Rep Power: 242

I am starting to collect a descent amount of tools from working on my car over the past few years. I've got all the basic stuff but I think it's time to take a step up. I want to start getting air tools. I figured that an impact wrench and ratchet would be the best place to start. I saw this set from Craftsman and didn't know how good of a deal is was. Craftsman 10 Piece Air Tool Set The impact wrench only has 230ft./lbs. torque. I know that a lot of people use Ingersoll impact guns like this one: Ingersoll Rand Pro Wrench Combo Kit Would this be a better option? I'm just looking for some good tools to start off with. I don't need the best, but I also don't want crap. Any input is much appreciated.

 
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I have this same kit but I got it from Harbor Freight for $80. It's just a rebranded far east import. The air ratchet is shitty and so is the impact wrench. The ratchet constantly seizes (yes its oiled) and the impact has zero *****. IMO, don't buy it, it's not worth the money. Spend the extra $50 on the Ingersoll. My air tool set is just garage art at this point. I never use it they suck so bad.

Also make sure your compressor's lungs are big enough to drive the tools without constantly having to refill. My little 5 gallon didn't do so well on those tools. Although that may be because they are so inefficient and blow air all over the place instead of focusing it on the actual hammer mechanism.

Just my .02, hope it helps.

 
Rep Power: 242

I figured that I should go with the Ingersoll. A lot of people really like them. What size tank would you suggest having?

 
Rep Power: 252

some "far east import" and a CRAFTSMAN is not the same. so dont act like they are...

my .02cents

 
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but yea my friend had that Craftsman set and it sucked lol

 
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ok then. Ingersoll it is then. lol

 
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Dude, it's a known fact that CRAFTSMAN simply re-brands a lot of their power tools that they get from crappy vendors in China and Taiwan. This impact set is one of them. This same set sells on Harbor Freight, Ebay over here in the UK, every cheap car boot sale, and so on. It's crap and unfortunately CRAFTSMAN made a bad marketing decision to choose whichever shitass company makes them as a supplier.

Their hand tools are a different story. They are quality. So are their higher-end (read: more expensive) power tools. This bargain bin crap is the same **** you can buy everywhere else. I love CRAFTSMAN, don't get me wrong. But in this case you're paying an extra $20 for the name and getting the same POS set of air tools.

 
Rep Power: 424

Craftsman power tools aren't always so hot. Some of them are cheap enough that you dont care how well they work, but stuff like that, you want a monster.
Edwin's got some big beefy 1000 lb-ft Matco gun, I think 4 clicks later it had my axle nuts off. If you can afford it and your air system can keep pace with it, get the most powerful sucker you can buy. IR air tools are fairly good.

 
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thats why I like the Ingersoll... it's fairly powerful and it leaves money in my budget to buy a beasty air tank

 
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Get a Snap-on impact wrench. They are kinda pricey, but you won't regret it.

 
Rep Power: 286

IR or Snap-on is good. I've noticed IR impact wrenches always have one particular problem. Well its not really a problem, but its a defect. After time the impact wrench tends to spin on its own without squeezing the trigger. It spins at a low speed though. Almost everyone I've known with a IR impact wrench had this issue.

Invest in a good tank though.

 
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ingersol rand, snap-on blue point, chicago pneumatics, cornwell are all good brands, craftsman is crap

 
Rep Power: 242

Is 500 ft./lbs. enough power?

 
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what r u gonna b doing with it?? cuz thats enough to remove lugs, and some stuck bolts, 650 or 750 may be better

 
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i do suspension work and some other stuff. nothing really major. i would like to do more involved stuff in the future though

 
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get more ft/lb ull thank me when u do, u can always turn a gun down, but u cant always turn it up

 
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so how high? I have a moderate skill level with cars, I can do most anything except internals work and forced induction. I would like to be able to do everything. I will be gaining experience in this in the near future. I just don't want to buy an impact wrench that breaks the bank and has way more torque than I need

 
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i have a 750 that i use everyday, most the day, by chicago pneumatics, cost me 189 with 5 sockets, i can also recommend ingersoll rand, they make guns for snap-on and cornwell, two excellent tool companies, both of which i use all day long, either of the two will do u just fine, but it takes about 90psi to run most of them

 
Rep Power: 242

189? where did you get that? the Ingersoll Rand that has that much torque is like 250

 
Rep Power: 252

^^^yea i wanna know 2...damn axel nuts

 
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they dont have the 750 anymore, but here is a 625 for 172
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/cpt749k.html

 
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625 is plenty for anything ur gonna do, unless ur doing large trucks like 650s or 750s then u dont need any more than that, i work on 650s and 750s a few times aweek, and have to be able to get the lugs off, so i hve to have more, i got mine on special from that same website

 
Rep Power: 331

crapsman FTL
MATCO FTW
i use a 1000 ft lbs nut busting tq impact gun, it's never let me down, i abuse the **** out of it and it's still as strong as the day i bought it. Matco's impact guns are just rebranded Ingersol tools with longer warranties and different color. I think my gun was $350~ on sale from $4XX. I bought it because it's the quietest impact gun on the market. It hardly makes any noise.
mt1769Q


im not saying go get matco, but definately stick with the ingersol rand. high quality **** right there..snao on is good, but it's over priced.