Pneumatic Ratchet Wrench

[bomelia]

I am looking for a powerful (high torque) impact ratchet wrench (if there is such a thing). The one I found at the Borg is useless for my application. I saw one at HF that was rated at 140 ft-lbs, but I am not sure that is good enough. Its for my car brake calipers (getting them off). I can't get back behind the rotors effectively with a normal ratchet.

Mike

[Buzzmobile]

I like ingersol rand stuff

[427 S/O]

Use a 'pull' handle, and did you turn the tire for easy access to the caliper bolts?.

[Buzzmobile]

you can get a really good cross section of what is available at the Grainger web site with all the specs and good estimate of what retail goes for. They have several brands with pretty indepth descriptions

[bomelia]

Originally Posted by 427 S/O

Use a 'pull' handle, and did you turn the tire for easy access to the caliper bolts?.

Yes, turned the wheels for easy access. But I managed to do the front. Its the rear wheels I am having difficulty with now. What is a "pull" handle?

Mike

[Tom Wells]

Mike,

My favorite cordless is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Recond...329226&sr=1-69

My favorite air impact wrench is this one: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4424_200124424

These are not necessarily the best prices - I haven't shopped them in a while, but you get the idea

I doubt your fasteners would resist either unless they broke off

Tom

[bomelia]

That IR is NICE! Not a bad price either.

Mike

[Tom Wells]

Let me guess about the pull handle: http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-24-.../dp/B001222378

Not sure I'd buy outside the US-made stuff for this, though...

[jams]

Home Depot offers a Husky 650 1/2 drive ...it offers 650 pounds of torque.
Sears offers one, I forget the name/model # 19864 that offers about 700lbs of torque.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rench&sLevel=0

Now that I think about it maybe I will put a compressor and air wrench under the hood of my cobra. It has more torque than my motor!

[xracerbob]

I worked at I-R for 18 years and have access through one of their factory stores for air tools at pretty good prices. IR 231 for example would be $127. This is a very good tool for home use. I use a 2135PTiMax which has much more power in reverse, composite housing, etc. , but cost $228. PM me for details if interested.

http://www.irtools.com/

[Tim Brewer]

You shouldn't need a 1/2" impact for that application. What would work well would be a 3/8" butterfly air wrench.

[bomelia]

Originally Posted by xracerbob

I worked at I-R for 18 years and have access through one of their factory stores for air tools at pretty good prices. IR 231 for example would be $127. This is a very good tool for home use. I use a 2135PTiMax which has much more power in reverse, composite housing, etc. , but cost $228. PM me for details if interested.

http://www.irtools.com/

I will do that! Thanks!

[bomelia]

Originally Posted by Tim Brewer

You shouldn't need a 1/2" impact for that application. What would work well would be a 3/8" butterfly air wrench.

It would never fit anyways. I never heard of the butterfly wrench. Looked on line for them... they appear to be "palm" sized. Is that accurate?

Mike

[427 S/O]

Tom, that's it, down here we call it a pull handle. I use mine to loosen head and crank bolts.
Mike...It gives you more leverage or torque to loosen those bolts.

[madmaxx]

Be carefull with the harbor freight stuff, sure they make noise and look like an impact but i think the actual value is 1/2 what they post. Case in point i had an 1/2" harbor freight impact that would not break the lugs loose on my wheels, I bought an 1/2" IR for about 229 it broke the wheel stud while tightening. No comparison, maybe harbor freight is 1/4 of stated value.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Be carefull with the harbor freight stuff, sure they make noise and look like an impact but i think the actual value is 1/2 what they post. Case in point i had an 1/2" harbor freight impact that would not break the lugs loose on my wheels, I bought an 1/2" IR for about 229 it broke the wheel stud while tightening. No comparison, maybe harbor freight is 1/4 of stated value.

Similar story: When my Dad and I bought lifts we got them together to save on freight. We (he, ) decided that we should install his first. He had a hammer drill from Harbor along with the bits. 3 of us worked drilling the 12 or so holes in the concrete with that POS for 4 hours and were worn out when we were done. We also went through 7 of those peanut butter bits. When it came time to install mine I bought a Bosch hammer drill and one bit. I drilled all the holes for mine myself in about 15 minutes and without killing the one bit. That same bit has now installed 2 other lifts as well as a couple of compressors etc. There is no substitute for quality tools.

Steve

[Tom Wells]

Steve,

AMEN! to the caution about Chinese junk (pun intended...)

I once was pulling a 1/2" drive ratchet toward me under the car. When the Chinese socket broke I hit myself in the face with that thing hard enough to see stars

As soon as my equilibrium returned I went to my toolbox and dumped all the non-US tools in the garbage. Once is waaaay more than enough for that kind of lesson

Tom

[427 S/O]

Mike, if your so inclined, drop in any local pawn shop for a look see. I've picked up a number of nice brand name tools such as a, snap-on torque wrench, cooper tools 1/4 air ratchet, thermal dynamics plasma cutter (this baby will cut up to 1''....wow!). all were guaranteed to work or bring em' back.