So I'm thinking of investing in an air compressor and a gun to take off the lug nuts to do my owe tire rotations. I know it'll cost like 300+ dollars but I have four cars in the family so I'll be paying myself back eventually without going somewhere. So does anyone know how many psi and gallons I'd need in an air compressor and also what kind of gun would be best for this? I'm just starting to look into this so any info and help would be appreciated

 

I do my own rotations, but I just use a breaker bar and torque wrench. Much cheaper.

 

I'm worried about scraching the rims, every have any problems with that?

 

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But a compressor is a very good investment nonetheless.

Nope.

 

Nope, sure haven't--but I can understand why you'd be concerned; some wheel finishes are very delicate

 

I just use the breaker bar and torque wrench also, there's no way of scratching the rims unless you are using the wrong size socket and if it's a short socket.

 

Well just incase I do decide to get the air compressor does anyone know how much psi and gallons and other criteria I'd need?

 

to run an impact gum you will want at least 100psi and 5 gallon tank. a lot of it comes down to quality of the tools. i have a cheap $50 impact gun that at 125psi will barly take wheels off, and i have an ingersol rand titanium gun ($300) that i use for work and itll blast wheel nuts off at 60psi with no issue.

another option if all you want the compressor for is an impact gun is to buy a cordless electric unit. i have an ingersol rand 1/2" drive 17.2 volt cordless impact, its good for 300lb/ft breakaway torque, i bought it for lug nuts, but its great for a ton of things. it did cost me $400 for the charger, 2 betteries and gun, however by the time you get a compressor and a gun, airhose, fittings, ect, it adds up. also, no hassle of dragging airlines around.

 

I'm just lazy and basically never rotate my tires and just end up balding them out, lol. Gotta love living in an apt complex with "no working on your car in the parking lot" rules.

 

i dot all of my vehicle maintenance at work, lifts FTW.

I have done tire rotations at home, they suck. Just get one of those lug wrenches with 4 different socket sizes on it, some jack stands and a jack. An air compressor wont really help you because im guessing that you will buy a small one, with little power, and a big 1/2 inch impact gun will drain down that tank like nothing, and you'll be waiting for the pressure to build back up between loosening or tightening lug nuts.

i have a 500+ dollar Snap-On gun for work. it uses little air, is very quiet, and has incredible amounts of power. if you were to buy a 80 dollar job at home depot or lowes, your looking for a headache

 

Another vote for the cordless. I have one from Milwaukee and it takes lug nuts off like they're candy. No scratching of the wheel as long as you're careful but that applies whether you're using an impact or just a regular hand tools.

 

if you're really worried about scratches cover the socket with painters tape

 

Breaker and Torque wrench FTW, dont wanna strip or snap the lugs.

 

meh, the electric ones dont do it for me.

 

100 ft lbs is easy enough to torque by hand, not to mention remove.

A compressor is a great investment IF you are going to use it for multiple pneumatic tools. If you're just going to change some tires, I'd recommend saving your money.

 

Definitely need a 1/2 impact gun. Most definetly do not need a 5 gallon tank. I have just a craftsman 3gal 125 psi and it does just fine, especially if thats all you need it for. 100 bucks for the compressor at sears. Impact gun and sockets will cost more than that though. You definetly need impact sockets as a gun will round out the part where the socket connects to the wrench/gun and could split the socket as well. The only difference between a 5 gallon and three gallon is that the air compressor will be on more of the time trying to keep the pressure up. The advantage to a three gallon over bigger is that it fills with air quicker. If you are not gonna use your air compressor for more than tires and small things, the one above is all you need.

 

I use Ingersol Rand Titanium impact guns at my work too. They get the crap beat out of them on a daily basis and they run strong. Quiet too.

 

i use an 18 volt cordless impact

works great. never had a problem.