Impact ratchet question

[dsimonl]

I was heading down to HF to pick up one of the 3/8 Earthquake impact ratchets.
On the way I stopped at a pawn shop and was talked into a 3/8 Blue Point ratchet. The HF wa $57 with coupon, this was $50.

I took it home and tried it. It ratchets forwards and backwards fine, but I can stop it spinning by grabbing the socket. Is that normal? I thought they had a bit more torque than that. My compressor easily puts out 5cfm.

I'm obviously new to air tools

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

No, it's not normal. Is there air adjuster knob/screw on the ratchet?

 

[dsimonl]

No. There are no screws that I noticed. I took the ratcheting mechanism out and cleaned it thinking it was binding, but it was fine. Too bad, it looks like a nice tool.

 

[dsimonl]

I double checked. No screws or adjustment knobs. Is it possible that these older air tools require more than 5-6 cfm and thats why I have no torque? Will I have the same problem with the HF Earthquake?

 

[pipsters]

If you have a 3/8" air hose, even with QD, and have 90 psi in the tank you should be getting good power. Here is a video I just made with an older 3/8" air ratchet, at around 80 psi. It has plenty of power.

Air ratchets tend to wear out, it's possible it's just really old and tired.

 

[chris142]

Try it on a bolt before you condem it.