time for some new tools

[RF Overlord]

Specifically, a floor jack and an impact wrench.

Nothing fancy, just stuff that will do the job. Current jack is old and moves about 1" for every 6000 pumps of the handle.

I've never owned an impact wrench but using a star-wrench is getting old with all the summer/winter tires changes and doing brakes and what-not. I don't have a big enough compressor to run an air-wrench, so an electric one would be nice. I assume a 120V AC one would have more oomph than a battery one? I always use a torque wrench on lugs, so I'm looking more for the ability to remove things than to crank them down.

[Mr. Man]

My old man has an Ingersoll-Rand electric impact gun he has been using for 60 years and his Napa floor jack is probably as old. He was a mechanic in the late 50's and into the late 60's so they got a lot of use. Both work like champs to this day.

[Bigdogjim]

I have used Craftman for years and no issues what so ever.

[Got_1]

My old man has an Ingersoll-Rand electric impact gun he has been using for 60 years and his Napa floor jack is probably as old. He was a mechanic in the late 50's and into the late 60's so they got a lot of use. Both work like champs to this day.

Big +1 on anything ingersoll-rand. They make solid tools for a good price. snap-on and Mac are just rebadged IR anyways. I don't have anything electric from them however, all my tools are pneumatic.

[MOTOWN]

I have The Napa 3.5 ton floor jack its outstanding! Ingersol Rand is top shelf all the way, like Snap on, and Matco.

[Comin' in Hot]

I have a Dewalt 120v, it works great, no complaints

[lji372]

I have a Dewalt 120v, it works great, no complaints

My Walt 8" does wonders.........

[fireandice9008]

+1 on IR, at least with air tools. I know you're looking electric, if IR has an electric line it'd be worth a look. I'm also looking at getting a Dewalt 18V cordless impact soon.

As far as floor jacks...I say this hiding behind a wall waiting for poo to be flung at me...Harbor freight. I've got a 3 ton at home and a 4 ton at the fire station and have had zero problems out of either. They're the normal steel ones, not the racing kind. I've got 2 20 ton bottle jacks at the house too that came from advance auto, they suck.

[martyo]

What's your budget?

[RF Overlord]

Well, I'm not looking for Snap-On level, but I don't want Chinese junk. Just a decent tool that will last for ordinary shade-tree work. The exact cost is not important...

What do you think of Kobalt?

[fastblackmerc]

Well, I'm not looking for Snap-On level, but I don't want Chinese junk. Just a decent tool that will last for ordinary shade-tree work. The exact cost is not important...

What do you think of Kobalt?

I have a older model floor jack from HF. I believe it's similar to this one - http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68048-7788.html

Use it maybe 2 -3 dozen times a year, hasn't failed me yet.

[fireandice9008]

I have a older model floor jack from HF. I believe it's similar to this one - http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68048-7788.html

That's the exact model i've got.

As far as Kobalt, their hand tools, i.e. ratchets and wrenches and such, are giving Craftsman a run for their money as far as quality and warranty.

[martyo]

Well, I'm not looking for Snap-On level, but I don't want Chinese junk. Just a decent tool that will last for ordinary shade-tree work. The exact cost is not important...

What do you think of Kobalt?

I would recommend a Harbor Freight jack and taking the extended service plan. You won't need the plan until you need to "refresh" the jack. ;)

The only impacts I have experience with are pneumatic or cordless. The pneumatic's do not meet your needs and the cordless that you will need for your purposes are probably outside of your budget, so hopefully someone will chime in on a good corded impact.

[Mr. Man]

Hi Baub :wave:

Kobalt used to be their own company back in the day but now I don't know who makes them for Lowe's. I know Dewalt is in bed with Black and Decker, I'm not sure who owns who.

Personally I'd rather spend a little more and never have to buy the tool again.

Do you have a mechanic your friendly with? Maybe even someone here who could get you a jobber rate on a good quality tool from Snap-on, Matco etc. :)

[VMARAUDER]

I have been using a 1/2 in drive Dewalt 120v impact for years with great results
Model DW290

[whitey]

we use dewalt and milwaulkie(sprinkler fitter), dewalt has come a far way from what they used to be, id buy one!. we just got the milwaulkie stuff a year ago....although smaller and using lithium batteries, they burn out fast when abused.....on a construction site, things are always in abuse, and i would have to say milwaulkie has went down in quality from what they used to be.

[lifespeed]

I don't have a big enough compressor to run an air-wrench, so an electric one would be nice. I assume a 120V AC one would have more oomph than a battery one? I always use a torque wrench on lugs, so I'm looking more for the ability to remove things than to crank them down.

I am surprised by the air compressor comment. While an impact wrench does use a moderate amount of air, it is consumed in short bursts. Most any compressor bigger than a 12V tire inflator will work for the casual mechanic. Must be really small . . . :confused:

[jwibbity]

I am surprised by the air compressor comment. While an impact wrench does use a moderate amount of air, it is consumed in short bursts. Most any compressor bigger than a 12V tire inflator will work for the casual mechanic. Must be really small . . . :confused:

thats what she said.... :banana2: :banana2:

[boatmangc]

I bought a 3 ton low profile jack from Costco for 99 bucks
Best floor jack ever.
I have an ingersol electric and a Snappy battery gun
Snappy is a badass

[RF Overlord]

lifespeed, my compressor is a Craftsman 7 gallon, 125 psi. I've always thought you needed one of the big upright units to run air tools. If this one is sufficient, then an air impact would be great.

[Haggis]

lifespeed, my compressor is a Craftsman 7 gallon, 125 psi. I've always thought you needed one of the big upright units to run air tools. If this one is sufficient, then an air impact would be great.

Bob, 125psi should be plenty.

[martyo]

Bob, 125psi should be plenty.

It is about cfm, not psi.....

Plus, you are only supposed to drive most impacts of that class with 90 psi.

[martyo]

lifespeed, my compressor is a Craftsman 7 gallon, 125 psi. I've always thought you needed one of the big upright units to run air tools. If this one is sufficient, then an air impact would be great.

Bob, buy yourself a Harbor Freight "earthquale" series 1/2" impact. I think they are on sale right now.

If your compressor won't drive it, just return it. Harbor Freight has a very liberal return policy.

[martyo]

Bob, buy yourself a Harbor Freight "earthquale" series 1/2" impact. I think they are on sale right now.

If your compressor won't drive it, just return it. Harbor Freight has a very liberal return policy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html


This takes 6 cfm @ 90 psi. Check the rating on your Sears 7gal and see what its output is.

[lifespeed]

lifespeed, my compressor is a Craftsman 7 gallon, 125 psi. I've always thought you needed one of the big upright units to run air tools. If this one is sufficient, then an air impact would be great.

Check the horsepower and CFM. Tank size is of little importance, although most people tend to equate a huge tank with a "big" air compressor. What really matter are the motor and pump.

I would say if your compressor is at least 1.5 - 2.0 HP and 4 CFM you should be good. Again, the air consumption is intermittent. I am sure you can't run a 1/2" impact at 100% duty cycle with that compressor (I can't with my 3.0 HP unit either), but you don't need to.

The CFM ratings of impact wrenches should be taken with a grain of salt, as there is an assumption of duty cycle.

Although I have heard good things about the Harbor Freight Earthquake, I use and like the classic Ingersol-Rand IR231C.

Edit: One detail that can make quite a difference in air flow is to standardize on the 3/8" ID quick disconnects (instead of the usual 1/4") and a 1/2" ID hose. This greatly reduces frictional losses and improves flow to the tool. Naturally, you won't find these fittings at Home Cheapo.

[RF Overlord]

Spec says 2.4 SCFM @ 90PSI

[lifespeed]

I would still try it and see.

[Mr. Man]

Check the horsepower and CFM. Tank size is of little importance, although most people tend to equate a huge tank with a "big" air compressor. What really matter are the motor and pump.

I would say if your compressor is at least 1.5 - 2.0 HP and 4 CFM you should be good. Again, the air consumption is intermittent. I am sure you can't run a 1/2" impact at 100% duty cycle with that compressor (I can't with my 3.0 HP unit either), but you don't need to.

The CFM ratings of impact wrenches should be taken with a grain of salt, as there is an assumption of duty cycle.

Although I have heard good things about the Harbor Freight Earthquake, I use and like the classic Ingersol-Rand IR231C.

Edit: One detail that can make quite a difference in air flow is to standardize on the 3/8" ID quick disconnects (instead of the usual 1/4") and a 1/2" ID hose. This greatly reduces frictional losses and improves flow to the tool. Naturally, you won't find these fittings at Home Cheapo.

I use 3/8th connecters on all my air tools and found them at HD/Lowes. Sometimes you need to look in all the bins as people don't always put them back where they found them. Double check them for male/female fit and get some Teflon tape to seal the threads. A good hose that stays flexible in Winter is also a good buy.
I use a Campbell-Hausfield pancake compressor and have had no problems with it keeping up with my tools. For what you are describing as your intent you should have no problem with a pancake compressor.
One other thought is if you are going to use the compressor outdoors in the Winter for long periods of time get an oil-less compressor. Buddy of mine bought an oil one and the oil gums up no matter how thin of an oil he uses.

[fireandice9008]

Once you go pneumatic impact, it's hard to go back. The best hoses i've found so far, that don't break the bank, are Goodyear. Made in USA and somehow sold at Harbor Freight. I use mine with a 2 foot or so "whip hose" on the end.

[martyo]

Once you go pneumatic impact, it's hard to go back. The best hoses i've found so far, that don't break the bank, are Goodyear. Made in USA and somehow sold at Harbor Freight. I use mine with a 2 foot or so "whip hose" on the end.

HF ia either discontinuing or limiting the Goodyear hoses from their product line, which sucks because they were a good buy. I think Northern still carries the GY hoses.

[fireandice9008]

HF ia either discontinuing or limiting the Goodyear hoses from their product line, which sucks because they were a good buy. I think Northern still carries the GY hoses.

Well that sucks, thanks for the heads up!

[whitey]

I didnt know i could use a pancake compressor for air tools, maybe i need to upgrade my tools also.

[burt ragio]

Bob just saw your post. Feel free to borrow my Craftsman 1/2 litheium 20 volt impact wrench. Best tool ever bought at Sears. Great torque no cords to drag around light & easy to use. I use it for evrything from change of winter summer wheels brakes to coil/shock change. As for a floor jack mine is way to heavey. When it comes time for another I would like one much lighter.