Air Tool Kits??

[5280Hawk]

I need a good air tool "kit"

Not the compressor or hoses, but the tools -

a ratchet and grinder, and sprayer??
Airhammer, ect.

I've seen kits at Checker and places like that but I'm skeptical of the quality of tools at those places,

but I also can't afford Snap-on.

 

[D'Animal]

If you are on a tight budget or having a hard time justifying the extra expense for the name brand stuff buy the cheap stuff. When something wears out then upgrade it to a better quality.


You could also hit up you local Pawn shops and find some smokin deals on tools. A lot of people pawn thier tools for cash for x-mas gifts.

 

[066wally]

The kits sorta scare me, I think they tend to bundle the cheapie stuff in those. I've bought mine piece by piece as I've needed them. Check out Tool King at 6th and Simms, they've got a good mix of cheap and notso cheap to choose from.

 

[gladly]

I'd buy things one at a time, you can get away with cheap on lots of things
how many CFM is your compressor rated at?

 

[5280Hawk]

Thanks for the advice you guys.

Northern tool had a kit with a Impact wrench, air drill,Die Grinder, sander, and Air Hammer plus a bunch of tips and accessories for 155.00.

I don't have a compressor yet.

 

[gladly]

make sure that you take into account all the cfm ratings for the tools you buy, you'll be surprised to find out how much the drill/sander/die grinder take, and how much a compressor that will run them costs
I've got a cheapy compressor, but it will do an impact and air chisel(hammer), which IMHO are what really counts, and it will run my spraygun, barely, but my gun is not a hvlp
I would say buy an impact, air hammer/chisel, mid range compressor and a good electric grinder and sander, because if you are even a bit worried about price, a new compressor that will run all that is outa your budget
or start looking at used compressors

 

[5280Hawk]

Im starting to realize this.

What capacity in Gallons should i be looking at? Horsepower?



There's a 15 gallon at Norther tool, $199.00

It's Max psi is 125.

it's 1.1 HP

 

[Rocinante]

Im starting to realize this.
What capacity in Gallons should i be looking at? Horsepower?

Don't look at horsepower. You want to look at the delivered CFM at your tools required psi. You want to get one that has more then enough CFM to run whatever you are expecting to run.
This might be listed as SCFM or ACFM (not displacement CFM). Cheap compressors usually list displacement CFM which is much less then delivered.

The tank is just air storage. The bigger the tank, the less the compressor runs, and the longer it will last. Bigger is generally better.

Whatever you get for a compressor, try to stay away from the direct drive oil free models, they don't last and are loud. I would keep an eye out for a decent use one rather then buying a cheap new one. A 10 CFM single stage 60 gal compressor should easily run an impact and ratchet.

The cheapo tools should last a while for home use. Just remember to oil them. I have a cheap HF ratchet and impact that have lasted a good 10-12 years of home use now. They likely aren't as powerful as an IR might be however.

 

[RavenTai]

Im starting to realize this.

What capacity in Gallons should i be looking at? Horsepower?



There's a 15 gallon at Norther tool, $199.00

It's Max psi is 125.

it's 1.1 HP

That compressor might be OK for some occasional intermittent use like taking a wheel off with an impact, or filling a tire. any kind of consistent use and you will be waiting for it to catch up and with will start to overheat (water in the lines)

what kind of compressor really depends on how you use it,

For me I would like something that could keep up with a sander, sand blaster or die grinder on a constant duty cycle and stay relatively cool doing it, woudl also be really nice if ti ran quiet, soem of the old under driven cast iron compressors were very quiet,

gonna take at least $1K to do that new, 60- 80 gallon tank 220v motor and multiple stages, I have been keeping my eyes out for a good used one,

I currently have one of those direct drive oil-less jobbies paid 3xx something for it, craftsman, It cannot keep up, the sticker claims 5HP doing the math that would be at least 31 amps at 120v I am running it on a standard 20A breaker so that cannot be an accurate claim.


Those no-name kits are almost always low end tools, a good single air tool will cost much more than that kit. again for occasional use that kit might work OK.


decide what you want to do and how quickly you want to do it,

 

[RavenTai]

to state more clearly be careful of the manufacturers HP and SCFM ratings,on almost all cheap compressors they are way overstated

 

[5280Hawk]

I went with a Lowes (cobalt)compressor that included 6 tools.

$300.00.

26 Gallon, 6.0 CFM @ 40psi

1/2" impact wrench
Air hammer
Nailer
Die Grinder
Sprayer
tire inflator

I know it wont run a sander so i bought an electric one.

We'll see how it does

 

[fsusteve]

I went with a Lowes (cobalt)compressor that included 6 tools.

$300.00.

26 Gallon, 6.0 CFM @ 40psi

1/2" impact wrench
Air hammer
Nailer
Die Grinder
Sprayer
tire inflator

I know it wont run a sander so i bought an electric one.

We'll see how it does

for most stuff around the house that'll be fine, the only thing you'll ever want to upgrade will be the impact wrench.

 

[rjcruiser]

I've got the stanley bostich lowes compressor and brad nailer kit and it has worked fine for around the house. Bought an IR impact wrench that is too much for my compressor, but don't use it often, so having the compressor run solid for a couple of minutes doesn't hurt. Also, my Campbell Hausfield sprayer makes the compressor start to get warm, but again, I'd rather buy a cheap compressor/kit for a couple hundred bucks and have it last for 5 years, than have to sell my cruiser to get something that is industrial strength

 

[freeamerica]

I have the Mastergrip set from Costco. Retail is about $80, but I got mine for $25 NIB at a swap meet. I'll admit they aren't the best tools, but for the occational wrencher it works just fine. The one time I needed a bigger/better impact wrench I borrowed a Snap-on 600 ft lb monster from a buddy for the weekend. But for the price, I don't think you can beat the set.

When you manage to finally destroy it, you're still out less for the entire set than one good impact gun.