Air tools are rated by the pressure necessary to operate them
(psi) and the average consumption that the tool uses(cfm). As the tool
uses air the tank on the compressor will supply air until it runs low then
the compressor will turn on to refill the tank. If the tool is using more
air than the compressor can supply the tool will run slow and the
compressor will run constantly. A bigger compressor will supply more cfm
and this is a consideration if you plan on using 2 or more air tools at a
time, or some extremely air hungry tool. The Sears oilo less 5 hp puts out
7.1 cfm at 90 psi. This will suffice for 995 of the jobs that any
hobbyiest needs. I say 995 because someone may not agree with 100%. A
standard compressor (the kind with a seperate motor) will put out more air
for the same hp and will run quieter. It will however cost more and may
require a seperate 220 line.
As far as air tools go the spray gun and sander will use the most
air, because they run longer. The impact wrench only uses short bursts of
air and therefore less of it. Most 1/2 inch impact wrenches require 90 psi
and 5 or less cfm. Harbor Freight has a nice one that puts out up to 450
ft lbs. and uses 4 cfm at 90 psi. Remember the Sears puts out 7.1 cfm @90
psi. Looking at the Haynes manual for suspension parts the higest torque
is 70 ft. lbs. One nut in the rear is 150 ft. lbs.
You can have the biggest compressor in the world and it won't put
out 1 foot lb more of torque than it is rated for. In other words a 3/8
air ratchet producing 50 lbs of torque can't be made to produce 150 ft lbs
by giving it more air. Harbor Freight sells decent tools at a decent
price. Compare the prices with Home Depot and if you feel more comfortable
with them then go there. Air tools are cheap because they don't have
motors. If you plan on using the tool daily then spend more, but how often
do you need to cut off a muffler. For $10 you can get a decent high speed
air cutter. If it only worked once it would pay for itself. As far as what
tools are needed start with the impact wrench and sockets. A recent job I
did involved removing the lower control arms. There is no way I could have
gotten the nuts off without an impact wrench. If I had not had one the
garage would have charged over $200 in labor. Next a cut off tool ,a 3/8
air ratchet and an air hammer. They also have a great floor jack for $52
it must cost them almost that much to ship it. They SHIP FOR FREE! For
body work a HVLP spray gun and a DA sander. Rember to look for the lowest
cfm rating. For about $10 and the cost of a base you can get a good dial
indicator (Andy this is what you need to check your rotors for run out). A
definite must is their digital multimeter for $10 and while you are at it
the magnetic parts dish for $5.
As a previous posting said the catalog comes out about every 2
weeks. Save them because the prices go up and down. When you are ready to
order use the best prices you can find. Let the flames begin!
....Art
On Wed, 6 Aug 1997, Jason F. Dutt wrote:
> 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! ;-)
>
> Thanks for the advice. Do you have a number for Harbor Freight, assuming
> they have a catalog? Also, this seems to be a good list of the tools I
> will need to accomplish the job. Is there anything else you would add?
>
> This is good to hear...I really have been wanting to buy air tools, but
> everyone I talked to said I needed some monster $1000 compressor to use
> them properly. I would much sooner buy the tools than pay the shop to do a
> job that I don't particularly trust. I'm a perfectionist.... :-)
>
> Regards,
>
> J
>
> ----------
> > From: Arthur Pfenninger <ch155@FreeNet.Buffalo.EDU>
> > To: Jason F. Dutt <simjason@ix.netcom.com>
> > Subject: Re: DIY vs. Garage Repairs (Re: It's about time!)
> > Date: Wednesday, August 06, 1997 8:02 AM
> >
> >
> > Sears for a 5 hp compressor $269 on sale. Harbor Freight for
> > everything else. Spring compressor $10, impact gun $60, ball joint
> > seperator $6 air ratchet $40, impact sockets $20 , cut off tool $11 air
> > impact
> > hammer kit with chisels $10, DA sander $40. This comes to $466. I have
> all
> > Harbor Freight air tools and have never been disappointed. You can even
> > get the compressor from them. The oil less compressor from Sears has the
> > biggest tank in it's class. The regular compressor (the kind with a
> > seperate motor) puts out more cfm for the size motor but it's not
> > important for restoration or general home use. Check the local swap
> sheets
> > for even a better price on a compressor. Next spray guns and welders...
> > ...Art
> >
> > On Tue, 5 Aug 1997, Jason F. Dutt wrote:
> >
> > > About $500, I think. How in the heck do you figure I can get all the
> tools
> > > (compressor, impact gun, spring compressors, ball joint splitter, ball
> > > joint clamp, etc.) for under $500?! Every compressor I've seen that,
> from
> > > what I understand, is capable of sufficiently powering and impact gun
> is
> > > about that kind of money USED! Apparently you know something I don't,
> and
> > > if you could tell me how to obtain all these tools, in good condition,
> for
> > > that dollar figure, I'd be most appreciative.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > J
> > >
> > > ----------
> > > > From: Arthur Pfenninger <ch155@FreeNet.Buffalo.EDU>
> > > > To: Jason F. Dutt <simjason@ix.netcom.com>
> > > > Cc: Carol <car@texas.net>; MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>
> > > > Subject: Re: DIY vs. Garage Repairs (Re: It's about time!)
> > > > Date: Tuesday, August 05, 1997 3:51 PM
> > > >
> > > > For under $500 dollars you could have all the tools you need. In
> > > > fact for that much you could even buy tools to fix your tools! Once
> you
> > > > get a compressor you won't know how you got along without one. What
> is
> > > the
> > > > garage going to charge for the job?
> > > > ...Art
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, 5 Aug 1997, Jason F. Dutt wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Aye...I've known this for a long time. It's not the lack expertise
> > > that
> > > > > holds me back most of the time; I can learn. It's the lack of
> proper
> > > > > tooling. For instance, I plan to rebuild the front suspension this
> > > winter
> > > > > with a Moss coil-over conversion to compliment the Spax I've put on
> the
> > > > > rear (ie Lindsay Porter in "MGB - Guide to Purchace and DIY
> > > Restoration").
> > > > > However, in order to do this, I need a compressor & impact gun, and
> a
> > > metal
> > > > > saw and file (to cut the circles out of the crossmember - sounds
> scary
> > > but
> > > > > it's really no big deal), and the obvious spring clamps, ball joint
> > > > > splitters, etc. None of these do I posses, or have access to. I
> > > intend to
> > > > > obtain all this stuff eventually, but now I need front suspension
> (it's
> > > > > sagging and creaking big time)!!
> > > > >
> > > > > The mechanic I've been going to is strange. He really does know
> his
> > > stuff,
> > > > > but he shortcuts all the time. I don't understand why someone with
> the
> > > > > knowledge and appreciation for these cars would do that, when it's
> not
> > > much
> > > > > more effort to do it right. I've seen and driven cars who's
> > > suspension's
> > > > > he's rebuilt (he did the rear end on mine), and his work in that
> area
> > > is
> > > > > fine. The only trick with him is, if you want it replaced, and
> it's
> > > not
> > > > > absolutely necessary, you better tell him, or he won't do it. I
> now
> > > always
> > > > > place my own parts orders with him for the work he is to do, just
> to
> > > make
> > > > > sure he does what I've asked him to. His prices are also cheap, so
> I
> > > guess
> > > > > you get what you pay for. I just bite my nails a bit while he has
> my
> > > car!
> > > > >
> > > > > Regards,
> > > > >
> > > > > J
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looks to me like you're on the right track to be your own
> mechanic.
> > > You
> > > > > can
> > > > > > certainly do a more proper job than the guy you've been paying!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Carol
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
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