Air tools - Rattle Gun (impact wrench) Vs Air Ratchet

[Insurgence]

Hello All.

I'm currently changing my suspension, and am planning to do my Clutch soon.

I saw some cheap Air Tools at super cheap:
http://www.supercheapauto.com/catalogue ... 45_P10.pdf

and autobarn:
http://www.autobarn.com.au/html/s02_art ... ore174#Top

Q: Will I need the Impact Wrench or will an Air Ratchet do?

After doing the front suspension, I have noticed some of the nuts are VERY tight, and I might not get enough room to use a breaker bar under the car?

so Air Ratchet only, Impact Wrench only or both?

[ben wilson]

For tight bolts you're usually better off with a long breaker bar.

An impact wrench will have a lot more power than an air rachet, but it is also a lot heavier, bigger and faster.

I mainly use my impact wrench for removing wheel nuts and doing crank pulley/flywheel bolts. It is handy for removing gnarly suspension nuts though.

[CT]

Impact wrench FTW every time. However, for axles and the diff mounts, you will need a breaker bar and a decent extension like a jack handle as Ben says. I do also have the air ratchet which certainly speeds up the process at times.

[zoomzoom]

Any of those cheap tools are going to be more or less useles with any tight bolts, basically only handy for winding them out after you crack them with a breakerbar. The rattle gun will come in very handy for the suspension work, and if you get a few extentions, probably about 3 long ones it could be handy for the gearbox bolts also. The air ratchet will be basically useles, those cheapies have all but no torque.

[OMY005]

more or less useles with any tight bolts, basically only handy for winding them out after you crack them with a breakerbar

Totally agree with this. Air impact gun is only good for "cracking the nut/bolt" if you can get to it in a straight line, no universals and also, long extensions absorb the blows from the gun. Once they are "cracked" though the job can be done much faster with less effort with a combination of extensions and universals. Air tools a especially good for unwinding slightly corroded fastners from exhaust and suspension components.

Andrew.

[Boags]

I'm going to repeat that the air ratchet has NO torque.

[The Pupat]

Any of those cheap tools are going to be more or less useles with any tight bolts, basically only handy for winding them out after you crack them with a breakerbar. The rattle gun will come in very handy for the suspension work, and if you get a few extentions, probably about 3 long ones it could be handy for the gearbox bolts also. The air ratchet will be basically useles, those cheapies have all but no torque.

Stupidcheap rattle guns are awesome. My mates one has removed any bolt we've asked it to, and that includes bolts on rusty old dattos.

[Insurgence]

Hello all.

I ended up getting some air tools:

http://www.supercheapauto.com/catalogue_pdf_dir/Au_Wk47_Pg1.pdf

Thought it was a deal not to be missed.

I think I'll be needing both the impact wrench and air ratchet when the time comes, each has their own use

Perhaps the tools will be on sale again in June.

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[Bevan]

So how did you go with this set? Is it worth while? They're $158 for tool kit and air compressor and it ends today. Are they OK for occasional use?

Cheers,
Bevan

[Insurgence]

Hi.

I think it was worth while!

Basically everything you need for that price (+35ish for some hose and maybe +15 for some quick couplings)

I've used the tools moderately and they seem decent. You'll probably be using the impact wrench more than anything else (cos its fun!)

I think they came in handy the MOST when i had to remove the locking nut (the staked nut in the middle of the wheel hub) which is apparantly the most torqued nut in the whole car. much safer and easier to remove with air tools than with breaker bar!

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=26255&sid=b9de265d53992649ceff16b3da4baa5e

I think this set would last you a while... bargain price!

[ben wilson]

I'm a big fan of air tools, but for hub nuts I'll go for a breaker bar every time.

Just leave the car on the ground, go through the wheel and chuck a steel pipe over the handle of the breaker bar.

[Insurgence]

I dont really trust myself with the breaker bar because..

using a breaker bar puts lateral stress on the nut/bolt making it easier to round / snap the nut/bolt.

with the impact wrench it just turns it so less can go wrong (hopefully)

i am the victim of many a rounded nut

[tbro]

Because I make my living using hand and air tools I only use CP or Shinano rattle gun and air ratchets. But I only use impact sockets whether 3/8,1/2,3/4 or 1\"It saves the chance of injury from exploding sockets and stops rounding off head of bolts etc. My advice to all apprentices is to try and buy the best they can afford. The price of good tools has dropped over the last 10 odd years. Remember that a 24\" long 1/2\" power bar isn't designed or manufactured to stand putting on an extra 4ft pipe over the shaft for extra leverage, that what torque multipliers are for. I'm sure with amount of people around this forum you should be able to borrow the correct tools.
Terry

[ben wilson]

I work on the theory that the tools are designed for strong people. As I make my living pounding a keyboard, I have no problem shoving a pipe over the end of a quality breaker bar.

Hopefully doing a complete suspension rebuild next weekend, I'll be borrowing an 18v DeWalt cordless rattle gun for that job. Much quieter than air tools and no hoses to worry about....

[greenMachine]

Got an 18v rechargeable rattle gun from SC t'other day - $65