Advice regarding my air tool/compressor needs

The smaller unit will never keep up to that big honker, you will be constantly waiting for it to recover. Most compressors will put out 100+psi, you need volume. 1/2"gun will not consume as much air but likely won't have the power you want.

Geocritter,
Well Sir, as has been stated, a 3/4" gun will deplete your "intended" little compressor almost instantly. I too have had the pleasure of having home air, a Sears 20 Gallon, two horse unit for the first 20 years and the one we have now, a 30 Gallon, 3 horse unit for about 19 years. This 3-horse unit is set for 150 psi cut out. It will handle a 3/4" gun, efficiently for about 10-15 seconds of full trigger pull. After then, it's no more power than a reasonable 1/2" gun.

Yes, you need MASSIVE volume and, at sustained psi. in order for full value of high torque tools to operate efficiently. I too like air tools and having the ability to use them if and when needed. But, in reality, just how much "big" work are you or I, planning on doing while out on the road? I too do all my own work and, it's very handy to have air tools giving assistance when and where needed but, a couple of things prohibit this.

1. Like what's been stated, you need high volume and high pressure for just about any of them to be of real value.

2. And, since the one you're thinking of is not anywhere near what you'd need one for, you'd need a seriously larger one to accommodate the drive needed for those tools, and you say you don't have the storage capacity for such a large unit.

3. Then, there's the tools themselves. There's lots of weight there and, volume of space needed for, whatever ones you plan on toating with you on your adventures.

Don't get me wrong here, I commend you for thinking that way. Being as prepared as one could be is always nice. I was thinking along the same lines when preparing for a "just in case" situation with my lug nuts, if ever the need arose for removal. 450 ft.lbs. of torque is fairly tough to deal with out on the road or, even at home most of the time. So, long story short, I was thinking of a 3/4" gun and large volume hose, adapters for small line to big line etc. etc. but, instead, I purchased a Torque Multiplier that is seriously strong enough to break those lug nuts loose, if ever needed.

So, just some info for you if it's of any value. Take care.
Scott

One of my issues is that my RV is also my home. Currently I have a storage space nearby, mainly for family keepsakes and for now, my extra tools. However when I hit the road in a month or two the storage space won't be so convenient, hence my desire to have tools with me that can git-r-done. BTW I purchased a torque multiplier and didn't have much luck with it. I talked to the Snap-on tool man about it (I didn't purchase it from him). He said that they're made more for tightening bolts and not for untightening. I just don't know what to believe. He also offered to loan me an air impact wrench, but like a fool I didn't take him up on it.
Steve

Since you have a class A and I presume a Generator look at 110 volt impact wrench. I did try the air impact wrench on a small harbor freight compressor VS a nice OLD Craftsmen. I could not loosen the lug nuts on my tires while hooked up to the small compressor but could with the larger compressor. I did not want to haul that big compressor around so I bought a electric model impact wrench. It loosens 250 ft LB lug nut easily. I did not try higher because I do not need higher. I just carry the small compressor to fill tires and operate my air powered hydraulic jack (oh how I like that piece of equipment).

Geocritter wrote:
One of my issues is that my RV is also my home. Currently I have a storage space nearby, mainly for family keepsakes and for now, my extra tools. However when I hit the road in a month or two the storage space won't be so convenient, hence my desire to have tools with me that can git-r-done. BTW I purchased a torque multiplier and didn't have much luck with it. I talked to the Snap-on tool man about it (I didn't purchase it from him). He said that they're made more for tightening bolts and not for untightening. I just don't know what to believe. He also offered to loan me an air impact wrench, but like a fool I didn't take him up on it.
Steve

Geocritter,
The Torque Multiplier I was talking about is this one:

Torque Multiplier

It's primarily for lug nuts that are seriously tight. I suppose it could be used for other purposes but, it would be real awkward in may situations. The torque multiplier you may be talking about may look more like a ratchet head than anything I'm speaking of. Yes, mine is primarily a single purpose tool but, it does that purpose outstandingly well. I can sit on my a$$ and with one arm, break free all 10, 450 lb. lug nuts without "breaking" a sweat. But, again, it's primarily a single purpose tool.

Good luck on setting up Shop while in your travels. It would be nice to have all my tools while out on the road. But, I'm finding that more and more, I just want to relax while out there, I'll fix things when I get home.
Scott

FIRE UP wrote:

Geocritter wrote:
One of my issues is that my RV is also my home. Currently I have a storage space nearby, mainly for family keepsakes and for now, my extra tools. However when I hit the road in a month or two the storage space won't be so convenient, hence my desire to have tools with me that can git-r-done. BTW I purchased a torque multiplier and didn't have much luck with it. I talked to the Snap-on tool man about it (I didn't purchase it from him). He said that they're made more for tightening bolts and not for untightening. I just don't know what to believe. He also offered to loan me an air impact wrench, but like a fool I didn't take him up on it.
Steve

Geocritter,
The Torque Multiplier I was talking about is this one:

Torque Multiplier

It's primarily for lug nuts that are seriously tight. I suppose it could be used for other purposes but, it would be real awkward in may situations. The torque multiplier you may be talking about may look more like a ratchet head than anything I'm speaking of. Yes, mine is primarily a single purpose tool but, it does that purpose outstandingly well. I can sit on my a$$ and with one arm, break free all 10, 450 lb. lug nuts without "breaking" a sweat. But, again, it's primarily a single purpose tool.

Good luck on setting up Shop while in your travels. It would be nice to have all my tools while out on the road. But, I'm finding that more and more, I just want to relax while out there, I'll fix things when I get home.
Scott

This is the one I bought
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HD-Torque-Multiplier-Truck-Trailer-RV-Lug-Nut-Wrench-Labor-Saving-Wrench-1-64-/190914547721?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item2c7364d009
I got this one because I thought the sliding stop would help. It just didn't seem to work, then I realized that with its size and weight it wouldn't work in other areas at all, I guess it was a foolish purchase on my part, live and learn. I like your attitude about waiting until you get home to do maintenance and repairs, but in my case my RV is my home.

I've done plenty of roadside repairs in my life, for myself and for people in need, so it doesn't bother me as long as I have the tools.

Steve

X2 on a good electric impact.

We have a 6 gallon 150 PSI Sears pancake compressor. fits in one of the bays just fine. will run an impact wrench.

Off-roaders often just carry a tank of CO2 fitted with a regulator to power their air tools. More compact than a compressor, and requires no electricity, so operates anywhere. Various sized tanks are available, both new and used. Depending on the size, they will last quite a while, and certainly have enough volume to power that 3/4" gun, or air up some tires. They can be refilled at any welding shop, or many soda pop bottling facilities. A regulator is necessary as the CO2 tank pressure is around 1000 psi.

Yes on CO2....when I was off roading in the desert I had a small bottle like that to blow out carbs and fill tires.....worked perfect.