NJHandyGuy
Well-known member
i strongly disagree here airtools when used properly and not for EVERYTHING take a project to another level
Do you really need air tools?
- Thread starter FordExplorer
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i strongly disagree here airtools when used properly and not for EVERYTHING take a project to another level
In most cases you should be able to get away with out. But for the more advanced home users they can be a life saver. Try cutting out Dodge ball joints with out one or replacing a pinion seal. I don't think electric impacts could remove the pinion nut unless you bump to 3/4 drive.
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dsmnickk90
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I've done alot without air tools . But they are worth the price. Try getting axle nuts of without them. Alot of times its with a impact gun or AT LEAST 4 foot cheater pipe.
bsaint
Well-known member
old Exhaust work can't be saved if you use hand tools only.
countryroad82
Well-known member
As for the NEED for air tools in the home shop imo no you don't NEED very many tools. But will you be glad you made the investment in air/ cordless tools, most definitely. They make a job go by so much faster and easier. I paid my dues when I was in my teens working with only hand tools, then when I started painting I bought a cheap 60 gallon (I think) air compressor and it came with an impact and a few other air tools, I haven't turned back since. But as for the initial bit about needing them no you can get by without air tools, but if you are in my line of work it is a must have.
BWS
Well-known member
Paint...fabrication....nailguns....pnuematics on equip all pretty much are useless without air.I could "maybe" live without them for disassembly?.........Nope,some of the chit that comes through here can't be torn down without it.
Will save you the long story....but being in the building biz,we've left a pretty long trail of compressors over the years.On a shoestring budget,snag a 30g 5hp oilless.They are obnoxiously loud,can't compare with traditional types,BUT they're cheap and will get you spinnin.Good luck.
Will save you the long story....but being in the building biz,we've left a pretty long trail of compressors over the years.On a shoestring budget,snag a 30g 5hp oilless.They are obnoxiously loud,can't compare with traditional types,BUT they're cheap and will get you spinnin.Good luck.
richfinn
Well-known member
You need a small compressor for inflating tyres and for a blow gun, just go cordless for impacts/drills and use mains AC for all the other stuff.
Its nice to have good quality air tools in a dealership or pro workshop who provide a powerful compressor air lines and clean air. You dont really need to go to that expense to work on your own cars in your garage.
Its nice to have good quality air tools in a dealership or pro workshop who provide a powerful compressor air lines and clean air. You dont really need to go to that expense to work on your own cars in your garage.
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
No, you don't need them, but do you want to work hard, or work smart?
Plump
Well-known member
Dude! It's that they sound cool!!!
Seriously though, I'm a very novice DIY'er and find it completely necessary. Rotating tires, blasting lag bolts in, putting trim up, heck, even filling up the kids' inflatables. You don't need a massive compressor to get the benefits of most of the tasks I've mentioned here.
Seriously though, I'm a very novice DIY'er and find it completely necessary. Rotating tires, blasting lag bolts in, putting trim up, heck, even filling up the kids' inflatables. You don't need a massive compressor to get the benefits of most of the tasks I've mentioned here.
BrokewrenchLS1
Well-known member
Depends on the home use.
For doing carpentry stuff, it can make doing trim a lot easier, even though there are battery-operated trim nailers out there. That's about it on the wood front, though.
For wrenching, there's a few things it's useful for - big rusty suspension bolts, exhaust bolts, and lug nuts. I've gotten by for years without air, and only recently bought an electric impact for doing lugs and really rusted up suspension bolts. Aside from that, I'd prefer to use normal hand tools on about everything else.
A small pancake compressor is about the most I could say would be "necessary" for a home wrencher, just to fill tires and use a blow gun with.
For doing carpentry stuff, it can make doing trim a lot easier, even though there are battery-operated trim nailers out there. That's about it on the wood front, though.
For wrenching, there's a few things it's useful for - big rusty suspension bolts, exhaust bolts, and lug nuts. I've gotten by for years without air, and only recently bought an electric impact for doing lugs and really rusted up suspension bolts. Aside from that, I'd prefer to use normal hand tools on about everything else.
A small pancake compressor is about the most I could say would be "necessary" for a home wrencher, just to fill tires and use a blow gun with.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
For a shade tree mechanic, the answer is obviously no. But after I bought a floor jack and had a pretty good box of tools, an air compressor, impact wrench and air hammer were high on my priority list.
I did some pretty difficult jobs without them (replaced riveted in ball joint by slicing off thin layers of the rivet head with a cold chisel and hammer; young and broke).
Now, I mainly use them on lug nuts and on rare occasion, front end parts.
Doing it now, I would seriously think about going electric, either battery or corded.
Does any one make the equivalent of an electric air hammer that use .401 tools ?
I did some pretty difficult jobs without them (replaced riveted in ball joint by slicing off thin layers of the rivet head with a cold chisel and hammer; young and broke).
Now, I mainly use them on lug nuts and on rare occasion, front end parts.
Doing it now, I would seriously think about going electric, either battery or corded.
Does any one make the equivalent of an electric air hammer that use .401 tools ?
plinker
Well-known member
I started out not really wanting to bother with air tool's. Part of that was lack of a big nough compressor, the other was not knowing how useful they would be.
I had a junky die grinder and decent 1/2 impact, plus a mini 1/4 air ratchet to start with, the got a 3/8 drill which didnt get much use until I got a bigger compressor, an air hammer and most recently a 3/8 impact.
I really didnt want to get one but came into one for not much money and I use it more then the 1/2 impact. Not really a "how did I get by without it" more of a "I should have bought impact socket's in 3/8 drive first"
I do prefer to re assemble stuff with hand tool's though, or spin in the bolt/nut with an air ratchet, then torque it.
You can usually find a older 20-30 gal oil type pump compressor for cheap on CL and other places, around 100$-150$. That and a handful of air tool's are helpful to have around. Buying a bigger compressor and adding tool's as you go is pretty effective way to go.
I had a junky die grinder and decent 1/2 impact, plus a mini 1/4 air ratchet to start with, the got a 3/8 drill which didnt get much use until I got a bigger compressor, an air hammer and most recently a 3/8 impact.
I really didnt want to get one but came into one for not much money and I use it more then the 1/2 impact. Not really a "how did I get by without it" more of a "I should have bought impact socket's in 3/8 drive first"
I do prefer to re assemble stuff with hand tool's though, or spin in the bolt/nut with an air ratchet, then torque it.
You can usually find a older 20-30 gal oil type pump compressor for cheap on CL and other places, around 100$-150$. That and a handful of air tool's are helpful to have around. Buying a bigger compressor and adding tool's as you go is pretty effective way to go.
sometoyotaguy
Well-known member
I'll put in my 2 cents here. I work on my own vehicles at home, and don't have air tools. They are a time saver, but if you aren't doing something every day, I don't think they are necessary. A good angle grinder, and dremel will do quite a bit for you. Get a long breaker bar and some impact extensions to go with it for breaking stubborn bolts, and you should be fine.
sometoyotaguy
Well-known member
Dave.R
Well-known member
I did leaf spring bushings on a Nissan Pickup last night, and without a air-hammer and the longer point chisel, I don't know how I would have got that thin steel sleeve out of the spring, not the bolt sleeve, but the thin steel one between the actual spring and rubber. Thing was a lifesaver.
The IR impact wasn't needed on the springs, but man, it helps.
The IR impact wasn't needed on the springs, but man, it helps.
BrokewrenchLS1
Well-known member
My Milwaukee electric impact has more power than the 1/2" air impact on a 180psi, 35cfm compressor here at work.
concealer404
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I have air tools. It's pretty rare that i use them. Most of the time it's just for a cutoff wheel or rusted bolt i don't want to shear the head off of.
Otherwise, if i can do it with a hand tool, i do.
I'm just a DIYer, though.
Otherwise, if i can do it with a hand tool, i do.
I'm just a DIYer, though.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
It depends.
Will these tools save you time? What is your time worth? How much time do you spend on the projects?
I have been without air tools (soon to be corrected) since I left my parents home 10 years ago.
In that time I have spent many hours working on various vehicles. I am sure I could cut many of these jobs in half had I been properly equipped.
My employer pays me 75 an hour for my weekends and the government steals half.
So if I could save 10 hours a year that gives me a budget of 375 a year. My used compressor (5 hp 60 gallon 2 stage) and used impact wrench will have paid for itself in 2 years easy.
I will argue that there is also a value in being able to accomplish a job quickly that acts as a multiplier.
As always your numbers may vary.
Jeremy
Will these tools save you time? What is your time worth? How much time do you spend on the projects?
I have been without air tools (soon to be corrected) since I left my parents home 10 years ago.
In that time I have spent many hours working on various vehicles. I am sure I could cut many of these jobs in half had I been properly equipped.
My employer pays me 75 an hour for my weekends and the government steals half.
So if I could save 10 hours a year that gives me a budget of 375 a year. My used compressor (5 hp 60 gallon 2 stage) and used impact wrench will have paid for itself in 2 years easy.
I will argue that there is also a value in being able to accomplish a job quickly that acts as a multiplier.
As always your numbers may vary.
Jeremy
>FordExplorer: Forget them for now. You should be spending your time studying and chasing college girls, not tinkering with your car.
Wait untill you graduate, and have your own garage. In the meantime, you can always go home and use your Dad's air tools.
Wait untill you graduate, and have your own garage. In the meantime, you can always go home and use your Dad's air tools.
Cheap5.0
Well-known member
Cant believe this is even a question! Air tools make life easy, especially if you work on rusty heeps. Im counting the days till i get my compressor up and running, then i can start doing the work on my jeep ive been putting off.
texasprd
Well-known member
+1 on that. I have a Craftsman/DeVilbiss 20-gal compressor that runs most of my air stuff.
Besides the time savings, air/electric tools can save your body (hands and wrists in particular). I'm a software developer by profession, but I started working on cars and drag racing in my teens. In 1998, I was diagnosed with tendonitis in my wrists - I will have this issue the rest of my life, and I've had to adjust a lot of habits to try to keep it from getting worse and further threatening my ability to earn my living. Some of it came from a bad ergonomic setting at work, some from the stress I inflicted by using hand tools for everything automotive. Using a 4-way wrench for lug nuts can do a lot of damage over years. Add to that all the other high-force and/or repetitive-motion stuff you do when mechanicing. Every time I zip a set of lug nuts off/on with my impact, or use my air ratchet, I think "Why the bleep didn't I buy this stuff years earlier? I could have saved myself a lot of time and pain."
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texasprd
Well-known member
I have an Ingersoll Rand 1/2" impact and Chicago Pneumatic 3/8 air ratchet - still working great after 14 years. CP is a name brand - not to be confused with Harbor Freight's line of similarly-initialed merchandise... My 3/8" impacts and 1/2" air ratchets are Craftsman - they do okay. When I bought this stuff in '98, I looked carefully at the air consumption vs. torque output ratings - the I/R and CP were the best in their classes for the price.
Stay away from Campbell Hausfeld tools - they require more air and make less torque...
There are a lot of other brands on the market now that I'm not familiar with. Pretty hard to go wrong with basic I/R and CP stuff
Drills and sanders are air hogs - the flow requirements on them are pretty misleading.
Stay away from Campbell Hausfeld tools - they require more air and make less torque...
There are a lot of other brands on the market now that I'm not familiar with. Pretty hard to go wrong with basic I/R and CP stuff
Drills and sanders are air hogs - the flow requirements on them are pretty misleading.
OP
FordExplorer
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I was always under the impression that you needed a large air compressor rated at least 5CFM to run air tools period. I never realized that you could get away with using a small compressor and then let it re pressurize the tank. Since that is the case, I do have access to a decent pancake air compressor. So I will probably start buying impacts, ratchets, etc if I can find a good deal on them used.
dsmnickk90
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They wont give you 100% of the tools performance or power but they will get the job done most of the time. Make sure you use a 3/8" hose with a impact gun also.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Forget running a die grinder, sander, cut off wheel or sand blaster. Small compressor are acceptable for tools that only see intermittent use.
Better quality air tools use less air (CFM).
That is not true at all. You can fill a 100 gal tank with air or you can fill a 5 gal tank with air, the impact won't know the difference until the pressure drops off. You'll get 100% power from either., the question is how long?
Using my 25 gal compressor I can wail wide open with my 1/2" impact for almost a full minute before pressure drops below 90 psi. That is plenty time to get anything off. Even a 10 sec burst is fine.
Here's a guy using a small (4.5 gal) hotdog compressor to take off lug nuts and an axle nut using a 1/2" impact:
You can hear the impact loses pressure at the end. But works fine at the beginning.
Air consumption/compressors is very misunderstood. According to some folks on here you need nothing short of an 80 gal 5 hp compressor to run an impact or die grinder. Just not true at all. Personally I wouldn't want anything smaller than 20 gal to run tools like an impact or cutoff BUT you can get away (and get full power) with a smaller tank if that is all you have at the time.
our air went down at the dealership for about 45 minutes the other day and it was like turning the electricity off at your house.
sdguy55
Well-known member
O god i couldnt imagine it. You could get things done but i work at a heavy equipment shop and **** would be gettin ranchy pretty quick. As in 15 ft cheater pipes with three guys hangin off of it. Sometimes thats the only way you can do stuff but MAN air makes it easier.
tribbles
Well-known member
I just picked up a 1/2" electric impact at a garage sale this morning, but that's only because I don't have a compressor.
I was kinda mad i had 2 waiters...2 tires into a 4 tire mount and balance, and had a rotate and lof in the air and i hadnt loosened lug nuts yet. Gave me an excuse to use my brand new SHLF80 though.
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JKady
Well-known member
Came in this morning to find that the compressor for one half of the shop had killed both belts. The shop has never been so quiet at 8 in the morning... except for the cussing. By some miracle CarQuest actually had a driver ready to go at 8 and we had belts about 15 minutes later.
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RECox286
Well-known member
When we set up housekeeping there was NOTHING in the house. The first thing I
did was to build an air system. 35 years later, it is still running, and gets used,
probably, on average, at least once per day. Count me as one who couldn't, wouldn't
live without air in the shop. Once you have it, it will spoil you.
Uncle Bob
did was to build an air system. 35 years later, it is still running, and gets used,
probably, on average, at least once per day. Count me as one who couldn't, wouldn't
live without air in the shop. Once you have it, it will spoil you.
Uncle Bob
JKady
Well-known member
Yup, it's like having a lift in your shop, you don't know how you did anything without it, and you don't want to do anything without it. I own a creeper, nice one too, and I avoid using whenever possible.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I grew up in my Dad's shop and once he added an air compressor things worked a LOT faster. 20 years later I got a pancake compressor. My wife was skeptical until I pulled out the air stapler for re-upholstering her kitchen chairs, and then cranked up the impact wrench for something else. 10 years later SHE bought me the 80 gallon 5 HP upright compressor. Now I have enough air for almost anything I want to do in the shop. I don't use it every day but it sure makes assembly/disassembly a LOT faster. ...and with my repetitive motion problems (I've already had carpal tunnel release in both wrists and am having problems with my right elbow) it's made shop life possible.
My suggestion would be to buy a smaller/portable compressor. I still use my small compressor when I help my friends with framing or roofing. ..and I don't hesitate to use my impact tools. Stay away from die grinders, nibblers, sandblasters, and paint guns until you get a larger, high CFM one.
When you get a permanent place buy yourself a decent sized compressor and expand what you do.
sberry
Banned
I wouldnr mess with used air tools, usually another headache.