At 06:03 PM 9/16/98 -0400, Steve Dillen wrote:
>
>I'd rate as follows:
>
>1. 3/8" ratchet. The air-ratchet is really versatile -- especially when
>taking stuff apart. I just finished rebuilding a bike engine (CBR-600 that
>had the transmission disintegrate), and the air-ratchet knocked hours off of
>disassembly. Last year's MG engine removal and disassembly was a breeze with
>an air-ratchet.
>
>2. 1/2" impact wrench. If cost was not an issue, then I'd rate this
>first -- when you need an impact wrench, nothing else really will work. I
>find that the less expensive impact wrenches just don't have the power that
>you're looking for when you really need it -- so you get frustrated and
don't
>use it.
>You won't use it nearly as often as the ratchet -- use is pretty much limited
>to removing frozen bolts, or bolts that tend to spin the assembly
>(crankshaft/sprocket) they're fastened to.
>
I have to agree with Steve. I have a cheap impact wrench ($30) that I use
most of the time. Then I have bought a better Ingersol Rand (about $70).
I use this when the cheap one doesn't work.
But I very seldom use the 3/8" ratchet for disassembly as I broke my last one.
Trying to disassemble something, I sheared a couple of teeth off one of the
planet gears and locked up the wrench. So after replacing the ratchet, I use
the impact wrench to break the nuts & bolts loose. I find that I use the
ratchet for re-assembly mostly because of this. After the nuts are up snug,
I go to the calibrated armstrong or torque wrench method.
Don't own a butterfly, nor know how it differs from the other 2 tools. I do
have a 1/4" drive ratchet also, but I've never used it.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair@exis.net
Va. Beach, Va Phone: (757) 495-8229
48 TR1800 65 Morgan 4/4 Series V
71 Saab Sonett III 75 Bricklin SV1 77 Spitfire
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