Do you own\use air tools for your Bimmer?

[puppypilgrim]

Just wondering if I should pickup a compressor and air tools for Christmas. Seems to me they make a lot of the work easier if you have them.

How many of you own and\or beg use air tools for your car?

[myles]

I've got a 1/2" rattle gun and borrow other tools from a friend. I don't use it often, but when I need it I couldn't do without it.

I've got a nail gun too, but thats not much use on the car.

[infurno]

I have a lot of air tools but charging the big compressor takes a while, its noisy, you have to keep up the pressure to be effective, and air tools tend to be large and harder to get into spots. Air compressor also takes a bit of cleanup with the hose, and need to empty any water in the tank every once in a while. Oh and remember to oil your tools or they wont last long.

Its also risky. If your not careful you could strip a thread or something.

I only use mine when I really have to, which is rare. Almost never under the hood.

Then again its a life saver when dealing with nuts/bolts that are hard to force loose. High quality air tools will force pretty much anything free. IMHO its a good investment that you will find use for later (nail gun, painting car, filling your tires, ect..) any serious diy mechanic should have one.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Hell yes!

The only way to go when you get down and dirty with the suspension.

The motor and interior only get hand tools

[MBXB]

Same as Blitz Bob

1/2 inch and a 3/8 inch

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Same as Blitz Bob,god bless the Snapon rattje gun that lives on a charger under the back seat!

[Dave M]

Same as Blitz Bob,god bless the Snapon rattje gun that lives on a charger under the back seat!

Please explain. Are we talkin a snap on cordless electric impact? If so, what type of torque can it produce? I've got a cheaper corded electric that I love, but am interested in another if its got more jam. Oh, being a snap on, whats the price like?

Dave M

[e34.535i.sport]

I wouldn't mind a set but I've managed to change all suspension parts with a jack stand, a 3/8 ratchet and a breaker bar. All this with some rain and very late nights thrown in... Piece of cake.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Please explain. Are we talkin a snap on cordless electric impact? If so, what type of torque can it produce? I've got a cheaper corded electric that I love, but am interested in another if its got more jam. Oh, being a snap on, whats the price like?

Dave M

Pneumatic..cheap and powerful!

Most of the inexpensive electric or cordless stuff is crap, and the good stuff would finance a decent of pneumatic stuff. Plus the tools tend to be kinds big and the battery always dies in the middle of a job.

[skotE34]

snap on cordless 18v very powerful about $500 for set extra battery and quick charger. cheaper with ingersol and 18v just as powerful. I personally like hitachi smaller and just as strong but high price. Ive had all and sold the rest but the hitachi. snap on makes good stuff 99% of my tools are snap on, but air tools are definitely better with ingersol and cordless is either hitachi or milwaukee. I make my living with these tools and i have about $200k worth. so i know something about tools.