Air compressor for air tools

[DIYspanner]

For an air ratchet doing diy work, what volume would the compressor need to be?

 

[Tigercubrider]

I have a 50ltr one that is fine for diy but can't really cope with something that runs constantly
So windy gun nail gun and tyre inflators is fine

I have a pneumatic chisel that is about 5 mins on and 5 mins off

 

[Burnerman]

I have a 14cfm, 100 litre tank compressor which is great for air guns, ratchets and so on, but even it struggles with needle descalers and such like so definitely the bigger the better. Mine is 3 hp so it's hard wired. Most airline connections are 1/4 BSP and the internal diameter of the hose is very important, use 10mm if you can but not less than 8. Losses are high from coiled hoses too!
John

 

[DIYspanner]

Thanks Gents.

I'm mulling things over at present. Its with air ratchets at about £30 and the smaller compressors at about the £100 mark that got me thinking.

May wait til Lidl/Aldi get air tool kit in stock again.

 

[Burnerman]

I think you could be disappointed with the small stuff.....a small air receiver would be empty in no time when using a ratchet driver. They are ok for tyre inflation and blow guns, but not too much else.
Why not call into Machine Mart and see what they say?
John

 

[Tigercubrider]

Kind of depends on what you are doing

Do you intend to run a ratchet for a long time?

 

[DIYspanner]

A typical job for me would be a pads/discs change.

Perhaps air tools are an extravagance for that. Another consideration is getting an air ratchet into awkward areas. The neighbors may not appreciate the noise either.

I'll give it some thought.

 

[Tigercubrider]

It won't make more noise than a strimmer and be in short bursts

If you were working all day, fair enough

You can get electric impact drivers

 

[Burnerman]

I think you'd be dismayed about the performance of a ratchet wrench, to be honest.....they are rather low torque and therefore undoing tight bolts just doesn't work. You will get a higher tightening torque performance though.
The only time I use mine to any extent is when I'm using spring compressors for example - when there is a lot of turning to do, the work is speeded up.
I think in your case a battery impact driver would be the way to go, or at least consider......I don't own such a tool (yet) but they can do most things that air spanners can, sometimes even better.
John

 

[DIYspanner]

Thanks again Gents!

 

[HERTS P&D]

John, I bought the Bosch impact gun. It broke on its second day of usage. I got a full refund.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gds-18v-ec-250-18v-brushless-cordless-impact-wrench-bare/4245p

Andy

 

[Burnerman]

Surprising, that one.....could easily have been the choice for many!
John

 

[DIYspanner]

I thought Sealey were market leader for air tools!

 

[Burnerman]

Sealey have an excellent marketing strategy, nice catalogues and so on - but their prices are usually very steep and finding an outlet near you can be a pain.
My own choice is either Machine Mart or S.I.P for pneumatic gear but as everything else, you get what you pay for!
John

 

[DaveHerns]

My Aldi compressor is still going strong after 7 years ! I must try the impact wrench with a shorter and bigger bore hose as it's pretty useless otherwise.