Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Parker RK119B Relieving Diaphragm Valve Assembly Repair Kit for R119 Series Regulator

Parker RK119B Relieving Diaphragm Valve Assembly Repair Kit for R119 Series Regulator
  • Applicable for 3/4" to 1" R119 series regulator

For years my R119 air "relieving" regulator has been working on/off, or leaking air. I cleaned and lubed it with marginal improvement. Well, this kit fixed it and it is working beautifully now.

There is no lube with the kit for the O rings and inner valve assembly.

Other than that it's great.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Porter-Cable PT382 3/8-Inch Pneumatic Impact Wrench

Porter-Cable PT382 3/8-Inch Pneumatic Impact Wrench
  • Durable pin clutch mechanism
  • variable-speed trigger for precise control
  • One touch forward/reverse switch
  • Backed by 2-year warranty
  • 2 year limited warranty

Impact wrench works great but I have two issues. First of all, the connector should be 1/4" NPT not 3/8". Secondly, it's harder than it should be to find the notch that the dial should be turned to in order to set the maximum torque. Having said that, this is a very good product and I would recommend it's purchase.

It's hard to find impact wrenches like this one that can actually be used to tighten without the risk of applying too much torque. Most other wrenches that have torque limiting features don't specify what the maximum torque is at each setting. Without this information, you really have no idea how much torque your applying and the adjustment feature loses its value.

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I have used this with a small compressor to break lug nuts on mud-encrusted kart wheels and to drive large lag screws without bogging down. I am pleased and it goes with me to the cabin.

Read Best Reviews of Porter-Cable PT382 3/8-Inch Pneumatic Impact Wrench Here

nice item...adjustability helps. Not for heavy duty use but does what I eed it for. appears to be well made. Too a couple of trigger puls to get it going initlally but wokrs first time every time now

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I don't use a 3/8 inch impact nearly as heavily as I do my 1/2 inch, so I thought I'd save a few bucks, and get a more moderately priced one. When my package showed up, I was pleasantly surprised at the initial build quality, and general feel of precision of this tool, considering its price. While not on par powerwise with I-R air tools, it is also much cheaper to buy. I haven't used it enough to comment on its long-term durability, but build quality seems good, and power is adequate for anyting you would likely use a 3/8 drive wrench on.

Porter Cable is still putting out some good equipment. Use it most every day and am still happy. Good trigger location and forward and reverse are easy to manipulate.

Merrill Mfg. PG200 Steel Pressure Gauge

Merrill Mfg. PG200 Steel Pressure Gauge
  • 200 PSI
  • 2" Steel Case
  • 1/4" NPT Male thread (brass)

I used this to adjust the pressure on a Gaggia Classic espresso machine. It's a very simple process: remove the spout from the portafilter, attached the pressure gauge using a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter (also available on Amazon: Lead Free Brass Pipe Fitting, Reducing Coupling, Class 125, 3/8" X 1/4" NPT Female and see what the pressure is. The factory setting on mine was 160 psi (which is about 11 bar). I initially adjusted the pressure to 145 psi (which is about 10 bar), and may go a bit lower after further testing.

There is a marked difference in the espresso quality with proper pressure, and this is an inexpensive way to determine the pressure setting of your machine.

The gauge itself is decent -about what you would expect at this price point. But, it gets the job done and is very inexpensive!

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This appears to be a good, steel air pressure gauge. It arrived within a few days of ordering it. After the application of a little teflon pipe tape, the gauge was screwed into an air pressure regulator. The regulator was adjusted to where the gauge showed 90 psi. Without any way to check the accuracy of the gauge, one can only presume that it is accurate. The gauge did not leak and appears to be of good quality. I have no complaints against it at the present time.

Read Best Reviews of Merrill Mfg. PG200 Steel Pressure Gauge Here

I ordered this gauge to replace a broken gauge on a small Craftsman compressor. It went on without a problem and it works just fine. Bottom line...it is relatively inexpensive and it does what it is supposed to. I would buy another if the need arises.

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these gauges are much better than the ones i replaced them with, very good quality for the price

good gauges can save a lot of work from having to be done a second time (think automotive paint?!?)

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Got delivered quick and did the job to check my static shower pressure... Would buy it again!

Monday, June 2, 2014

TEKTON 4647 3/8-Inch by 25-Feet PVC Air Hose

TEKTON 4647 3/8-Inch by 25-Feet PVC Air Hose
  • Abrasion, Kink, and Weather-Resistant PVC Construction
  • Solid Brass End Fittings: 1/4" NPT
  • 200 PSI Working Pressure
  • 600 PSI Burst Pressure
  • Quality Guarantee

I was expecting a hose with a lot more flexibility. In cold weather you could use this hose as a stick. It is a good quality hose, good fittings, bright yellow color. The problem is it has a very strong memory. It doesn't lay anywhere near flat, loops up in the air, very difficult to uncoil. If you are looking for a good quality hose that is out of the way, this is a good buy. But if you're looking for a hose that is flexible, lays flat and you don't want to trip over, don't buy this hose. Get the Flexzilla.

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Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer

Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer
  • Round-head 2- to 3-1/2-inch framing nailer with selective actuation switch (sequential or bump) for convenience
  • 70-120 psi operating pressure; simple tool-free depth adjustment; vibration isolation pads mounted on nose
  • 2-piece anodized aluminum magazine, comfortable non-slip rubber grip
  • Comes with safety glasses
  • Lightweight and well-balanced at 7.5-pounds; 5-year warranty

I have about 11 nailers, all brands, Hitachi seems the best. they don't break, they nail consistently. no one shots more nails through a nailer than i do. we are brutal to our guns, shooting 1000s of nails per week easily (to nail off new sheeting on a typical home requires 2500 nails) and we drop our guns constantly. we don't "set" our guns down, we drop them and if they can't handle it, we don't buy them. our guns end up in the repair shops several times a year but the hitachi least of all and the shop guys think hitachi is the best (and those guys know what they are talking about, all they do is rip these guns apart to see the "weak links" that always need replacing. this price is shockingly good ($180), better than the big orange store by 20 bucks.

NAIL TYPES:

This shoots the most common angle of 21 degree (the strips of nails and the magazine on the gun are set at an angle this angle helps give clearance for the lower part of the tool while being used). I have no idea why most specifications for nailers don't say this because there are strip nails sold that vary from 20-30 degrees and nothing but 21 degree will work in this gun (most nailers are 21 degree but if you're not in the know, this can be a real hassle).

If you are confused about nail sizes (and most guys who are not pro framers seems to be horribly confused), you can look it up but i can make it easy for you. With almost any structural work, you want use a nail thickness (shank, guage, diameter it's called various things but we're talking how fat the shaft of the nail is) of 0.131. You will see thinner (0.113) and thicker (0.148+) don't bother with them unless you know that's what is called for.

You're most common nail for structural framing, is known as "8D common." Not "8D" not "8D cooler" it is precisely 8D common, with a thickness of 0.131 and a length of 2.5 inches. Most codes require that specific/exact/precise nail but of course some things require larger nails, like a 16D but that's about length since the fact is, 8D common and 16D share the exact same shaft of 0.131. If you're confused by some of the various packaging statements, just know that you want to see 0.131 thickness. You can get various lengths for that shank but they are usually 2.5 3.5 inches.

Buy Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer Now

I have only been using this nailer for two weeks and it's definitely been one of the best tool choices I've made. During this time it has driven 6,000 3 1/4" stainless ring shank nails into lots of 2 by Pressure Treated. There's really no downside to this nailer that I`ve found. It is very powerful and drives these nails fine as long as the line pressure is at least 100psi. Don't expect a little pancake compressor to feed this rapid fire or you will probably be disappointed. Because I am framing and decking with this gun I found the quick lever adjustment between trigger fire and bump fire to be useful in avoiding unwanted multi-fires. This gun loads very easily, contrary to another review, you can insert your nail strips, then you pull back the tension lever and it will automatically catch after the last nail. I have another 4,000 nails to go for this job and so far it has been a great performer.

Update 4-20-11 I've now put 8,000 3 1/4 SS ring shanks and another 3,000 B & C Eagle 314X120HDR/22 Round Head 3-1/4-Inch by .120-Inch by 20 to 22 Degree Plastic Collated Hot Dipped Galvanized Ring Shank Framing Nail (4,000 per Box)through the gun with no jams and only a couple miss-fires. I am now working away from my big shop compressor and I have borrowed a Bostitch CAP2060P 10.5 Amp 2-Horsepower 6-Gallon Oil-Free Pancake Compressor with a PUR-Hose PUR-38X100 3/8-Inch X 100 Foot Polyurethane 250 PSI Air Hose. It works for about 10 quick shots then you must slow down or even stop while the compressor catches up. I'll shoot another 3,000 stainless and then be done for a while. No problems at all with the nailer

Read Best Reviews of Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer Here

I am boggled by negative reviews on the Hitachi NR90AE nailer, have to believe off-brand nails, damaged strip collation and operator error are responsible. I have owned the NR90AE for 3 years, shoot only Hitachi nails and have NEVER had a single jam or miss fire.

Can't shoot 8D and smaller nails? Not for sheathing? ..... Say what? Just shot a box of Hitachi galv 2-3/8" ring shanks into studs through 5/8" sheathing with flawless performance.

Build quality on this "made in Japan" gun is sooooooo superior to all the "made in China" framers out there, super light and balanced, yet powerful with a precise depth of drive adjustment. And you can purchase this high quality tool for less then much of the disposable junk coming out of China, now that's value!

Is it perfect? No, would be nice if Hitachi provided a sky hook and bumpers to protect that beautiful finish and grip sloped surfaces.

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I have had the gun for a week and it is an awesome tool. It has loads of power no recoil and a nice placement tip. the trigger is adjustable from bump fire to set fire and its a great gun for the money.

the only bad is that the nails are not the most common nails to find.

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I have other Hitachi products and have found them to be well made and dependable. This nailer is no different. I've used 3-1/4" and 2-1/4" collated round head nails without a hitch. The loading is different from my Grizz gun in that you load from the back. The tension spring must be held back when loading so you have difficulty loading with it being held rather than set down. My Grizz spring locks back and the nails drop in through the top of the ramp.

The Hitachi is easier to unload with the nails sliding back up the ramp as you hold the spring back.

Depth is very easier to set. I use a dedicated air control as well and adjust it to the lowest optimum air pressure to save unnecessary wear and tear. A 100 PSI works well on the long nails90 PSI for the 2-1/4" nails.

The tool is fairly light and maneuverable although I could only load two sets of nails even though there was almost room for three. Another 1-1/2" longer ramp and I probably could. I picked up a drier and installed itDedicated to the nailer. I have found corrosion in other air tools from moisture in the compressed air especially in humid weather.

I've been giving it about ten drops of oil every time I use it. It isn't a production tool so my use is rarely over two hours at a time.

So far I'm pleased with the purchase although I saw it cheaper right after I bought it!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

California Air Tools CAT-1675A Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free 3/4 Hp 1.6-Gallon Aluminum Tank Air Compress

California Air Tools CAT-1675A Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free 3/4 Hp 1.6-Gallon Aluminum Tank Air Compressor
  • Ultra Quiet only 58 Decibels
  • Oil-Free Pump for Less Maintenance & Costs
  • 1.6 Gallon (Rust Free) Aluminum Tank
  • Lightweight for easy transporting - 34 lbs
  • Powerful 3/4 HP(Rated / Running)1.5HP (Peak)Motor

This baby is quite! Small/compact compared to my pancake compressor and easy on the ears. Not very heavy. On/Off switch could have been placed in a better position but other than that it's a great product.

Mi T M Corp 2Hp 110V Compressor Ac1-He02-05M1 Air Tools Rental Items

Mi T M Corp 2Hp 110V Compressor Ac1-He02-05M1 Air Tools Rental ItemsThis compressor is everthing I thought it was going to be. It works great, not too loud not too heavy. I bought a Mi T M gas powered wheelbarrow type compressor 8 years ago don't use it everyday but use it a lot. Have only had to replace the regulator, not even a belt. This company makes very good products and is made in USA. It cost a little more but is built ten times better than that junk from China. Even the EMGLO'S are made in China. SUPPORT AMERICA BUY AMERICAN !

Fantastic output and low noise level (compared to some other compressors) paired with the portability of a 50 pound compressor makes this a great product. Was a little apprehensive not having heard of the company before, but this thing is built rock-solid -not like the cheap stuff at the local megalow mart.

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I bought this compressor new from Amazon this past summer.

Small Complaint: There is a 4" diameter blotch of rust on the tank that has caused the paint to bubble up. It's right on top where it's quite visible. I ordered the compressor for work and couldn't take the time to send it back. I had to use it immediately. Now I live with a tank that wasn't properly corrosion treated, and which is rusty as new from the factory (yes it came that way).

Bigger Complaint: The oil viscosity of the pump causes the motor to overload in cold weather. I am looking for a fix for this now. I just had the compressor in the repair shop (under warranty) for two weeks. They called yesterday and said it was just a thermal overload button that had to be reset.

The thermal fuse kicked in because the oil gets hard in cold weather.

The thermal fuse reset button is located inside the compressor. Disassembly is required to simply press this reset button.

I am a little bit disappointed that this is not the world's greatest portable compressor, which is what I was led to believe when I purchased it. I now have one more project on my hands: to see if changing to a lighter oil will void the warranty, and if it will shorten the lifetime of the compressor.

Read Best Reviews of Mi T M Corp 2Hp 110V Compressor Ac1-He02-05M1 Air Tools Rental Items Here