Air impact wrench - very disappointed

[Robin427]

Took my new SIP 1/2" impact wrench, fitted with my new 27mm impact socket that I bought, at considerable cost, to my Landie, for to undo the wheelnuts (because I thought it would be cool...)

Nada

A lot of noise, smoke (worryingly - although it may have just been dust) but nuts remain smugly torqued to the car... thought they'd come off like butter on a sweetcorn...

How much torque can these things realistically put out? I was running at about 90psi - would increasing that change matters much, or is it really a 3/4" (or even 1") job?

[Big Thirsty]

Robin,

The same happened to me, when I tried to use my impact wrench. I had to use a break bar to crack the nuts open and hey presto the air wrench spun the nuts off in a moment. I felt very professional at that point and would have felt at home in any quick fit center, but it defeats the object using a break bar fisrt of all.

The truth is that the cheaper units do not use the air as efficiently as the much more expensive torque guns. Cranking the air pressure up or buying an even more humungess compressor is not the answer.

My little torque gun is only used now when none of the neighbours are watching

Ian.

[madjohnny]

Originally Posted by Robin427

Took my new SIP 1/2" impact wrench, fitted with my new 27mm impact socket that I bought, at considerable cost, to my Landie, for to undo the wheelnuts (because I thought it would be cool...)

Nada

A lot of noise, smoke (worryingly - although it may have just been dust) but nuts remain smugly torqued to the car... thought they'd come off like butter on a sweetcorn...

How much torque can these things realistically put out? I was running at about 90psi - would increasing that change matters much, or is it really a 3/4" (or even 1") job?

What is the spec for you're wrench? Even the cheapest wrenches, 1/2" drive, should be 250 ft/Ibs.

Are you using 10mm hose as the size of the hose will effect the power the wrench can imply.

[stu e]

Hi Robin

Increasing the pressure will increase the power of the tool.
A pressure regulator will reduce the air flow so it's not the same as having full flow down the hose. Lastly most of the air wrenches have an adjuster on the base of the handle you may be able to adjust that.
Regards Stu
Also you may have to lubricate the wrench before you use it.

[crmcatee]

I too had thought about getting an air impact wrench for the Landy but decided against it as I generally tightened them with the breaker bar afterwards.

In the end I slacken them with the breaker bar, then rely upon my trust Black and Wrecker power battery power drill with an adaptor that fits in the chuck to 1/2" then a 27mm socket on the end. Works a treat - Oh and you can take it with you unless you've got onboard air.

[Robin427]

I had the gun turned up to the highest torque setting - 4. I think the nuts on the Landie probably haven't been undone for quite a while - I'll give 'em a go with a breaker bar - can always retorque them to the correct value...

[gareth08]

Robin,
You pay your money and take your choice.
I have a snap-on air gun & motiveair comp and i have not come accross ANYTHING that it will not undo as yet.

This cheap stuff is ok until you really NEED to work it then all it's shortfalls show up.

Sorry to be so blunt but you did ask

[Robin427]

Fair enough, Gareth, but you are in the trade and it is worth your while buying top quality. I thought my SIP stuff would be OK and for 99% of things I need to do, I'm sure it will be... to be honest, I can undo the nuts with my breaker bar, so not as if the wheels are stuck on!!

The compressor was great for cleaning my vacuum cleaner filter this morning!!!

[gareth08]

Originally Posted by Robin427

Fair enough, Gareth, but you are in the trade and it is worth your while buying top quality. I thought my SIP stuff would be OK and for 99% of things I need to do, I'm sure it will be... to be honest, I can undo the nuts with my breaker bar, so not as if the wheels are stuck on!!

The compressor was great for cleaning my vacuum cleaner filter this morning!!!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[bitsilly]

Robin, to be fair, when I had a strange rover, I have stood on and bent two propper land rover braces trying to get off the wheels after soaking in wd40.

I have roughly the same kit as you and sometimes you need a bar to start things off but more often you'll be surpirsed.

Tools are cool, keep collecting:thumb: