Air Tools / Compressor Question

[tderrick]

Are any of you guys running an impact wrench putting a filter or an oiler inline between
the wrench and the compressor?

I have two mustangs, a truck and a commuter to rotate tires on and I'm sick of hand
working lug nuts. I will still use hands tools for most other bolts because I like the control and feel.

I guess this would be called light duty for an impact wrench.

 

[desertcox05]

I don't use either on my tools. A couple drops of oil once a week is all you need for your air tools. The only time you'll need a filter is when your spray painting.

 

[revhead347]

You don't really need a filter, just a few drops of oil every once in awhile. You can get a cheap air compressor, as long as it gets to 120psi that's all you need. Just don't skimp on the impact gun or the impact sockets. Most places that sell impact guns sell a cheap model for about $60. That cheap model lasts for about 2 impacts and the hammer disintegrates in it. Spend the money on a good impact. You can get a decent rebuilt Ingersol Rand 241 rebuilt cheap. I think I got mine for $65 and it will last you the rest of your life. Don't get Harbor Freight sockets either. The first time one blows up in your face, you just lost all that money you saved with an Emergency Room visit. Get quality Craftsman sockets or something along those lines. Make sure they aren't made in China.

Kurt

 

[tderrick]

Funny you mention things made in China as the Ingersol-Rand 231c I just bought is made in China... We'll see how it does...

I did get impact sockets from Harbor Freight. Made in Taiwan. Does that count?

 

[Venom351R]

. You can get a decent rebuilt Ingersol Rand 241 rebuilt cheap. I think I got mine for $65 and it will last you the rest of your life.

Where can you find those?

 

[revhead347]

Funny you mention things made in China as the Ingersol-Rand 231c I just bought is made in China... We'll see how it does...

I did get impact sockets from Harbor Freight. Made in Taiwan. Does that count?

How much were the sockets? Those $15 sockets aren't worth the money. I had a coworker when I worked at Firestone who was so proud of his Harbor Freight sockets. He thought the rest of us techs were stupid for paying $80. He was backing out a lug nut one day, and one of his cheapo sockets came apart. I think he got something like 31 stitches in his face. There were socket chunks everywhere. I've never seen so much blood.

Kurt

 

[revhead347]

Where can you find those?

I'd hunt around on the internet. I got mine at a flea market in Daytona. There was some enormously fat and incredibly ugly guy there who specialized in rebuilding air tools. I guess there are quite a few people who do this. Mine was one of the old ones, which was made in the US. I've had it about 11 years now, 3 of which I worked in a tire shop, so it's held up real well.

Kurt

 

[tderrick]

How much were the sockets? Those $15 sockets aren't worth the money. I had a coworker when I worked at Firestone . He was backing out a lug nut one day, and one of his cheapo sockets came apart. I think he got something like 31 stitches in his face.
Kurt

Oh... If I was used an impact wrench for a living, I would buy the best sockets money could buy.

In my case, I'm using this wrench for lug-nuts only, on my cars, where every lug has a little anti-seize on it.

He was using a cheap socket in an industrial situation. Not smart. I bet that socket was hot to the touch when it came apart!

I love the cheap Harbor Freight stuff. I works great on light duty stuff and saves me a fortune!

But of course you can never go wrong buying high quality, tempered stuff.
just Know your application.

 

[nmcgrawj]

You don't really need a filter, just a few drops of oil every once in awhile. You can get a cheap air compressor, as long as it gets to 120psi that's all you need. Just don't skimp on the impact gun or the impact sockets. Most places that sell impact guns sell a cheap model for about $60. That cheap model lasts for about 2 impacts and the hammer disintegrates in it. Spend the money on a good impact. You can get a decent rebuilt Ingersol Rand 241 rebuilt cheap. I think I got mine for $65 and it will last you the rest of your life. Don't get Harbor Freight sockets either. The first time one blows up in your face, you just lost all that money you saved with an Emergency Room visit. Get quality Craftsman sockets or something along those lines. Make sure they aren't made in China.

Kurt

120psi huh?


How about tank size? Does that play a huge role?

 

[revhead347]

120psi huh?


How about tank size? Does that play a huge role?

Not if you are just using it for an impact wrench. If you are using it on tools that run continuously like a grinder or a sander a big compressor or tank helps. When you are just using it for an impact, it only runs for a few seconds so it doesn't matter.

Kurt

 

[cbarr300]

A good set of impact sockets will run some $$$, but I'm glad I got them because I don't have to worry about them going on me.....of course I use them quite often in the shop.

I would get no less than craftsman impact sockets. I've personally seen a harbor freight impact socket explode. Luckily it didn't hurt anyone..but it's not worth it. Spend the extra couple bucks and get something that's a halfway decent quality.

As for impacts, you can't go wrong with an IR. I have a 3/8 IR and a 1/2 IR and both have done me well. I've also had good luck with my matco 1/4 impact and my matco 3/8 (got the 3/8 for a steal, a whole 35 bucks at a pawn shop).