air compressor good enough for impact wrench?

[David9726]

My air compressor is 17 Gal 1.1HP 150PSI max with specs 8.6 cfm displacement, 4.3 scfm @ 40 psi, 3.3 scfm @ 90 psi.

I was looking for a 1/2 impact wrench to remove lug nuts from my truck/car i found a cheap one at lowes but it listed specs of 7 CFM @ 90 psi and i found a dewalt listed at 3.3 cfm @ 90 psi it also cost double the price.

I'm guessing 3.3 cfm is my limit for a tool? A lot of tools don't even list what's needed there is another spec Average Air Consumption. It's all confusing to me.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... With a little compressor, ya let it build up, shut off, then pull the trigger on the gun,...

When it kicks back on, wait for it to recharge for full power again,...

 

[theoldwizard1]

You can "cheat" with an impact wrench because you are not going to sit there and hold the trigger down for long periods of time. Same with an air hammer, although you may hold the trigger longer. If the motor kicks in just wait a minute or two until the tank is topped off. Plus the 17 gallons of air will supply you 7 CFM for at least a couple of minutes. Keep your regulator at about 110 PSI.

P.S. I would look into an Astro 3/8" Nano. Stronger than a lot of 1/2" impacts and still reasonably price. 5.5CFM You will save a lot on sockets also ! Sunex 3342 3/8-Inch Drive Master Impact Socket Set, 42-Piece Amazon - $68

 

[JJThrasher]

You'll be fine as other's have said just give the compressor time to catch up. If you want a good basic impact here's my vote. A lot of tire shops use this gun with the 6" anvil and they hold up to a lot of daily abuse. I think the ones in our quick lube only get oiled
once or twice a year and they usually last two years with daily commercial use.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRM3I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CNGsaves]

Actually a better air impact wrench would be the Quake from Harbor Freight . . . seriously. It's bargain and will do everything you'll likely ever need.

If you plan on having lots of air tools, eventually you may be forced into getting stationary 60 gallon 5 HP compressor (ie will need appropriate 240v wiring).

However, you could go other way and just get electric impact wrench also.

 

[David9726]

I go to Harbor Freight a lot and will check it out. Been thinking about getting a 3 ton jack from them but not sure how good they are.

Thanks for the help.

 

[David9726]

Compressed air for powering pneumatic tools is the absolute least efficient and most expensive means of running a tool.

Everyone is switching to cordless tools. There are lots of inexpensive cordless impact wrenches out there.

I was originally looking at cordless but a decent 1/2 impact wrench with a name brand is not cheap. I have a dewalt 18v drill that still works fine. Dewalt has a 1/2 impact wrench that is 18v as well but i was thinking about getting a new smaller drill the dewalt XR stuff looks nice but so does the milwaukee stuff.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Actually a better air impact wrench would be the Quake from Harbor Freight . . . seriously. It's bargain and will do everything you'll likely ever need.

I have one of those and it works great. No complaints at all.

 

[goforride57]

Get a corded electric impact wrench. You'll be better off.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

My Matco runs fine on a 13 gallon CH can probably run for 3-5 minutes but never tried for that long at one time. Usually at 120 PSI and has ample power.

 

[fourjeepin]

It will work fine. I have used a harbor freight impact with a 1/3 horse compressor and a one gallon tank. It wasn't ideal, but it did the job.

BTW, this was a 12 volt Thomas in my CJ. After killing the original 304, the replacement 360 came with a York compressor and all the bracketry, so I upgraded to it I still use the 1 gallon tank so the York cycles often but it can keep up most air tools. I did double up with another compressor when using a die grinder to cut a hole in a guys floor to access the fuel pump w/o dropping the tank. We were in Cotapaxi Colorado to run Independence Trail. My avatar is from that trail. Good times (unless you like straight sheet metal).