IR 215g question

[dorksterr]

Last weekend I purchased my first air impact wrench, an IR 215g 3/8 impact from Northern Tools. Its rated between 25-125lb torque. I used it today and to me it seemed a little weak, for example, I turned the power setting all the way up and was able to hold the socket in my hand while it impacted. It felt strong but I would think I shouldn't be able to hold it.

The only other impact I have is an SO 4850 so I can't really compare the power output. Should it be more powerful or do I have a dude. I am using a dewalt D55168 that is rated at 5.4FCSM at 90 PSI, which is what I set the regulator too.

Any opinions would be great, Thanks!!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Shouldn't be able to hold it, something is wrong there.

 

[blacK20]

^ Ya that. You shouldn't be able to stall out any 3/8" impact by hand. Either the gun is no good or you have an issue with air supply.

 

[dorksterr]

So I tested it again tonight and changed the dial setting. It was a little better because I was not able to to stall it with my hands. I did some testing by doing the following.

I set me torque wrench to 860 foot inches (max setting). From my calculations, this should translate to 90lbs of torque. I tightened a bolt until the torque wrench clicked. I set the impact to the highest setting and was not able to undo the bolt. I repeated this process until I was able to undo the bolt set at about 70lb. Is this normal?

The air compressor is almost brand new, just purchased that about two weeks ago.

Thanks,

 

[Aklass]

So I tested it again tonight and changed the dial setting. It was a little better because I was not able to to stall it with my hands. I did some testing by doing the following.

I set me torque wrench to 860 foot inches (max setting). From my calculations, this should translate to 90lbs of torque. I tightened a bolt until the torque wrench clicked. I set the impact to the highest setting and was not able to undo the bolt. I repeated this process until I was able to undo the bolt set at about 70lb. Is this normal?

The air compressor is almost brand new, just purchased that about two weeks ago.

Thanks,

How many gallons is this compressor? and cfm at 90psi? Also what is the pressure at?

 

[dorksterr]

The compressor is 15 gallons. It pressurizes to around 200 psi then cuts off. I set the regulator to 90psi and after a minute or so of using the tool, I still have above 90 PSI in the tank, so the compressor is at least telling me it is putting out at least 90 PSI.

I tried all of the settings on the impact and it won't take off a lug nut set at about 80lb torque.

 

[GSteg]

What size hose are you running? Remember, the recommended pressure is 90psi at the gun's inlet, not the regulator. There is some psi drop between that and the tool.

 

[fr0mastaj]

Are you using a 1/4" hose or something? Also, like GSteg said, it needs 90psi at the gun, not at compressor outlet. Try setting it to 120psi or so... see how that goes.

 

[dorksterr]

using a 3/8 hose. It won't hurt the gun to set it at 120 psi?

 

[fr0mastaj]

Shouldn't. I keep mine @ 120psi - i get pretty significant pressure drop by the time the air even reaches the gun. I'm pretty sure most folks here run about the same pressure from the compressor. But if you are worried, just do it as a test at the very least.

EDIT: Also, just to make sure we are on the same page, you are using a 3/8" I.D. hose, correct?

 

[bobcatdan]

Hell, set to 200psi, I run all my tools at 175 psi daily. 125 ft lbs is not really powerful, even for a 3/8". From what I've seen, torque rating is some what of myth. Also extension and especially swivals loose a lot of torque. When I first started I had a HF 3/8" impact, something like 150- 160 ft lbs. With just a socket, it could take 1 ton truck lugnuts off. Put a 3" extension on, it couldn't touch a 1/4-20 bolt.

 

[Marlin]

The compressor is 15 gallons. It pressurizes to around 200 psi then cuts off. I set the regulator to 90psi and after a minute or so of using the tool, I still have above 90 PSI in the tank, so the compressor is at least telling me it is putting out at least 90 PSI.

I tried all of the settings on the impact and it won't take off a lug nut set at about 80lb torque.

A 15 Gallon compressor that puts out 200 psi? What compressor is it?

 

[Greatbear]

If you are using quick connectors for the hose and tool, these can restrict airflow, especially cheaper ones. Even if you are using a decent sized 3/8 or 1/2 inch hose, the fittings can throttle airflow considerably. It's not so much the diameter of the plug (the male part installed in the tool) but the female socket and check valve assembly. A good quality Milton or Taylor quick connect has good flow. Increasing the pressure to 100-120psi will not damage the tool, since the running pressure is often quite less.

 

[GSteg]

A 15 Gallon compressor that puts out 200 psi? What compressor is it?

It's one of those dewalt air compressor at Home depot. 200psi is when the motor shuts off. Not sure how high the regulator will go up tou.

 

[dorksterr]

I am running 3/8 goodyear rubber air hose and the regulator at the compressor is set at 90psi. All of the connectors are either from Northern Tool or Home Depot, those are the only places that are local to me. I am running a few connectors. I have the compressor going to a 3 foot hose that connects to a air hose real inlet port, and out to a 50 foot air hose that then connects to my impact wrench. I'll set it at 120 psi today to test. The compressor I am running is d55168 that is rated at 5.4 cfm at 90 psi. The max regulator psi is 160.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[nato]

Hey, I also picked that gun up a few months back from N/T because I got tired of breaking stuff (lol) w/ my 2115ti and wanted an inexpensive remedy. I think I may have experienced your issue as well.

1st off, I'm not sure if this is an impact that runs full 100% power in reverse and only let's you choose a power setting in the forward position. IR is famous for that....if it isn't, it makes this gun all that more odd.
You need to mess with your power settings. You'll notice that each side of the forward/reverse button has "1-5" power setting marks. The marks are NOT consistent to make each position (forward or reverse) the same power.
Example: if you max out your reverse at "5", take a look at the other side of the button. It may not even be lined up with any power setting marks/pointers if you were to simply push it forward in order to just tighten something.
I had to mess w/ the positions and find the sweet spot. I think it's somewhere areound 3 or 4 that made both sides somewhat in the same power zone.
I actually really like the compactness and ergonomics of the gun, but I may take this home and get another for shop use here in a little bit simply for this reason
I have also turned the gun up and have NOT been able to hold the socket, so if this method doesn't pan out, you may have received a bunk impact.

 

[Zrexxer]

I set me torque wrench to 860 foot inches (max setting). From my calculations, this should translate to 90lbs of torque.

Not that it makes a huge difference but your math is all off. There's no such thing as "foot inches" so I'm assuming you mean 860 in-lbs. And 860/12 = 71.6 ft-lbs.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Set your regulator at the compressor at 125 psi minimum.

TheGrooveking

 

[dorksterr]

nota: the way to adjust power seemed a little strange to me. I'm not sure why it was not designed to just provide the same amount of power in forward and revers.

zrexxer: You are right, I didn't know how to put it. I rounded the numbers because my torque wrench has not been calibrated and I'm sure it is off by a fee lb's.

So everyone is saying its safe to set the output regulator at at least 125 psi. Should I go higher?

 

[TheGrooveking]

You are safe to run up to whatever pressure your compressor / air hose can stand.

TheGrooveking

 

[woody 73]

I bet one of the connectors is defective and the tool is not getting the proper amount of air,try buying another connector.

 

[pipsters]

The compressor output of 5.4 cfm is meaningless in your case. What you care about is stored air. It will hold 15 gallons @ 200 psi. That is the same as a 20 gallon 150 psi compressor tank. Plenty to run your gun for 20 secs or so putting out over 90 psi.

Take your gun, hook it up, and look at the regulator output pressure. Press the trigger. It will drop from 90 psi to probably mid-70's-ish. Turn your regulator to 110 psi and repeat. 120 psi. Turn it so when running the tool you are putting out in the 90-95 psi range. That will ensure close to 90 psi at the gun.

It's possible the gun just isn't that strong too. What the first few secs of this video, it describes what I'm talking about.

 

[dorksterr]

I turned the regulator up to about 125 psi and the impact is definitely stronger but still not as strong as I thought it would be. For example, I still can't take off a lug nut from my envoy that is tightened to around 100lb.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Back from the dead.... Any more info on your issue with htis gun? I am thinking of getting one.