Not sure where to post this, But i think having an air impact wrench would be very handy for just about everything car related. what are some good ones, 3/8", 1/2", how many ft lbs, a good compressor to go with it? how much would it cost me to get a strong enough compressor, the impact, and the sockets?? thanks

 

I would just stick with 1/2" drive. I have all craftsman and i think my setup ran around $700 for everything. I have a 33 lb compressor and metric/standard sets along with a bunch of other air tools.

 

I love having a 3/8 drive impact, it is extremely useful. I used to only have a 1/2 drive impact and a 3/8 air ratchet, now I rarely use those and normally just use the 3/8 impact for everything. It's awesome for taking the top end off an engine, for example. I use all of the extensions and junk I already had for my hand tools.

Then again you could just use an adapter...

My craftsman compressor ran me around $180 back in '02-ish. Best investment ever, it's treated me well for a decade and I think has another decade left. I don't recall the specs but its large enough to wheel around. Might be underpowered for extended painting or something.

Sometimes I wish I had invested in electric tools. Much quieter, but I don't know how well they actually work 1st hand. Sometimes you just need compressed air, though...

 

For air tools in my opinion there is nothing that beats Ingersol Rand. I have an IR 1/2" impact that is going strong now for around 6 years, i believe it is model TI2135. It was decently priced at around $350 when i bought it. The snapon gun at the time was around $600 that was close. My gun is rated at 1000ft/lbs NBT (nut busting troque) although i know it would never come close. There is a snapon gun out there thats rated at 1200 ft/lbs and it eats my gun. That being said, there will never be anything on a car that you need that much power for. I built oilfield equipment for a living so i needed a big gun.

Now that my tool box is at home i never use my 1/2" gun, only my 3/8ths composite mac tools gun. All Macs high end tools are built by IR and are quality.

I wouldnt pay the extra price to have a snapon or Mac name on a tool. I would stick to IR or Chicago Pnuematic - in that order.

I cant comment on the cheaper guns but i know that mine work great even if they are overkill for automotive usually.

 

^^ What sudstoy said ^^ I use the ir titanium 1/2 for an air impact and the snapon 18v impact and nothing beats air impacts. I only really use the snapon for emergencies. For 3/8 I use my dewalt 18v and trust me it has plenty of power for most bolts but sometimes I need to use a rachet to break em loose first.

 

I run a craftsman 3/8ths not quite sure on the torque but ive never ran into anything i cant break loose. I also have a bosch 18v li-on impact driver, than i just put what ever socket adapter i need on it. It works good sometimes i cant bust the bolt loose with it so ill hit it with the ratchet. To me the cordless is my favorite tool, no hoses and i can bring it to the junkyard

 

yea i have a kobalt 1/2in impact electric and it works ok. i also have a 3/8 air impact too. no compressor yet though

 

I dont think i would need anything too big. Maybe an impact wrench just for wheel lug nuts, shock bolts, struts. suspension parts. thats about it. any reccomendations? Im looking to spend maybe about $150 for a compressor. and maybe a 1/2 impact? or should i get a 3/8?

 

get the 1/2 and if you need the 3/8ths use an adapter. also grab yourself a good set of metric impact sockets.

 

i dont use the air much anymore. use cordless impact and love it.