Impact and Torque Wrenches

[Bird]

Larry, there are lots of 110/120 volt compressors that will last a long time and can do most jobs. And of course they have the advantage of being portable and can be plugged in almost anywhere. However, I don't know of any that will put out more than 5 to 6 cfm. That's just fine for your 1/2" or smaller impact wrenches and most other small tools, but if you try to run a sander, sand blaster, etc., you'll have to stop every few minutes to let it catch up. Sure is nice to have one that'll put out 10 cfm or better, but of course, isn't worth the extra cost for a lot of people; just depends on what you want to do with it and how much time you want to take. Kind of like whether to buy a big tractor or a little one./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Of course, some the compressors, like that Craftsman John posted the picture of, come for 110 volt, but can also be changed to 220 volt.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Cast Iron/Oil 2 Stage - 60/80 Gallon Units under $450.

I agree absolutely Bird... Go for a cast iron, oil unit...if I had to use it for my livelihood day in and day out, but those cast iron units are tough to move...

I like the portable, lightweight, transportable with wheels because I'm constantly moving it, from house to house, up and down stairways, to work sheds, outside on a generator, etc. { but use a pancake up on the roof}

About 10 years ago, I had one of those Craftsman compressors from haiti... probably the same model you had, but I think it was breaking {air piston connecting rod snaps in half} every 3 or 4 months... Webster would have loved me...NOT... I invented a whole generation of words over that thing... I even vowed never ever to buy another Craftsman, but...It had to be a lemon because the rest work just great...{Yes, all DeVilbiss for Sears, but that first unit was by devil..}

Unless you're running a full-time woodworking shop, a 60 gallon tank should meet your sanding needs... most finish sanding is done in short bursts and you'll have plenty of recovery time. I have a 30 gallon and it works fine.

I think an air compressor and air tools are mandatory equipment...everyone should own! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[glennmac]

Jeesh, all I wanted to do was unscrew three lousy bolts on my mower and now I find out it's mandatory that I drag some sort of oily cast iron tank contraption all over my property.

My mower blades probably dont need sharpening anyway.

 

[DFB]

For anyone who's interested, here's a link to Craftsman's 120/240 oil lubed portable. 6HP Professional #19540 Sears.com

DFB

 

[RobS]

Don't be afraid to apply the KISS principle then Glenn. With three "lousy" bolts you can get at most, three decent box end wrenches (fewer if two or more of the bolts are the same size). Absolutely nothing wrong with turning a wrench by hand. Feeling a bit more luxurious? Spring for a ratchet and a couple of sockets to match. Big, ugly bolts? Get a breaker bar for those sockets. Really ugly bolts? Get a three foot length of iron pipe to slip over the breaker bar for some serious leverage. We're probably well under $100 so far. Still won't budge? Forget the trailer, ramps etc. DRIVE your tractor that five miles to the dealer /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[glennmac]

Rob,

That's commonsensical. I was probably going to buy some cheap electric impact wrench this weekend, but your post reminded my that I bought a new ratchet set 2 years ago when I had my DR brushmower. Completely forgot about it. I bought these car ramps yesterday, so I'm just going to see if the ratchet will take off the mower blades. If it does, and I keep the underdeck reasonably clean and lubricated, I should be ok. Thanks.

I did drive my tractor back from the dealer last weekend after they told me the charges. Saved seventy-five dollars, the ride was quite pleasant, and I have proudly begun my new career as the old guy blocking traffic with a tractor.

 

[Wheeldog]

<font color=blue>and I have proudly begun my new career as the old guy blocking traffic with a tractor.</font color=blue>

Make sure you wear a hat, and leave one of your turn signals on for the whole five miles. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[glennmac]

Good one, Rob. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[RPM]

Always helps to have some nasty looking implement on the 3pt hitch when you're out for a drive. Bale spikes are cheap and tend to keep the cars back. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>Maybe this dealer stuff aint so bad. No, I know, I'll save the delivery charge by getting my own trailer. Then I'll need ramps and chains and load binders ..... Agh. Does it ever end?!</font color=red>

No, but thats half the fun./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif