help with first airtool purchase

[justang1997]

My wife bought me a nice kobalt 30 gallon air compressor as a birthday gift with a 50 foot hose. I have always wanted air tools but never wanted to spend the cash when my elbow grease was working just fine.

I think i want my first tool to be a half inch impact , mainly for taking off tires and any suspension parts. I already have some half drive impact sockets but through some reading i think i may need something different to safely take wheels off and back on. Torque sticks?

Any recommendations on an impact and any tools to go with it would be much appreciated. Im not scared of used tools either. Local peddlers mall has some 15 dollar CH impacts. Worth anything? I own 3 vehicles and do most all work myself so probably dont need pro grade tools.

 

[jn50308401]

My wife bought me a nice kobalt 30 gallon air compressor as a birthday gift with a 50 foot hose. I have always wanted air tools but never wanted to spend the cash when my elbow grease was working just fine.

I think i want my first tool to be a half inch impact , mainly for taking off tires and any suspension parts. I already have some half drive impact sockets but through some reading i think i may need something different to safely take wheels off and back on. Torque sticks?

Any recommendations on an impact and any tools to go with it would be much appreciated. Im not scared of used tools either. Local peddlers mall has some 15 dollar CH impacts. Worth anything? I own 3 vehicles and do most all work myself so probably dont need pro grade tools.

I congrats on having an awesome tool buying wife.. and remember air compressors are like diamond rings. They are always ready to be upgraded

I have an Ingersoll Rand composite case impact that's has been pretty bullet proof for 15 years. A cheap impact will frustrate you.there are lots of good choices under 100.00 bucks that will serve you well.

If you Get a good one, you'll like using the tool more, the job will be smoother and life will be better.. Same thing with air couplers, the cheap ones won't last, leak air and drive you crazy.

For re-installing wheels I would get a torque wrench. Prices are all over the place but in my opinion buy the best one in 1/2 drive you can afford. Wheels falling off is no bueno and over torqued lug nuts are a pain to remove and can warp brake rotors. I have a Craftsman click type that works well, and for the most part Sears is right around the corner.

I've had no problem with my Craftsman impacts but lots of folks like the Harbor Freight ones too.

Enjoy!

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[theoldwizard1]

The HF 1/2" Earthquake is a good bang for your buck. The 3/8" Earthquake ratchet is also a good deal.

If you want a 3/8" "gun" check out either the Astro 1828 or the Chicago Pneumatic CP7731.

If you are thinking about an air hammer/chisel the longer the barrel the better. The Chicago Pneumatic CP7150 is an updated version of an old favorite (CP715).

 

[stikman56]

This is the only CH impact wrench I would own. Ebay auction #391296182060
There's a lot of good ones I think you'd be happy with, but this new, would be the least expensive I can think of that has some torque and built pretty well.

 

[justang1997]

Home depot did not have much in the way of air tool couplers. Where do yall get your airtool stuff. I also need a nice tire inflator that goes over 50psi. I have 65psi in the excursion right now and did not see even a tire gague at HD that went that high.

 

[Bondo]

Where do yall get your airtool stuff. I also need a nice tire inflator that goes over 50psi. I have 65psi in the excursion right now and did not see even a tire gague at HD that went that high.

Ayuh,... Mostly at my local Napa,..... or a Truck Shop,....

'n don't get yer hopes to awfully high,....
A 30 gallon compressor is tiny,...

With a decent 1/2" impact, yer gonna be spendin' time waitin' for the pressure to build back up,....

 

[zkling]

Get one of the compact 1/2" impact wrenches, then a deep and shallow set of 1/2" sockets if you don't already. Milton inflators are good, or a chuck and a separate gauge. Skip the torque sticks.

 

[sberry]

Skip the sticks too. Agree with the 2 sets of sockets first and maybe an extension or 2. I minimize the use of swivels, only a couple places in life a guy has to use them. I hear good things about that 100$ gun.

 

[hotdogstand]

I bought the $100 "air tool variety pack" years ago from the auto parts store when I bought my first compressor (a 4 gallon oil less). While they have lasted me close to a decade by now, I would much rather have spent the same money on a more powerful impact. I never use the air ratchet, blow guns are cheap, and I might use a pneumatic hammer every other year.

A good 1/2" impact is the best use of your money IMO.

 

[themiller]

Spend money on a good hose, good fittings, and a good gun. I got an IR 2135ti and am very happy with it. All of the above will pay for itself in one or two suspension jobs or wheel bearings.

 

[evanbaker08]

Get the Klutch Heavy Duty Compact 1/2 in. It will work better in tight spaces getting off suspension parts and it still has lots of power.

 

[woody 73]

Even though I do not own any earthquake air tools they get such a good review on the GJ and other sources that you should look into buying a 1/2 air gun.

 

[Jo Diesel]

I have a HF Earth quake that I don't use any more. Still like my Ingersall Rand 231 that I have beat the **** out of for over 20 years.

$119 at Northern Tool.

 

[justang1997]

As was pointed out earlier i dont have too high hopes with this size xompressor but im sure it can run a 1/2 impact. I have read some impacts run better on less air an others hog air. I think my compresser flows 5.5cfm at 90psi. Any good impacts in the $150 or less range that are quiet and will work well with what i have?

 

[justang1997]

Maybe I'm gonna need to up my budget.....

 

[Matias]

I agree with the previous posters. Maybe it's common knowledge, but what does it mean in practice when you compare bad impact to a good one? For me, I found out that with the cheap one (and a cheap, thin long hose) the impact was not able to open some of the tire bolts which were really tight. So it didn't get used as I would always need manual tools at the same time...

Some tools can be cheap, but this impact should be a good one. It really helps, and it also prevents braking bolts. I work on old French cars, which means a lot of rust. A good impact will give you a good chance to get the top bolts holding the front suspension open without braking them. Also, after sliding in a new spring, it's really easy to secure the new nut to the shock absorber with an impact.

I would say, do yourself a favor, get a good impact

Edit: Just saw your posts. I run my impact from a ~13 gallon compressor and no problemos. For removing tires etc. the size of the tank doesn't matter, so what if it goes on once or twice during the operation...

 

[Kensgarage]

Chicago CP734 and don't look back....

 

[MrGiggles]

I frequently use an IR 2135 with my "little" 21 gallon compressor. I can remove and tighten two wheels before I have to let the compressor catch up for a minute.

I have used a cheap CH impact, it removes lug nuts just fine, but a more expensive gun is worth it. The CH has a horrible trigger with no finesse, it's essentially an on/off switch .

For 1/2" impacts, I would say go with the Earthquake if on a tight budget, an Aircat would be the next step up (~150 bucks), and if you have the cash an IR 2135TImax is the one of, if not the best out there.

 

[sberry]

Chicago CP734 and don't look back....

I have one with a 4 speed in it, its got numbers like that but it is a good gun and the price is not bad if you shop a little. Put a T on at the comp and put a 25 ft hose will help it hit a lot harder.

 

[crewchief888]

IR 231..

That's all I have to say

 

[Krokodil]

I have one with a 4 speed in it, its got numbers like that but it is a good gun and the price is not bad if you shop a little. Put a T on at the comp and put a 25 ft hose will help it hit a lot harder.

I also have a CP734 that cannot be beat for diy occasional duty around the house.

 

[sberry]

I could look for the exact model numbers of mine but it was their best gun at the time.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the HF earthquake line in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive. also have the 3/8 impacting air ratchet. run them off of an older 20 gallon Campbell hausfeld compressor with no issues. your new compressor will work fine. I highly recommend these air tools.

 

[Kent_B]

I also have a CP734 that cannot be beat for diy occasional duty around the house.

I have a CP745, but loved the 734. I didn't know they still made 'em.

 

[SAATR]

CP734 is a great gun. I have my grandfather's early 734 that still works well to this day. My professional weapon is choice is the CP7748 which is very powerful, right up there with the Ti Ingersoll's. Either can be had for reasonable money, and are a worthy investment.

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