What's a nice, small compressor to get for tires and basic impact gun work?

[StageLeft]

I am looking in the two gallon sort of range because I don't want something unwieldy. I don't mind waiting for it to refill relatively often but I'm looking to reduce the time spent with my tiny cigarette-lighter compressor filling tires and get a quicker way to take off my wheels than sitting there spinning forever with manual tools. So, I also need a cheap impact wrench :0

How is this wrench? likely to be (1/2", 250 lb torque for $20). Also, I presume a 100 PSI compressor would top that thing's torque out (Just guessing), so how is this or this or this 2 gallon one?

If 2-3 gallons is too mickey mouse and I HAVE to have a 5 gallon or else I'll want to cut myself even trying to use an impact wrench with it, then I will buy a friend's 5 gallon he's trying to sell.

THANKS!!!!

 

[slag]

get at least a 400 ft lb impact wrench.
Get at least a 20-33 gallon compressor.

I ended up with a 500 ft lb wrench and an 80 gallon single stage compressor and its almost not enough. I should have opted for the dual stage and a 700 ft lb plus wrench.

Slag

p.s. Vertical compressors take up very little room and are worth ever penny imho.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I got one from costco for about $150-200 (iirc), included a good assortment of tools and is alright quality. It's easy to move around as well. Works well for what I need to do. I believe it was a 5 gallon Campbell Hausfeld.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: slag
get at least a 400 ft lb impact wrench.
Get at least a 20-33 gallon compressor.

I ended up with a 500 ft lb wrench and an 80 gallon single stage compressor and its almost not enough. I should have opted for the dual stage and a 700 ft lb plus wrench.

Slag

p.s. Vertical compressors take up very little room and are worth ever penny imho.

80 gallon, damn! My garage is really not very big. A neighbor has one about that size and it is quite massive, my garage is stuffed enough as it is! It wouldn't be bad if I could get an air brush going with it, too, and I cannot see dragging an 80 lber into the house...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have a 25 gallon compressor I bought about 10 years ago. I forget who makes it but I think I bought it from Home Depot. Never had any trouble at all with it. My only complaint is that it's a bit noisy when the compressor motor kicks on.

 

[StageLeft]

Oh I see that the wrench above requires 5 cfm of air and the compressors I noted don't even pull 1. Time to see what craigslist has and man-up for a large used one.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I have a 25 gallon compressor I bought about 10 years ago. I forget who makes it but I think I bought it from Home Depot. Never had any trouble at all with it. My only complaint is that it's a bit noisy when the compressor motor kicks on.

Campbell Hausfeld?

I have a 5.5CFM 25 gallon CH compressor and most of my air tools are also CH. None are that great, but none have ever failed. I have their impact wrench and it's good enough to break rusted axle nuts free, so that is good enough for me.

Keep in mind I don't use mine everyday, but have had it for almost 8 years now and it's always been good.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Oh I see that the wrench above requires 5 cfm of air and the compressors I noted don't even pull 1. Time to see what craigslist has and man-up for a large used one.

The cfm is of the motor. The tank once it is filled can push as many CFMs as you need, its just a matter of how long and with a 2 gallon tank thats not very long. Impacts only run in bursts so the motor doesn't need a lot of SCFMs to keep up with one. Its the other high speed long running tools where it becomes more important. I'd step up to around $40 for a better harbor freight impact too. This compressor would handle it and is small and cheap plus its oiled so it won't be super loud. Might just go ahead and get an impact and borrow your buddies tanks and see how it works out.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Oh I see that the wrench above requires 5 cfm of air and the compressors I noted don't even pull 1. Time to see what craigslist has and man-up for a large used one.

The cfm is of the motor. The tank once it is filled can push as many CFMs as you need, its just a matter of how long and with a 2 gallon tank thats not very long. Impacts only run in bursts so the motor doesn't need a lot of SCFMs to keep up with one. Its the other high speed long running tools where it becomes more important. I'd step up to around $40 for a better harbor freight impact too. This compressor would handle it and is small and cheap plus its oiled so it won't be super loud. Might just go ahead and get an impact and borrow your buddies tanks and see how it works out.

Good idea, I think I may do that.

So if the compressor's CFM beats the air tool, it could essentially run the tool for hours or weeks on end, which I certainly don't need. I will lean toward oiled, too, if it's going to make it quiter.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Oh I see that the wrench above requires 5 cfm of air and the compressors I noted don't even pull 1. Time to see what craigslist has and man-up for a large used one.

The cfm is of the motor. The tank once it is filled can push as many CFMs as you need, its just a matter of how long and with a 2 gallon tank thats not very long. Impacts only run in bursts so the motor doesn't need a lot of SCFMs to keep up with one. Its the other high speed long running tools where it becomes more important. I'd step up to around $40 for a better harbor freight impact too. This compressor would handle it and is small and cheap plus its oiled so it won't be super loud. Might just go ahead and get an impact and borrow your buddies tanks and see how it works out.

Good idea, I think I may do that.

So if the compressor's CFM beats the air tool, it could essentially run the tool for hours or weeks on end, which I certainly don't need. I will lean toward oiled, too, if it's going to make it quiter.

Careful, because I don't believe there is a really structured testing method that air compressor manufacturers use to rate their machines. For example, a 6HP compressor cannot run on 120V @ 20a, it's maximum would be just about 3.2HP.

A good read: http://www.truetex.com/aircompressors.htm

 

[T2urtle]

i say get a 5gal.. but

i've used similiar cheapo impacts. they are rated at 200ft lbs and cant take off wheel lugs. HF has one known as the earthquake... i've heard good things about that gun its sub 100$ i think.

i recentlly had a PC 5 gal compressor. my impact ate up the air rather quick. but then again compressor was rated at 2.9@ 90 and my gun was 4.9@ 90. I knew it was going to be like that from the get go but air is air. I had to just use my impact in burst. if i had to get on a bolt i would need to wait till full power to get on it. the 5gal did its job minus the wait of 1-3 mins. but if your just doing tire changes, then thats not a problem. i was trying to remove an axle nut and other suspension stuff. I was able to manage but with wasted about 10-15 mins in down time. but that was used for drinks and break time.

 

[StageLeft]

The earthquake is rated at 650lbs. I think that would take a hand off

I think I'll get one better than the $20. Turns out my friend's compressor is actually a 13 gallon...

I was able to manage but with wasted about 10-15 mins in down time.

OK, that does it, I will need a larger gallon because I will be doing that stuff, too. I want this to enhance my experience and save busting my shoulder and the time lost tightening/loosening. I want to crank those things on and off.

QuestionI don't have any torque wrench/gear right now. Are these impact guns usable with a torque stick or for final tightening (and I don't mean like a shop does with 200 lbs thrown into a bolt with no car for ever undoing it again) would I still need a hand tool to get it just right?

 

[Rubycon]

10 gal min if the (real) compressor horsepower is <1.0. 30 gal is good reserve but if your displacement at 100psi is less than 6 SCFM it's going to take a while to fill up to cut off.

Impact wrenches - the common half inch drive ones - are not that demanding because they are so fast.

If you plan to use grinders, air hammers, sand blasters, etc. you will need a much more capable unit since the air demand is continuous throughout their use.

Lots of air compressors designed for the homeowner have highly exaggerated horsepower ratings of their motors. It takes an honest 1hp to produce 5SCFM at 90psig - the minimum for air tool work. A two stage compressor will also get higher pressure (175 PSIG typical for homeowner types) which allow for higher power tools as well. Ingersoll-Rand, Quincy, DeVilbiss, Champion are good makes. Campbell Haussfeld is a decent homeowner oriented brand. CH also makes a lot of the other branded compressors found in large home improvement chains in the US.

 

[StageLeft]

Perfect--the 13 gallon my friend has is a campbell hausfeld, which I believe is also the $20 lighter-socket compressor I've been using for a few years for car tires without issue. It's 4 HP, but as mentioned above, that is overinflated given the reality of actual watts that can realistically be expected.

 

[T2urtle]

wish i had a friend with a 13gal willing to sell me.

i've been in the market for a upper teen - 25 gal tank. looking to get cheap but a lot of used ones that i don't exactly trust. a 13gal rated at 4hp should be fair for light range automotive work.

campbell hausfeld has a lot of recalls recently on their mid range stock. something about non fire-proof covers catching fire. recalled over 1/2 million comrpressors.


http://www.harborfreight.com/c...em.taf?Itemnumber=2623 earthquake @100$ is what a lot of guys on other forums use. they are normally a sale item for $80. if you know HF they have a pretty predictable rotation of sale items. so if you dont need it ASAP i would hold off.

 

[slag]

I lied.. i just checked mine and its a 6.5 hp 60 gallon vertical tank unit.

Sorry, didnt mean to mislead, i really thought it was 80 gallon.. oh well. it does the job ok for me.

 

[mooseracing]

If you are doing small jobs, you don't need more than 5 gallons if you have a true 5hp (greater than 8cfm @ 100psi) or bigger compressor. If you are using a tool like a drill, chisel, sander, shears than you want a larger storage area.

My crappy 5hp 5cfm 5 gallon can keep up with 3/4 drive snap on impacts, enough that I can't twist a 3/8ths bolt in half with it. Not to mention I use a sander with, chisel, and drills. Sometimes I hook up an extra tank when sanding or using a die grinder. But if you have a 5 gallon tank, CFM is king not the tank.



edit: CH has had multiple suits against them for overstating their ratings, I would avoid them if you are going for quality.

 

[Throckmorton]

Target has a 2 gallon compressor for like $100.. Made by Coleman I think

 

[StageLeft]

Does anybody have any input on the question above "Question: I don't have any torque wrench/gear right now. Are these impact guns usable with a torque stick or for final tightening (and I don't mean like a shop does with 200 lbs thrown into a bolt with no car for ever undoing it again) would I still need a hand tool to get it just right? "

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The hand tool is about $30 to get a 30-150LB range. Just get it!


...and get the click style, not the beam. The beam style sucks ass.

 

[franksta]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Does anybody have any input on the question above "Question: I don't have any torque wrench/gear right now. Are these impact guns usable with a torque stick or for final tightening (and I don't mean like a shop does with 200 lbs thrown into a bolt with no car for ever undoing it again) would I still need a hand tool to get it just right? "

With the torque stick you should be fine going to town with the impact wrench because the stick will limit the torque at the fastener. I don't have the sticks so I only tighten with my torque wrench as I have no idea what the output is on my impact wrench.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The hand tool is about $30 to get a 30-150LB range. Just get it!


...and get the click style, not the beam. The beam style sucks ass.

I went slightly more ghetto and got the Harbor Freight clickers. I don't do things that demand I be within 1% of the recommended tourque. I think for a 1/4" and a 1/2" I paid $30 total. . That's enough to cover anything from just a few in-lbs to 200 ft-lbs.

 

[Throckmorton]

On Jeepforum they say the beam type of torque wrench is the most accurate.

 

[StageLeft]

I read a bit more on sticks and apparently they vary from "pretty close but finish with a proper wrench" to "they are ok, but you should make sure they're calibrated against your gun". It seems a HF wrench is probably the best way to go.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
On Jeepforum they say the beam type of torque wrench is the most accurate.

The problem with the beam type is reading it while tightening it. Much much easier to feel for the click when you get it right. Also, there's an error that's introduced if you're not looking at it straight on (inherent in ALL analog meters...), so you really need to be in the right spot to get it right.