Impact Gun Question
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, GA
As someone/several have said: check the ft/lbs rating. I found that 400 ft/lbs absolutely wasn't enough and spent about $200 on a nice small 1/2" drive that puts out up to 1000 ft/lbs. It is perfect for everything I need it for.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 284
Likes: 20
From: New Brunswick Canada
Congrats on the new addition to your workshop. One thing to keep in mind is the rated output of your compressor at various pressures. Impact tools can tend to be real "air hogs" and if your compressor is under rated for the air tool of choice, it will end up being over worked.
The rating is usually found on a sticker on the reservoir tank of the compressor so you can compare with the requirements of the air tool you are looking at. It is usually given in SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute)and of course the output of the compressor should be higher than the requirements of the tool being used.
Just my
and other opinions may vary....
The rating is usually found on a sticker on the reservoir tank of the compressor so you can compare with the requirements of the air tool you are looking at. It is usually given in SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute)and of course the output of the compressor should be higher than the requirements of the tool being used.
Just my
and other opinions may vary....
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Middle River, MD
1/2" drive is ideal for home use. 3/4" is usually only needed for the really big sockets (1-1/2 to 3" nuts) like used in bridge construction and heavy equipment.
What you want is torque. 800 to 1000 ft-lbs is plenty, and you can get that from a quality wrench in 1/2". Beware that the regulator on many home compressors will starve you for air. You have the PSI until you pull the trigger, then it drops so you don't get the torque you need. If in doubt, borrow or rent an impact wrench and try it on your regulator.
An impact wrench is great for taking things apart, and it's okay to run a fastener most of the way down if you are careful, but NEVER rely on an impact wrench to tighten something down! You never know how tight it actually gets, and an overstressed bolt or stud can snap unexpectedly even months later. It will also distort pulleys, flanges, etc.
What you want is torque. 800 to 1000 ft-lbs is plenty, and you can get that from a quality wrench in 1/2". Beware that the regulator on many home compressors will starve you for air. You have the PSI until you pull the trigger, then it drops so you don't get the torque you need. If in doubt, borrow or rent an impact wrench and try it on your regulator.
An impact wrench is great for taking things apart, and it's okay to run a fastener most of the way down if you are careful, but NEVER rely on an impact wrench to tighten something down! You never know how tight it actually gets, and an overstressed bolt or stud can snap unexpectedly even months later. It will also distort pulleys, flanges, etc.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I recently bought a pretty nice compressor and am gradually adding to my air tool inventory. I'm looking at some impact guns on e-bay and Craig's list. Is a 3/4 inch 700fp overkill for general auto/bike work? Would a 1/2 inch be better for all around use? Found some pretty good prices on a couple of Chicago Pneumatics (my preferred brand). Thanks for any input!
Ingersol Rand is my favorite.
(There are cheopo weak guns on the market, beware of those). No time to bargain shop.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
It's a 20 gal. Campbell-Hausfeld belt driven/oil lubricated 5.5 cfm @ 90 psi. I usually stay away from this brand, but when I saw this one it was definitely not the kind you pick up at Walmart. Nice heavy construction and quiet! Not really good for painting or sand blasting, but adequate around the house.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
Do not get a 3/4' unless you are going to work on tractor/ trailer rigs, a 1/2 in is more than you will ever need and if you aren't familiar with impact guns be careful you can twist a bolt off pretty easy. I would say for anything around your bike get yourself a 3/8' butterfly and a 3/8 impact ratchet, this would be more what you are looking for.IMO As stated Air tools are by nature air hogs. I have a 6.6hp with a 60 gal tank, I paint and do alot of wrench twisting and even with that my 1/2" gun will use alot of air. I have a three 1/2' guns, my favorite is a snap on. You will find with your 20 gal tank you will have to work for a minute then let it build again. But that being said just be patient with what you are doing and it will work fine. again you will find that the 3/8' drive air tools will be used alot more than the bigger stuff
Last edited by santajim; Jan 9, 2010 at 08:04 AM.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: TX
That compressor won't run a 3/4" gun anway. It won't run a 1/2" but for a short time prior to needing to catch up. For example, if your removing wheels, you can probably remove 1 wheel, then will have to wait for the compressor to build volume and pressure prior to removing the next wheel. When purchasing your impact, check the CFM of the impact itself and make sure it does not need more CFM than your compressor produces. Idealy, it would need about 1/2 CFM max that your compressor produces. However, that compressor produces about what most 1/2" impacts require. A good quality 1/2" will be plenty for working on your car or light truck. By the way, Chicago Pnumatic is not a good quality tool. It may get you by around the house for occasional use, however it will not stand up to heavy use.
Good luck and enjoy your new toys.
Good luck and enjoy your new toys.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,421
Likes: 108
From: Tennessee
Don’t overlook a manual impact wrench driver. I seem to use it more on my RK than air tools.
I steer clear of the cheap imported air tools. If a quality air tool costs $80.00 and an import costs $40.00, when the import fails, I get mad and go and buy the better one, the new air tool has ended up costing me $120.00!
Just the way I see it…
I steer clear of the cheap imported air tools. If a quality air tool costs $80.00 and an import costs $40.00, when the import fails, I get mad and go and buy the better one, the new air tool has ended up costing me $120.00!
Just the way I see it…