Hello, I'm getting ready to purchase a compressor, impact wrench, and air ratchet. Would a 120 max psi, 2.5hp compressor with an 8 gal. tank suffice for an impact wrench (and air ratchet)working at 90psi that have an air consumption of 4CFM (granted, I probably won't be holding the trigger down for a full minute each time I use it)? It seems like it would work fine to me, but I'm new to the air tool thing and kind of wanted to get some input on your guys' setups. Anyway, here are the compressor specs. Then below are the impact wrench/ratchet (set) specs. Thanks for any input!

Air compressor
Heavy duty 2.5 HP rated motor
Air delivery: 5.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI; 7.2 SCFM @ 40 PSI
Oil lubricated pump
Thermal overload protection
Dual capacitors for fast, easy starts
Easy-to-read pressure regulator gauge
Clear view oil window for easier maintenance
High impact ABS shroud protects the motor
CSA certified
120V, 60Hz, 3400 RPM; Single stage pump, 120 PSI max; Air outlet: 1/4''-18NPT; Weight: 65 lbs.

Impact wrench/Air ratchet
3/8" air ratchet wrench for fast action on automotive fasteners
Reversible 1/2" impact wrench delivers 230 powerful ft. lbs. of torque
1/2" socket set includes sizes: 7/16" through 1" by 16ths and a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter. Chrome vanadium steel construction and lifetime warranty
Reversible 3/8'' Ratchet: Air pressure: 90 PSI, Air consumption: 4 CFM, Maximum torque (ft. lbs.): 50, Speed: 150 RPM, Inlet: 1/4"-18 NPT, Length: 10-1/8"; Reversible 1/2'' Impact Wrench; Air pressure: 90; Avg. Air Consumption: 4 CFM; Bolt capacity: 1/2"; Maximum torque (ft. lbs.): 230; Speed: 7000 RPM; Reversible; Inlet: 1/4" NPT; Length: 7-1/4"; Weight: 5 lbs

 

would be intresting to see what the compressor costs? It seems ok but I would probably steer clear if its one of those direct drive models.

Here is a good deal on a small compressor with big numbers fixed compressor link


As far as the impact wrench goes I would avoid skimping in this area. I know lowes sells IR for very reasonable and you can pick up a 450+ ft/lb wrench for around $100. There is nothing worse than a rattle gun that just makes noise and wont turn anything.

$70 wrench w 550 ft/lp


little better quality 500 ft/lb wrench for $107


Impact wrench selection is often more critical than compressor selection. I dont think that 230 ft/lb wrench would remove a crank pully bolt and whats the point of having an impact wrench when it lets you down on the really tough stuff?

 

That link sends you to the index...

 

get good stuff.... i have a couple retired guns from where i used to work, they were both broken, but i pieced the 2 of them together and got 1 working gun...

as far as running air tools..... get the biggest tanked compressor you can find... very few compressors can straight run any air tool, so the air tool is basically running off of tank air... and tank air depletes quickly with air tools.... i have a 6 gallong tnak on my little compressor, i can get one wheel off (and i only have 5 lugs) before i have to wait for it to refill the tank.....

 

thats weird? everytime I click it I go right to the compressor??





there is a pic...

 

its probably cookied on your computer....

 

How much is that one in the pic?

 

If I looked at the right one in the pic, I think it was like $240.

 

This compressor is very good for the money. They say factory serviced but they are new. They were made by CH for lowes and now lowes wants there namebrand on the compressors they sell. So these are all the ones that lowes had in stock and returned to CH. $223.99 is a exellent deal. It will be plenty for impacts and air ratchets.

I would stay away from from no name compressors like the one in the pic. If you ever need parts for them they are impossible to get.



http://www.chpower.com/chimages/cata...17_216x500.gif

 

That compressor you have listed is not too good Thomas. It doesn't appear to be an oil lubricated model and its direct drive with plastic shrouds no less. look at the numbers compared to the grizzly compressor and you will see why the grizzly compressor is far superior.

Just for kicks you should order a free catalog from Grizzly Industrial and see just how large a company they are. I assure you that you can buy any part you need for just about anything they sell including the big dollar manufacturing equipment they sell to little manufacturers like ford motor company or Lazy Boy or Toyota Industrial Sales. Maybe do a little research huh...

 

Oilless direct drive compressors are fine for light duty use, but they get hot during continuous use and are very noisy.

Get a compressor with the biggest tank you can manage, it's the large volume of air that really makes impact wrenches work great, not compressor CFM.

Big compressor CFM is really only necessary for running tools like air drills, grinders, cutoff wheels, etc.

This is what Yama uses. Overkill for most people, but I do use air drills, and cutoff wheels a lot, and often have mutiple air tools running.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...60V&lpage=none

 

I just bought one from Lowes about 3 months ago. I was going to get the one in the link above, but I kinda wanted one I could move around. It's a 30 gallon 5 or 6 HP oil lubricated compressor. I have yet to buy an impact wrench or air ratchet, but I am pretty sure it will handle it with ease-it is rated for it. It is also rated for some things like the grinders and cut-off tools, but only for intermittent use. If I knew I was never going to move my compressor, I would have gotten the bigger one, but I like mine.

I would provide a link, but for some reason Lowe's does not list that one on their website. It's $379.00 at Lowe's.

 

From personal experience.... the tank in the pic will not hold up well to an impact wrench and it take forever for it to cycle and build pressure back up. I know it's very expensive but get one from a higher end and preferably a 20 gallon *I realize it may be out of your investment range* If it's somethign you will use quite often you will be glad you did, but just for the smaller projects and using an air ratchet you will be fine on the smaller one. I hated using the old smaller one when using a ratchet alone because the pressure would still get weak, but the impact wrench just killed most of the pressure for one bolt!

 

Sorry man, I looked at the pic and assumed it was one of those chinese air compressors you can get from HDC or somthing. :pat:

 

i have a 35 gallon tank and you would be surprised how fast it will go. i love the air tools, i would never want to give them up.

 

Yep,I have this one and it fills in about 5 minutes from empty and with impact or wrenches it comes on often.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00923754000

 

Found some good and informative reading about air compressors here: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/2-co...get-71745.html
The 2nd page gets interesting.

 

you can also check Auto Parts Inner for some info's regarding air compressor, also provides simple diagrams on various automotive systems. Hope it helps you out.