I keep breaking 1/2 ratchets on my lug nuts.

[5030]

I like the SK triple tooth contact Pro ratchets, they have held up. For stuck lug nuts and a few stubborn axle nuts, I try with a 3/4 set up, then bought a 1" advertised 4280 ft lb. air Impact for when that fails and so far it has worked but I need to add a reserve air tank with large lines to make it work at full power. Supposed to have 175 psi and 1/2" air lines.

In reality, 135 PSI works just fine so long as you have sufficient CFM. Nice thing about running ANY compressor at 135 versus 175 is, the compressor will last a Lot longer, make less condensate (which ruins air tools). I run 135 for all my stuff but I use high flow couplers as well as large diameter air hoses. The higher the static pressure is, the less time the compressor will last and mine are large as well as expensive. I have over 35 CFM available at 135 psi which is more than adequate for any air tool or impact wrench. Both my compressors cost me over 8 grand. I usually only run one but if the plasma table is running production parts, I run both at the same time. One is a Quincy pressure lubed unit and the other is a Sullaire screw compressor. Both are 220-3 btw. I could run them both on 480 if I wanted to but the only advantage to 480-1 versus 220-3 in how fast they spin the meter.

We use a lot of air in the shop, every day. Both have automatic timed drains on them and the screw unit has a built in refrigerated dryer but I still use Motor Guard cannister filters on the inlet of the plasma cutters as any moisture in the supply line air is death on consumables.

Far as Cracksman tools are concerned, the old stuff was good, the new stuff is on par with Harbor Freight's Pittsburg line, IOW, Chicom junk. Used to have a lot of SK-Dresser tools but over the years they have either failed or sockets gave out so not many anymore. Mostly either Snap On or MAC or the Harbor Freight premium line (ICON). Problem with SK is getting them replaced if broken. Same with Snap-On and MAC but never an issue with HF Icon. I break them and take them back and they give me a new one. One time I broke an Icon impact socket and took it back and they didn't have one to replace it, so they gave me a complete set instead.

 

[sd455dan]

In reality, 135 PSI works just fine so long as you have sufficient CFM. Nice thing about running ANY compressor at 135 versus 175 is, the compressor will last a Lot longer, make less condensate (which ruins air tools). I run 135 for all my stuff but I use high flow couplers as well as large diameter air hoses. The higher the static pressure is, the less time the compressor will last and mine are large as well as expensive. I have over 35 CFM available at 135 psi which is more than adequate for any air tool or impact wrench. Both my compressors cost me over 8 grand. I usually only run one but if the plasma table is running production parts, I run both at the same time. One is a Quincy pressure lubed unit and the other is a Sullaire screw compressor. Both are 220-3 btw. I could run them both on 480 if I wanted to but the only advantage to 480-1 versus 220-3 in how fast they spin the meter.

We use a lot of air in the shop, every day. Both have automatic timed drains on them and the screw unit has a built in refrigerated dryer but I still use Motor Guard cannister filters on the inlet of the plasma cutters as any moisture in the supply line air is death on consumables.

Far as Cracksman tools are concerned, the old stuff was good, the new stuff is on par with Harbor Freight's Pittsburg line, IOW, Chicom junk.

Sad to see even the SK Pro line is now made in China as well. still charging close to $100 for a 1/2" rachet though.

I have thought about lowering the pressure down on the compressor pump cut out, but the impact and the bead breaker on the tire changer sometimes need that extra bit sometimes it seems.

 

[5030]

Sad to see even the SK Pro line is now made in China as well. still charging close to $100 for a 1/2" rachet though.

I have thought about lowering the pressure down on the compressor pump cut out, but the impact and the bead breaker on the tire changer sometimes need that extra bit sometimes it seems.

You are imagining that. Cut it to 135 psi but switch to high flow couplers and large inside diameter air hoses. Even my large IR 1" drive impact runs fine on 135 psi. Keep them well oiled as well. I use IR air tool oil in the pint squeeze bottle and it sits where my employees can get it easily as well.

In reality, all 175 psi does is build carbon on the reed valves quickly and then they need cleaned or replaced and the receivers run hot and that causes even more condensation. I run a 100 gallon receiver on the Quincy and an additional 250 gallon vertical receiver in the corner of the shop. The screw has a 75 gallon horizontal receiver under the mechanical stuff, built in.

 

[WranglerX]

Of course.

The next question though is, has anybody calibrated their torque wrench?

Actually if you do a real research torque wrench "calibration" is sort of myth as most are within reasonable limits to be accurate enough for just about everything but space agency devices.... Was a few good youtube videos a while back showing several different wrenches in differing conditions and error factor was almost negable....

 

[5030]

I suspect the prices on the made in China tools will go up quite a bit to cover the tariff's. Quality will remain the same however...lol

 

[WranglerX]

Just to make sure it is clear, a Torque Wrench is not the same thing as a Torque Multiplier.
A Torque Wrench is used to make sure that a bolt is as tight as you are supposed to have it, and a Torque Multiplier is used to loosen nuts and bolts that are too tight to get loose without breaking your ratchet or having to use an extension to increase the force. A Torque Multiplier uses a planetary gear system to use a smaller force to increase the torque to loosen a nut.
David from jax

If that is so why do torque multipliers state in instruction how to apply torque (with a torque wrench) above and beyond the rated value of a torquench to tighten nuts and bolts....?

 

[5030]

Actually if you do a real research torque wrench "calibration" is sort of myth as most are within reasonable limits to be accurate enough for just about everything but space agency devices.... Was a few good youtube videos a while back showing several different wrenches in differing conditions and error factor was almost negable....

Probably correct in as much as I own a torque master and every time I check them, they are always close to spec. Problem that most people don't quite understand is, if you put an extension on a torque wrench or you don't apply it at 90 degrees to the fastener you are torquing, the value of the torque applied changes. Then there is the wet thread versus dry thread issue as well.

 

[WranglerX]

And another thought, how may people are really conscientious about the few drops of oil in air tool every once in a while.....

 

[5030]

What I found to be interesting is that the Icon wrenches are just as good and sometimes better than the high buck Snap-On or MAC wrenches. Now when it comes to small torque values, I use a Snap-On 1/4" drive dial torque wrench. Not cheap by a long shot.

 

[5030]

And another thought, how may people are really conscientious about the few drops of oil in air tool every once in a while.....

Probably not many but it's a good habit to get into and why I have a couple bottles of IR air tool oil sitting about the shop. Not just any oil either but specifically formulated air tool oil. Those fast rotating carbon vanes in the motor like to be lubricated, often.