Buy an air compressor or electric impacts?

[mroneeyedboh]

So Ive always used A/C powered tools, at work and home ( I already own impacts, etc ) . And I recently moved and looking to buy an A/C which will be at least around $500 ( I only need a small 120v for tires, working on cars etc ) But I guess with this day in age and battery technology, should I move over to electric impacts? There seems to be a few pro's in this case... You dont have to lug around the air line, you would most likely use less power in your garage/less money on the bill ( not running the A/C consistently, high draw etc ) etc.

Now this is what Im worried about with the electric stuff, the costly replacement of packs, phasing out old packs for new model impacts, getting them into tight areas ( maybe they arent bulky? ), having enough "***"...

If they are worth the cost, which brand has held true in your experience? Please dont say "x" brand because you just bought it. I want to know tried and true experiences. What would also be nice is that fact to be able to buy more tools like a kit that has impacts, saws, drills etc. But not needed by any means. Mainly concerned with using them to work on cars, but again if they are multi purpose ( battery wise ) then Id get more use out of the system.

 

[General Geoff]

The utility of battery powered impacts is immense, particularly for someone who needs to work on something not in the vicinity of a large, powerful air compressor. I've worked on lots of projects with the assistance of a high torque 1/2" battery impact (IR W7150) that an air powered tool would not have made to the job site.

But for someone with the garage or workshop space, a nice powerful air compressor can't be replaced with batteries.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It depends a lot on what you are using it for and what your budget is. For general DIY home/auto repair, I would buy a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 3/8" impact. The 3/8" is important as you lose too much torque with a 1/4" hex to 3/8" adapter. If you don't think the M12 has enough "guts" get the M18 Fuel, but stick with 3/8".

Add a full set (standard and deep, SAE and Metric) of socket and a 3/8" to 1/4" hex adapter and you are set. One more thing. A 3/8" flex head ratchet with a 2' pipe/cheater.


If you have the money and the space, a good 3-5HP compressor on a 30-60 gallon tank is the way to go. Much more flexible, but I would still start with an Astro Nano 3/8" impact.

 

[MrGiggles]

When you say you already have A/C powered impacts, does that mean pneumatic or electric?

What will you be doing? Air grinders, cutters and rotary tools are a godsend for fabrication. Most of these don't have an electric equivalent.

Most cordless impacts don't really compare to pneumatic offerings. The M18 Fuel 1/2 is rated at 450 ft lbs, while most air impacts are at least double that. IR does make a pretty impressive cordless impact, but it's expensive, and Milwaukee has many more tools available on the M18 platform.

If you're just doing oil changes and tire rotations, a battery impact will suit you fine, but for hard suspension type work, an air impact is preferable, especially if you live in the rust belt.

If you're asking whether or not battery impacts have progressed enough to equal pneumatic impacts, the answer is no, all things considered.

 

[General Geoff]

The M18 Fuel 1/2 is rated at 450 ft lbs

The 2763 puts out 1,000 ft lbs, verified by real tool reviews on youtube. So does the Dewalt DCF899. The IR W7150 puts out over 850.

 

[MrGiggles]

The 2763 puts out 1,000 ft lbs, verified by real tool reviews on youtube. So does the Dewalt DCF899. The IR W7150 puts out over 850.

Yeah, I was referring to the 2663.

The Dewalt is impressive in both cost and power, I didn't know about that model.

 

[Stooge]

I had been looking hard at getting into a brand of more cordless tools beyond just drills, but just being in a shop for myself and working on mostly my own and other peoples longer term car projects, I just don't think I would use it enough to justify the expense of it. if I was a professional tech and I was always on a time crunch, then yes it would be easier to justify but taking the extra minute or so to grab the air line and pull it to where ever Im working on in my shop doesn't matter to me, along with the fact that I couldn't imagine replacing all of my small tools like die grinders and cutting wheels with electric ones, so I would still need an air compressor around. Not to say that if I find myself with a few hundred dollars burning a hole in my pocket and came upon a deal for an impact set up, I wouldnt be against buying it, but the cost of supplementing electric versions of tools I already have didn't make sense in my situation.....plus im cheap

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Yeah.. I think I'll stick with air powered tools. I have snap on impacts in many flavors and ratchets. I just didn't think about the battery powered stuff until now. I guess they still lack power versus the air powered ones

 

[VoodooCLD]

How many times do you need 1,000 ft lbs of torque? Don't get caught up playing the numbers game. I think battery powered tools are finally at the point where everyone could benefit/should consider them. I could take apart 95% of my car with my Milwaukee Fuel M18 3/8" impact. Just keep the heavy duty air stuff around for suspension stuff.


I very rarely use my impact these days as i haven't been doing much work on cars, however i've been using the m18 drill non stop on my house projects. If you have invested, or plan to invest in a high quality drill and 2 batteries then your only about $150 away (price of bare impact tool) from having a 3/8" cordless impact that will making working on projects 100% more enjoyable.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Well I work on diesel pickups and they typically aren't garage Queen...

 

[ibedayank]

nothing like grabbibg that cordless when your strapped for time and... The POS battery is DEAD. I will keep my airtools they are smaller in size and lighter in most cases.

 

[zendriver]

New garage and there was angst of buying a huge AC because my cheapie ac won't cut it with the impact gun.

Got one of these for Xmas (my shopping) and now could really care less about an expensive AC upgrade, at least for impact tools. Lug nuts, pulley bolts, finish mower blade bolts, nothing it has not been able to easily remove yet.

Plus, it adds another compatible Lion battery/charger to my Cman 19.2v cordless tool stable.

Take it on the road to change a tire (quickly) and you'll wonder how you ever lived without one.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00945195000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

 

[zkling]

The high cost/shorter life is the trade off for convenience with the battery stuff. If I was a professional tech and every minute was critical, I'd have the full gamut of battery tools. If the money isn't a problem I'd go with the battery otherwise as you mentioned a compressor is pretty much essential and if you are only going to be in your driveway/shop portability isn't a huge issue. Pneumatic tools aren't going anywhere in the near future.

Just remember, there is always a breaker bar.

 

[shampoop]

Only advantage to electric is not needing a cord. Buying an air compressor opens up a lot of opportunities for other great tools.