I would also go for their Highend Guns too, but I dont think the compressor will handle it.

 

That air compressor that you have will be plenty for those higher level guns. Also that lower control arm bolt 9 times out of 10 won't come out with an impact any way. They sieze in there really bad and you have to replace the bolt and bushing. To give you an idea, I owen the high end 3/4" IR impact w/ 1800ft/lb's of torque and this still won't get the bolt out. It will break the bolt or even the coller loose though . Keep in mind that this is real torque not nut busting either.

 

I'd go for a snap-on/blue point. (Snap-On MG725 if you're baller enough). There's a co-worker who bought a craftsman and it didn't have the power to remove a wheel nut. But out of those three I'd go for the IR.

 

With your budget, I would recommend you buy a decent impact and not worry so much about an air ratchet. You can get the Craftsman Pro 1/2" impact for $180 ish and that's the same I use for everyday work here at a tire shop doing mechanic work. I know that's a little more than you're planning on spending, but it'll do the job nicely and offer plenty of reliability. Not much it can't handle, especially when you're using it for minor repairs in your garage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hatchling37 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With your budget, I would recommend you buy a decent impact and not worry so much about an air ratchet. You can get the Craftsman Pro 1/2" impact for $180 ish and that's the same I use for everyday work here at a tire shop doing mechanic work. I know that's a little more than you're planning on spending, but it'll do the job nicely and offer plenty of reliability. Not much it can't handle, especially when you're using it for minor repairs in your garage.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You do make a good point. I cant see myself using the ratchet too much. I have decided to stay away from the lower end Craftsman Air Tools. I work at Sears, so I can use my discount for a high end Craftsman Impact, and I might just do that or go IR since we do carry them also. Tomorrow I will go and look into this.

Thanks!

 

i think the IR's are pretty good...ive had the titanium 1/2 impact for about 4yrs, i dont even lube it anymore, and it still takes off v6 crank pulley bolts like a beast. i also use it daily.

*EDIT* i forgot to mention that the gun is light as hell, also a huge plus compared to the snap on.


Modified by philafelman at 5:08 PM 9/12/2008


Modified by philafelman at 5:09 PM 9/12/2008

 

Ingersol 213 series is the only impact id ever buy. Theres a few versions 213Qt, 213Ti now.

Snapon/Blue point makes one of the best air hammers ive ever used, most of them are just on or off, the Snapon's can be started slow and worked slow, great for poping spotwelds.

And id probably never buy a Air Ratchet, they are probably the most useless tool ive ever bought, they dont have enough torque to loosen a bolt or tighten it completely, but they always have plent of torque to smah your hand into whatever. Most of them are horribly loud, and the 3/8's ones with a air hose attached end up being like 3ft long. If i had to buy one id go with a Ingersol or Craftsman compact quiet 1/4" use a right angle air nipple and a 1/4-3/8" adaptor.

Out of your choices tho id go with the Ingersol, they tend to make the most quality air tools, and since almost no manufacture warenty's anything but hand tools, the craftsman loose that advantage. And i wouldnt bother with anything but handtools from Homdepot/Lowes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DEIVIONCRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And id probably never buy a Air Ratchet, they are probably the most useless tool ive ever bought, they dont have enough torque to loosen a bolt or tighten it completely, but they always have plent of torque to smah your hand into whatever. Most of them are horribly loud, and the 3/8's ones with a air hose attached end up being like 3ft long. If i had to buy one id go with a Ingersol or Craftsman compact quiet 1/4" use a right angle air nipple and a 1/4-3/8" adaptor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

man I love my snap-on 3/8 air ratchet I have a 1/4 air ratchet as well. they are awsome in places you cant move a ratchet back and forth.

a couple years ago they used to be shitty and huge but they are all pretty compact and tough.. who really cares about noise..

if your air ratchet is moving you, maybe you should eat your wheaties, and get some arm strength

 

I use Snap-On, Mac, and IR, never had any problems.

 

IR, we comapred an IR to the "snap-on/bluepoint" branded ones on the truck they were the samething.

the snap-on guys was even selling IR tools too.

we comapred 1/2" impacts

 

We use IR at our diesel shop. Head mechanic been using them for 6 years with no problems.

 

Aside from Snap-On/Blue Point & Mac, it seems as if IR is getting great feedback. I think Im going that route then. Sounds as if this a good solid choice for me, since I will rarely use it.

 

I like IRC-2135QTIMAX from ingersoll, and love it for a half inch gun. I went with that over the snap on because its lighter, stronger and smaller. its one of the only non snap on air tools i own, if i had to do it over i would probably get more IR stuff but snap on is just so convient for me since he comes every friday.

I would go with the IR kit, if i were you if your not using them everyday the only problem i have with the lower line guns is that they are very heavy but like i said if your not using it everyday it won't matter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99blackcivicSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I like IRC-2135QTIMAX from ingersoll, and love it for a half inch gun. I went with that over the snap on because its lighter, stronger and smaller. its one of the only non snap on air tools i own, if i had to do it over i would probably get more IR stuff but snap on is just so convient for me since he comes every friday.

I would go with the IR kit, if i were you if your not using them everyday the only problem i have with the lower line guns is that they are very heavy but like i said if your not using it everyday it won't matter.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've heard some very good things about the IR Tools. I'm going out today afterwork to get the compressor, and pick up the Impact Gun as well. I've decided to remain conservative with the cost this time around, until I get enough money to get something nice.

 

Ir is the way to go, but it doesn't really matter on the impact gun cause that compressor isnt gonna run it at its full power for more than a sec.

 

out of the 3 you have listed i would choose the IR kit.

i have that IR 231H impact gun and it's a beast. it will blast any bolt off guarenteed. the gun is a little heavy especially if you work with it everyday but it wont let you down.

i also have the IR 2135ti like most others. it's a bit stronger but the hammer mechanisim inside the 231H has a totally diffrent feel/sound. both work really well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tegra2G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if your air ratchet is moving you, maybe you should eat your wheaties, and get some arm strength </TD></TR></TABLE>

Lol....I work at a multi car line dealer, and only one person has a Snap On impact. Everyone else uses the IR Titanium.

 

i have some snap-on air tools and some IR and they both work just as good. you can save some coin with the IR and still have some good tools