WHATS A GOOD IMPACT WRENCH?

[k0ua]

Because when you weld it with your MIG, there will be gaps to trap moisture on the inside, and it will rust faster, Just my opinion but I would not do that. Remember the pipe will have a lot of water and air in it.. so the smoother and less places to trap water the better. Just my 2 cents. What did you think about the PEX or other pressure rated plastic? (not PVC). was it too high. or did you find any? if you are going to have a lot of joints. you could check out a harbor freight pipe theading set?. Might be worth it. not sure. I managed to do my gas piping using black iron, all from Lowes. a lot of carefull measuring, and fittings. but I got 'er' done.
James K0UA

 

[escavader]

Because when you weld it with your MIG, there will be gaps to trap moisture on the inside, and it will rust faster, Just my opinion but I would not do that. Remember the pipe will have a lot of water and air in it.. so the smoother and less places to trap water the better. Just my 2 cents. What did you think about the PEX or other pressure rated plastic? (not PVC). was it too high. or did you find any? if you are going to have a lot of joints. you could check out a harbor freight pipe theading set?. Might be worth it. not sure. I managed to do my gas piping using black iron, all from Lowes. a lot of carefull measuring, and fittings. but I got 'er' done.
James K0UA

Ididnt see any PEX at hd ,i even went to the air section to see if they sold the RAPID AIR system.Is that hose the same as PEX ? COPPER is definately out ill buy the Rapid air before ill shell out that much and have to sweat it togeather-same money or less
ALAN

 

[kevinj]

AT HOMEDEPOT tonight; a 10 length of 3/4 about 11 bucks .COPPER WAS 24
Let me ask you guys this ,ill put this togeather with fittings when possible,but when i need a short peice WHY CANT I WELD IT TOGEATHER WITH MY MIG to save fitting and or threading costs? If i need an elbow ,why cant i heat it up with my rosebud and bend it?Less chance for leaks ,better flow etc im thinking.
One thing i noticed at HD looking at hose,the biggest they had was 3/8,THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE A SPOT FOR 1/2
alan

They make short pieces up to 12" called nipples. No need to weld.

Also find a plumbing supply house and get 20' lengths for you long runs, saves fittings.

Also check a rental store for a pipe vise and power threader rental.

You can pipe a small shop in a day.

 

[PoorMansCat]

try a Harbor Freight EARTHQUAKE 1/2" drive...for commercial use, there are much better impacts out there, BUT, for home use the Earthquake is a fairly stout impact. The Ingersol-Rand composite impacts are NOT worth the money, they are very frail and the air motor gives up quickly..

 

[k0ua]

They make short pieces up to 12" called nipples. No need to weld.

Also find a plumbing supply house and get 20' lengths for you long runs, saves fittings.

That is what I did with my gas piping project. besides the 20 foot sections are cheaper per foot than the box store 10 foot sections.
I didn't think about the rental, good idea.
James K0UA

 

[tommaple]

If you are using 1/2" iron pipe (approximately 5/8" inside) you can bend it without heat using a 3/4" EMT conduit bender. This gives a nice broad sweep with no joints to leak. I did this with a 21' piece of 1/2" pipe, starting after the flexible hose at the compressor, and going up the wall where it turned 90 degrees and went along the ceiling. It's easy to add another length or two to get to the opposite end of the building. Be sure it has some slope so water drains the same direction as the air flows.

After saying this, I am building a new shop and will be using copper instead of iron. ( I am also going to look at the Pex type air pipe.) Even with a slope in the pipe I have had significant rust build up in the line. My compressor doesn't run that often, so that may have added to the rust problem. I can go for a month at a time without using an air tool.

HD or Lowes is not where I'd go for pipe. Contact a plumbing supply house for full lengths of black iron or L copper.

Good luck, this is quite a project just to get a couple nuts loosened!

 

[dcyrilc]

I didn't think about the rental, good idea.
James K0UA

Definately a good idea... I should have thought of it.:laughing:

I have all the threading gear for everything from 1/4" up to 2". Don't use it much any more though.

 

[KubotainNH]

Air tools 101...lots of good info here. I will add to the too much rubber hose thought. I can twist almost anything off near my compressor but add 100' of hose and the power drops like a rock. Forget using the small curly hose, it's useless for that task. Out of all the air tools I have the impact wrench is the pickiest. Seems every time the hammer spins and hits, the rubber hoses expand and you lose some power. Going metal should be a huge help but also watch other things that can restrict like older regulators that stick. One other thing I've noticed on mine is that if I find it getting weak it's sometimes crudded up inside. I pull it apart and clean/lubricate the air fins then it's back to normal. I used to have a cheapo CH, it was close to useless. I now have a twin hammer Northern Tool unit they say is rated for 900ft/lbs, bought it on sale and it's pulled off almost everything I needed except for one crank bolt that needed lots of heat and a really long breaker bar. This is my unit, not too loud or heavy: Northern Industrial Heavy-Duty Composite Impact Wrench 1/2in. Drive | 1/2in. Drive | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[dex3361]

I have a Campbell Hausfield 1/2 impact and it is weak at best. So I thought I would try the 1/2 inch Earthquake from HF and it has proven to be a fine impact wrench. It took the large bolts on the rotary cutter loose without a hitch. I have to be careful that I don't twist bolts off with it though.

 

[k0ua]

Ididnt see any PEX at hd ,i even went to the air section to see if they sold the RAPID AIR system.Is that hose the same as PEX ? COPPER is definately out ill buy the Rapid air before ill shell out that much and have to sweat it togeather-same money or less
ALAN

I went to the HD today at lunch, and they had the 3/4 PEX for $44 per roll of 100 foot, and 10 foot sticks for $5 per stick. the 1/2 was $25 per roll of 100 and the 10 foot sticks were 2.98 each. they also had all the "sharkbite" fittings and adaptors and crimp rings and tools.
I think I might try it for ease of install and price. It is only rated at 160 lbs at 73 degrees. and derated to 100 lbs at 180 degrees. but it might be a cheap solution. It has some plus points (cheap, easy, supposedly safe) and some negatives. (not as durable as iron or copper, sags, not as high pressure) but all in all I might give it a try.
James K0UA