FYI, I got one of those cheapie 65 piece kits (coleman I believe) from Checker. Come with most everything you need. Nothing broke on me yet. I figure "somethin'" was better than "nuttin'". I did relize later that I could use more air storage on my compressor though. That thing runs man!

Alfred, When I first purchased my compressor I was in the same boat. I spent all my money on the compressor and had very little for air tools. I purchased the combo kit from costco and have been using it for about three years now. The only thing in that kit that I am disappointed in is the impact. I had an idea it would be too weak and I was right. Everything else is holding up great though. For the price I don't think you can beat it.

If you go the costco route just plan on buying a real impact in the future. As I upgrade to better air tools my costco ones are becoming trail airtools since I have onboard air.

Unless you are going to use these tools professionally I doubt you will be disappointed in anything but the impact that comes in the costco combo.

I also have the Costco set, it's pretty complete and a good value. I dont have a problem with the impact, I've never put a snapon to the test but I know the Costco one is still doing well over 100 ft-lbs, a range that when I get up there I'd rather pull out a torque wrench and get it right (except lugs nuts, I have my own method of using the impact on those that works nice.) Go for the Costco Kit and if you find the impact insufficient then get a better one but you wont regret having the rest of the stuff, it's well enough built.
-John

I mainly built up my air tool set with the low cost ones and most have worked fine. I think I, too, went with a better 1/2" impact. I've been running most of the rest for 10-15 years and with regular oiling they work fine. Do invest in quick disconnects for all of them:



I run the Industrial type (lower one in the picture), on everything. I run short swivel whip hoses on some of the tools like the die grinder, air drill and butterfly. Makes them easier to use w/o the long coiled extension so close to the handle.

In my early 20's, I used regular sockets on air tools. The sockets never broke, but the 1/2" square input was hammered loose on both the socket and 1/2" extensions. This is my experience.
Also, don't necessarily believe that just because it uses air, it is more powerful than a quality Craftsman breaker bar, and a six point set of chrome sockets, or black-chrome air impact sockets, powered by man.
Too many jobs are too tough for a typical air tools found in the home. Air tools are good for medium size bolts where the benefit is SPEED not POWER. Removing tire lugs is an obvious application, however, tightening requires a hand tool!
IF I were limited to $150, I would get a CP (Chigago Pneumatic) or Ingersoll-Rand 1/2" drive impact tool. The whole idea here is BUY QUALITY-BUY AMERICAN. They are more efficient for the same PSI than a big sloppy package of tools in a Campbell Hausfield set at Wally World.
It seems the only thing I use my air compressor are:
1. Air sweeping the garage floor.
2. Filling tires
3. Removing wheel lug nuts.
4. Removing fill/drain plugs from my Toyota's diff. fill/drain plugs. It is nice and gentle application here.

topic of air tools do any of you have the new air hoses? they are a clear blue plastic material?

they weigh about 1/3 of what the old traditional hoses do and u can tie them in a not, even when its cold, and u can take and cut them and make them any length you want, they make repair kits and all for them.

Polyurethane hose I assume? I use them with my 4-way tire inflator, I've seen blue and orange ones. They seem to work OK, handle cold weather better (and use w/ CO2 systems - PowerTank uses the PU hose as well). They are pretty easy to repair.

If you are just using them around the house Id go for something cheaper...We have a tech at the shop that has a Cambell Hausfield(sp???) and beats that thing like crazy and its still hanging in there. i think it was less than $50.
My most used is probably th 1/4 air ratchet or 3/8 impact.

Heres a list f my air tools and prices:
1/2 matco impact $150
3/8 matco compostie impact $250
3/8 bluepoint air ratchet $30(used off thetool truck)
1/4 mac air ratchet
snap-on dye grinder $90

Next on the list..Air hammer

I think the 'ebay' gods have spoken. I got outbid on the impact wrench above <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I think I'm going to go with the "buy cheap and replace" method. However, I don't have any urgent need at the moment, so I'll keep searching ebay/craigslist for deals. If I don't find any deals, I'll probably head over to costco before my next project.

Thanks for all the advise.

Don't feel bad. I've been outbid for 3 days on snap on 1/2" impacts.

But I'm in the lead on this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...9479&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBI%3AIT

I did manage to win a new 3/8 drive ratchet and a nice tool box tho....all snap on, and all cheap.

My eBay theory is to make a bid and just forget it. If it wins, great. If not, you will see another just like it soon. Let the hungry guys eat first and you will save $$ in the end. The onlt time I hang aroung the auction till it closes is if I really need it.