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Impact Gun Question

aarkie

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Nov 10, 2012
Messages
60
Hello all. I have acquired a NOS Sioux 4035 1/2" impact. New in the box but several years old. Was very weak right off and wouldn't budge a thing my old Ingersoll 231G handles with ease. Put some oil in it after a few tries and have been working with it a couple of days now off and on plus oiling it more. It seems to be getting stronger the more I use it and will now loosen most lug nuts after a few seconds. Is this possible and could it be because it sit for so long? I am hoping it isn't a dud and can achieve it's full potential as I really like the gun plus it's USA made too.
 
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rlitman

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Oct 18, 2010
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Yes. Old oil can oxidize and thicken over time. It takes a long time (perhaps years), but it does happen.

New oil will slowly dissolve the old gunk, and it will get better. If you have a thin penetrating oil like Kroil, that will loosen the oxidized oil faster. It isn't the best lubricant for long-term use in an air tool, but it is very good to get it going.

Sioux makes a top quality tool.
 
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Thunderbisciut

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Dec 2, 2012
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Cape Cod
Seals might be dry and cracked, and now that they're soaking up some oil they could be sealing better. Might want to pull it apart and put new seals in there.
 
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rlitman

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Seals might be dry and cracked, and now that they're soaking up some oil they could be sealing better. Might want to pull it apart and put new seals in there.

What are you talking about?

Rotary vane air motors have a rotor with biscuit shaped slots that the vanes fit in. The vanes do not get dry and crack. They're either made out of bakelite, or a graphited version of bakelite. Either way, they can get stuck in the slots if the oil thickens. The sealing action is created by the centripetal force that pushes the vanes out against the housing as the rotor spins, and the snug fit of the vanes in the slots. If the vanes get stuck, they don't seal well. Fresh oil will eventually loosen them up.

There are usually o-rings in the trigger valve and reversing valve. But if they dry out, they'll crack, and no amount of oil will fix the issue.
 
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aarkie

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Nov 10, 2012
Messages
60
I have had pretty good luck with air tool conditioner; give this stuff a shot! I got mine at NAPA.

16 oz net wt Aerosol PB Blaster Air Tool Conditioner
BLASTER CHEMICAL COMPANIES, INC.
Manufacturer Part No.: 16-ATC

http://www.blastercorporation.com/Air_Tool_Conditioner.html

Looks like Oreillys carries that. I'll give it a try and resort to the Kroil suggestion if that doesn't free it up. Hopefully I won't have to open it up. Thanks for the suggestions.
 

Thunderbisciut

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Dec 2, 2012
Messages
340
Location
Cape Cod
What are you talking about?

Rotary vane air motors have a rotor with biscuit shaped slots that the vanes fit in. The vanes do not get dry and crack. They're either made out of bakelite, or a graphited version of bakelite. Either way, they can get stuck in the slots if the oil thickens. The sealing action is created by the centripetal force that pushes the vanes out against the housing as the rotor spins, and the snug fit of the vanes in the slots. If the vanes get stuck, they don't seal well. Fresh oil will eventually loosen them up.

There are usually o-rings in the trigger valve and reversing valve. But if they dry out, they'll crack, and no amount of oil will fix the issue.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I picked up an old Blue Point AT555L a few years back that was down on power. Was a bit better after a few oilings, but still not acceptable. I pulled it apart, vanes were fine, slots were clean, but the o-rings were cracked and the main housing gasket may have been leaking. After a refresh things worked great. Fixed my power problem :dunno:
 

Bull

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Dec 12, 2005
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MA
aarkie, did this thing end up gaining full strength?
 
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