OT - Impact wrench ideas

[HeyBub]

But quality is not a consideration sometimes. I was at HD recently and noticed a chap with about ten sponge brushes in his basket (at $1.25 each). You can get a ten-pack at Harbor Freight for 88¢!

Where quality IS a consideration, HF can sometimes surpass others. Every builder's square I've ever seen has the measurements stamped into the steel. After some relatively short time, these numbers become hard to read as the tool gets slightly oxidized or banged around. I got a replacement ($4.99) that has the measurements in brown on a yellow enameled background and couldn't be more pleased.

[Tony]

I have a lot of my fathers old tools, one of them being a square with the measurements. It had seen water a few times so in addition to the dirt there was also rust and it was very hard to read the rulers. I cleaned off various paint drips and what not then put on a strong mix of muriatic acid. (Outdoors!!!) It cleaned up like new and I gave it a coat of car wax.

Somehow a crappy job can go easier when I think of all the times my father (diseased) used the same tools I have in my hand.

[Tony]

I normally use mine for disk brake jobs but keep in mind that the air ratchet doesn't have the power to loosen tight bolts. You have to loosen them first and then the air ratchet will remove them without you banging your knuckles back and forth 50 times.

If you can, I'd return the compressor and get something a little bigger.

[Stormin Mormon]

You mean the sidehandle thing that looks a bit like a ratchet wrench? Yeah, I belive that they don't have much power.

I'm going to try the compressor, and see how it goes. Money is tight. I'm sure I'll find it inadequate, and end up buying a bigger one.

[clare]

Which CP has NOT been for over 30 years. My first CP was American built - made in the early sixties. I bought it used (was originally owned/used by a NASCAR team) in 1968.

My second CP was made ine Ireland in the seventies.. I suspect most are now made somewhere in the far east.

[clare]

After acid cleaning, and before waxing, paint the square witha bright coloured paint. When dry, sand it off and the numbers are very visible, being filled with bright paint. wax or varnish when finished.

[justalurker .]

Both my 1/2" CP734 and my 3/8" CP725 are made in the USA

Professionals buy quality tools and only have to buy them ONCE... 30 years is just a tick of the clock.

I've got a pair of Kle> >

[Tony]

I think we are talking about the same thing. It looks like a ratchet with a big fat handle and an air fitting on the end.

To loosen the bolt you can actually use the air ratchet just like a normal ratchet so you don't need any more tools.

You may want to look for a used one where someone upgraded to a larger model and wants to sell his old one that is still 4 x bigger than what you have. That also gives you a better chance at getting something with a belt driven compressor that isn't so dang noisy as the cheap *oil less* compressors.