Looking at getting an impact wrench

[ShadowsPapa]

You run a regulator with your impact tools?

Even the couplers can restrict flow for things that require high CFM.

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[WILDHOBO]

My Ryobi has lastsed almost 5 years so far with limited use swapping snows on and off a couple of times per year.

In all its gotten about what an impact driver in a shop would get in about a week.

Sometimes its not worth it to pay for the extra quality. At least not with battery powered tools where the battery will fail in 6 or 7 years no matter how expensive.

A Milwaukee battery costs more than a whole Ryobi kit.

Sometimes good enough is good enough.

Especially since everything, including Milwaukee is made in China these days.

A few years ago I had to drill a 4" hole in my foundation. I looked at a Hilti drill for $900. I looked at renting a Hilti drill for $150.

Then I looked at buying a Hilti knock off from Harbor Freight for $150ish with a coupon. It only had to survive long enough to make one 4" hole through 8" of concrete.

It worked fine. I could have sold it easily for $100 when I was done. but now I have a HF Hilti knockoff SDS drill as a souvenir.

If I made my living with the drill, I'd buy the HIlti.

I understand that. I also understand that most tools are made overseas. I want company I can call in the US that provides good support and no questions asked 5 year warranties. I only buy tools I’ll use again, and want them to last virtually forever. My rotary hammer is from the 50’s, as is my hole hawg. They work like they were new. Even Mileaukee’s $80 dollar m12 tools get the 5 year warranty. For what it’s worth, I’ve got Milwaukee m28, m18, and m12 batteries that are 15+ years old that work like they were new.

 

[kgc]

I have had the the Milwaukee M18 high-torque impact (2767) for 3-4 years and it is awesome. However, I'm finding that the Gen-3 Compact impact gets more use than the high-torque. It also lives in the toolbag under my backseat.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Part of the problem also is that the pressure regulators can't flow enough to drive impact tools.

I have a moderately priced compressor that is too old to even remember. I got my first 1/2" impact gun and was underwhelmed. When I ran the gun I noticed that the pressure on the hose side went way down than came up when I stopped hammering.

So I removed the regulator and the gun ran like a bat out of hell. I was going to buy a larger regulator to replace the inadequate one but ended up just getting an cordless electric. Either way, remember that impact guns require a huge flow of air. Even if you have the pressure in the tank if your regulator won't flow, the tool won't feel the pressure when its working.

California air tools make great compressors for reasonable prices. And they have both tank and tool regulators that are mechanical valves. So you can see what the tool pressure is when your using it, and when it’s off. That way you can set the valve so you get what psi you need when it’s in use.

 

[dcmdon]

California air tools make great compressors for reasonable prices. And they have both tank and tool regulators that are mechanical valves. So you can see what the tool pressure is when your using it, and when it’s off. That way you can set the valve so you get what psi you need when it’s in use.

But if it won't flow that doesn't matter.

For example. My compressor has two gauges. One on the compressor side, one on the regulator side.

If I have 125 psi in the tank and turn the regulator down to 100 psi and use an air chuck to top off a tire, the regulator side may dip down to 80 psi as the flow through the regulator isn't enough to maintain 100 psi in the line.

If I run an air tool it will start had as the air in the hose acts like a pressure reservoir. Then it will drop all the way down to 40 psi as the hose empties. So when in active use, the tool is seeing 40 psi. When I release the trigger, the regulator fills the hose back up to 100 psi.

The regulator is a restriction that can't flow what it needs to despite 125 psi behind it. A regulator like this will strangle even the best compressor.

If I set the regulator to tank pressure (125 psi) it still drops to 40 psi.

Lets contrast this with an old large belt driven compressor my dad has. It only goes to 90 psi vs my 125.

But it has a large industrial type regulator and when you run an impact gun off of it it barely moves and generally stays above 75 psi.

 

[WILDHOBO]

But if it won't flow that doesn't matter.

For example. My compressor has two gauges. One on the compressor side, one on the regulator side.

If I have 125 psi in the tank and turn the regulator down to 100 psi and use an air chuck to top off a tire, the regulator side may dip down to 80 psi as the flow through the regulator isn't enough to maintain 100 psi in the line.

If I run an air tool it will start had as the air in the hose acts like a pressure reservoir. Then it will drop all the way down to 40 psi as the hose empties. So when in active use, the tool is seeing 40 psi. When I release the trigger, the regulator fills the hose back up to 100 psi.

The regulator is a restriction that can't flow what it needs to despite 125 psi behind it. A regulator like this will strangle even the best compressor.

If I set the regulator to tank pressure (125 psi) it still drops to 40 psi.

Lets contrast this with an old large belt driven compressor my dad has. It only goes to 90 psi vs my 125.

But it has a large industrial type regulator and when you run an impact gun off of it it barely moves and generally stays above 75 psi.

Mine does 150psi, and the regulator works fine to provide a full 100 for high cfm tools. My impact works fine with it. Only 15 gallon. But I rarely use it, as my 18v does the job without a hose, and is smaller.

 

[dcmdon]

Mine does 150psi, and the regulator works fine to provide a full 100 for high cfm tools. My impact works fine with it. Only 15 gallon. But I rarely use it, as my 18v does the job without a hose, and is smaller.

How much was your compressor? It sounds like it came with a decent regulator.

Either way, I think nearly everyone agrees that for everything except for the most intense commercial environment, like a tire shop, cordless electric is the way to go.

 

[WILDHOBO]

How much was your compressor? It sounds like it came with a decent regulator.

Either way, I think nearly everyone agrees that for everything except for the most intense commercial environment, like a tire shop, cordless electric is the way to go.

Model is California Air Tools 15020C. 15 gallon 2 piston 2.0hp. Price in 2017 was $399. They’re more now. It’s an amazing compressor for the home owner that wants great performance in a smaller semi portable package. It’s quiet enough that I can use it in the garage without waking people in rooms above and adjacent. 150psi with a ball valve for easy draining. I drain it each time I use it. Since I bought mine they started making aluminum models to avoid corrosion. I live in a low humidity area though, so it’ll likely outlast me.

 

[dcmdon]

Model is California Air Tools 15020C. 15 gallon 2 piston 2.0hp. Price in 2017 was $399. They’re more now. It’s an amazing compressor for the home owner that wants great performance in a smaller semi portable package. It’s quiet enough that I can use it in the garage without waking people in rooms above and adjacent. 150psi with a ball valve for easy draining. I drain it each time I use it. Since I bought mine they started making aluminum models to avoid corrosion. I live in a low humidity area though, so it’ll likely outlast me.

Damn. Now I've spent the last hour on their web site. You've cost me $450.

ha.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Damn. Now I've spent the last hour on their web site. You've cost me $450.

ha.

Sorry. You’ll like it though. This forum has cost me at least 8k at this point.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Sorry. You’ll like it though. This forum has cost me at least 8k at this point.

Damn. Now I've spent the last hour on their web site. You've cost me $450.

ha.

Damn. Now I've spent the last hour on their web site. You've cost me $450.

ha.

what model did you order?

 

[dcmdon]

Haven't ordered yet. I'm torn between the model you have and this one

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-10020C-Air-Compressor/p70275.html

 

[WILDHOBO]

Haven't ordered yet. I'm torn between the model you have and this one

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-10020C-Air-Compressor/p70275.html

Are they still rating the model I have at 150psi? Maybe the extra 5 gallons does that. That would be my differentiator. I like the footprint of the model you linked better though. Btw. They sell on Amazon and my price was way better. No warranty issues. Authorized seller.

 

[dcmdon]

If your horizontal one went to 150, I'd definitely prefer that one. But it looks like new versions of the one you have are set to shut off at 130 psi now.

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-15020C-Air-Compressor/p70283.html

So for 5 psi I'll take the smaller footprint. For 25 psi, its different.

On my dad's old compressor, the shutoff is adjustable. I'm guessing these aren't.

 

[WILDHOBO]

If your horizontal one went to 150, I'd definitely prefer that one. But it looks like new versions of the one you have are set to shut off at 130 psi now.

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-15020C-Air-Compressor/p70283.html

So for 5 psi I'll take the smaller footprint. For 25 psi, its different.

On my dad's old compressor, the shutoff is adjustable. I'm guessing these aren't.

I think mine is “rated” for 150, but I think the regulator shuts it off around 140ish. It’s never bothered me though. I tend to agree with you. For 5psi; I’d save some garage space. I ordered it for the noise reduction. It’s amazing on that front. Quieter than my 12v tire inflator by a long shot. Two pistons makes a difference.

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