(Google and H-T searches proved fruitless..)
Hey guys.. had some frustrations with some bolts this weekend working on my car. I have old cars and I like to work on them myself, but I don't like busted knuckles or cursing at seized bolts. I have heard a few recommendations that a modest shop air system and an impact wrench can do wonders, but I thought some of you guys might have loads more experience in this than the people I've been talking to so far.

So what are your experiences? Time, effort, and cursing-saver? More likely to break things? Less likely to break things? Worth the money (considering I intend to always own older cars and do as much work on the by myself as possible)??

If anybody has recommendations about specific products/vendors (either for or against) that is also quite welcome..

(digression/background: this weekend was futzing with the bolt at the bottom of the rear shock where it attaches to the suspension arm. The sleeve that goes through the bushing attached to the arm seems to have rusted/seized onto that bolt, and I can't get a good grip on it to break it off.. have doused it a couple times with penetrating lubricant and will try again after giving it about 24 hours of penetration time.. thought an impact wrench might be able to hammer it loose..)

 

IMHO they are worth every penny. I recently upgraded from my original impact wrench (really cheap, came with the compressor) to a very nice Ingersol-Rand, and I'm like a kid in the candy store.

The old one strugled with tight lug nuts on the highest torque setting the new one blasts them off on the low setting...

If all you want is an impact wrench, there are many electric models that are quite nice, and really don't cost anymore than a good air model. I think it's nice to hav ethe air for other things, I can fill my tank and take it to the track, compressed air works great for getting dirt out of tight places and cleaning up in general, all the other air tools (nothing beats a 3" cut off wheel).

Eventually, every shop needs a compressor, and IMHO, when you buy one, buy the biggest tank and CFM ratings that you can afford (I have a 5hp 60 gallon and it is great, but big).

Sand blasting is another great thing you can do with a compressor.

Scott

 

Agreed. Worth every single penny. My dad and I depend on ours so much we haul it to every track event that has electricity. There is no substitute for using an impact wrench on heated lugs or checking all four tires in the morning without having to carry your air tank halfway across the paddock or blowing some of the dirt androck out from under the car after an off or using a grinding/cutting wheel to remove any number of parts that might be hanging from the car. I realize it's a run-o0n sentence but it's to prove all the uses it had just AT THE TRACK... they're 2 fold in a home garage.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by celica73 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If all you want is an impact wrench, there are many electric models that are quite nice, and really don't cost anymore than a good air model. I think it's nice to hav ethe air for other things, I can fill my tank and take it to the track, compressed air works great for getting dirt out of tight places and cleaning up in general, all the other air tools (nothing beats a 3" cut off wheel).
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I really agree with this. I have a SnapOn 14v cordless impact wrench and a moderate sized air compressor w/ impact wrench. I use the SnapOn 99.5% of the time here in the garage. I use the air compressor for the other things mentioned above (and I think the SnapOn has a LOT more torque than _my_ air-impact). If it came down to costs, the SnapOn IMO is the better purchase as far as usability/practicality/tq/etc ... and it recharges in 30 or so minutes.

I bought a compressor for other uses, I don't think I could justify it for car use alone - it has less torque than my SnapOn. I am sure if I spent enough money on a compressor it would not be the case but ... I alread had hub nuts and such covered w/ the cordless.

 

IMO, impact wrench performance is dependent upon the wrench, not the compressor. I went through this about a year ago and having never owned, or even used, air tools before I was worried about underbuying.

I bought a moderately sized compressor and an Ingersoll-Rand IR2131 impact wrench. They advertise it as the most powerful 1/2" wrench. I don't know if this is true, but it's removed everything I've attempted. Axle nuts, suspension bolts, crank pulley bolts... At the same time, I've seen lesser wrenches running off huge tanks that can't even remove a lugnut.

I've got a 3" cutoff tool that sees a lot of work, though it's a cheap one and REALLY gives the compressor a workout. Grinders and sanders require much more air than things like wrenches and ratchets. I also bought an IR air ratchet, but it's seen virtually no use. I got lucky though, and found both the IR tools new at the flea market for about 1/2 retail so it's not a big loss.

While I'm glad I made the purchase, it might not be money well spent for everyone. If I'm doing little work I don't even bother pulling it out. By the time I find the tools, uncoil the hose, move the compressor near the one plug in my garage, I could have been done. Doing something like an engine or transmission swap though, it probably knocks an hour off the job.

I've never used the Snap-On tool, but it sounds nice. Torque for most jobs (no way it has the torque of my air wrench - 600ft/lb ), easy to use, and portable.

Damnit guys... one more thing I have to keep myself from buying. Out of curiousity... which model is everyone using? 12, 14.4, 18V?

 

I have the Milwaukee 18v cordless, and have been really happy with it. 240 ft/lb has managed to remove everything on the CRX so far. Also nice to be able to take it to the track without having to depend on compressors or on-site power. Batteries will run it for quite a while and recharge pretty quick. It could be a little smaller, but other than that it's great.

 

For general purpose, the Dewalt electric impact (corded) works nicely around my garage. Retail is about $260 or so.

 

For little ****, walmart sells a 12volt cigarette lighter impact gun for $20... Works great for swapping wheels and such from what i'm told... i'm gonna pick one up next weekend...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JeffS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ingersoll-Rand IR2131 impact wrench. They advertise it as the most powerful 1/2" wrench. I don't know if this is true, but it's removed everything I've attempted</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's the one I got. They can have it when they pry it from my dead fingers!

 

recently i have tried removing that same bolt on the front where the shock connects to the control arm, with no luck. i am in need of one of these bad.

does anyone have a prefrence whether choosing the 1/2" or 3/8" drive? or does it come down to whichever drive you have more sockets for?

 

you're gonna want to buy impact sockets. Otherwise, you'll be making trips to Sears pretty often to change your busted up regular sockets.
The impacts of the impact wrench will just eat up the drive square for one, and the socket will eventually just split. I bought a decently priced, lifetime warrantied Kobalt metric set at Lowes a few months ago.
And, as I recall, most impact sockets are 1/2" drive to answer your question.

 

Oh man, it's worth every dime. And don't forget that you can now inflate tires and air tanks with your newly purchased compressor. Air tanks rule...I gave my 12V cigarette-lighter-compressor thing to my Mom.

I'm with Jeff though, for small jobs, I don't bother with the air. But for anything much more involved than an oil change it's good chit.

The air chisel, BTW, was invaluable for pulling the tar out of the race car when I gutted it. Took like five minutes.

I ended up with an Ingersoll-Rand impact gun after my original cheapie's trigger mechanism fell apart. It's rated to 380lbs or something like that, and so far it's been great. It was only $50 at Home Depot, though I think that may have been mismarked - I've not seen it there since.

 

I just ordered the Milwalkee 18V cordless impact kit last week based on a strong recommendation from ajn. The kit comes with the impact tool, a case, 2 batteries, and a charger for $299 at HarborFreight.com. I got that plus a long neck Ingersol Rand impact metric socket set for under $350 shipped.

But I would love to have an air driven unit if I only had a garage...

Andrew

 

Air compressor / tools = priceless.

It was well worth it if for nothing else than just using the air riveter for my the lexan windows, and aluminum inside door skins.

plus the air impact wrench(s), die grinder, nibbler, hammer/chisel, tire inflator, air nossle, spark plug cleaner, paint gun, etc, etc.

They are so nice. I can't imagine going without them.

I bought a refurbished 60 gallon, set it off in the corner, and ran a bunch of hard air pipes across the ceiling in my garage, then added the ceiling mounted retractable flexible hoses. Very nice..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It was only $50 at Home Depot, though I think that may have been mismarked - I've not seen it there since.</TD></TR></TABLE>
holy schmoley. an IR for $50?!!! definately mismarked.

Evan, who needs to get off his *** and fix his compressor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by illusion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
does anyone have a prefrence whether choosing the 1/2" or 3/8" drive? or does it come down to whichever drive you have more sockets for?</TD></TR></TABLE>

As a general rule, the wrenches get more powerful (but also heavier) as the drive size increases. 1/2" would be my preferred size, although most people probably have more 3/8" sockets. I bought a set of impact sockets because I didn't want to worry about breaking my others. On rare occasions, I have used a regular socket though and never had a problem.

 

Air tools are a godsend. Buy a good compressor. If you don't, you won't be able to use your air tools to their full potential, and you'll wear them out quicker(more water in the lines, equals more wear on the tool). Start with a half inch gun. Lugnuts, crank bolts, suspension pieces, etc... this is the area you're going to see the most benefit. No more hunting for a breaker bar, or trying to figure out how to get another six inches of leverage to break that bolt loose. Soon, you'll want a 3/8" gun. Finally, pick up a good 3/8" air ratchet. From there, move on to the smaller stuff (1/4 ratchet, grinder, air chisel, etc. )... Brand wise, here are my recommendation for the home mechanic: 1/2" and 3/8" impact guns- Ingersoll Rand Composite. IR2112 for the 3/8", and the NEW IR 2135Ti for the 1/2"... Unbelievable torque, lightweight, and GREAT PRICE! For the 3/8 Air Ratchet, go with the Snap-On FAR72B. Every other tool company has been chasing our design on this tool for years, and still can't touch it. They run 274.95...

One quick note on the Cordless stuff... The Snap-On 12V is not worth the money. For a small increase in price, you can purchase the 14.4V, and be a very happy camper. If you can afford it however, step up to the 18V. Better designed drive, better battery, and GOBS of torque. Whichever you choose, they come with a 45 minute fast charger. I wouldn't bother with the DeWalt or the Makita. Both are over-rated from the factory on their torque ratings, and the batteries don't last anywhere near as long as the Snap-On. The Snap On 18V will change 70 SETS of tires on one charge. That'll give you an idea of what I'm talking about. If you decide to get into 3/8 cordless stuff too, I'd recommend the Makita. Light, powerful, and CHEAP... The Snap-On is an old design, and just can't keep up anymore... Any other specific questions, feel free to PM me...

Dan
(Snap On Tool Dealer)

 

You say buy a good compressor, whats a good suggestion? There are so many choices out there......

 

Air is the only way to play (in the garage.) A friend of mine has a decent compressor and selection of air tools the use of which he offers to all his friends. I've travelled the forty miles several times to swap wheels or work on brakes because it's just so much easier to buzz the wheels off when you have air superiority.
-Adam

 

Add another vote for "air tools own".

I simply cannot fathom how I went all these years without them. I think Sears always has a fathers day special on that stuff. At least Karl made out like a bandit last year at the one in Durham.

 

Chalk another one up for "Wouldn't do it with out em!"

Air tools are the only way to fly!

Impact, ratchet, cut off tool, straight die grinder, angle die grinder, drill, air hammer, tire filler, tank filler, and great for those tough to clean places

 

is this electric model any good? http://www.harborfreight.com/c...45252

 

After snapping bolts for years with hand tools and hating every moment of it I finally gave in and got a nice Sears single stage compressor. I also got a nice 1/2" drive Impact gun. Life is good now.

If you go pneumatic yopu have to consider a few things. The wrench you want, which should be nice and powerful, is gonna have a reasonably high air consumption rating, so you must research the tools and the compressor at the same time so that you get a good system. Another things is painting, from what I have heard, dual stage compressors are much better for painting.

 

So would you guys say the wrnech is more important than the compressor itself? I have a 13 gallon CH compressor that I bought at Home Depot. So far, it has done everything i have asked of it, but I have heard from some that it was too tiny of a compressor. I just, however, picked up a new pro series CH 1/2 impact that removes up to 425 ft/lbs, and have noticed a world of difference in the power output compared to the cheap one that came in the set with the compressor.

So all in all I would have to say it is important to have a great impcat wrench.

Has anyone tried removing axle nuts or crankpulley bolts with a compressor as small as mine?? Just kind of curious

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by py1188 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Has anyone tried removing axle nuts or crankpulley bolts with a compressor as small as mine?? Just kind of curious </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have a 20 gallon Speedaire, which while bigger, is certainly not huge. Axle nuts = cake with the new gun.

Crank pulley: Not yet but, weather permitting, I will do so tomorrow. I'll let you know.