wjamyers
Well-known member
Hello.
Big time garage noob here.
I decided that as far as being a petrol head goes, the time had come (at 43) to sh!t or get off the pot. I can't keep paying mechanics to do simple stuff that I've done in the past (brake pads, oil changes, etc.). simply can't afford it any more, not to mention petrol head self-respect.
Was driving home the other day in my '06 mitsu evo, CEL comes on combined with high idle. Ok, I'll get to that soon, jump in '99 4 runner next day, notice the tags and safety inspection are dead. head to inspection, can't do safety because rear axle seals are leaking gear oil into brake drums, can't do registation because exhaust pipe is rusted out. Oh boy. Now I've got two cars down, only one left is wife's '02 WRX which needs shocks and tires and has a modified engine with 120K on it that's inches from letting go.
Was trying to do a boost leak test on the Evo with a cheesy 12V compressor and decided "F this! i'm going to get a damn compressor and stop dicking around".
So I searched the web and found this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...39&highlight=harbor+freight+gallon+compressor
which led me to read here about HF earthquake tools...
which led me to decide to give this combination a try:
HF 21 gallon compressor +
1/2" earthquake impact +
3/8" earth quack ratchet
I have a single car garage, way too narrow to work in but the driveway is flat asphalt so...
I'd already decided on this:
HF Low Profile/High Lift Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®, 2 Ton Heavy Duty Pittsburgh Automotive - item#68050
Requires only 2-5/8" clearance and lifts up to 23-3/4" high with foot pedal for fast convenient pumping
plus these:
12,000 lbs. Heavy Duty Jack Stands, Maximum Lift Height (in.) 24 in.
Put those on top of 3/4" plywood squares and I'll be able to get my creeper under the car and get nearly full extension on my arms, should be able to do damn near anything.
So i get the compressor home and start trying to connect everything up. Too ignorant to realize not to waste my time I had bought HF everything for connections.
Defective coupler 1 came with the compressor, couldn't even connect, drove back to HF who gave me another.
Defective coupler 2 on compressor, would connect, hissing like a snake, realized was wasting my time, drove to sears and bought EVERYTHING again.
Defective coupler 3 (craftsman) on compressor, can't even connect, sears was closed.
I'm having trouble believing that two out of three couplers from HF and 1 out of 2 from Sears were defective, this aint rocket science. The other craftsman seemed to work fine on the hose but I can't test it yet because the one on the compressor wouldn't connect and I was tired of futzing with it all.
I had no idea that these connectors were so problematic. Should I get my stuff from Home Depot? I want it today so Northern Tool is out of the question.
This forum looks like a goldmine of experience, I hope I can report some success in the near future.
Big time garage noob here.
I decided that as far as being a petrol head goes, the time had come (at 43) to sh!t or get off the pot. I can't keep paying mechanics to do simple stuff that I've done in the past (brake pads, oil changes, etc.). simply can't afford it any more, not to mention petrol head self-respect.
Was driving home the other day in my '06 mitsu evo, CEL comes on combined with high idle. Ok, I'll get to that soon, jump in '99 4 runner next day, notice the tags and safety inspection are dead. head to inspection, can't do safety because rear axle seals are leaking gear oil into brake drums, can't do registation because exhaust pipe is rusted out. Oh boy. Now I've got two cars down, only one left is wife's '02 WRX which needs shocks and tires and has a modified engine with 120K on it that's inches from letting go.
Was trying to do a boost leak test on the Evo with a cheesy 12V compressor and decided "F this! i'm going to get a damn compressor and stop dicking around".
So I searched the web and found this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...39&highlight=harbor+freight+gallon+compressor
which led me to read here about HF earthquake tools...
which led me to decide to give this combination a try:
HF 21 gallon compressor +
1/2" earthquake impact +
3/8" earth quack ratchet
I have a single car garage, way too narrow to work in but the driveway is flat asphalt so...
I'd already decided on this:
HF Low Profile/High Lift Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®, 2 Ton Heavy Duty Pittsburgh Automotive - item#68050
Requires only 2-5/8" clearance and lifts up to 23-3/4" high with foot pedal for fast convenient pumping
plus these:
12,000 lbs. Heavy Duty Jack Stands, Maximum Lift Height (in.) 24 in.
Put those on top of 3/4" plywood squares and I'll be able to get my creeper under the car and get nearly full extension on my arms, should be able to do damn near anything.
So i get the compressor home and start trying to connect everything up. Too ignorant to realize not to waste my time I had bought HF everything for connections.
Defective coupler 1 came with the compressor, couldn't even connect, drove back to HF who gave me another.
Defective coupler 2 on compressor, would connect, hissing like a snake, realized was wasting my time, drove to sears and bought EVERYTHING again.
Defective coupler 3 (craftsman) on compressor, can't even connect, sears was closed.
I'm having trouble believing that two out of three couplers from HF and 1 out of 2 from Sears were defective, this aint rocket science. The other craftsman seemed to work fine on the hose but I can't test it yet because the one on the compressor wouldn't connect and I was tired of futzing with it all.
I had no idea that these connectors were so problematic. Should I get my stuff from Home Depot? I want it today so Northern Tool is out of the question.
This forum looks like a goldmine of experience, I hope I can report some success in the near future.
