Air tool recommendation

[enkratestool]

Hello there,

I am looking to buy my first Air tool. Curiously to see what is the best size to start out with? 1/2, 3/8, or 3/4?

 

[Elroy]

1/2" impact

3/8" ratchet

Of course others have their opinion. This is Elroy's.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

We need some more info. Are you working on farm equipment? Big trucks? Cars only? Mainly for changing tires or engine/suspension work? Air compressor size?

 

[enkratestool]

I am doing mostly car/house work on the weekend.

 

[enkratestool]

1/2" impact

3/8" ratchet

Of course others have their opinion. This is Elroy's.

That make sense Elroy. Thanks!

 

[Elroy]

Again. If you're working around the house maybe you might like a drill motor or DA.

3/4" stuff is BIG. Like tractor trailer big. You typically won't need that around the house. Unless you're restoring a Farmall Tractor.

The two sizes Elroy recommended above will cover "most" things a weekend warrior will encounter.

You got to tell us what you're trying to do. Maybe you want to spray some paint or sand blast??

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

For general car repair, I agree with Elroy on the 3/8 ratchet and a 1/2 gun but you might look at getting a 1/4 ratchet and a 3/8 gun if you don't think you need the extra power. I have a pair of IR 3/8 guns that are my favorites unless I need the power of a bigger gun. The 1/4 ratchet will get in smaller spaces than my larger ratchets but it does not have near the power of the 3/8.

If I had to pick one all around gun for everything? A 1/2 gun but those 3/8 guns would be a close second.

 

[enkratestool]

Elroy,
I plan to restore an old MR2. Also hope to renovate my basement in the future.

 

[wreckercologist]

If I had to pick one all around gun for everything? A 1/2 gun but those 3/8 guns would be a close second.

Ditto here. Although, unless you plan on doing heavy suspension work, pinion nuts or anything like that, you might consider a 3/8" gun like IR's 2112 or something like that, depending on your budget. If you're not sure, like Georgia said, go 1/2", you can always turn them down if it's too much.

 

[ZRX61]

you can always turn them down if it's too much.

Where's the fun in that??

 

[stricht8]

Air chisel. The $5.99 one frequently on sale from HF does the job

 

[sberry]

I agree with Elroy, as for drills, well, battery drills are where its at unless there is a specialty need for air. Battery drill are the most widely used power tools we have, so much so we have 4 of them. Then its 4 1/2 electric grinders.

 

[Scotto]

Elroy,
I plan to restore an old MR2. Also hope to renovate my basement in the future.

Off topic, but what year MR2? I just picked up a '91 Turbo. Needs a good amount of work and paint, but it'll be fun when it's done. Also had a '86 like 10 yrs ago.

A 1/2" impact gun is really all I use. I don't find air ratchets to be all that useful and save that much time. They aren't powerful enough to break bolts (at least you shouldn't) so you still need to manually break them lose. I also don't like dealing with the air hose getting in the way.

A cut-off tool is good to have though too.

 

[brockstar]

Lots of people love their Ingersol Rand 231c 1/2 impact. I'm looking at the Harbor Freight copy myself.

A 3/8 air ratchet is handy, but wear ear protection - they are loud! Mine will empty my 3 horse 30 gal compressor fairly quickly if I'm removing more than a couple of bolts.

 

[GDA]

Agree with Elroy's suggestion and would add one thing to it: consider a 3/8 air drill since you will be doing some restoration and other auto work its really nice to have something to run a wire wheel on to clean up old parts. They are also very nice to have for quickly drilling out rusted/broken bolts.

After my 1/2 impact I use my 3/8 drill with a wire wheel attachment on it the most. They tend to get used the most for suspension and general auto work on my projects and friends cars.

 

[BB26]

This kit might be worth a look for you. $129 gets you an IR 231 1/2'' impact and IR 170 3/8'' ratchet along with a few sockets.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=221131-28309-2317G&lpage=none

 

[Scotto]

This kit might be worth a look for you. $129 gets you an IR 231 1/2'' impact and IR 170 3/8'' ratchet along with a few sockets.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=221131-28309-2317G&lpage=none

That's got the 231G, which is made in China and not as powerful as the 231C.

 

[BB26]

That's got the 231G, which is made in China and not as powerful as the 231C.

That may be so, but it is still a decent option for a weekend warrior. 500 ft/lbs should cover most anything he is likely to come across. 73 reviews on the kit yield a 4.9 out of 5.0 rating.

Where is the "C" made?

 

[Scotto]

Where is the "C" made?

I'll have to look at mine at home.

 

[fordracing200]

These two..
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=36675

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=36676

 

[fordracing200]

Air chisel. The $5.99 one frequently on sale from HF does the job

agreed, get the 5.99 quick change chuck also.......and the 3" cut off wheel and 90 degree die grinder....about 25 bucks for all 3 and they work awesome.