After going through changing out wheels one too many times in my garage (and anticipating that it's only going to get worse once I have DR's) I feel it may be time for an air compressor and an impact gun to aid the process. I was wondering how many members have this in their garages and if you would be so kind to offer any advise in my research. Thanks for your help.

 

I do. Use them to take the wheels off but never use them to put the wheels on. I always-always use a torque wrench. You never know how tight or how loose an impact gun puts them on.

 

+1, I was thinking of doing the same. Just pick myself up a pressure washer today

 

Motorkas,
A two stage compressor will get you the air pressure you want which is over 125 psi. With great air pressure you can do so much more. An impact gun is just the start so keep your options open. A good gun to get is Ingersoll-Rand 2115TI 3/8-Inch.
Best of luck.
Warren

 

Mandatory garage items for every man:
1) BluRay
2) LCD/Plasma
3) PC computer
4) Full stereo surround
5) Counter space
6) Good lighting
7) Handgun/PitBull-or other means of keeping away solicitors and folks with flyers when your door is open.
8) At least a 30gal compressor. I recommend a 60+ unit
9) 1/2", 3/8" impact tools and all associated sockets,etc
10) Airline that will reach every part of the garage. Helps if you have an additional air outlets to run two tools at once

IR makes good stuff, but one of my favorite little impact guns is this little compact yet powerful unit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...ench-2623.html

 

I have both but I find it to be so quick to change wheels with just hand tools.

And if you are going for it BT, just like everyone has stated, ingersol rand is the only acceptable air tool brand.

Good luck my friend!

 

If changing tires is the only reason you have for buying an air compressor I would suggest researching some battery powered rechargeable impact guns. Having both, I find the rechargeable less cumbersome. Better yet, you can take it to the track and swap your tires there.
+1 on using a torque wrench afterward!

 

Electric impact guns work very well also. Many auto parts stores use them to swap out alternator pulleys.

 

+1 on the electric impact. I have a plug in and she has lots of torque buuuuut since our cars run on 90-100ft lbs of torque per lug, the torque wrench gets the job done really fast. I can loosen the lugs with just a good push on the end of that long torque wrench...then just hand turn out the lugs one by one.

So different than the old chevys where you would be standing on the end of a lug wrench jumping up and down until you hear that screech and turn.

 

i have one and some craftsman air tools works great

 

got a air compressor and works good for basically blowing air on people and cleaning a dirty computer lol

 

I also own a compressor/air gun kit & recommend at least a 30gal compressor if you're serious about doing your own maintenance. It's just worth it, and the price difference between a 30gal and smaller units isn't enough to justify a smaller one.

Also good advice already provided is the long air line recommendation. You can get a nice air line retracting spool that hangs from the roof, and feeds line to you as needed and then retracts to "disappear" entirely. Griots Garage sells a nice air line spool unit.

+1 on the torque wrench for wheel nuts when tightening them!

 

x2 on a two stage Ingersoll Rand!

 

the need for a 2 stage compressor is the reclaim time. for an impact its negligible. for sanding painting sandblasting thats were the 2 stage shines. i/r tools are great but dont discount the milwaukee brand. very well built.
i never use my impacts for wheel install. torque wrench is the only way to go

 

Snap on 1/2 inch cordless impact but always finish with a good torque wrench. For air tools, I.R. 1/2 inch impact. Craftsman or Husky compressor.

 

I have both and love it!

 

BT, I just purchased this one from Autozone.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=914606_0_0_


I used it yesterday for the first time to rotate the tires on my E500. Took the opportunity to scrub the inside of the barrels too.

As suggested, use a high quality hand torque wrench to torque them down though.

 

BOR...doesn't it feel good to scrub the insides of the tires? The OCD in me always seems to feel I do a half arsed job if I don't take the wheels off and wash and scrub the inside barrel.

+1000 on the torque wrench...I feel better when I hear the click of the tq wrench.

 

I use an electric one.

I throw it in my trunk with my jack & torque wrench, so i can easily do my family's cars at their own houses. Works great...very cost effective. I think it was $75.

 

Thanks for all the input guys - will be picking up an electric one and a torque wrench tomorrow. . .

 

Same here. Problem is, it's been soooooooo damn hot here and my garage isn't climate controlled, so I've been procrastinating on pulling them off. I refuse to use acidic wheel cleaners, so it's a soap and water affair for me. I had a wheel brush, but the handle broke last time I used it. Even still, the only real way to clean them is to pull them off. It's such a pain.

Get a cordless one. It comes in handy at the track.

 

BOR...same with my garage..I ended up getting a heavy duty floor fan from home depot. It helps a lot since it's humid as the devil's armpit around here.

Jon

 

I'm actually getting both - one for the garage and the other for the track