Picking Impact Wrench and Ratchet for New Compressor

[alex123]

Cutoff tools have to run enough to get the wheel hot but not too much and overheat the wheel. If you buy a good (not $15) efficient air tool, go for 1/3HP instead of 1/2, and pace yourself, you will still outrun a dremel cutting speed by 4:1 or more. Plus smaller air cutoff tools fit in tight places the cordless will not.

A small die grinder has a 2" wheel and while they lack a guard, lack the cutting capacity of the 3" cutoff tool, they are small and can get in really tight places. Smaller ones use less air but still outrun a dremel. Plus at 2" a face mask is sufficient protection if they shatter.

I have both.

Buy quality US wheels for whatever you get.

-HF

Thanks for the feedback. You mentioned going with an efficient cutoff tool. What are your thoughts on the Campbell Hausfeld XT200000 ?

 

[alex123]

For couplers, I highly recommend Milton V High Flow's. They're inexpensive but not cheap. Be sure to replace the on one your compressor to get the best performance through the whole system.

High flows (a different brand) transformed my 10gallon, 1/3HP air compressor into something useful to run a 600 ft/lb impact wrench. I had just enough air to take off all 6 lug nuts (on setting "1" of "5") before it had to recharge. So if I timed it correctly I with jacking and tool fetching I could stay 100% busy. With 30 gallons you'll be doing great.

I bought quality air impacts first (Astro Nano 3/8 and an IR 1/2) but for other tools I've been doing a try before you buy program. I get the $10 Harbor Freight air tool, and if I find myself using it over and over again, upgrade to a "real" tool. What I've found is that while a HF air die grinder is useful, it doesn't have 1/2 the RPM of a real brand like CP or Aircat.

And the cordless people really need to stop ******* in the wheaties. Name me a small handy-sized 1/3HP or 1/2HP cordless die grinder or reversible cutoff tool that runs at a solid 22,000 RPM and costs $99. Instead you get these monstrosities:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076S9YBMH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That expensive mess won't even fit under the fender! And for $149 doesn't even come with a battery. Sorry, cordless tools are not a universal replacement for air tools. And good luck getting one job done with less than 3 fully charged batteries.

I just checked and the Milton V High Flow coupler is $70... is this a normal price for couplers? I'm genuinely asking because I thought couplers were way cheaper.

 

[alex123]

For auto work in a shop seting impossible do much efficiently if ain't got air, hard beat air for all round coverage & use, if using leak down testers, smoke machines and want nano tools and speed/power then air it is .
The simple blow nozzle is reason enough want a compressor ...

For home use auto work look at astro pneumatic, reactionless impact ratchets are game changers as is air riveter/hammer, 1842 and/or the nano impacts (1823, 1822, 1828) do you good and kick serious *** if run decent dynamic pressure .

Put more $ towards decent compressor and less on the tools .

I checked these on Amazon and the review on the 1823 wasn't that good. The review on the 1822 was good but it comes in at only 450 ft/lbs.

 

[alex123]

Good point on the air hammers. There is no electric equivalent.
While I have a lot of cordless tools and love them for the extra mobility, I think there is still great benefit to air tools beyond the impact wrench and ratchets.
The tools that justify investing in an air set up that cordless electric has no equivalent are:

• Air Hammers
• Die Grinders
• Cut-off tools
• Super compact R/A drills
• HVLP Spray guns
• Sand blast cabinet

Then there are also some tools which are very useful in the air-powered format such as air nailers/stapers... Plus vacuum oil extractors or brake bleeders.
Also... what about two of the most basic things:

• Filling up tires
• Blowing sh*t off

So if you think you will be using any of the above with enough frequency to justify the investment... do it. I still love having my air compressor and use it often.
As for the impact wrench. Honestly the Harbor Freight "Earthquake" impact family is pretty well regarded. I also second the Astro Pneumatic recommendation for most air stuff.

What are your thoughts on the Campbell Hausfeld XT251000 die grinder please?

 

[alex123]

That's a good approach, I have cordless tools I wouldn't want to do without. I would consider moving the cutoff tool to the air side of things.

As a die grinder, the Dremel is only good for small/soft work or polishing work. I still use both of mine often for that. There is orders of magnitude, no comparison to an air die grinder. And as a cut-off tool the Dremel is just awful.

I made do for years with a Dremel tool, with quality fiberglass cutoff wheels. Cutting off a single frozen suspension end link or 3 Ford ball joints rivets would take a half hour and an hour respectively, including multiple wheel changes.

With an Aircat reversible cutoff wheel, I could choose which direction the sparks went, and I cut off two 1/2" thick steel end links on my Honda in about 10 minutes, and that included changing out a wheel that was near end of life. Twice the work in 1/3 the time.

Dremel is 1/25HP or so, air die grinder is 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2HP depending on which one you buy. Think about that. Your 30 gallon will run a 1/4 or 1/3 just fine just not at 100%, even a 1/2HP with some waits to recharge, but consider that most grinding bits or wheels need a little cooling time anyway!

Think about that.

Is there a particular size of die grinder you would recommend? I'll be using for automotive mostly. I was looking at the Campbell Hausfeld XT251000

 

[hangfirew8]

No that's a horrible price! I got a pack of Milton V off Amazon for $12, one female and 4 or 5 males. I'll try to dig up a link.

I have no experience with the CH. I have had good luck with Chicago Pneumatic (CPT875 90degree mini die grinder), Aircat (cutoff and 6200 mini straight die grinder) and Florida Pnuematic (90 deg rev. Air drill).

The Aircat 6250 cutoff is a bit big for your 30gal, will work with some pauses. The rest are good as I used them with my 10 gal (with pauses) before I got the 60 gal.

-HF

 

[hangfirew8]

$13.80

Kit S-217

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O2ZGQ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20



-HF

 

[Mr_B]

I checked these on Amazon and the review on the 1823 wasn't that good. The review on the 1822 was good but it comes in at only 450 ft/lbs.

1823 is pretty nice gun for the price, personally I use the ns1600f but for home gamer 1823 a nice versatile tool, perform way better than spec sheet at higher dynamic pressure, I have the 1828 and it knock tyson out as it proper bad *** (the 1822 same gun besides anvil), see plenty in shop use not having bother and astro pretty good if have issue, if you had issue chris who member on here sort it out as they do back their products ...

 

[hangfirew8]

"Only 450 ft/lbs" is a lot when it is a real 450 like the Astro Nano, and not the bogus "nut busting" torque of some other impacts, which is as real as a 4.5HP vac with an 110V/11A motor.

For example the legendary (and very loud) IR231C is a real 425 ft/lbs.

-HF

 

[Mr_B]

"Only 450 ft/lbs" is a lot when it is a real 450 like the Astro Nano, and not the bogus "nut busting" torque of some other impacts, which is as real as a 4.5HP vac with an 110V/11A motor.

For example the legendary (and very loud) IR231C is a real 425 ft/lbs.

-HF

+1
for size and price the astro nano are amazingly good and quite easily exceed the rated true torque if your compressor up to it .
Trouble is most people get use to big numbers that not real world figures thus when get a genuine rated tool they think it junk .

 

[Rogers954]

I have the Milwaukee stubby but was also thinking about adding one of the astro nano impact guns to the line up. Compact size like the stubby, affordable, more powerful than the stubby. I have no complaints about my stubby I love that thing so far, but I also don't think its going to do much on suspension jobs on my 2500 living in a highly salted roads state.

 

[Mr_B]

^ The best stubby I used is the composite facom nano ns1600f, that thing mid 600's and absolute dream tool, that pretty much all I use as does just about anything you ask of it . can get it under mac branding too, facom version great price in europe .
It total game changer in daily use, minimal fatigue, being composite nice to hold, super compact so fits just about everywhere and you still got a proper hitting big gun power .

 

[alex123]

$13.80

Kit S-217

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O2ZGQ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20



-HF

Thanks for sharing this link. These are 1/4". If I buy a 3/8" hose... shouldn't I use 3/8" couplers/fittings?

 

[alex123]

"Only 450 ft/lbs" is a lot when it is a real 450 like the Astro Nano, and not the bogus "nut busting" torque of some other impacts, which is as real as a 4.5HP vac with an 110V/11A motor.

For example the legendary (and very loud) IR231C is a real 425 ft/lbs.

-HF

Thanks for the info. I was watching a Real Tool Reviews videon on the Astro and in the comparison video he showed, the working torque on the Chicago Pneumatic and Aircat Stubby's were higher... What are your thoughts on those please?

 

[Mr_B]

aircat is well liked, achieves/exceeds rated power and again great priced .

 

[hangfirew8]

Thanks for sharing this link. These are 1/4". If I buy a 3/8" hose... shouldn't I use 3/8" couplers/fittings?

You'll find your 3/8" I.D. hose uses 1/4" NPT fittings.

 

[alex123]

No that's a horrible price! I got a pack of Milton V off Amazon for $12, one female and 4 or 5 males. I'll try to dig up a link.

I have no experience with the CH. I have had good luck with Chicago Pneumatic (CPT875 90degree mini die grinder), Aircat (cutoff and 6200 mini straight die grinder) and Florida Pnuematic (90 deg rev. Air drill).

The Aircat 6250 cutoff is a bit big for your 30gal, will work with some pauses. The rest are good as I used them with my 10 gal (with pauses) before I got the 60 gal.

-HF

Hi HF,

So I was just reading up on die grinders and these things are so air hungry. My compressor is only 30 gallons and I think with a constant use tool like that I'll be stopping way too many times on a 30 gallon. What are your thoughts on going with a corded (not cordless) die grinder?

 

[hangfirew8]

A smaller 1/4HP air die grinder will way outperfom a Dremel or a cordless, and will be easier on air then a big 1/2 HP. You can't run any mounted stone at 100% or it will heat up and load up with material.


-HF