Newb Question about Air Wrench Compatibility

[JoeyRoland82]

Hi All,

I think this has sort of been answered on another older thread I found on the boards, but I'm just trying to see if this really is too good to be true!

A few years back, I picked up a small 3 Gallon Craftsman Air Compressor when it was on sale for small things around the house such as molding, etc. It's mostly paired up with my finishing nailer. As a Christmas gift, my fiance bought me a Craftsman Heavy Duty Impact Wrench. When I reviewed the specs, I noticed my air compressor is only rated at 2.4 SCFM at 90PSI and the Wrench requires 4.7 SCFM. I didn't have the heart to tell her and told myself I should upgrade to a larger compressor anyway. After this past weekend when I could not for the life of me take off two caliper bolts on her rotors, (i swear someone used dang loctite!), I started researching again.

So fast forward to now, and from what I'm reading, it almost sounds like I could use this combo. My fear is that it would be underpowered. But does anyone with compressor knowledge know if this would work at full power, but just with more runtime in between? I don't intend to run anything like a grinder, etc. Simply break a few bolts that I'm apparently too week to do on my own.

Is this true? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[gungatim]

it's only underpowered if running off the compressor. think of it this way, your sink is full of water. your faucet is dripping in to fill the sink. you want to siphon off that water with a 1/4" hose. you'll get full flow out that hose until the sink is almost empty, then the dripping faucet won't keep up.

your compressor is a dripping faucet. your tank will run that air tool until the volume is depleted. the bigger the tank, the longer you can go. the bigger the compressor, the faster you re-fill the tank...get a big enough compressor, and you don't really need a tank (hypothetically).

does that make sense?

 

[fatfillup]

^^^^Well said and that has been my experience also^^^^

Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.

 

[JoeyRoland82]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

Thank you guys! All this time, I've left the poor gift in the box and have been killing myself trying to do some of this stuff on her car with an old pipe as a breaker bar. What a fool!

And that analogy is great! Understatement right there, but maybe amazing? Whatever. Thanks again all!

Sincerely,
SUPER-PUMPED!

 

[hangfirew8]

If it has no torque, upgrade all the fittings. See: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=296610

Don't forget the quick release on the tank itself!

 

[engineer031]

I would recommend at least a 20 gal tank to run an impact gun, you may be able to use your 3 gal to get 1 nut off but it will drain the small tank quickly

 

[JoeyRoland82]

Hi All,

So I definitely labeled this thread appropriately. I went to connect my Impact Wrench last night and see how it responded to my little compressor and I seriously don't know how to connect it.

I snapped some photos, (hopefully the attachments are clear. Good thing I'm not a surgeon with these shaky hands!). I can't figure out if I should remove that little nut at the bottom or if that's supposed to stay on.

And for that matter, I noticed the "Oil Daily" lettering. It doesn't come through very well, but how in the heck do I go about that?

Why are these tools so complicated - or is this just me over thinking this?

 

[stg454]

The plastic plug in the air inlet needs to removed and thrown out. The quick disconnect plug is then threaded into the inlet with Teflon tape on the threads. Tighten with two wrenches.
Put a few drops of air tool oil in the inlet of the quick disconnect plug prior to using it.

Hi All,

So I definitely labeled this thread appropriately. I went to connect my Impact Wrench last night and see how it responded to my little compressor and I seriously don't know how to connect it.

I snapped some photos, (hopefully the attachments are clear. Good thing I'm not a surgeon with these shaky hands!). I can't figure out if I should remove that little nut at the bottom or if that's supposed to stay on.

And for that matter, I noticed the "Oil Daily" lettering. It doesn't come through very well, but how in the heck do I go about that?

Why are these tools so complicated - or is this just me over thinking this?

 

[Tim37]

The oil daily is assuming your using daily. Get some air tool oil and put a few drops in the air fitting befor you use it

You will only be able to use it for a few seconds before you have to let the compressor catch up.

 

[Joe B.]

I was regularly able to remove the one wheel (six lug nuts) with a Craftsman 4 gal. Pancake compressor. After one wheel I would have to stop to wait for it to refill. I love having a larger compressor but it does not take much air to run an impact wrench. Worst case senarieo is the you wear out your small compressor and have to buy a new one.