I now have an air compressor (26 gallon) so I want to get a compact air impact. It will not have much use - probably once a month as needed for my own vehicles.
I think it is going to be either of the newer compact Aircat's which come in either 3/8" or 1/2". I know in the past most would say get a 1/2" drive to have the power - and I do want to use it on lug nuts, crankshaft bolts, etc. However, these newer models that I'm looking at have the same rated power in ft. lbs. (~500 ft. lbs.) for either size. The weight and size of the units are also basically the same - which means no real penalty for going for the larger drive.
Since most of my sockets are 3/8" and I could use an adapter for when I need a larger 1/2" socket for like the lug nuts, would the 3/8" impact be OK? Or, is there some other advantage to going with the 1/2" and then I could use an adapter on it if I want to use my smaller 3/8" sockets?
BTW, most of my sockets are not impact rated? Is it OK to use them since they will not get much use as impacts?
I think it is going to be either of the newer compact Aircat's which come in either 3/8" or 1/2". I know in the past most would say get a 1/2" drive to have the power - and I do want to use it on lug nuts, crankshaft bolts, etc. However, these newer models that I'm looking at have the same rated power in ft. lbs. (~500 ft. lbs.) for either size. The weight and size of the units are also basically the same - which means no real penalty for going for the larger drive.
Since most of my sockets are 3/8" and I could use an adapter for when I need a larger 1/2" socket for like the lug nuts, would the 3/8" impact be OK? Or, is there some other advantage to going with the 1/2" and then I could use an adapter on it if I want to use my smaller 3/8" sockets?
BTW, most of my sockets are not impact rated? Is it OK to use them since they will not get much use as impacts?