Selecting Air Impact - Might Have Made Bad Choice

[BuickBoy]

Hi Guys,

I've recently started an automotive project that has lead me to needing air tools. Specifically, the job requires an air hammer/chisel. Otherwise I would need a torch, and I find air more versatile.

I only have a 20x20 garage currently so I was hoping to find something quiet, powerful, and small under $500.

I purchased a California Air Tools 2HP 10 gallon (5.3cfm @ 90psi) compressor, which has incredible ratings from Home Depot. It truly is a nice piece of machinery.

I purchased an Ingersoll Rand 2130 impact wrench. This tool was very well rated across many sites. I also purchased an Igersoll Rand air hammer/chisel.

The air hammer/chisel works great with the smaller compressor! However, the 2130 I can stop with my hand. This is where I've run into an issue. The 2130 is advertised at 4.4cfm @ 90psi "average". Its working consumption, as I found out after my purchase is 22cfm!

I've obviously purchased an over sized tool for my compressor.

My only question is where I go from here. I've only found larger capacity compressors under $500 that put out just about 5cfm. All I would be gaining with a different compressor is volume. Right? What air impact should I pair with my current compressor? Should I get rid of both of them?

What's my play? Is there an alternative to a torch for an air hammer? Do I trade up for a 20v 1/2 impact (500+ft/lbs)? I have a HF electric impact that will do "230ft/lbs"...

Thanks in advance!

 

[Macrosloth]

Bring the impact back? It sounds like its bad. An impact should be able to run full force until your compressor kicks back on.

 

[BuickBoy]

Bring the impact back? It sounds like its bad. An impact should be able to run full force until your compressor kicks back on.

I honestly purchased it online, I asked to return it and they directed me to IR, who directed me to a service center...

The kicker, I took it to work with me and threw it on a line in our shop... still nothing...

I just worry I'm going to under power the tool and not get more torque than the electric...

 

[dutchgray]

Impact is obviously a dud if it don't work at work as well, I assume the pressure is turned up so you get plenty at the gun when its running.

 

[BuickBoy]

120psi at home, 100psi at work...

 

[Cope]

Definitely defective and needs to go to a service center ASAP.

 

[BuickBoy]

Thanks, guys!

 

[signcrafter]

Your impact will work just fine on that compressor. You won't be able to use it for 10 minutes straight but you will get enough air to power it to take bolts off. There is something wrong with your impact. Make sure the power is set at the highest, I'm assuming it has a power selector. If it is then take it back for a new one.

Also, and this doesn't have anything to do with your issue right now but when you do get a working impact make sure you use a decent sized air hose and fittings. If you use a 1/4" air hose and small fittings you will restrict some air.

 

[kythri]

I honestly purchased it online, I asked to return it and they directed me to IR, who directed me to a service center...

How long ago did you purchase it?

If I bought something from an online vendor, and it was dead out of the box, that vendor should be IMMEDIATELY making this right, replacing it for you and dealing with the defect on their own.

If it was a few months ago, and you just got to playing with it now? Then yeah, IR or their directed service center.

 

[BuickBoy]

How long ago did you purchase it?

If I bought something from an online vendor, and it was dead out of the box, that vendor should be IMMEDIATELY making this right, replacing it for you and dealing with the defect on their own.

If it was a few months ago, and you just got to playing with it now? Then yeah, IR or their directed service center.

I received the impact late last week, and the air compressor yesterday. I agree but ToolTopia.com does not... :-(

 

[BuickBoy]

Your impact will work just fine on that compressor. You won't be able to use it for 10 minutes straight but you will get enough air to power it to take bolts off. There is something wrong with your impact. Make sure the power is set at the highest, I'm assuming it has a power selector. If it is then take it back for a new one.

Also, and this doesn't have anything to do with your issue right now but when you do get a working impact make sure you use a decent sized air hose and fittings. If you use a 1/4" air hose and small fittings you will restrict some air.

Thank you for the advice! The power selector didn't seem to do anything.

I am using a 3/8" hose and 1/4" fittings. What do you suggest?

 

[kythri]

I received the impact late last week, and the air compressor yesterday. I agree but ToolTopia.com does not... :-(

Does anyone know if we have a ToolTopia employee as a member here?

 

[kythri]

Thank you for the advice! The power selector didn't seem to do anything.

I am using a 3/8" hose and 1/4" fittings. What do you suggest?

I really think you've got a defective gun.

 

[Farmall450]

Thank you for the advice! The power selector didn't seem to do anything.

I am using a 3/8" hose and 1/4" fittings. What do you suggest?

I agree that the impact is faulty. When I go work on my grandma's stuff I use the little antiquated Craftsman compressor I bought and leave there, let it get up to 85 PSI and it'll zip fasteners off just fine until it has to recharge.

 

[BuickBoy]

I agree that the impact is faulty. When I go work on my grandma's stuff I use the little antiquated Craftsman compressor I bought and leave there, let it get up to 85 PSI and it'll zip fasteners off just fine until it has to recharge. [emoji481]

I'm feeling relieved. I really thought I picked an awesome combo...

 

[Farmall450]

I'm feeling relieved. I really thought I picked an awesome combo...

You did. Forgot to mention it is a 2135PTi I used over there.

 

[BuickBoy]

You did. Forgot to mention it is a 2135PTi I used over there. [emoji106]

Awesome tool specs on that guy!

 

[theoldwizard1]

The 2130 is advertised at 4.4cfm @ 90psi "average". Its working consumption, as I found out after my purchase is 22cfm!

That make no sense at all ! I can not believe that any 1/2" impact can use that much air !! Where did you read this !

 

[BuickBoy]

That make no sense at all ! I can not believe that any 1/2" impact can use that much air !! Where did you read this !

Two places. Ingersoll Rand tech support on the phone and on their website.

 

[Ign]

Really? Less than 1 week & Tooltopia won't take it back? Did you ask for exchange (vs refund?).

Isn't the 2130 really old? How did you wind up with one? I'm not trying to sidetrack the thread but rather understand everything here. I wonder if the impact has been on a shelf for 15 years? I bought my 2131 about 12-13 years ago.

 

[Ign]

Oh and how did you pay? I mean specifically, Visa, Amex etc. I'd seriously consider a cc dispute - an online merchant sold you a faulty product, that's arguably fraud. Was this a close-out or clearance ( again, I'm confused by the 2130)?

Unless you used Discover, then forget that option.

 

[BuickBoy]

Oh and how did you pay? I mean specifically, Visa, Amex etc. I'd seriously consider a cc dispute - an online merchant sold you a faulty product, that's arguably fraud. Was this a close-out or clearance ( again, I'm confused by the 2130)?

Unless you used Discover, then forget that option.

The 2130 I got is brand new... Likely an old line, but a new tool/styling.

Tool came through Amazon, paid with Visa.

I will be speaking with Tooltopia again tomorrow... The lady mentioned that if IR said it was faulty that they would exchange it. Debating on if I should take it to the service center to confirm defective then pursue the exchange.

 

[BuickBoy]

 

[Honda-Mech]

You did oil the gun, right ? It sounds like the throttle valve isnt opening fully. Can you fully press in the trigger ?

 

[BuickBoy]

You did oil the gun, right ? It sounds like the throttle valve isnt opening fully. Can you fully press in the trigger ?

I can press the trigger all the way. No I did not oil the gun right out of the box like I should have. I assumed right out of the box I would at least see some torque out of it. I will oil it and see if it helps.

 

[Ign]

Yeah you gotta oil it. This can sometimes make a HUGE difference.

 

[Mugen Si]

I use a IR2135qtimax with my compressor. My home compressor is on its last leg 15 years in. New it claimed 3.8cfm at 90psi. Even with 1/4" line and fittings it'll still break loose any bolt I've hit with it. It's got to be a problem with the gun. Keep us posted

 

[Ign]

We have an IR guy here, no? Is it Marlin?

 

[BuickBoy]

Thanks again guys! I'm feeling much better about my purchases.

 

[colin39]

Run over to ya local tyre shop and ask em to check to see if its any better on a bigger system, on saying that it sounds like a faulty unit, the the forward reverse buttons arnt fully pushed. Or its power on the back is turned down.

 

[Kapn]

I had an IR gun that sucked out of the box. Used a few times and it started working like a champ. Almost like in needed to break in or something.

 

[404]

Did teflon tape or pipe dope get inside the tool and block the screen when the male air fitting was installed? Check the power selector again.

The regulator on the compressor may be restricted. Does a bare male air fitting put into the hose end fitting put out a large amount of air? Did the tool get oiled before use? Oil the tool.

 

[kythri]

The 2130 I got is brand new... Likely an old line, but a new tool/styling.

Tool came through Amazon, paid with Visa.

I will be speaking with Tooltopia again tomorrow... The lady mentioned that if IR said it was faulty that they would exchange it. Debating on if I should take it to the service center to confirm defective then pursue the exchange.

Talk to Amazon customer service if ToolTopia won't make it right. It's ridiculous that ToolTopia isn't immediately offering an exchange.

 

[hangfirew8]

I had a whimpy new quiet IR I got last year. After replacing the cheap HF fittings with guard air hi flows and pulling it apart and oiling it, it is a beast.

Also don't use motor oil, it will drag it down. Use only pneumatic tool oil.

-HF

 

[dsimatt]

I'd run some oil into it and see if that helps, also check that the anvil spins freely because i had a issue with my 3/8 when i first got it.

 

[Marlin]

Have you actually tried the impact on a bolt? When you say you can stop it with your hand, is it impacting?

22 -26 cfm is normal for a 1/2" impact. this is the air consumption while the tool is impacting. The "average rating" is a number based on the average run time of an impact and is used to estimate the size compressor needed. You do not need a compressor that puts out 22cfm. The 2130 is a decent tool. If something is wrong with it, warranty will cover it.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Did teflon tape or pipe dope get inside the tool and block the screen when the male air fitting was installed? Check the power selector again.

The regulator on the compressor may be restricted. Does a bare male air fitting put into the hose end fitting put out a large amount of air? Did the tool get oiled before use? Oil the tool.

All of this is good advice. Sounds like your air supply isn't at fault if it does the same on a shop air system.

I will say, regardless of how this plays out, you'll do well to free up the airflow out of that thing to use impact tools. I just got my Speedaire/CH 20 gallon yesterday... they reduced the 1/2" tank outlet to a 1/4x3" ****** to the pressure switch to the smallest regulator ever. I pulled the reducer and ****** and replaced it with a 3/8" reducer and tee for a 3/8" coupler, then put the pressure switch and reg on the top of that so it would still work (of course) and in case I ever care to have regulated pressure. But I prefer full pressure unless it's >150psi.

 

[BuickBoy]

Guys,

The compressor is going back. I fought with ToolTopia, I went to the warranty center and put my foot in my mouth.

The tool is 100% fine. It put out 25000in-lbs at the shop. Took it to my buddy's auto shop immediately following and it ran like crazy. I observed it ran multiple times on a dial indicator.

Called HomeDepot. Compressor has 90 day return policy.

Sears has their Craftsman 33 gallon compressor on sale right now, 5.1cfm @ 90psi.

I'm done screwing around. I just want a compressor that can push an impact.

Best thing yet? The Craftsman is $310 shipped right now. I paid $420 shipped for my current compressor. I call that a win.

Hoping for the best!

 

[Zrexxer]

Something's not right here. If that that compressor can put 90 psi in the tank, it can run that impact. I've run impact wrenches off of a portable air tank before where I had to impact a bolt off away from air or electricity.

I'd look for a restricted fitting or something on that compressor.

 

[MotoDave]

OK, a 10 gallon compressor is pretty small to run a 1/2" impact, but you should be able to zip off a few lug nuts before it cycles. sure you don't have the pressure regulator set to 30 psi or something?

You'll be pretty happy with a 33 gallon for most garage type use.

I have that exact impact gun, and its worked great for me. I believe Home Depot used to sell it as part of a set.