Impact gun solutions air, cordless...
Discussion
Afternoon all! First post and new to these forums so please be kind and yes I have searched and read similarly related topics on the subject!
So basically its time to bite the bullet and address not having an impact around my workshop (at home for diy jobs only). The many extension bars no longer cut it.
Ive pretty much ruled out a corded wrench because they look massive.
I need a tool which is capable of removing stubborn and rusted suspension bits, spinning top mounts off etc.
Unfortunately my workshop is at the bottom of a very long garden with no side access so im left working on cars on the drive way. This is why I am considering going cordless. However im looking at £400 notes for something that is advertised as being capable enough.
The other option is to go down the compressor route. I have a number of air tools already but the impact wrench is the only thing im bothered about having. Im looking at a 50l tank with a 2hp motor (cheapo compressors) now I can compare the cmf figures but still hesitant that these small compressors can pack the punch.
Anyone have any experiance and can share?
Ps my impact wrench is a chicago pneumatic I think rated at around 400ft lbs.
On a side note, ive heard of these little things tripping the electrics. Is this true? I havr the option to run it off my generator.
Thanks and apologies for the long post!!
So basically its time to bite the bullet and address not having an impact around my workshop (at home for diy jobs only). The many extension bars no longer cut it.
Ive pretty much ruled out a corded wrench because they look massive.
I need a tool which is capable of removing stubborn and rusted suspension bits, spinning top mounts off etc.
Unfortunately my workshop is at the bottom of a very long garden with no side access so im left working on cars on the drive way. This is why I am considering going cordless. However im looking at £400 notes for something that is advertised as being capable enough.
The other option is to go down the compressor route. I have a number of air tools already but the impact wrench is the only thing im bothered about having. Im looking at a 50l tank with a 2hp motor (cheapo compressors) now I can compare the cmf figures but still hesitant that these small compressors can pack the punch.
Anyone have any experiance and can share?
Ps my impact wrench is a chicago pneumatic I think rated at around 400ft lbs.
On a side note, ive heard of these little things tripping the electrics. Is this true? I havr the option to run it off my generator.
Thanks and apologies for the long post!!
McWigglebum4th said:
Another option
Oxy/propane torch
To be honest you need a pretty hefty impact gun to get more force then a big breaker bar so i would be tempted by getting a heating torch.
I found it way more useful then a impact gun as i have both
I have a propane torch already.Oxy/propane torch
To be honest you need a pretty hefty impact gun to get more force then a big breaker bar so i would be tempted by getting a heating torch.
I found it way more useful then a impact gun as i have both
The reason im particularly after an impact wrench is because I managed to snap the weld on a nut which held the suspension bolts. Having something that would of shocked the bolt would of saved me a lot of grief. Also the ability to spin off top mounts is desirable.
Have a read of this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You'll need a big generator to run a compressor. I toyed with the idea of having one in the van but the smaller ones won't kick the compressor over.
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You'll need a big generator to run a compressor. I toyed with the idea of having one in the van but the smaller ones won't kick the compressor over.
paintman said:
Have a read of this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You'll need a big generator to run a compressor. I toyed with the idea of having one in the van but the smaller ones won't kick the compressor over.
Thanks paintman. So it will be ok in SHORT bursts. Im now looking at a 90l tank anymore than that and id be blowing my budget.http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You'll need a big generator to run a compressor. I toyed with the idea of having one in the van but the smaller ones won't kick the compressor over.
The generator was just an idea if I wanted desperatly to go portable.
I did look into all FAD, tank pressures etc and got bored. Just want someone to say 'this one will be good'.
Also when you say very short. How long is very? Enough to crack a tough nut ie 30 seconds?
Edited by superspud on Sunday 23 February 20:07
Im not sure on my tank size as somebody made it years ago ! It looks to be around the 70 l mark comparing it to others.
Its fine on short bursts but does take a while to build up pressure, its great for cracking stubborn stuff but i dont use it long term. With a good gun it would not sustain 30 second bursts but you should not need to use it for that long.
Its fine on short bursts but does take a while to build up pressure, its great for cracking stubborn stuff but i dont use it long term. With a good gun it would not sustain 30 second bursts but you should not need to use it for that long.
superspud said:
mygoldfishbowl said:
You're correct to be concerned. You'll be wasting your time with a 50L tank.
What do you recommend as minimum specs and what do you have yourself?One of the problems with the small 50L machines is how they're made. A lot of them all seem to come with the same parts attached & the regulator valve on the outlet is a little T-piece type fitting with a plastic knob on the top. The inside diameter of that fitting is about 3-4mm which restricts the airflow & needs changing before you even think about using something like your Chicago impact wrench. Now you've done that & the air is flowing there just isn't the capacity to run your impact wrench at full velocity for more than a few seconds. Also if you ever want to run other tools like a sander or die grinder for example for any length of time then bigger really is better with compressor sizes, so again I wouldn't want to have less than a 200L.
mygoldfishbowl said:
I have a 270L in my workshop & a 200L at home. I am no expert but my personal experience is that I wouldn't want less than a 200L.
One of the problems with the small 50L machines is how they're made. A lot of them all seem to come with the same parts attached & the regulator valve on the outlet is a little T-piece type fitting with a plastic knob on the top. The inside diameter of that fitting is about 3-4mm which restricts the airflow & needs changing before you even think about using something like4 your Chicago impact wrench. Now you've done that & the air is flowing there just isn't the capacity to run your impact wrench at full velocity for more than a few seconds. Also if you ever want to run other tools like a sander or die grinder for example for any length of time then bigger really is better with compressor sizes, so again I wouldn't want to have less than a 200L.
200l to run an impact gun for 20-30 seconds..WOW!! This is seriously just a solutiom for the odd stubborn bolt not intended to strip entire bits. I have a genny and a whole host of elecric grinders and cutters so not needed for that. One of the problems with the small 50L machines is how they're made. A lot of them all seem to come with the same parts attached & the regulator valve on the outlet is a little T-piece type fitting with a plastic knob on the top. The inside diameter of that fitting is about 3-4mm which restricts the airflow & needs changing before you even think about using something like4 your Chicago impact wrench. Now you've done that & the air is flowing there just isn't the capacity to run your impact wrench at full velocity for more than a few seconds. Also if you ever want to run other tools like a sander or die grinder for example for any length of time then bigger really is better with compressor sizes, so again I wouldn't want to have less than a 200L.
I need getting conflicting opinions a 50l would 'just' about be ok to they are useless! GRRR!
ch427 said:
Im not sure on my tank size as somebody made it years ago ! It looks to be around the 70 l mark comparing it to others.
Its fine on short bursts but does take a while to build up pressure, its great for cracking stubborn stuff but i dont use it long term. With a good gun it would not sustain 30 second bursts but you should not need to use it for that long.
No perhaps 30seconds is just the idilic situation in my mind?! Its fine on short bursts but does take a while to build up pressure, its great for cracking stubborn stuff but i dont use it long term. With a good gun it would not sustain 30 second bursts but you should not need to use it for that long.
It really is just to crack those tough nuts especially where heat would destroy bushings or similar
superspud said:
200l to run an impact gun for 20-30 seconds..WOW!! This is seriously just a solutiom for the odd stubborn bolt not intended to strip entire bits. I have a genny and a whole host of elecric grinders and cutters so not needed for that.
I need getting conflicting opinions a 50l would 'just' about be ok to they are useless! GRRR!
I can only give you my opinions based on my own experience.I need getting conflicting opinions a 50l would 'just' about be ok to they are useless! GRRR!
Running your wrench at maximum power for 30 seconds is different from running your wrench for 30 seconds. With a small tank the power will start to drop very quickly.
You could try renting/borrowing a small compressor for a day & deciding for yourself if a smaller tank would be suitable for you.
mygoldfishbowl said:
One of the problems with the small 50L machines is how they're made. A lot of them all seem to come with the same parts attached & the regulator valve on the outlet is a little T-piece type fitting with a plastic knob on the top. The inside diameter of that fitting is about 3-4mm which restricts the airflow & needs changing before you even think about using something like your Chicago impact wrench. Now you've done that & the air is flowing there just isn't the capacity to run your impact wrench at full velocity for more than a few seconds. Also if you ever want to run other tools like a sander or die grinder for example for any length of time then bigger really is better with compressor sizes, so again I wouldn't want to have less than a 200L.
A very valid point that I'd forgotten (& many of them are even narrower internally). Probably because that's one of the first mods I did!Don't even contemplate an air sander, it definitely won't work.
Edited by paintman on Monday 24th February 12:10
paintman said:
A very valid point that I'd forgotten (& many of them are even narrower internally). Probably because that's one of the first mods I did!
Don't even contemplate an air sander, it definitely won't work.
Is the tpiece a easy fix? This is looking very costly!!Don't even contemplate an air sander, it definitely won't work.
Edited by paintman on Monday 24th February 12:10
paintman said:
I just removed everything on the outlet side of the pressure regulator & replaced it with a ball valve, a combined moisture separator/filter unit with built in gauge & regulator and a standard female PCL coupling.
Total cost - even today - would be under £25.
Not too bad. Taking my gun to someone who has a smaller 50l compressor so hopefully I can judge for myself! !Total cost - even today - would be under £25.
Thanks for your comments. Nothing worse than buying a tool thats not upto the job.
paintman said:
I just removed everything on the outlet side of the pressure regulator & replaced it with a ball valve, a combined moisture separator/filter unit with built in gauge & regulator and a standard female PCL coupling.
Total cost - even today - would be under £25.
Not too bad. Taking my gun to someone who has a smaller 50l compressor so hopefully I can judge for myself! !Total cost - even today - would be under £25.
Thanks for your comments. Nothing worse than buying a tool thats not upto the job.
This hasn't seen me stuck with anything yet. Lug nuts come off like butter, hub bolts no problem, rusty suspension bolts are a breeze. Nothing in it compared to my friends snap on cordless.
This was the cheapest I could source one.
It is a VERY sturdy unit.
http://www.raygrahams.com/products/121220-milwauke...
This was the cheapest I could source one.
It is a VERY sturdy unit.
http://www.raygrahams.com/products/121220-milwauke...
I have a 50l compressor. Changed the regulator for a much better one mounted on the wall. Using some decent quality pipe to but a female snap adapter next to the compressor and they at the other end of the garage, giving me two connection points.
I use a decent thick hose to the gun and my gun is a cheap Clarke one that was thrown in with the compressor at machine Mart.
Truthfully until I changed the regulator the gun was utterly useless. It's still not that great, it struggles a bit with wheel bolts sometimes! By the time I've undone 5 the compressor is refilling again.
I fear with a better gun I will just notice the compressors lack of capacity more so I just use big breaker bars instead!
The compressor remains great for tyres, blowing debris away and using the air ratchet to speedily undo none stubborn bolts.
I use a decent thick hose to the gun and my gun is a cheap Clarke one that was thrown in with the compressor at machine Mart.
Truthfully until I changed the regulator the gun was utterly useless. It's still not that great, it struggles a bit with wheel bolts sometimes! By the time I've undone 5 the compressor is refilling again.
I fear with a better gun I will just notice the compressors lack of capacity more so I just use big breaker bars instead!
The compressor remains great for tyres, blowing debris away and using the air ratchet to speedily undo none stubborn bolts.
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