Replies

1. 
   MikeR | Jun 21, 2002 09:46pm | #1

   Alan,

      I don't know any of the specs of either of the two models you mentioned but two things you need to look for are pressure deliverance capability of 125psi (100 will work but not as well) and a nice sized tank (those small portable comp. usually have to run continuously to power any kind of impact under normal use.)

   Mike

2. 
   alias | Jun 21, 2002 10:58pm | #2

   a- what you have to look at is c.f.m as to the p.s.i .and the compressor has to do better than correspond than the gun. also look at the recovery time of the compressor. consistency is the order of the day... a 3/4 " impact gun will chew up around 7.5 cfm at 90 p.s.i w/ 1/4 air inlet. with about 800 ft.lbs. torque. and depending on the gun it varies up to 2.0cfm which a wide berth so shop wisely. a 1/2" impact will chew up anywhere from 4.0 to 2.0 cfm with around 350 lbs of torque also varies depending on the gun. quality is again what you pay for.to run these guns your going to need to go to the larger portable compressor. w/ 5h.p. for peak efficency. i run an air chisel off a 2 h.p. compressor for trimming up cement pockets and the such. and it's not enough and i put alot of stress on it (compressor) and alot... of waiting and i mean alot and that takes up around 4 c.f.m. i hate luging my big one around but it necessary if that 's what i gotta do. now a couple questions/ statements, if you need an impact gun for homebuilding there few if any applications i can think of that you need that much torque, for an impact gun i would go with an electric they have surprising amount of torque for flitch plates and putting steel together(and alot of noise to much for me). the air chisel is a god send at times and i would recommend that for alot of applications. you sharpen the chisel up and trim joists for tecos its quick surprisngly. and the screwdriver is also alot of help for putting together any thing, but you have to tend with the hose and i've found an 18 volt drill does just as good. good luck cheers the bear

   Edited 6/21/2002 4:02:12 PM ET by the bear

   
   

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   Edited 6/21/2002 4:05:16 PM ET by the bear

3. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 22, 2002 08:14am | #3

   I'd say the smallest comp would be one with about a 20 gal tank. So...the Thomas 2820..which I have an love...wouldn'd work...or wouldn'd work very well. I look at it this way......a tool the a mechanic would use will need a bigger compressor.

   Mine will run most any carpentry tool. Impact wrenches and such.....will have to be corded. Is portability an issue? If so..the Thomas is great...powerful and portable.......if not.....set up a big #### Craftsman in the garage and run miles of hose. Jeff

      She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!

4. 
   MrsReese | Jun 22, 2002 11:28pm | #4

   I used an air impact wrench and the little portable compressor that came packaged with a framing nailer for driving lag bolts for a deck and it worked great. I drilled the next hole while I let the compressor catch up and shut off between bolts.

   My husband uses the little compressor to work on cars with an air wrench no problem. It would not, however, remove the bolt from my engine to get to the timing belt. He was going to try a larger diameter and shorter hose, but I just got tired of waiting after a year and a half and took the car to a shop. We do have an extra 25 gallon tank (I had it before the compressor to use with an air brush). He hooks that in line with the portable compressor to get a little extra capacity to use the mechanics tools.

   So I say try it! Those air tools are pretty cheap.

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Jun 23, 2002 12:31am | #5

   To everybody who replied, I thank each and every one of you.

   Being the first compressor purchase and I've been wanting ONE for several years, I am leaning towards something like the Thomas 2820.

   Portablilty is more important at this point, so air tools may have to wait.

   I did see some very long lag bolts being driven into locust and white oak posts, but the air wrench was powered by a gas Ingersol Rand compressor. Twin tanks, wheels and handles for moving around like a wheelbarrow. I am sure more powerful then the 2820.

   Back to the Thomas compressors, the Renegade would not be able to keep up, but maybe the 2820 will be able to handle the occasional air tool that gets connected. I will study the specs in more detail.

   Demands I place on the compressor will not be at the level of an autoshop or a production level construction crew.

   I did notice some large tank/floor standing models are maybe less expensive then the portable ones such as the 2820.

   Thanks again, folks.

   Alan

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 23, 2002 08:39am | #6

   That's right Alan.......the bigger comp's can be had for way less. From what you've said.....I'd think hard about getting the Thomas first......as portability is important..and I think it's the tops of the portables....then try to find a second hand big/fat guy on tires to roll out when the air tools are needed. I'd bet you could find a decent compressor for air tools for around $150 or so. Probably less if it's all covered in paint or oil!

      I've had 3 guys at once tied in into my 2820.......two framing and one running sheathing....not something I'd expect to do everyday.....but it worked fine.......it was over 90 deg's that week...so we weren't worried about top speed anyway! Jeff   She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!

1. 
   junkhound | Jun 28, 2002 03:58pm | #7

   CP 200 ft/# impact wrench for continuous duty (as fast as one can go to the next bolt) pulling 4" X 3/8 lags from PT 4X4s (pallet salvage) needs 2ea 4HP compressors running, >50 gal tank total.

   Anything less and you have to wait for it to pump back up.

   Only one bolt every few minutes and almost anything works.