ronjhall, thanks for the info, I like Ingersoll air tools too! I was thinking along those lines for the air tool. Yes in a pinch, the electric would be very convenient for quick turnaround jobs.
Bird, for my needs I think I could probably need the the<font color=blue> IR 255 </font color=blue>, as listed on the Harbour Freight Website <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32428>Bigger Air Impact </A>
So I will be saving my pennies to eventually get one.
<font color=blue>... I see in my new Craftsman catalog they have an "AIRCAT" that claims 640 ft/lbs</font color=blue>
Can you sense that another of my famous dumb questions is coming? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
How on earth does one hang on to a tool like that? Doesn't it immediately break both of your arms the second you turn it on? If you aren't able to reply, due to both arms being in casts, I'll understand. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Nuru, the IR255 is a nice tool. I rebuilt/repaired several of them. Like everything else, if you need that bigger one, it's nice. It's a bit heavy to carry around if you can do the job with a smaller, lighter one. That's one reason so many diesel mechanics buy the IR2131.
And of course, I'd have probably never had one to repair if the shops that used them hadn't been running 175 psi on their air lines, if they'd drained the water out of their air tanks, and if the mechanics had remembered to lubricate them once in awhile./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
<font color=blue>How on earth does one hang on to a tool like that?</font color=blue>
Bob, impact wrenches "hammer" until the bolt loosens up before they start spinning continuously, so they don't try to turn in your hand like a strong drill will. They're actually no problem at all. You just use them with one hand normally until you get up to the 1" or larger models. Those big ones are usually made to use with both hands, but it's just because they're so darned heavy to pick up and use, not because of the torque they produce.
Mike, the 3/4" one will do most, but not all, jobs, as has been pointed out by John Miller. But gosh, those 3/4" ones are heavy to carrry around, and don't forget that you'll have to buy larger, more expensive sockets, too.
<font color=blue>...Bob, impact wrenches "hammer" until the bolt loosens up before they start spinning continuously, so they don't try to turn in your hand like a strong drill will.</font color=blue>
Ah, I see. Thanks, Bird. The only use I can foresee for such a tool would be getting the blades off my rear mount mower. Probably I'm best off with an electric one for now? I'd love an air tank, but that will have to come later (says the CFO.)
Well....Santa brought me a new BX2200, FEL, 50"Snowblower, 60" MMM. I spent about 2 weeks reviewing the posts on this board and shopping at ALL major tractor dealers. I think that was the secret.....all the shopping broke down my wife who finally okayed the purchase! It was a hard choice between the BX and the B7500. It was the John Deer dealer that finally sold me on the BX! He rightly said that I could rent a back hoe a bunch of times for the cost of a smaller back how that might not be up to the work I needed it for.
Thanks for all the informative posts that help make the decision easier. Should be taking delivery the end of this week. I bought the tractor from a dealer that was recommended on this bulletin board, the deal was painless and he even took my older tractor in trade at a fair price.
Happy New Year.
Bird, thank you for the info, This is very helpful. It definitely looks like a choice between the three, leaning towards the IR255, but the 261 and the 2131 are still in the mix.