First Post: New Air Compressor, time to buy tools!

[jjoel]

Hi Everyone. I just happened to run into this message board and like what I've seen so far.

Just like the title says, I am getting a new air compressor. I'm waiting to have it delivered. It is a 20 gallon 155 psi Husky air compressor from the home depot. It seems to just have enough power to run an impact wrench. (Link: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202516603/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)

I've been shopping for air tool kits etc which may be a good starter option although the impact wrenches never seem to have the right specifications.

So far, this impact wrench seems to be the best option (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100678422/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053). I am also willing to shop around for a good quality used impact wrench. Since this is also my first compressor, I'll need to buy a hose etc... and really do not know what to look for. Any direction for my future shopping dilemma is appreciated!

 

[Yojinbo]

My vote: get a used dirt cheap and if needs rebuilt, do it yourself. Its not too hard and some find it rewarding.


Oh, welcome aboard.

 

[sberry]

Good idea, find something broke and worn out to start with.

 

[Jawn]

Hose-wise, may I recommend the USA-made Goodyear at Harbor Freight or Northern Tool? Comes in 25, 50, or 100 foot lengths. Catch it on sale at HF then use a 20% off coupon for a better deal. http://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-x-3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-black-rubber-air-hose-2363.html

As far as impact wrenches in the price range of what you're looking at... take a look at this one: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200419927_200419927 Catch it on sale for $69.99 like it is now. Power is comparable to what you're looking at and it's a lot more compact... easier to fit in tight spaces.


By the way, welcome to GJ!

 

[jjoel]

Thanks for the replies so far! I've noticed that the Ingersoll Rand impacts have a pretty good reputation. I have seen used ones on ebay for around $50 or so. I realize that I may have to rebuild it to ($30 extra). Do you think I have enough air power to run that impact at near full power?

 

[Yojinbo]

Books have been written about idea of air tools at "full power". If you are spinning the nuts off of 1 car a day at home - a good wide air pathway delivering max air volume to the tool is what is important. (Milton V connectors, big hose etc)

Replacing that rapidly vanishing air in your tank MAY be your issue. So depending on how quickly you spin off 20 lugs, you could be in trouble trying to use any air tool for long.

 

[hairtrigger]

If you want something strong that you won't have to wait to get fasteners loose get an ingersoll rand impact, or if you wanna save a few dollars get chicago pneumatic. Aircat is also good and cheaper but they're very quiet.

An inline oil fogger will extend the life of your tool, also.

 

[Chrislols]

First, welcome to the board! Second I feel bad because in three days of reading here you'll have 5 impacts on the way, a 60g IR, and a lift, all for DIY.

Personally I'd get a 25 or 50ft good year hose, with s coupon usually $9.99 to $19.99.

And than pre-professional brand, I'd get the highly recommended HF earthquake gun,

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html

Around $65 with a coupon, rated much higher than the husky, and a quick look around shows it being higher praised.

If you're looking for light DIY weekend work, I wouldn't get anything expensive unless you have a high budget. Husky and Earthquake are good, just read reviews prior to purchasing something.

Get a Goodyear hose, and MAYBE some Milton couplings if you're using your compressor for more than lugs occasionally.

-Chrislols

 

[hairtrigger]

Thanks for the replies so far! I've noticed that the Ingersoll Rand impacts have a pretty good reputation. I have seen used ones on ebay for around $50 or so. I realize that I may have to rebuild it to ($30 extra). Do you think I have enough air power to run that impact at near full power?

the specs on the compressor you listed is more than enough. Depending on how large the tank is and how much you use your tool, the full power time will be reduced. But later you can always add another buffer tank to extend your compressor's max PSI time / usage.

 

[jjoel]

First, welcome to the board! Second I feel bad because in three days of reading here you'll have 5 impacts on the way, a 60g IR, and a lift, all for DIY.

-Chrislols

I've already been looking at the pictures of some of the garages on here... pretty impressive!

Again thanks for the replies... this forum is awesome.

 

[jjoel]

Another question. I am starting to read up on couplers etc... Are all couplers created equal? Can I just go to home depot, buy their coupler connector set and be good to go? Is their a certain brand I should look for? I realize that many of you use your equipment professionally. I don't need professional equipment, but I don't want to buy junk either.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Good idea, find something broke and worn out to start with.

Good idea as far as equipment....I tried this philosophy while searching for women, and it never worked out...

 

[billymade]

Milton couplers are good; they tend to last longer the cheap stuff that is everywhere now a days.... Carquest sells Milton under the carquest brand name. Check out their other stuff too; air gauges and inflators; they are the ones that are typically seen in professional environments and they sell parts to rebuild them, these aren't the typical throw away products.

http://www.miltonindustries.com/

 

[jjoel]

What about this kit: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_40973_40973

 

[rayh91]

That's kind of expensive imo.^ Unless you need all that.

Get a female coupler or 2 and like 5 male couplers of the same type. More for later air tool purchases. I have good luck with Amflo and Prevost couplers.
The cheap ones at Home Depot leak and have a smaller inside diameter than the more expensive couplers.

If your willing to pay more, I won a used IR 2135qtimax for $125 on eBay. I've seen some brand new ones on CL for $150.

 

[Jawn]

What about this kit: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_40973_40973

That's a good set. Some things in that kit you may or may not need, but meh. It'll get ya going. That is the "M" style connector, which is most common.

I chose to go with the "V" style, which is a bit less restrictive airflow-wise, but is not as common. However, "M" plugs (i.e., tools with "M" couplers) will fit a "V" coupler, but not vice versa.
(edit: Looks like that compressor may already come with a coupler installed? If so, chances are it's the "M" type.)

 

[jjoel]

That's kind of expensive imo.^ Unless you need all that.

Get a female coupler or 2 and like 5 male couplers of the same type. More for later air tool purchases. I have good luck with Amflo and Prevost couplers.
The cheap ones at Home Depot leak and have a smaller inside diameter than the more expensive couplers.

If your willing to pay more, I won a used IR 2135qtimax for $125 on eBay. I've seen some brand new ones on CL for $150.

I was able to pick up a used IR 231 for $40 (flea market). It needs a new retainer ring for sure. I figure it's also $30 to rebuild if necessary... maybe I'll get lucky and it won't have to be rebuilt.

 

[crewchief888]

I was able to pick up a used IR 231 for $40 (flea market). It needs a new retainer ring for sure. I figure it's also $30 to rebuild if necessary... maybe I'll get lucky and it won't have to be rebuilt.

oil it and grease it, and give it a try.
HF has a mini grease gun with a needle fitting. i think they are $5-$7 or so.

ive been using an IR 231 for 20 years or so.
IMHO best bang for the buck.
i have goodyear air hoses that are 15 years old, and have never failed.

welcome to GJ

 

[jjoel]

Update:

Got the compressor in yesterday, seems to work very well! The impact gun works good enough to rip a lug nut off with ease (used this SK set that I just sold off to Florida today). I didn't really have another project to really test its torque, but it at least spins up and seems to work.

I bought the 50' red goodyear hose and milton fittings for everything. I bought a cheap tire chuck from Northern tools that does ok (I'll ask a question about this in a second). I also bought a milton air spray tool for dusting and spraying dirt off the garage floor. So far very happy with everything.

Now my question...

I know I can regulate the air line pressure on my tank. I believe the impact is rated at 90psi. Should I regulate my line pressure to 90psi or keep it bumped up as high as possible (155 psi?).

Also I noticed that my air chuck needs to be pressed in VERY hard to put air into my tires. Should I also throttle this back to like 60 psi? Will this make it easier to put air into my tires? I'm thinking that really high air pressure may make it difficult to break that seal that allows air to flow into the tires.

The instruction manual also talks about draining my tank daily. I know it talks about draining the water out of the tank. I'm thinking about getting one of those automatic drainer kits that will attach to the valve. Is it ok to keep the tank aired up at all times? It does take a few minutes for the tank to reach full pressure when completely empty.

I think this is all I have for now. Everyone on this forum has been very helpful.

 

[Jawn]

Dunno about the chuck, I don't recall mine being that hard to use.

As to draining the tank... you just need to get any moisture buildup out. You don't have to let all the air out. Mine, I crack open the drain **** 'til I hear it quit spitting, then let it blow for another 5 seconds or so.

 

[sberry]

Yes, just crack the drain on occasion, get a regulator for a couple of reasons.