Air tools question, advice?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
Air tools question, advice?
I just got my compressor in, now i'm looking for some air tools. The biggy is the air impact wrench. I see alot of them at 250 Ft/lbs of torque some with 400 and 600. The standard seems to be 250 max. Is this enough to remove the lugs properly and also for tightening them? I know more torque is better but also a LOT more costly. Does anyone here use a 250 with any issues? I don't care about top top quality, just need something generic for weekend tire removal when I'm doing work. Please help me out. Thanks
Kitt
Kitt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,294
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From: Amateur driver on open course.
Re: Air tools question, advice? (kittmaster)
I bought a Husky 1/2" impact wrench at Home Depot. Cost about $60 and is rated at 350 lbs of torque. Does a great job on those little weekend projects! :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Re: Air tools question, advice? (kittmaster)
I bought one of the medium quality campbell housfeld guns rated at 425 and it still can't pull some stuff off. You get what you pay for. 250 is not enough.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 209
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Re: Air tools question, advice? (kittmaster)
Hopefully your air compressor can deliver 90-100 psi at at least 10 cfm, this is what you need there.... Don't forget the air hose size (diameter), length as well as fitting sizes all effect the ability of the air to get to the Impact Gun... Quite often I've seen good impact tools choked down by bad air flow to the tool.... Recommended sizes ? 5/16" ID min. on hose diameter, 25 ft length max., otherwise go to 3/8" hose and go to 50' length. Also the fittings, find the hi-flow 1/4", they are out there and watch out for the special 90 deg swivel fittings, they also choke air flow down.... BTW Highest torque spec I've seen on my vette is the rear axle nut 164 ft-lbs and the rear diff. cam to support rod at 186 ft-lbs. so if you got good air and flow, you're there...
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
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From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Re: Air tools question, advice? (kittmaster)
I agree with fundriving completely. The best air tool with a tiny hose is a waste of good money. I have a Chicago Pneumatic (so-so quality) 1/2" air tool that I purchased 15+ years ago that is still getting the job done. Max is listed at 250ft/lb and that has been more than enough for anything on the vette or the other vehicles in my life.
Go with a 50 ft 3/8" hose and quality connectors. You do lose a bit of pressure using a 50 foot hose instead of a 25 ft hose, but the manuverability is worth the cost. With 100psi at the compresser and a decent quality 3/8" hose you will easily do the wheel lugs. (Or buy a 25 ft hose and a 50 ft hose on sale and use the 50 when the length is needed. That's the beauty of quick disconnects.)
Having a 350 ~ 450 ft/lb wrench is nice if you want to spend the money, but if you need more than 250 ft/lb of torque for the vette you have other problems. And a serious need for liquid wrench.
Go with a 50 ft 3/8" hose and quality connectors. You do lose a bit of pressure using a 50 foot hose instead of a 25 ft hose, but the manuverability is worth the cost. With 100psi at the compresser and a decent quality 3/8" hose you will easily do the wheel lugs. (Or buy a 25 ft hose and a 50 ft hose on sale and use the 50 when the length is needed. That's the beauty of quick disconnects.)
Having a 350 ~ 450 ft/lb wrench is nice if you want to spend the money, but if you need more than 250 ft/lb of torque for the vette you have other problems. And a serious need for liquid wrench.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 952
Likes: 338
From: Cedar Rapids IA
Re: Air tools question, advice? (kittmaster)
DO NOT TIGHTEN LUG NUTS WITH AN IMPACT GUN!!!!! Just trying to get your attention. Tightening them with an impact will very likely warp your brake rotors. Too big a price to pay for the small ammount of convenience. Also it can be difficult to remove a tire with a conventional lug wrench if they get overtightened with an impact wrench. If you turn the flow control on the gun down it is probably OK to seat the lug nuts, just don't hammer them down. Use a torque wrench to finish up. I learned all of this the hard way on my GMC when a local wrench fixed a flat and warped the front left disc for me. //Dave
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: Air tools question, advice? (kittmaster)
ingersoll has a $80 gun that's not bad or the $180 thundergun i have that breaks about anything loose. as stated abover 3/8" line is a must and a decent compressor.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 1
From: Denver CO
Re: Air tools question, advice? (gtsyellow)
If its a low to mid priced 110v compressor, you can probably improve its performance by removing the cheapie regulator that comes on the air outlet. I have a 6 HP 30 gal. Craftsman compressor. I removed the regulator and run my impact wrench at tank pressure. Its higher pressure than the gun is supposed to run at, but as soon as you pull the trigger the pressure drops drastically at the tool inlet. Especially with the cheapie regulator in-line. If you notice, most shops don't have regulators in the lines for their garage routing. If you want a regulator, you put it close to the tool. Even the cheaper impact wrenches will break loose lug nuts and tight bolts if you have good pressure and air volume running to them.
I use an IR 1/2"drive impact. Its supposed to have 500+ ft-lbs of torque in the reverse direction. But it would not remove pinion shaft nuts on differentials. These things are torqued to about 250 ft-lbs. Once I removed the regulator, it would loosen these nuts no problem., as it should.
I use an IR 1/2"drive impact. Its supposed to have 500+ ft-lbs of torque in the reverse direction. But it would not remove pinion shaft nuts on differentials. These things are torqued to about 250 ft-lbs. Once I removed the regulator, it would loosen these nuts no problem., as it should.
