Mechanic's Tools: Anything and Everything

fleetwoodsimca

How do you really feel about the composite case? Even in the face of being told that the modern materials are perfectly suited... etc., I STILL just plainly like the "heavy metal" cases of yore. I guess that proves I'm old! I'm still using my cheap but quite satisfactory off-shore pair of impact wrenches. Yep, they have metal cases. Nope, they don't put out gobs of torque, but enough for my uses to present.

oldharry

I work on suspensions, and here in salt country, there is never enough power in a wrench. After removing the nuts, I may spend fifteen minutes hammering away to "spin" the bolts on the bottom strut bolts on a Park Ave with 200 K miles. On cars like the older Grand Ams, the bolt are knurled into the knuckle, and have to be driven out with the air hammer. This takes even longer, and destroys the bolt in many cases. There are several reasons not to use fire on these parts.

Harry

fleetwoodsimca

That level of torque demand would quickly lay waste to weak sister impact wrenches. Of late, I have been finding some utility in using my Craftsman 3/8 drive ratchet wrench. I just use it to "speed" a series of screws, bolts, or nuts and do final tightening as well as initial loosening with a standard ratchet. Do you think it is okay to use the air wrench for the full range, or would you do what I have been doing?

oldharry

I use them as you do, and wear out the crank pin that wobbles the ratchet head after about a year. Unless it's a name brand, parts may be scarce.

Depending on the application, a torque wrench might be the choice for final tightening. I just had two of my 50 - 250 # ft Central tools units recalibrated by Angle repair in W Va. $35 plus $3 shipping and handling each. At $186 wholesale, it's worth sending them in.

Harry

fleetwoodsimca

About a year ago, I noted I had "worn out" an air seal in the interior of my Craftsman 3/8 air ratchet wrench, and ordered a replacement part for me to replace it myself (I've had the tool about 15 years, so can't complain much). Wow! Sears is REAL proud of their air tool parts. Expensive!

isellhondas

Anyone remember the old Rodac units?

Air ratchets are pretty much a throw away tool anymore. Hardly worth fixing.

fleetwoodsimca

The day is upon us when we can buy "offshore" air tools so cheaply, it is not unthinkable to use them, and then replace them with new-- skip the repair bit. The really heavy duty stuff from sources such as Ingersoll Rand are pretty much mandatory for professional users, due to considerably more demand for high torque, etc.

fleetwoodsimca

This being the Sunday of the Memorial Day (observed) weekend, NAPA is having a brown bag sale that could net some good tools at 25% discount. It is happening in my community; maybe in yours, too.