Upgrading my toolkit...

A4_Pilot · 10-02-2003, 04:38 PM

Okay, so I took the bait. After reading Wayne's '101 Projects' book I decided to upgrade my toolkit. So far so good, but I decided to add as well. So I need some suggestions and help...

Can any of you recommend a good electric impact wrench? This would really save time for me, but I know nothing about them. I've looked at the pneumatic ones as well, but I get confused by air flow / torque and what sized compressor to get. (yeah it gets expensive). So back to the electric! How much torque is necessary? How much should I pay (some retail for $200 while I've seen others for $70)?

I also want to get a newer / better timing light. Sears sell them for about $50, but Drivewerks list them on their site for nearly $200!!!???! What am I missing? Will an adjustable Craftsman light do the job (they mention something about being used on computer controlled cars - will it work on something simpler?)

Sorry for the confusion. I guess I want some guidance here!

Thanks in advance

Antoni

dfink · 10-02-2003, 05:06 PM

I have personally never had much luck with electric impacts. If you really need the "impact" of the impact wrench to get things loose you need alot of air pressure 125 to 150 psi. If you just want to use it to speed up removal I would assume about anything would work. There doesn't appear to me to be alot on a porsche for the DIYer where an impact would be used that much. Impacts have a tendancy to screw things up about as much as they screw things off. Also keep in mind that impact wrenchs require impact sockets. Impact sockets are not as brittle as standard sockets. A standard socket will eventually fail sometimes in a not good way. Sorry for the negativity.

gchappel · 10-02-2003, 05:19 PM

The Chicago brand electric impact wrench from Harbor Freight has been surprisingly good for an inexpensive portable electric. It has about 200lb of torque- I use it to change wheels at the track, and some other lightweight auto work. It does not replace my air tools- but for an inexpensive portable unit- about $175 or so it has been great. Don't waste your time on the $50 ones, been there, done that. It lasts about 10 wheel changes then you throw it away. In the garage, in my opinion, get air tools. I was always told to use impact wrenchs to loosen only- use something else to tighten them back up.
See ya
Gary

A4_Pilot · 10-02-2003, 05:22 PM

Thanks! Never having had one I don't quite know yet how I'll use it. Certainly it'll speed up working in the garage...don't quite know how else it'll be useful though.

85Gold · 10-02-2003, 05:37 PM

A right angle 3/8 drive impact is a lot more usefull than a 1/2 inch for taking apart only. Think of valve covers and etc with limited turn room for a ratchet and how handy a small impact wrench would be.

Peter

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

I have a Craftsman 1/2 inch drive that I bought at Sears probably 25 years ago. I used it today to take the steering wheel off. I'm not sure how much power it has , it can depend on how much extention cord and the cords size. It wouldn't break the lugs loose on a PU truck the other day but I was running thru a long 50' and small ext. cord.
Ingersol rand used to make a good one too.
They can be a handy tool

yelcab1 · 10-02-2003, 08:15 PM

I rely on my 1/2 inch drive Ingersol Rand impact drive, bought at Sears. Paid $175 and well worth it. There are so many things on a Porsche that an impact wrench can help, and some that just require an impact wrench. Top of shocks, bottom of shocks, flywheel bolts, steering wheels, and a bunch of things that just go faster with an impact wrench. Air impact wrenches, once you have one, you'll wonder why you waited so long.

Randy Webb · 10-02-2003, 09:00 PM

I just use a speed ratchet or an elec. drill for speed. If I really need impact I use the one at my mechanics garage -- its handy for breaking down frozen, or rusted parts.

I have a hand impact set at home -- works most of thetime and cost nearly $20.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

I loved my Ingersol Rand 2131 (1/2" drive, 600ft/lbs torque, 4.5lbs?). I've replaced it with a 2135Ti (1/2" drive, 700 ft/lbs torque, 4 lbs, titanium!).
-Chris

Rot 911 · 10-03-2003, 05:16 AM

If you want to go electric, just get the one with the most torque from Harbor Freight. Will be cheaper and work just as well as the name brands. As for timing lights I have the Sears adjustable advance timing light that I paid around $55.00 and it does everything you need to do and does it well.

Early_S_Man · 10-03-2003, 05:51 AM

A4,

I don't see the serious need for an impact wrench at all ... never needed to use one on my car in 25.7 years! Not for the front strut nuts, steering wheel nut, rear axle nuts, alternator pulley nut, motor/trans mount nuts, or engine pulley bolt!

That said, I have had a Sears Craftsman electric impact for about 28 years that has been used on OP9's (other people's 911's) for all of the above fasteners over the years! There is just something about neglect, rust, and previous use of impact wrenches ... that does occasionally need to be overcome!

I would strongly suggest that a minimum of three torque wrenches are needed for regular 911 maintenance, and FIVE for serious work (an extra 1/2" drive model for lug nuts, and 3/4" drive model for rear axle and transmission work) ...

Although you can get by with ordinary DMMs, a model with temperature measurement capability and an assortment of Type K thermocouple probes, a Fluke DC current probe, and data logging capabilities to a laptop certainly comes in handy to me when investigating electrical gremlins! A digital storage oscilloscope occasionally is useful, too.

An inch/metric dial indicator comes in pretty handy for camshaft timing and other valvetrain work.

An assortment of HD 3-6 ton jack stands, and a HD floor jack is essential for any home 911 garage.

A 5-8 hp air compressor and 3/8" speed ratchet, air chisel, and variety of touch-up & spray guns is handy for exhaust system & painting chores.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I have three compressors, however, the largest is a 20 year old 1hp/12 gallon Craftsman. I'm desperate to upgrade but have been holding off for that right deal. (I think I might have found it).

My point here is, while the 1hp is too anemic for large jobs I've used it successfully for painting, Media Blasting, sanding, air ratchet, Impact wrench, disc cutter etc. Yes, it takes longer and Yes it would be ideal to have a larger piece of equipment but it has served me very, very well.

My advice if you decide to go the air route with a smaller compressor is to choose a high torque, low CFM consumption model. I'm very happy with a Husky Impact Wrench from Home Depot. I just received it and it's the first Impact Wrench I've ever had....damn it's nice to work with.

To complete the picture I bought a great used set of impact sockets at a flee market for a few bucks.

Good luck

yelcab1 · 10-03-2003, 06:19 AM

I'll second that notion that you can do most things on any car without air tools ... but, it is a marriage saver because it lets you spend more time with your wife and kids as opposed to under the car. Then, your wife lets you buy more cars, and you spend more time with the other cars, etc...

Rot 911 · 10-03-2003, 06:26 AM

Anyone who has ever tried to remove the front upper strut nuts or upper rear shock nuts and lower shock bolts will appreciate using an air ratchet and impact wrench.