Compressor for Aircat 1150

[artbuc]

Will call Aircat but figured real life experience from you folks will be much better. Aircat specs say 1150 takes 8 cfm and 4.3 cfm at load. I do not know what these numbers mean and I do not know what duty cycle Aircat assumes - I'm guessing 20-25%. So, if I want to hit a Honda crank bolt for 10-15 seconds at pretty much full impact, what size compressor do I need? I have an old Sears 2hp with 12 gal tank. It delivers 6.3 scfm at 90psig. I'm thinking that is almost, but not quite big enough. Thanks for you help.

 

[General Geoff]

Much bigger. For that impact wrench to run at peak torque, you'll probably want a minimum 30 gallon tank size, and depending on how long and what diameter hose you're running through, you'll want the pressure at the compressor to be 110 to 130psi (or higher if you have a regulator), as the pressure will be lower at the tool than at the tank outlet.

Use minimum 3/8" hose and high-flow fittings to get as much flow as you can to the tool.

Motor power and pump scfm rating isn't as important, if you're only using it for 10-15 seconds at a time. 30 gallons should be enough reserve to run it for that long at full power before the motor kicks on.

With your existing 12-gal, I wouldn't expect to see peak torque for more than 3-4 seconds before pressure drops below optimal at the tool.

 

[dnschmidt]

You're a little short on the compressor but not by much. My spare compressor is a 30 gallon Sanborn that claims to be 4 hp (yea right) that can power an impact as impacts do not consume vast quantities of air like a die grinder does. A suggestion, everybody uses the venerable Honda crank bolt as the holy grail of impact wrench goodness. Both Lisle and I-R now have specially designed sockets for this specific application that greatly reduces the amount of impact power needed to get this job done. These sockets are very heavy (F=ma) and by increasing greatly the mass while the acceleration remains constant (the impacting force of the impact wrench) the previously un-removable Honda crank bolt comes right off. This socket in combination with your somewhat under powered compressor and Aircat 1150 could very well do the job.

 

[artbuc]

You're a little short on the compressor but not by much. My spare compressor is a 30 gallon Sanborn that claims to be 4 hp (yea right) that can power an impact as impacts do not consume vast quantities of air like a die grinder does. A suggestion, everybody uses the venerable Honda crank bolt as the holy grail of impact wrench goodness. Both Lisle and I-R now have specially designed sockets for this specific application that greatly reduces the amount of impact power needed to get this job done. These sockets are very heavy (F=ma) and by increasing greatly the mass while the acceleration remains constant (the impacting force of the impact wrench) the previously un-removable Honda crank bolt comes right off. This socket in combination with your somewhat under powered compressor and Aircat 1150 could very well do the job.

Thanks. Just got my Lisle heavy socket this week and tried it using my vintage Sears impact. Car is 2010 Acura MDX with 54k miles, garage kept. Been hitting it with PB blaster for a week prior. What a joke! Was like a flea trying to push an elephant. Will give my Aircat 1150 a go when it gets here next week. If that doesn't work I will upgrade my air supply.

 

[CatSplat]

Did you try hitting the top of the bolt with an air hammer for a few seconds? That made all the difference in removing Honda crank bolts for me.

 

[meatsis]

Just buy the crank pulley holder and break it loose with a breaker bar. Takes 2 minutes

 

[redmondjp]

Just buy the crank pulley holder and break it loose with a breaker bar. Takes 2 minutes

Or skip the holder tool and bump the starter to break it loose, with the breaker bar resting up against the subframe. Takes even less than two minutes.

 

[MrGiggles]

Or skip the holder tool and bump the starter to break it loose, with the breaker bar resting up against the subframe. Takes even less than two minutes.

I don't think that works on Hondas, engine rotation is wrong.

To answer the question, 12 gallons is enough to run the impact long enough. You'll want triple that to run it even somewhat frequently though.

 

[Citation]

The OP's compressor should be fine so long as he has hoses and the like that won't restrict flow. Seriously, with the 12 gallon tank he can probably get 90+ psi at the tool for about half of the time he thinks he wants. The moment that nut starts turning the torque required drops way off. I used an IR231 and a 4 gallon DeWalt roofing compressor to pull the axle nut on a car. I don't think the compressor even cycled until the nut was basically free (not finger loose but I could turn it with a ratchet if I wanted).

I agree with MrGiggles, the setup is sufficient though not ideal.

 

[artbuc]

Did you try hitting the top of the bolt with an air hammer for a few seconds? That made all the difference in removing Honda crank bolts for me.

No, afraid of damaging something.

 

[artbuc]

Just buy the crank pulley holder and break it loose with a breaker bar. Takes 2 minutes

Yes, I have that tool and could not budge it. I am a little old guy and have no chance using this method.

 

[artbuc]

Or skip the holder tool and bump the starter to break it loose, with the breaker bar resting up against the subframe. Takes even less than two minutes.

Have used starter bump on my Toyota and Lexus cars many times but have read warnings that this is not a good idea on Acura/Hondas because bolt is tight enough to damage engine.

 

[artbuc]

I don't think that works on Hondas, engine rotation is wrong.

To answer the question, 12 gallons is enough to run the impact long enough. You'll want triple that to run it even somewhat frequently though.

Would work on my 2010 MDX if I had the courage to try it. I believe the older Hondas had the reverse threads.

 

[artbuc]

Thanks for all your helpful responses. If my new Aircat 1150 does not work with current air supply, I think my next step will be a portable 10gal air tank (which I have been wanting anyway). I can pipe it in parallel with existing 12 gal compressor and effectively double my reserve. Whole lot cheaper than a new compressor needed for just one application.

 

[redmondjp]

I don't think that works on Hondas, engine rotation is wrong.

It depends upon which year you are talking about. It works perfectly on their 3.5l V6 engines, as used in my 2001 Odyssey.

 

[Citation]

Thanks for all your helpful responses. If my new Aircat 1150 does not work with current air supply, I think my next step will be a portable 10gal air tank (which I have been wanting anyway). I can pipe it in parallel with existing 12 gal compressor and effectively double my reserve. Whole lot cheaper than a new compressor needed for just one application.

Are you sure you are delivering good pressure to the wrench? A restrictive regulator and/or hose will defeat even the best pump/tank combo.

 

[artbuc]

Holy Moses!! Got my Aircat 1150 today. What a sweet, well balanced and powerful tool. Set compressor to 120 using 25' of 3/8" hose screwed directly into gun. Was scary how it removed lug nuts torqued to 94 ft-lbs. Put it on the crank bolt with regular impact socket for 3-5 seconds, no dice. Went to Lisle high mass socket. Should have checked air pressure but I am guessing it was down to 100 psi by then. Lisle socket popped that crank bolt immediately. Remember, my case is easy in that car is only 7 years old with 55k miles and garage kept. No evidence of rust or threadlocker on the bolt.

Glad I did not rush out and buy additional air capacity. THAT AIRCAT 1150 IS A BEAST!

 

[General Geoff]

I'm glad it worked out for you! The right tools for the job can make an impossible task, seem almost trivial.

 

[dnschmidt]

Pretty much what I told you would happen isn't it.

 

[artbuc]

Pretty much what I told you would happen isn't it.

You are da man!! Thanks to you and all others who helped guide me. This forum helps me tremendously.

PS After prepping bolt and setting it at 47 ft-lbs per FSM, I could turn it only 45 degrees by hand. Had to get the last 15 degrees with 3 very short bursts of my impact.

 

[jorb69]

Hi guys I'm new to this forum. Just bumped into this because I just purchased an Aircat 1150 impact wrench mainly for the purpose of removing a notoriously stubborn crank bolt from my wife's 04 Toyota Sienna. This is what I have to share: although I glanced from this discussion that the Honda crank bolts are being used as a benchmark for being the hardest ever bolt to be removed in this age by DIYers and mechanics, but, don't edify these Honda bolts just yet. Yesterday and today, both rounds go to the much maligned Toyota Sienna bolt. The aircat was set up with the compressor that was much larger than what the previous member trying to remove his bolt, had(I have a HF 21 gallons with a max of 125 Psi 2 HP), and yet, the Sienna bolt did not even budge! I even used heat and had a holding tool that I had partially modified to suit the size of the Sienna crankshaft but to no avail. I have tried the starter bump before all these craziness bolt extraction frenzy, but ended up burning my 140 A relays! I am frustrated and exhausted after 2 days, with no end in sight. The original purpose for trying to remove this Toyota bolt was because the water pump was showing signs of pump failure and the Sienna has 140K+ miles on it so it was due for another water pump replacement and all. Based on what you already know, what am I missing here? Aircat had great reviews that's why I bought this product with the thought that I had found the solution to my age old problem of attempting to remove this much maligned crank bolt, and I could feel its tremendous power but it is falling short of what it's supposed to do. I want to give it a shot before I even enter any review--and I want to get that bolt out! Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[reptilezs]

Hi guys I'm new to this forum. Just bumped into this because I just purchased an Aircat 1150 impact wrench mainly for the purpose of removing a notoriously stubborn crank bolt from my wife's 04 Toyota Sienna. This is what I have to share: although I glanced from this discussion that the Honda crank bolts are being used as a benchmark for being the hardest ever bolt to be removed in this age by DIYers and mechanics, but, don't edify these Honda bolts just yet. Yesterday and today, both rounds go to the much maligned Toyota Sienna bolt. The aircat was set up with the compressor that was much larger than what the previous member trying to remove his bolt, had(I have a HF 21 gallons with a max of 125 Psi 2 HP), and yet, the Sienna bolt did not even budge! I even used heat and had a holding tool that I had partially modified to suit the size of the Sienna crankshaft but to no avail. I have tried the starter bump before all these craziness bolt extraction frenzy, but ended up burning my 140 A relays! I am frustrated and exhausted after 2 days, with no end in sight. The original purpose for trying to remove this Toyota bolt was because the water pump was showing signs of pump failure and the Sienna has 140K+ miles on it so it was due for another water pump replacement and all. Based on what you already know, what am I missing here? Aircat had great reviews that's why I bought this product with the thought that I had found the solution to my age old problem of attempting to remove this much maligned crank bolt, and I could feel its tremendous power but it is falling short of what it's supposed to do. I want to give it a shot before I even enter any review--and I want to get that bolt out! Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RGNCV1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20 comes in different sizes too

 

[redmondjp]

I know that it likely exceeds the maximum recommended pressure of the tool, but that impact will hammer a lot harder on a two-stage compressor - I'm willing to bet that on 145psi air, it will spin that bolt loose.

 

[jorb69]

I know that it likely exceeds the maximum recommended pressure of the tool, but that impact will hammer a lot harder on a two-stage compressor - I'm willing to bet that on 145psi air, it will spin that bolt loose.

I will do that. I actually started scouring in our area for air compressor rentals with a two-stage compressor and I think I will get one soon. Just waiting for the Lisle 22mm harmonic balancer deep socket from Amazon. Thanks.

 

[artbuc]

I will do that. I actually started scouring in our area for air compressor rentals with a two-stage compressor and I think I will get one soon. Just waiting for the Lisle 22mm harmonic balancer deep socket from Amazon. Thanks.

You will be shocked when you see what a high mass socket will do. Using my Aircat 1150, Lisle socket and ancient puny Craftsman compressor, my Acura MDX crank bolt spun off like it had been hand tightened. Same setup with a regular impact socket would not touch it.