Do air impact wrenches go bad over time?

[thool]

I have an older Husky brand 1/2" air impact wrench that came with the oil-less compressor my wife got me about 15 years ago. I had always run it at 100 psi as measured at the compressor, but have brought it to to 120 in the past year because I run it through 15 feet + a 50 foot reel.

Lately, it has become weak and sounds different, like the compressions are slobbery. I wasn't able to spin off half the lug nuts it had been able to do previously, and those remaining came off with relative ease using my breaker bar. I used to oil it frequently, went through maybe a dozen uses where I didn't oil it due to being forgetful, and then resumed oiling. I use it maybe once every other month on average. It sits in my tool chest in an unheated garage year round. Uses: lug nut removal, mower blade bolts, stuck hardware, etc. No inline oiler or anything, no gauge at tool end.

I know things wear out, but is this normal for its quality level and age? I'm tempted to look into rebuilding, but at the same time, wonder if I'll just be happier with a HF Earthquake in the long run.

 

[Motown]

Probably time for a rebuild, if you can get a kit. not a hard job usually. Or replacement.

 

[sberry]

Oil it up well,,, I doubt you wore it out. Turn it up wide open at the comp. It will take every bit of 120 to get 90 at the gun, you wont hurt it.

 

[rlitman]

You didn't use it enough to wear it out. Yes, the vanes can wear out, but it takes a LOT of use. Here's my real-world example. I've got a Snap On impact that spend over a decade in a tire shop with constant use, that was not oiled every day. It WORE OUT numerous sockets, and yet when I tore it apart, the vanes (which were made from the same phenolic you find in HF tools) were in perfect condition.

It could be that the oil in it has gotten gummy. You could spray some penetrating oil in there, run it a bunch and then re-oil it.

It isn't leaking or hissing right? Sometimes, an o-ring can blow out, and that can block air passages and hurt performance.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I don't know about husky, but my Ingersoll Rand has grease in it. Maybe the grease is hardened and needs to be changed?

 

[Firebrick43]

Like rlitman said, More than likely a vane or two are stuck due to varnished oil. Put some kroil or marvel mystery oil up and run it a couple times, let it set for an hour or two and repeat and it will probably come back to life.

 

[gungatim]

I've seen the veins crack and I've seen them stick due to gummy oil. also seen the housing scored pretty good from dirt or grime getting in the air inlet (dropped on the ground maybe).

it can't hurt to take it apart and clean/inspect it, but I wouldn't waste any money on a rebuild kit.

Get an HF earthquake, they are an excellent value and well worth the money.

 

[Toothaker]

Your pressure drop in a 65 foot long 3/8" hose, at the CFM of an impact wrench, is probably 5 PSI.

You used too much pressure on your air tool.

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