Air Pressure?

[BigTJ]

What should I regulate the air pressure to for an IM31 SO 3/8" impact? I usually run at 95psi for my CP 1/2" drive, but don't know for the 3/8".

 

[osborn.ozzy]

Who uses a regulator?

 

[BigTJ]

lol i do most of the time

 

[chris142]

Who uses a regulator?

x2. Bump it up!

 

[crewchief888]

Who uses a regulator?

me either

 

[redwrench60]

How much you got? Crank it up! I use 150psi. Gotta remember during use the air pressure drops a lot. Most shops you ask will use 140-175psi continuously.

 

[BigTJ]

I cranked it up to where the tool running wide open the reg. is on bout 100psi. Seems to be strong enough. THX

 

[Carguy99]

Depends on what I am doing. Brad nailers 30-60 Die grinder sometimes ill take it down to 40 depending on the material. On my impacts ill run 100-120. If I run into a stubborn fastener Ill crank it wide open for that one then I turn it back down.
I take care of my tools and they take care of me. Never had one break and never had to rebuild one.

 

[dsmnickk90]

They are supposed to be at 90psi at the gun. To figure that out you need to put a gauge after the quick connect going into the gun and run the tool and adjust it to 90psi. 90psi at the tool when running might be 130 at the regulator. The pressure should also be set while running the tool not just the static pressure in the line. You have to account for pressure drop of the hose and quick connects.

 

[BigTJ]

Thanks for all the replies and I will adjust accordingly.

 

[Jason280]

How much you got? Crank it up! I use 150psi. Gotta remember during use the air pressure drops a lot. Most shops you ask will use 140-175psi continuously

Exactly. Its impressive how much more balls an impact gun gets with a little more pressure!

 

[jrlp]

I have a relatively small air compressor I definitely abuse, a little oiled Husky from Home Depot. I think it's rated at 5.5cfm @ 90psi, 25 gallon upright. It has a tiny 1/4" air regulator that is probably 1/8" big on the inside if even that much. I pretty much tore out the regulator, ran a 1/2" npt T from the tank (removing the reducing bushing) then on one side ran the stock regulator / unloader / pressure valve and the other to a 1/2" quick connect. Then have a 1/2" flexzilla 25' hose from there. I use 1/2" 2' long flexzilla whip attached to a Snap On air swivel on my 3/4" Aircat 1600 and a 3/8" 2' whip/swivel on the PH3050. It gave my tools a hell of a lot more power. Before, the air compressor could keep up with running the air hammer constantly through the stock regulator and a 50' 3/8" hose, and the 3/4" impact would kick on around lug nut #5 or #6. With the 1/2" hose no regulator setup, I've measured the air pressure at the end of the 25' hose before the quick connect. With the Aircat, pressure was starting 135 and in use right around 105psi and it was so much stronger.. almost ridiculously so. Even on the end of a 50' 3/8" line through a crappy regulator, it sheared a stud on my 1ton dodge.. The hammer was in-use pressure around 115. So I usually run the air hammer on the 3/8" line set at 110psi for ~90psi working. The hammer is a good bit more powerful on the 1/2" line, but I didn't need it. As it is, it lives on #1 or #2 on the settings... I am definitely considering replacing the pressure switch, the tank is stamped to 200psi, and I know air compressors work increases exponentially as the pressure gets raised. I'd love for it to be 175/150 or even 150/135.. but that's a different thread..

 

[darkk]

My little HF 2.5 hp 20 gal at around 90 psi. My 5hp 2stage 60 gal at 125psi most of the time.