Got enough air?

[- Tom -]

I'm hoping that someone can help me determine if I have a large enough compressor to run an impact wrench. My compressor is an IR model SS3R2-GM - single piston belt drive. It has a 24 gallon tank and is rated at 5.7 CFM at 90 PSIG, 4.9 CFM at 135 (max).

I'm looking to buy the IR 2135QTIMAX 1/2" impact wrench. The only spec I can't find on it is how much air is needed to drive it. I'll be using it for light work - like removing lug nuts when I rotate tires on my truck, etc.

Is my compressor large enough to power this impact wrench?

Thanks!

Tom

 

[rlitman]

Yes.

 

[jkwilson]

Plenty large enough. You can use an impact with most any reasonably sized compressor. You just don't have much duty cycle with a smaller one.

 

[- Tom -]

Excellent!

Thanks!!

Tom

 

[theoldwizard1]

Plenty large enough. You can use an impact with most any reasonably sized compressor.

You can even use it with a seriously undersized compressor (1/2hp 3 gallon pancake) for light jobs (lug nuts). Worst case, after 3-5 lug nuts you might have to wait for it to rebuild pressure.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I used a 1970 vintage Craftsman 1 hp 12 gal for many years. It has a 80/100 pressure switch and worked pretty darn good running an impact for lugnuts and such. Sometimes had to wait for it to catch up however.

Just used that compressor the other day to push excess water out of a well tank (1500 gal) that we were doing a sanitizing on. It ran for about an hour holding about 50 psi as water ran out of a faucet full blast.

Charles

 

[Marlin]

Just make sure your hose and fittings are sized adequately.