So my girlfriend wants to buy me tools for my birthday (Wow do I have her trained!), and we decided that I could really use some kind of air tool, like a ratchet. We go down to Sears to take a look, and I realized that I have no idea what kind of air ratchet/gun/tool I should be looking for. So I need some advice. What's better/more useful/more robust for working on cars, the ratchet type or the gun type? Or some other neat thing that I didn't even see at Sears! Thanks for the input!

 

You are right up my alley here... I work for one of the largest Ingersoll-Rand distributors in the US...

The ratchet type tools are great for close work areas, but they don't generate much torque. The gearsets are the weak link. If you are not going to be doing any high torque work like engine rebuilds or such, then they will work fine. They also are not the air hogs that the pistol type tools are, so if you have a smaller compressor, they will run fine.
However, from what I know, Craftsman Air Tools are rebadged Chicago Pneumatics and they are real hard to get parts for. I will check with someone that knows and let you know for sure as soon as I can.
We work on all brands of air tools, I-R, CP, Souix, Blue Point, Snap-On and others, most are good quality, just some are easier to deal with...
If you go the pistol grip route, be sure you get impcat sockets! The chrome plated ones will break sooner rather than later!

 

air ratchets are a pain to use sometimes because when they bind up while turning a bolt they like to sprain your wrist/gash your knuckles. My air ratchets usually just sit in my toolbox untouched.

 

Edited because I can't type.

 

 

Haha, yeah, I wasn't planning on any engine rebuilds for the next, oh, 200,000 miles or so! More likely I'll be using it on suspension components, work around the engine but not inside, exhausts, that kind of stuff. And the compressor I have is an older one, and not real big either.


On a somewhat related note, does anyone know what the highest torque you would have to tighten something to on the tC is? Just out of curiosity.

 

the highest torque is probably the axel nut and the crank pulley...like 230-250 or something i think...there might be more, but thats all i can think of

 

You wouldn't want to take those parts to final torque with an air tool anyways...get close and hand wrench it down with a torque wrench. Not sure, but are some of the bolts, like the head bolts taken to yeild? That would he higher than 300 ft.lbs.

 

All of my air tools are IR (IR Dealership about 2 miles from worK) and I havn't had any problems with them... however outside of my impact gun (can you say Titanium?) I hardly use them. Most of the time a normal ratchet will be sufficent. Air ratchets are air hogs and loud. I picked up my 2135Ti for around $200 two years ago.

Your money would be better spent on some quality ratchets and extensions. I personaly use Craftsman for all my hand tools as they are great quality, lifetime gaurantee and easily replaced (just go to any Sears) were as Snap-On, Mac, etc are way too over priced and you have to find a truck for any service.

eBay has lots of dealers that sell tools at far lower prices then at a retail store.

Tools are one of those things in life that if you purchase a quality product and then take care of them you'll never have to replace them. Any one else have thoughts?

 

AMEN!!!!! Whatever you decide on, get good quality!

 

I agree, all my hand tools are Craftsmen. As are my father's. And my grandfather's. I think it's one of those things that just gets passed down through the generations. And I went with an IR impact gun, so I can't wait to try that out.

 

Just remember to get the impact sockets....

If you ever need any parts, holler at me...

 

IR has impact sockets for a very resonable price. If I remember right I picked up a full set of deep and standard (metric and standard) for around $25-$30 per set.

They include a metal storage case.

 

IR has impact sockets for a very resonable price. If I remember right I picked up a full set of deep and standard (metric and standard) for around $25-$30 per set.

They include a metal storage case.