Air Compressor and air tools discussion

[mello dude]

I have been using this little compressor for a dozen years at least and its done good.


I have gone without a impact wrench all this time, but now I have a car wrench job with the spec at 220 ft-lbs (break it loose) and I am not gonna do the long pipe over the breaker bar thing to do it. Also, I seem to get into "wish I had an impact" here and there, and now really thinking of grabbing one.

I have been thinking I could add a 5 - 8 gallon tank with my compressor with a T fitting and mount under the 3 gal there, but not sure thats a good idea.... I could add a ball valve for when I use it, and off when not.

So, I'm a cheap bastard, and dont really want to buy a new compressor, so thats my idea. Also what do you think for a impact gun for the occasional use? Probly would also get an impact hammer, and couple other items too.

Whatdya think?

[Robert]

I think its a good idea and doubt you will have a problem with air supplying the wrench. They really dont take a whole lot of air and you can wait till the pressure builds. I would recommend the least is 125 psi shut off pressure though and a little higher would be better. Lug nuts are just a pain if you dont have a wrench. You can also get a 3/8 impact which will make things go faster and they would probably work for the amount of air they use.  

[MarkT]

I've run an air impact driver for many years.  Thought I was all set until I picked up a Milwaukee FUEL 18v impact driver.  WOW.  WAY more power and more convenient too.  No need to mess with an air line.  Now I bust almost every nut with it, when I take stuff apart.  Big nuts like axle or lug nuts, I'll run them most of the way on, too.

[mello dude]

Would it bust 220 ft lbs axle nut?

[mbramley]

 I have had my Ingersoll Rand for about 20 years, it's not the cheapest but has done a good job for me. If I remember the specs correctly it's 750 ft lbs in reverse and 450 in forward. I do industrial maintenance and there has been very little it has not gotten off.

[Patrick]

I agree with the idea of an electric/battery wrench.

I have both air and electric and find myself grabbing an electric gun more often. The electric gun has its home in the truck tool box.

[MarkT]

Would it bust 220 ft lbs axle nut?

specs 1100 ft/lbs of breakaway torque, 700 fastening torque.  So yeah.  I've not seen anything it won't bust loose - the worst for me was a rusted-on trailer ball nut.  Couldn't bust it with a 2 ft 3/4" drive breaker bar.  I was about to break out the torch and cut it off. Then the Milwaukee got it in a few seconds.

[bscrive]

Would it bust 220 ft lbs axle nut?

specs 1100 ft/lbs of breakaway torque, 700 fastening torque.  So yeah.  I've not seen anything it won't bust loose - the worst for me was a rusted-on trailer ball nut.

I have to agree with MarkT,

I have one of these as well.  I would take it over any air impact wrench out there.  The power and versatility cannot be beat.  No long air lines to contend with as you can use this in the middle of a field.  I have taken it to the auto wrecker's yard to get parts off.  Can't do that with air.  I haven't used my air impact since I bought this a couple of years ago.

[h13man]

Having a old Craftsman 3hp./20 gal. compressor I have a variety of air tools I use. I use my 18V Ryobi impact a lot but for HD stuff, air. Just wish I had a unit capable of running 18 CFM. for sand blasting purpose's.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Professional auto tech for years. I've used almost every major brand of air tool out there over the years. I have an Ingersoll Rand 1/2" impact that has rarely failed me to remove what I've needed it for. Here at home, I use the same Milwaukee 1/2" 18V impact that Mark T. showed. I have a compressor and another Ingersoll air impact here, but I haven't needed it. The compressor gets used for basically two things; setting air pressure in the tires and for the blow gun to get dust out of the places I can't reach to clean manually. Battery-powered tools have come a long way. I even use a Milwaukee hedge trimmer and yard trimmer.

[carolinarider09]

Professional auto tech for years. I've used almost every major brand of air tool out there over the years. I have an Ingersoll Rand 1/2" impact that has rarely failed me to remove what I've needed it for. Here at home, I use the same Milwaukee 1/2" 18V impact that Mark T. showed. I have a compressor and another Ingersoll air impact here, but I haven't needed it. The compressor gets used for basically two things; setting air pressure in the tires and for the blow gun to get dust out of the places I can't reach to clean manually. Battery-powered tools have come a long way. I even use a Milwaukee hedge trimmer and yard trimmer.

I was going to say the same thing about my 20 year old Ingersoll Rand 24 gallon Garage Mate.  I did use it for doing some cutting when I installed the metal roofing.  The shears worked well.  

I have changed the oil once.  Yesterday I heard some strange nosies and thought maybe the belt was getting old (It has never been changed).  So I went to the Ingersoll Rand website to try and buy a new belt.  Entered my model number, SS3R2-GM, and it said not found.  

So, will have to see if I can find the size of type of the belt somewhere else.  Maybe I can find a manual on line.

[oldsmokey]

Agree with the Milwaukee aspect. But the cheap bastard and cost factor have to be weighed in against the frequency of use.

[Gryphon Rider]

I recently bought the Milwaukee 2767, with "1,000 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1400 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque."  One nice feature is the setting has it go full power until the nut is broken free, then immediately slows down to a reasonable speed to finish removing the nut.  I love it, and haven't found anything it won't loosen.  I got mine locally at a good sale for CAD$250, without battery or charger.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/Impact-Wrenches/2767-20

[mello dude]

Agree with the Milwaukee aspect. But the cheap bastard and cost factor have to be weighed in against the frequency of use.

That Milwaukee impact is awesome, but I dont have $300 bucks to go with for this at the moment. Also agree, its not something I would use every day.  (But really, now I want one.)

Appreciate all the comments  

[MarkT]

Thanks for posting that GR.  I thought from your post Milwaukee had released a bigger impact driver.  Turns out that's the P/N of mine.  Milwaukee rates the power higher than the site I got the power quote from.  Nice to know it's 1400 & 1000 ft/lbs.  I didn't notice it slows down when spinning out the bolts.

[Gryphon Rider]

Thanks for posting that GR.  I thought from your post Milwaukee had released a bigger impact driver.  Turns out that's the P/N of mine.  Milwaukee rates the power higher than the site I got the power quote from.  Nice to know it's 1400 & 1000 ft/lbs.  I didn't notice it slows down when spinning out the bolts.

For that feature, push the button on the base, just above the battery, until the fourth light is on.

[mello dude]

I was the Quality Engineer and Manager at the Ingersoll Rand air tool plant in NC.  The US tools are made for daily use; excellent and expensive.  The Asian tools are more than adequate for a weekend user.  Impact wrench 231C is a good choice.  Don't confuse it with that Harbor Freight stuff.   The entry-level Ingersoll tools have to be good, so the owner will want to trade up to the Professional tools as they advance as mechanics.  Brand loyalty starts with the first purchase.

I use the 231C in my home garage, probably twice a month.  It is doubtful I will ever wear it out.

Thanks for the tip.