what's up with impact wrenches?

[bretto]

Here is the deal, I have OBA (York) with a 5 gallon tank and I thought I'd buy an impact wrench to use with it. So I get the thing hooked up and at 90 PSI it will not even break a lug nut off.....bumped it up to 120 PSI still nothing so I get out the torque wrench and set it at 100 ft/lbs...still nothing...took it down to 80 and it bearly got it off. So I was thinking there was something strange going on with my OBA set up or ther wrench and left it at that.
Here is the kicker though, I get a new air compressor for Christmas (6 HP/27 gallon tank/155psi) with a new different impact wrench. Same thing when running from that. So at least I know my OBA set up is fine. Both of the wrenches say they are rated at 230 ft/lbs. Is there something misleading that I am missing here? The wrenches are the lower end ones but when they say 230 ft/lbs, I feel they should break a bolt loose at 230 ft/lbs.

brett

 

[Caleb]

Here is the deal, I have OBA (York) with a 5 gallon tank and I thought I'd buy an impact wrench to use with it. So I get the thing hooked up and at 90 PSI it will not even break a lug nut off.....bumped it up to 120 PSI still nothing so I get out the torque wrench and set it at 100 ft/lbs...still nothing...took it down to 80 and it bearly got it off. So I was thinking there was something strange going on with my OBA set up or ther wrench and left it at that.
Here is the kicker though, I get a new air compressor for Christmas (6 HP/27 gallon tank/155psi) with a new different impact wrench. Same thing when running from that. So at least I know my OBA set up is fine. Both of the wrenches say they are rated at 230 ft/lbs. Is there something misleading that I am missing here? The wrenches are the lower end ones but when they say 230 ft/lbs, I feel they should break a bolt loose at 230 ft/lbs.

brett

well I am going to take a guess and say they are Cambell Hausfeld impact wrenches? or equivalent...and no they dont work worth crap really (sory, hope I dont offend you) but I used a CH for a couple years before justifying a nice IR and I will tell ya what, my IR kicks butt and I dont know how I ever got along without it. Its rated at 500 ft/lbs in forward and 600 ft/lbs in reverse...if the bolt or nut isn't going to come off easily I will bust it off so what I am saying is that my CH wouldn't take a lug nut off but then I got my IR and on the exact same compressor it will spin lugs off like its nothing...so its you wrenches not your compressors...if you want results spend the $150-$200 on a nice one and you will get results

 

[Shawn]

...if you want results spend the $150-$200 on a nice one and you will get results

Yep.

Cheep tools suck.

 

[crimsonride]

An impact really isn't going to do much good unless it's rated at 600 ft/lb at least. That may seem loke a lot of torque but when you start turning suspension bolts that are rusted in and everything you need that sort of power. I want that new IR one that does like 1000 ft/lb.

 

[Greg]

Have you oiled your new impact? Sometimes they will get stickey and not run at their full potential. Also, make sure they are switched all the way to the direction you are trying to use.

My IR has lasted me... jeez, almost 10 years now & it's great.

What brand is yours?

 

[EZRhino]

Ditto what they said. I've had the same experience that you've had. I now have a IR "thundergun" and it kicks butt. Funny thing is, I don't even carry it in my jeep anymore because nearly all bolts are fresh, and they do not take an impact wrench to get them off. It's great for other stuff though.

EZ

 

[cheapzuk]

Make sure the power is turned all of the way up on the gun. Sometimes the come turned down and that gives like no power. I have to say that I like my IR also. You can shop around and find a good price because alot of guns are IR even if they don't say it. For example, the composite MAC 3/8" gun is and IR and so is the craftsman (composite with crome front).


To say that you can't do very much with anything unless it has 600ft is crap. I personally have an IR that does 600ft. and it does most my bwork turned down half way. There is A guy at work that has the 3/8 IR that does 260ft. and it pulls must everthing apart.

 

[crimsonride]

To say that you can't do very much with anything unless it has 600ft is crap. I personally have an IR that does 600ft. and it does most my bwork turned down half way. There is A guy at work that has the 3/8 IR that does 260ft. and it pulls must everthing apart.

Crap huh? My 400 ft/lb gun won't remove my control arm bolts that are rusted but my IR sure will. I guess I'm not justified in saying that am I. I'm sure your gun has no problem turning the biggest bolt your Suzuki has.
My oppion is that if you're going to spend the money for a compressor and a gun, you might as well dish out the extra coin that will do the job. If it's not big enough, what are you going to do when you can't get the bolt out.

 

[cheapzuk]

If You noticed I said most work that is done. The exception to that is suspension bolts due to there size and torque rating. Any mechanical stuf like engines and transmissions and the sort the smaller gun will be ample, including pulling lug nuts.

 

[crimsonride]

If You noticed I said most work that is done. The exception to that is suspension bolts due to there size and torque rating. Any mechanical stuf like engines and transmissions and the sort the smaller gun will be ample, including pulling lug nuts.

Yeah, and if you noticed, I said the gun is worthless for supension bolts if it's less than 600. Thanks for reiterating my point.

 

[Shawn]

All I can say is,

If your going to get into the sport of offroading you might as well set yourself up with some quality tools. You will need them. Don't waste your time buying inferior tools that you will need to replace as time goes by.

Tools are your friend


just my opinion.

 

[grinch]

posted by shawn
All I can say is,

If your going to get into the sport of offroading you might as well set yourself up with some quality tools. You will need them. Don't waste your time buying inferior tools that you will need to replace as time goes by.

Tools are your friend


just my opinion.





Amen to that. Just about all the cheap stuff I have bought to save a dime ive had to replace.... Ive ended up spending more than I would have if I just got the better product in the first place..... Its been a hard lesson to learn.....

 

[ZUK]

Nobody mentioned how important it is to not use adapters or extensions......and if an actual thick impact socket is used then maximum power will be realized?

 

[crimsonride]

Nobody mentioned how important it is to not use adapters or extensions......and if an actual thick impact socket is used then maximum power will be realized?

Hmmmm....that's a good point. Extensions and adaptors will absorb the impact (and sometimes break).
Here's a little tip. Don't ever use a regular wobley on your impact gun. Wobley's + impact guns = ouchy. :-\

 

[DARKFLY]

hey i fyou need a new gun i have snap-on cordless for sale