On Wed, 6 Aug 1997 09:41:38 -0400 "Jason F. Dutt"
<simjason@ix.netcom.com> writes:
>A 5 HP compressor is sufficient to drive an impact gun on those nasty,
>frozen-up bolts of the front suspension? I'm not mocking you, I've
>just
>been told otherwise...probably by a shop owner! ;-)
Jason:-
The answer is probably no, it won't drive an impact wrench that would
loosen a frozen suspension nut, at least without a good soaking with
penetrating oil and/or application of the blue wrench. You might even be
better off with a breaker bar for such a purpose. The effectiveness of
impact wrenches, I have found, is in direct proportion to the price of
the wrench and the size of the compressor. I bought a 3 1/2 horse
compressor about ten years ago (probably now equivalent to the 5 horse,
since there has been a lot of inflation in ratings) and a cheapish impact
wrench. The impact wrench is strong enough to remove tight lug nuts and
torque them back down, but a large, frozen nut is beyond its capacity.
To match the performance of the local shop, you would have to spend over
$100 on the wrench (some go for $300) and probably buy one of those huge
stand-up air compressors.
That isn't to say that a 5 hp compressor is not useful, or that you
wouldn't be able to do the work you are contemplating, just don't expect
it to be a magic cure for frozen nuts. An air compressor of that size
will likely meet 90% of all the requirements you would ever have.
>
>Thanks for the advice. Do you have a number for Harbor Freight,
>assuming
>they have a catalog?
Not only do they have a catalog, they have a web site at
<www.harborfreight.com>. Phone number is 800 423-2567. Two words of
caution about Harbor Freight:
1) Their cheap tools are CHEAP! They are generally made in China and
will not last. That may be OK for some tools that you may only use once
or twice in your lifetime, but spend the money for the good stuff (which
they also sell at good prices) if it is something you expect to use and
keep for a lifetime.
2) Once you get on their mailing list, expect to get a catalog about
every two weeks for the rest of your life. Not necessarily a bad thing,
but giving in to the temptation to buy the tools constantly could break
you! ;-)
David Littlefield
Houston, TX
|