Air compressor ?'s
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
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From: Viva Nash Vegas! TN
Air compressor ?'s
I am buying an air compressor. I am looking for something small (no 30 gal tanks) and reasonably priced. My primary motivation is for lug nuts on my tires.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
in order to run an impact gun for taking lugs off you're going to need a decent CFM at 90lbs. I think something like 5 cfm or higher. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in. A small compressor will run an air ratchet, but not an impact.
My point being, it wil be hard to find something that will flow the CFM you'll need without having that 30 gal tank. If not, the compressor will run constantly, IF it can even keep up with the required airflow.
My point being, it wil be hard to find something that will flow the CFM you'll need without having that 30 gal tank. If not, the compressor will run constantly, IF it can even keep up with the required airflow.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 1969c3mandy
I am buying an air compressor. I am looking for something small (no 30 gal tanks) and reasonably priced. My primary motivation is for lug nuts on my tires.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
why not an electric impact hammer and a $90 pancake tank? and remember the impact hammer will ruin the chrome on the lugnuts
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
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From: largo florida
If you are talking about the cordless impacts... They suck. They are pretty weak and expensive. I think 200 for a cheap senco one. The battery does last for a while though, probably enough to do 5 or 6 rotates.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I was going to say that it takes some TQ to get off what some moron put on the wheel on my wifes car at some shop.
I went to it with my 1/2 drive air gun set for 105 # of TQ and it wouldn't move the lug nuts. I put a 1/2 breaker bar and stomped on it to get them loose enough.
I use a clicker wrench to set the nuts.
If all your doing is occasional tires you can't beat a 4 ended star wrench.
I went to it with my 1/2 drive air gun set for 105 # of TQ and it wouldn't move the lug nuts. I put a 1/2 breaker bar and stomped on it to get them loose enough.
I use a clicker wrench to set the nuts.
If all your doing is occasional tires you can't beat a 4 ended star wrench.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
I suggest that you not buy an oilless or diaphram type as they are EXTREMELY noisey. At least listen to one first. The standard style are much easier to live with if you use them a lot. You nieborhors will thank you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by gkull
I was going to say that it takes some TQ to get off what some moron put on the wheel on my wifes car at some shop.
I went to it with my 1/2 drive air gun set for 105 # of TQ and it wouldn't move the lug nuts. I put a 1/2 breaker bar and stomped on it to get them loose enough.
I use a clicker wrench to set the nuts.
If all your doing is occasional tires you can't beat a 4 ended star wrench.
I went to it with my 1/2 drive air gun set for 105 # of TQ and it wouldn't move the lug nuts. I put a 1/2 breaker bar and stomped on it to get them loose enough.
I use a clicker wrench to set the nuts.
If all your doing is occasional tires you can't beat a 4 ended star wrench.
I have a 5 HP 60 Gal and 2 impacts and I do not use them for tires (on or off) I use a 1/2" breaker bar to remove and a click torque wrench when putting them on.As far as the compressor goes don't buy one until you have the tools you want to use, you have to match the compressor to the CFM rating of the tools.
Steve
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by lostpatrolman
If you are talking about the cordless impacts... They suck. They are pretty weak and expensive. I think 200 for a cheap senco one. The battery does last for a while though, probably enough to do 5 or 6 rotates.
......i meant a plug in one........
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by gkull
If all your doing is occasional tires you can't beat a 4 ended star wrench.
this all i use on any of my cars...................
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
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I have a Milwaukee electric impact (corded), and I couldn't be happier with it. It's broken loose every nut I've put it to. I just rebuilt the suspension on my DD, and honestly I could not have done that job without it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
I've got a 30 gal Sears at home and a 4 gal Harbor Freight pancake ($70) on my boat. The pancake will do ok with a 1/2" impact for a few lug nuts or frozen/rusted bolts. Also works ok for nail/staple guns but that's about it. Forget about the pancake for sanders, cutoffs, grinders, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,688
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From: Loveland, CO
I'll give you a good deal on an older Sears 2HP, 20 gal.,cast iron cylinders, I have sitting in my storage shed. That is if you'd like to drive up to CCC land (Colorado) to pick it up. It was not quite large enough to run my new HVLP spray gun, but otherwise is perfect. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
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From: Santa Ana CA
Certainly not cheap, but if you are serious, emglo is the way to go. The 3 hp model is a true continuous 3 hp (none of this peak cra-), and the compressor is two-stage 4-cylinder rated to operate at 175#. It puts out like 13.1 CFM at 100# so can even run a blast cabinet. This is all in a wheelbarrow style (30 gallon) or twin tube (8 gallon) system. These things are truly industrial and my 3 hp 30 gallon unit weights over 200#. Their 5 hp model does over 16 CFM at 100#.
MSRP on the 3-hp is over $2,200 but typical street/internet price is about $1,200.
MSRP on the 3-hp is over $2,200 but typical street/internet price is about $1,200.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by 1969c3mandy
I am buying an air compressor. I am looking for something small (no 30 gal tanks) and reasonably priced. My primary motivation is for lug nuts on my tires.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
!!CAUTION!!
Air tools can be VERY addictive. You may find yourself buying new tools and accessories uncontrollably.
Buy the best tools you can afford. There really IS a difference. Plastic or insulated handles are great to keep your hands from freezing and air outlet location can greatly improve the user experience. Don't underestimate the annoyance of the noise...of the compressor AND the tools. Some cheap tools can be VERY loud and irritating to use for any extended period. I like Ingersoll-Rand...
Air tools can be VERY addictive. You may find yourself buying new tools and accessories uncontrollably.
Buy the best tools you can afford. There really IS a difference. Plastic or insulated handles are great to keep your hands from freezing and air outlet location can greatly improve the user experience. Don't underestimate the annoyance of the noise...of the compressor AND the tools. Some cheap tools can be VERY loud and irritating to use for any extended period. I like Ingersoll-Rand...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
YOu shouldn't be using an impact on your lug nuts. Get a speed wrench and a torque wrench. Leave the air compressor and impact out of it.
see any great harm in using it to remove any bolt or nut.
Yeah - chrome plated lug nuts might take a beating over time,
but they aren't too expensive.
BTW - my 12 gallon 4HP direct drive (noisy) compressor is very useful
for jobs here and there. If sandblasting or painting, you really gotta
step way up in capacity. Come on - it's not a NASCAR pit crew race.
Plus, the smaller compressor can be pumped up and wheeled out to
fill tires/etc. I don't think I'd want one that bolts to the floor.
A belt-driven oil-filled unit would be nice, though.
Last edited by NHvette; Dec 22, 2004 at 05:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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Chris is right air tools are very addictive, I find myself using them a lot and buying new ones very often mostly just so I have them. I like Rodac and IR. The cheap tools usually need loads more air than the expensive ones. You get what you pay for. Oh and no need to buy snap on as they are made by IR
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,375
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From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Chris is right air tools are very addictive, I find myself using them a lot and buying new ones very often mostly just so I have them. I like Rodac and IR. The cheap tools usually need loads more air than the expensive ones. You get what you pay for. Oh and no need to buy snap on as they are made by IR
I have a high speed grinder motor (air compressor) powered. With a cut off wheel that thing is just like a torch when it comes to cutting metal.
I would think that someone with little experience with air tools could completely dissimble a C3 corvette in about 2 hours. (assuming no suspension corrosion.)
Anyhow... I bought my air compressor from Sears in the early 1970's. I just wish it would break so I could justify buying a bigger more powerful one. It's 240 volts, with a 30 gallon (?) tank. ...OK actually it satisfies all my present needs but I still would like a bigger one!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Houston Texas
I break and tighten lug nuts with a cross type lug nut wrench and spin them on and off with a 1/2" varible speed electric drill. Took a 3/8" drive extension and cut the female end off and filed 3 flats on the cut off end to fit the chuck in the drill and use the proper size sockets. Some after market wheels have counter bored lug nut holes and won't accept an impact socket but will accept a normal socket. In fact my Boyds won't accept the lug nut wrench so I use a 1/2" drive break over handle with a 1/2" to 3/8" drive adapter and a normal 3/8" drive socket to break them loose and to tighten. I have an air impact but it is hard on the nuts (lug).