Air tools and compressor?

I went about as cheaply as I could. It's this one or something close to it.
8 gal. 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor
It's basically disposable, but has worked fine for about 10 years so far.

 

I absolutely agree with that.
And those suggesting it weren't paying attention to your requirements.
Nothing new there.

 

i picked up a sweet senco compressor at home cheapot. not inexpensive, but whisper quiet, which i really appreciate. low scfm though, probably just enough for a finish nailer. i only use it for tyres.

 

One or two what? The point I was after there was just that you can get away with a technically "undersized" compressor for light use, but in that case it might pay to buy slightly larger-diameter hose, higher capacity regulator, more unobstructed couplings, etc., than would normally be used with a compressor of that small size. The idea being to put something together with a small average air pumping capacity, but still able to move gobs of air from the tank through the hose to the tool in those short bursts when you're pulling the trigger. Hose and regulators are easy to google for ... 'high flow air coupling' or 'swing air coupling' are, too.

-Chap

 

I can't tell you where exactly because it's been maybe 5 years ago.......but I got a "set" of air tools (impact wrench, air ratchet, air hammer and some other small stuff) for about $150 IIRC.
Not for heavy duty use but they all worked fine for my light infrequent use.
You don't HAVE to spend a lot of money to get a functional set or air tools.

And I gave you one example of a good "mid-range" compressor; did you miss that ??

 

Again, there's no magical compressor capacity you need to have before the air tool police allow you to own an impact wrench. A little 2 CFM Viair nestled in the spare rim in the trunk will let you do honest work with an impact wrench, if your usage is infrequent and you don't mind working in short bursts and keeping yourself entertained while the tank refills.

For reference, when I bought my Gen 3, the lug nuts were so stuck there was nothing (not even the cheater pipe taller than me) that budged them. Impact wrench made it easy. I was using a four gallon tank, and one fill would loosen about four lug nuts, so it took five fills to get all the wheels off. Didn't take long, and made the job easy.

Since that day, the only person torquing my lug nuts is me, so they never need an impact wrench to get them off. But for those jobs that need it, it's great to have.

Drove out to my sister's with the impact wrench, four gallon tank, and little Viair in the car, to change her water heater anode rod (those things are notorious for needing an impact wrench and lots of patience to remove; essentially, their design purpose is to corrode so the tank doesn't). That was more tedious, as I had to refill the tank about 12 times before the rod budged. But it made the job possible, and not impractically tedious considering how seldom it has to be done.

-Chap

 

That kinda made me have a flashback to when I worked in a tire shop while I was in college about 45 years ago. Someone had a lug nut that wouldn't even come loose with the impact wrench. So we ripped up the OSHA manual. We had a guy there who weighed about 300 pounds. We put a heavy duty tire iron (this was back when they weren't made of stamped pot metal) on the nut and had the other end on a jack stand. A couple of us helped "Tiny" jump on the tire iron and we finally got it loosened. I'm pretty sure the boss wasn't looking.

 

Having been faced with impossible lug-nut, many years ago (on my old Corolla), I thought "Never again!" and now carry my trusty Pittsburg Pro 25" breaker-bar ($19.99), which I store next to the driver's seat on the floor.

 

Was that with or without the 20% off coupon?

 

It was a while ago, and I think it must have been "sans-coupon", I remember thinking at the time that $20 is still a damned sight cheaper that a decent baseball bat!!! (and does far more damage! ) (...and is useful for removing stubborn nuts (...including those holding the wheels!))

 

My last purchase at Harbor Freight was the 1/2" electric impact wrench. $49 before 20% off coupon. But since Harbor Freight isn't above then49th parallel, @Mendel Leisk would have to drive to Bellingham to get one.

Works well

 

He could likely get something better at Canadian Tire.

 

I see there is a bias towards Harbor Freight . Must have some "high quality " Snap On or Craftsman pieces in your collection.

I haven't snapped any tools yet and they perform their job well.