Electric VS Air

[dstig1]

:laughing::laughing:Of course you're right about the average CFM. My IR231 is rated at 4.2 CFM, but 22 CFM for continuous running under load. But if you need 5 hp and 60 gallon tank, that's fine with me. I've never had to run an impact wrench continuously under load for a long period of time, since I let off the trigger when I take a bolt out or a nut off, and let the wrench quit turning until I put it on the next one. And then it only runs a matter of seconds before loosening the next one.

Then you've never had to take off the crank bolt from even a weenie little Honda 4cyl engine. The one that was put on by a factory trained gorilla and then tightened through years of use and corrosion. My first try took over 30 total minutes of pounding with the impact. Waiting for recovery once it got too low, and then hitting it again and again. I only had a 60 gal single stage "5 horse (so they say...)" at the time. Now I have a serious 2 stage 80 gal with a REAL 5 horse motor. The difference is astounding. And that was with a good old IR 231 impact too. I upgraded the wrench to the newer Ti 2135 later on too. Much stronger.

 

[DXN1EL]

Is this for real? 6,000 rpm 5.3 HP Angle Grinder

 

[Depmandog]

In one tool arena, pneumatic wins hands down IMHO, and that's pneumatic nailers. Specifically those small pin, finish and staplers used in furniture building.

I do have a gas cartridge & battery powered framing nailer that's very handy, and I would say I prefer that over dragging a hose across a construction site - but for a shop setting and the smaller finish type nailers I do prefer air powered.

For the impacts, DA sanders and the like, my preference is air powered, especially for the larger projects, requiring more oomph.

 

[Bird]

Then you've never had to take off the crank bolt from even a weenie little Honda 4cyl engine. The one that was put on by a factory trained gorilla and then tightened through years of use and corrosion. My first try took over 30 total minutes of pounding with the impact. Waiting for recovery once it got too low, and then hitting it again and again. I only had a 60 gal single stage "5 horse (so they say...)" at the time. Now I have a serious 2 stage 80 gal with a REAL 5 horse motor. The difference is astounding. And that was with a good old IR 231 impact too. I upgraded the wrench to the newer Ti 2135 later on too. Much stronger.

:laughing:Yeah, I used to have a 60 gallon compressor with what was labelled as a "6 hp" motor, but the salesman from whom I bought it told me beforehand that they called it an "imitation 6 hp" and he showed me one of their real 5 hp motors on a 2 stage 80 gallon compressor. And the IR231 and CP734 were probably the biggest selling, best liked, most common half inch impacts sold for many years, but there are certainly lots of more powerful ones available now. And of course, I'd recommend a 2 stage, 80 gallon, 175 psi compressor for everyone if you have plenty of money and 230v power handy. But I think I'm safe in saying such is not really needed by 99% of us.:laughing:

I assume that everyone knows that all the impacts that I'm familiar with are rated at 90 psi. You can certainly get more power with higher pressure, although it's harder on the tool. As I've said in the past, high air pressure, moisture and dirt in through the air intake, and lack of lubrication are what keeps an air tool repairman in business.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a cheaper 5hp 60 gal single stage compressor. The air tools I have are the typical impacts, ratchets, hammer, drills, small and big buffers. The big drill and buffer really eat the air and the compressor can't keep up. I don't do much shop work any more, but if I did, I would get a two stage compressor.

 

[Gem99ultra]

No doubt this will be viewed as a stupid, inappropriate question...

But - can you use a bottle of compressed air with an air tool, assuming that you regulate the pressure to something reasonable?

 

[ericher69]

No doubt this will be viewed as a stupid, inappropriate question... But - can you use a bottle of compressed air with an air tool, assuming that you regulate the pressure to something reasonable?

Yes

http://powertank.com

CO2 system but air will work just as well; although you won't be able to use an air tool for any length of time.

 

[ray66v]

No doubt this will be viewed as a stupid, inappropriate question...But - can you use a bottle of compressed air with an air tool, assuming that you regulate the pressure to something reasonable?

When I don't need to do much, such as like run a few nails with a small nailer, and don't want to carry an air compressor to where the job is, I use a portable air tank all the time.

If I put 175 psi in my portable air tank, I have enough air to change one tire, with my 1/2" impact. That can come in handy.

 

[DXN1EL]

Milwaukee 6065-6 VS DeWalt D28499X
The DeWalt is better on paper. What about real life?

 

[ray66v]

Milwaukee 6065-6 VS DeWalt D28499X
The DeWalt is better on paper. What about real life?

Between those two, Milwaukee hands down. Mostly because Black and Decker/DeWalt's policy is to discontinue offering any parts, once the type number, (version number), of that model is 10 years out of production.

Milwaukee on the other hand, once supplied me parts for a tool that was 35 years old.

Not that these are, but I would avoid variable speed electric grinders all together, they are too easy to burn up.

I currently have a 9" 15 amp Hitachi from Lowe's, (around $130). And, I am very happy with it. It always takes all I can give it.