Just got a craftsman 25gal 2 stage professional (black model) air compresser and am looking for tools, ratchet, die grinder, impact wrench, sander, etc.

Is there a difference in quality from one to the other? Alot of companies make these tools, how do I know what to get.

Also, I am using these tools for light duty work, but want good stuff...Thanks

if it cost 10 bucks, not buy it. med quality like air grinders and cutting wheels could be around 30 to 50 bucks, rachet about 50, impact 60 to 80. these i would consider just good quality at home tools. there is a lot of difference between a 10 dollar air right anlge grinder and a 40 buck one. there is also a huge different form a 40 buck one to a 200 dollar on. go to a TSC or a Northern Tool store and you can get everything you need or pretty good prices

Just got a craftsman 25gal 2 stage professional (black model) air compresser and am looking for tools, ratchet, die grinder, impact wrench, sander, etc.

Is there a difference in quality from one to the other? Alot of companies make these tools, how do I know what to get.

Also, I am using these tools for light duty work, but want good stuff...Thanks[/b]


Yes, there is a huge difference in quality. Like most things, you get what you pay for. But some brands are overpriced. A $150 Ingersoll 1/2" impact works just as well as a $300+ Snap-On. It's hard to beat Ingersoll for the money. I'd steer clear of the made-in-China crap, even for home use.

I had an off brand impact gun for years and you could tighten a nut or bolt with it and turn it on reverse and it could not take it back off. Got a craftsman for Christmas and it was ten time better. I have recently gotten a lot of Kobalt brand tools and am very impressed with them. Lowes carries them and they have the same warranty as Craftsman, bring one in damaged and leave with a new one no questions asked.

As pointed out above.. you get what you pay for but more importantly, make sure you have a good water separator / oiler and drain your compressor every day then your new air tools will have a good chance of lasting a long time.

As pointed out above.. you get what you pay for but more importantly, make sure you have a good water separator / oiler and drain your compressor every day then your new air tools will have a good chance of lasting a long time.[/b]

and add a few drops of oil into you tool end before hooking up the air supply. The faster the tool spins (grinder vs Air gun) use a little more oil. I have a similar compressor by Sears, but i go the 33 gal vertical. Very happy with it. It runs every air tool I have in the box. I need to add a water seperator on the air line out. Getting tired of undoing the spigot on the bottom to drain. Vvrrip, Vvrripp-enjoy!

I agree with damageinc! I had a cheap impact that worked great providing all ya needed was a paper weight. The Ingersoll I have now works great. Go with IR, you won't be disappointed.
Save yourself the agravation and get a good one to start with.

Around the house buy the 10.00 one

Most of our air tools are either Chicago Pneumatic or Blue Point (Snap On) Both have been very good to us. We need a new 1/2" impact now though. It'll be a CP 749. 600 and some ft lbs in reverse and 550 or something like that tightening. If your just using it once in a while the cheaper ones are okay. You can buy a good Chicago Pneumatic 1/2" impact for around a 100-120 bucks though. Our die grinder is just a cheap one. We only use it maybe a couple of times a month. I think it's a coleman. I believe walmart sold them. It's actually been pretty good to us though.

Just some info from my own experience.

Ryan

I HAVE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL AUTO\TRUCK TECH FOR 15YRS. IN YOUR CASE, YOU CAN BUY THE CHEAPER DIEGRINGERS ECT, THEY WILL DO THE JOB AROUND THE HOUSE. AS FAR AS THE AIR GUN'S, I WOULD INVEST IN THE SNAP-ON 1\2 CORDLESS GUN ,INGERSOL RAN 3/8 GUN. THEY PAY FOR THEMSELVES AND YOU CAN USE THEM ANYWERE YOU GO. TRUST ME!!!!! I USE THESE GUN'S EVERY DAY WITH THE TOUGHEST CHASSIS BOLTS. I RARELY USE THE AIRLINE ANYMORE UNLESS I HAVE TO.




JUST A THOUGHT (COBRA)

Just food for thought on using electric cordless tools.
The batteries work great when you use the tools everyday as Cobra SHOUTED out in his line of work. However, when you use these tools for home use only, you'll find the batteries have a very short shelf life and soon won't keep a charge anymore.

I would recommend buying the most expensive (within reason) tools that YOU CAN afford considering how often you'll be using them. I too believe you usually get what you pay for. Try to compare the Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) the particular tool requires. A low number there will keep you much happier with your decision there than what the tool cost you and you may be surprised with what tools have the lowest numbers. The compressor you bought is great for general home use. I have a similar one. However, when you use a tool such as a die grinder or a sand blaster that needs a lot of air, your compressor won't be able to keep up with the demand and will be running constantly without giving enough air to give you the torque you need. That's where the low CFM numbers come in.

Occasional use tools such as impact guns, drills, socket drivers, etc. will be fine with that compressor. Again, if you're using low CFM tools, it'll just minimize how much your compressor has to run.

This has been my experience anyways.

Good luck.

Jeff

Yes, using a die grinder (or any grinder) @ home on a typical workshop compressor usually sucks when compared to their performance using a factory air supply.