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[quote=”Mechanic2001″ post=156543]Hello everyone, I am deciding whether I should buy a compressor and air tools, or buy a cordless impact? I found a nice 28 gal compressor on CL for $50. it is 150 max psi. Then spend about 120 ish on an impact. Or, save up a little more and get a cordless. What are your thoughts and experiences?[/quote]
$50 for a 28 Gallon compressor doesn’t sound right to me at least not one in good condition not sure though don’t live in the US decent compressors here are expensive.
but personally the compressor is going to be more versatile I own a snap on mg725 air gun and a Milwaukee 2763 and If I’m doing a lot of work the airgun wins out it’s lighter in the hand and can fit in places the electric cant, saying that if I want to do undo a dozen bolts my Milwaukee is there and ready to go
One thing to add the compressor will give you options for air ratchets compressed air blowers die grinders cut of wheels da sanders etc etc. Regardless of whether or not you own the electric gun An air compressor is always handy when working on vehicles.
Well there is an expiration date on all pressure vessels. I would look for that. i would also have them start it up and then drain the tank and if you get a whole lot of water or water and rust I would steer clear from that compressor. If you can I would also take a look with a flashlight through the drain port. sometimes this is possible sometimes not. Air tanks need be drained often even when not in use. Though if you use an air dryer after the pump but, before the tank it can help keep moisture low. Though temperature changes of 10-15 degrees will cause moisture to form in the tank. Since most tanks are steel this forms rust inside the tank. This is not good for the tank and also can get small particles of rust in your tools none of this is good for anything. Adding an in line oiler before the tank can help prevent this but, then if you air up tires with it, it will put oil into the tires which is not good for the tires….. Another thing that can be done is using Air Line Antifreeze aka denatured alcohol but, this is not goo for your tires as well as it will dry them out. It will also do the same thing to the air lines you use as it does to the tires. Though damage will likely be less as most hoses are meant to deal with some of these things but, you have to make sure they are rated for that kind of stuff internally not just the sheathing outside the hose.
With that being said if it is good get an air impact there is nothing like them. Electric are good but, air tools are significantly cheaper. The initial cost for a compressor, dryer, lines, and fittings can be expensive but, if you maintain them properly they will last you a long time and the cost savings for air tools often mitigates if not exceeds that of electric. If you oil and grease your air tools properly they also will last a really really long time. Though if you are not using them frequently at least once every 6mo they can have the oil gel up in them and cause issues. This can be mitigated by using seal type bags and what not.
Electric tools can be good if you do not plan on making this a serious hobby. The battery packs tend to go bad but, if you know how to solder they can be repaired/replaced relatively easily. Every 3-5 years they change battery packs trying to make you buy new tools all over again. This is a huge downside to me but, if you are good at electrical work you can normally fix the power tools without too many issues though with the newer ones that are brushless use circuit boards which are not as easily repaired and once friend internally are not replaceable. Electrics do not perform as well as air in any way shape or form. This is mainly because of the battery pack.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=156595] Electrics do not perform as well as air in any way shape or form[/quote]
There are lots of cheaper cordless impacts that can’t provide the same power as air tools, but If you spend the money to get something like the IR W7150 electric impact gun, you have a professional cordless impact that can stand toe-to-toe with any 1/2″ air gun, and which outperforms many of them. I’ve owned one for 3 years now, and I’ve yet to find the fastener it won’t break loose within seconds. Even big Loctited suspension bolts get torn out without breaking sweat.
An air compressor offers huge versatility, to be sure, but the professional-level electric tools are just as powerful.
Snap On is the worst for Cordless tools,always broke and sent in for repairs most of the time.I have the 18 volt Milwaukee Fuel 1/2 drive cordless impact and the thing is a beast.Milwaukee has the best warranty,5 years on the tool and 3 years on the batteries.My Matco dealer has been selling the Milwaukee fuel line real easy to customers that had nothing but problems with their Snap On cordless tools.
I’ll triple that for Milwaukee. I own two snapon air impacts (mg325/mg725), and 4 Milwaukee impacts (m12 1/4″, m12 3/8, m18 3/8, and m18 1/2 high torque). I live and die by my cordless, but I’ll admit I could get by without them. All those tools represent a very substantial investment (about $1500). Choose what your budget allows. If you are strapped for cash, I will say that many of the younger techs start off with used air guns from the pawn shops at a fraction of the cost of what the truck sells them for. I would stay very far away from truck brand cordless tools. They are trash in my opinion and the batteries don’t fit as many things as the dedicated manufacturers do like mikita, Milwaukee, dewalt, etc.
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[quote=”Jeason15″ post=157702]I’ll triple that for Milwaukee. I own two snapon air impacts (mg325/mg725), and 4 Milwaukee impacts (m12 1/4″, m12 3/8, m18 3/8, and m18 1/2 high torque). I live and die by my cordless, but I’ll admit I could get by without them. All those tools represent a very substantial investment (about $1500). Choose what your budget allows. If you are strapped for cash, I will say that many of the younger techs start off with used air guns from the pawn shops at a fraction of the cost of what the truck sells them for. I would stay very far away from truck brand cordless tools. They are trash in my opinion and the batteries don’t fit as many things as the dedicated manufacturers do like mikita, Milwaukee, dewalt, etc.
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Mac’s cordless tools are made by Dewalt and use the Dewalt batteriesI was in the same boat as you plus my home workshop/garage is so small, I have to move a car out to do any auto repair/maintenance let alone just to do laundry both wash and dry. However I found a compressor was more versatile as I use it to fill our vehicle’s tires, our bicycle tires, blowing stuff hence I bought air tools to go with it. Plus I love the sound air impact tools make when being used.
I found that unless you spent a lot of money, the cordless are somewhat limited on max torque – I went with a corded electric as I don’t have room for a large compressor in the garage. It’s rated to 350 ft-lbs (quite a bit less than the higher rated air tools, but quite a bit more than the typical cordless)
I’d look over that compressor carefully – might be a great deal.
The question is if the impact wrench is the only reason you are getting an air compressor? Air compressor will give you more versatility as far as tools and utility. That utility is limited to the capacity and duty-cycle rating of the air compressor too. A 28 gallon air compressor will give you some options up to running an impact intermittently along with a few other tools like ratchets and nail guns but you would probably need something a bit bigger with a higher CFM and duty-cycle rating for extended jobs or using tools like drills, sanders, grinders, etc. Electric cordless impacts are now easily equal to even very good 1/2″ air impacts with a strong compressor behind them. I have an Ingersoll-Rand IQ 1/2″ impact with around 700 ft-lbs max reverse torque, nothing I’ve ever wrenched on would give that tool trouble and it’s rated for fleet service use. It’s an expensive tool but I can just toss it in the truck without worrying about dragging along a compressor, hose, extension cord, and hoping whatever outlet I plug into will support it. With cordless tools it’s ready as long as the battery is charged. Pros and Cons either way. I plan on installing a 60 gallon air compressor in the near future so I can have the best of both worlds.
[quote=”DrD” post=160379]I found that unless you spent a lot of money, the cordless are somewhat limited on max torque – I went with a corded electric as I don’t have room for a large compressor in the garage. It’s rated to 350 ft-lbs (quite a bit less than the higher rated air tools, but quite a bit more than the typical cordless)
I’d look over that compressor carefully – might be a great deal.[/quote]
The Milwaukee 18V Fuel is close to a 1000 ft-lbs when loosening bolts. Don´t know if it is a “typical” cordless, but….
Couldn’t live without both. When my batteries die, I grab air. When nothing fits, I grab stubby air. When I can, I use cordless. Either way, it’s a huge investment. I probably have well over $2000 worth of Milwaukee electric and snapon/matco air tools… that’s not counting the compressor which the shop supplies.
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The Harbor Freight Earthquake 1/2″ drive impact wrenches are where it’s at (check out the reviews if you don’t take my word for it). Buy one. They’re on sale right now (I saw a coupon, anyway: $75).
Earthquake is good for a starter but, if you do this seriously you are better off with an IR, Chicago Pnuematic, Snap-on or any tool truck brand. It would work for the average guy just changing tires but, hobbiest or better once it starts to wear it starts to loose torque one of the car techs at work has one and he went this won’t come off i even used my impact. I laughed handed him my 3.5 yr old SO MG725 and it zinged it off. Earthquake is 700 ft lbs. MG725 is 1200 in reverse. I told him yours might be fine for doing light stuff but, you really should get one that is meant for the job.
Like i said though for a tire changer and once in a while its fine. For hobbiest I say go with an older model IR or Chicago Pnuematic. They will hold up way better.
lol, you’re comparing it to a gun which costs $500. And in a thread by a guy who doesn’t even have an air compressor yet.
There’s no economic analysis on earth which would justify the snap-on unit for anybody who isn’t a full-time professional mechanic.
On the other hand I would expect an uber-credentialist to place a premium on a brand name.
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