First time for my own Impact wrench

[smalltown]

Finally got my air compressor running with a temporary hose hook up a few days ago.

I have one of my silly questions about using my first impact wench.

If for example I needed to install lug nuts that spec out to 100 Ft-lbs. Is it a matter of setting the regulator/filter unit for a specific PSI ? I have a torque wrench to verify after the fact.

The only adjustments I noticed on the Craftsman Impact wrench was a switch labeled 1,2, and 3. Listening to the wrench it appears to be a slow medium, and fast speed.

 

[Stevenn1]

Finally got my air compressor running with a temporary hose hook up a few days ago.

I have one of my silly questions about using my first impact wench.

If for example I needed to install lug nuts that spec out to 100 Ft-lbs. Is it a matter of setting the regulator/filter unit for a specific PSI ? I have a torque wrench to verify after the fact.

The only adjustments I noticed on the Craftsman Impact wrench was a switch labeled 1,2, and 3. Listening to the wrench it appears to be a slow medium, and fast speed.

I would just use impact to take them off then.
You need to look into a regulator/moisture combo to connect to compressor.

 

[Shippy95]

Don't use it to put them on, that's why most of the time they get broken or damaged.

 

[LXCam]

Don't try to guess a torque value installing anything with a impact. It's fine for feathering on something but if torquing it matters, do it correctly.

 

[one9gt]

I use my impact to spin them snug then torque by hand


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[engineer2]

To put them on:
ALWAYS start them by hand. Always use a star pattern to tighten.

Goose the impact trigger a couple of times just enough to seat all of the nuts. You'll get the feel of it. Lower the wheel to the ground and finish up with a torque wrench, again in a star pattern.

If you want, use a permanent marker to write the torque value on the inside of the hubcaps or on the inside of the rims. Handy if you have several different vehicles in the family.

When I first first got an impact, the first few times picking it up I would sometimes accidentally press the trigger, which causes the socket to fly off and go to underneath the car where you can't reach it.

 

[colin39]

I use my impact to spin them snug then torque by hand


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This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
30 years of goin guns with an impact and i still use a torque wrench

 

[md21722]

To put them on:
ALWAYS start them by hand. Always use a star pattern to tighten.

Goose the impact trigger a couple of times just enough to seat all of the nuts. You'll get the feel of it. Lower the wheel to the ground and finish up with a torque wrench, again in a star pattern.

If you want, use a permanent marker to write the torque value on the inside of the hubcaps or on the inside of the rims. Handy if you have several different vehicles in the family.

When I first first got an impact, the first few times picking it up I would sometimes accidentally press the trigger, which causes the socket to fly off and go to underneath the car where you can't reach it.

This is good information. You can use only the impact to take them off. But putting them back on, thread them by hand so you know they're seated, then use the impact as a nut runner to just to seat them. Then final torque with a torque wrench. There is no other way. No setting pressure, no setting levels of power on the impact, etc. Impacts are not for accurate torque.

 

[smalltown]

Thanks everybody. It takes a lot of the mystery out of it for me.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Or you can buy a torque stick

 

[gdocktor3]

You can put that impact wrench on 1 when tightening them down and then torque them down with torque wrench. You'll be fine. Just curious, which model is it?

 

[KMdef9]

If you have a locking lug nut(s), don't use the impact to break them free. It can strip/wear the nut and/or the key faster. Use a breaker bar for that nut.

 

[WhiffySpark]

If you have a locking lug nut(s), don't use the impact to break them free. It can strip/wear the nut and/or the key faster. Use a breaker bar for that nut.

I've never broke one with an impact but I've seen countless ones broke with a breaker bar. Idk why my guess is if you do it by hand you may get a slight angle on it and shear the teeth off in the key.

 

[smalltown]

gdoctor3 here is a photo if you needed it. It a model 875.199820
Don't remember what I paid for it, but it was real inexpensive. Sears had sent me an E-mail for a sale price some time ago. 1/2 " Impact wrench

 

[KMdef9]

I've never broke one with an impact but I've seen countless ones broke with a breaker bar. Idk why my guess is if you do it by hand you may get a slight angle on it and shear the teeth off in the key.

Might depend on the lug/key too.

Just what I was told by a tire shop and a couple manufactures.

 

[gdocktor3]

As I suspected. According to the owners manual, the "ultimate torque" as they put it, is 340 ft lbs. Which means the working torque is probably 300 ft lbs and in forward is probably less than that. I think you'll be fine installing lug nuts. My entire life I've never used a torque wrench on lug nuts, but I know when enough is enough. Thats on 2 pick up trucks, a mason dump, 2 landscape trailers, and dozens of other vehicles and trailers in the past. Never broke a lug or even lost one for that matter. Just don't be stupid...

 

[robalmal]

My air impact has an adjusting knob. It has 4 settings. No 1 is about 30 ft lbs, No. 2 approx 70, No 3 approx 90 and the 4 is full power which is a lot.
I use full power to undo things. No 3 to do up the wheel nuts. Most cars and light trucks I service, I tighten the nuts to 90 ft lbs.
I always use a torque wrench for final tightening and find the impact gun has set the nuts close to the torque spec.
That said, the cheaper guns may not have adjustment. You will find with experience you can get the impact to set the nuts close to the correct torque.

 

[BK13]

I don't have air, but on my Milwaukee stuff I start the nuts by had, the run them down with the power setting at 1, the do a final torque with a wrench.

The tip about writing the torque values on the centercap is ******** genius.... Thanks, dude!

 

[Sugarfryz]

If you have a locking lug nut(s), don't use the impact to break them free. It can strip/wear the nut and/or the key faster. Use a breaker bar for that nut.

Can't stand seeing those damn things on a customers car at work. Everytime I get the car in the air I gotta lower it down to find the thing. Half the time it's nowhere obvious so you gotta call lol