I'll be getting a compressor here in a week or so. What brands are good to get? What should I stay away from? I thought I'd go check in the pawn shops to see what they have (maybe get some good quality stuff a little cheaper).

I have mostly craftsman hand tools and have been happy with them. How do thier pneumatic tools compare (I'm not a big fan of thier electric tools like saws).

 

I would say definitly get the best from the start. I would get IR ingersaw rand tools if i was to do it again and will when i have the money to upgrade. For instance i have some knock off brand of air tools. Well some of them work just fine. But my impact gun wont even take off lug nuts. I say IR brand because i know a mech that has a smaller impact gun that is 100% better than my bigger no name gun. It was a bad *** little gun by IR. Aslo lube them often to help them to last.
That is my .02$

 

In this arena, you really do get what you pay for ...

 

A lot of the Sears/Craftsman air tools are rebedged Ingersol Rand tools. I have a nice Craftsman/IR 1/2" impact gun that came from Sears, and a Craftsman 3/8" air ratchet that works great also.

Sears has some pretty nice/good quality air tools.

 

I work full time at a tranny shop. Here's what I like the best!

Ingersoll/MAC 1/2" Impacts
Snap-On 3/8" Impact
Snap-On 3/8" Air rachets
Ingersoll/MAC Air hammers

 

Anyone have any experience with Husky? They have a lifetime warranty. I know snap on and craftsman don't have that.

 

I've got a Husky 22 Gallon vertical oil-less compressor. It's just a rebadged Campbell-Hausfield.

It's my first compressor and I'm real happy with it. It's gotten a fair amount of use this week, had to change the water pump, timing belt, crank pulley and valve cover gaskets on my beater.

 

My friend blew a lower radiator hose on a Ford Ranger.

It is so freaking tight up by the water pump, I couldn't get a screwdriver on the hose clamp and there was no ratchet room.

I broke out my 1/4" drive air ratchet and made short work of that sucka!

Air tools good ...

 

well I ended up getting a Husky 1/2" Impact wrench and it came with 3/8" rachet, case, socket, and a few other accessories. It's the same impact gun they sell seperately for the same price, and the rachet they sell for $40 or $50. So all this for $60....pretty good i thought with a lifetime warrranty

 

Chicago Pneumatic worked for me back in the day, as did IR which of course I prefer.