Newbie & Impact Gun

[magic_garage]

Hi all! I've been reading through some of the threads and this look like a good forum to join.

Well couple things.

1) I took your advice and ordered the 1/2"-drive Earthquake gun. I need to remove my crank pulley bolt and I've gone through 2 guns that couldn't take on the task. I bought one from Lowes, POS cobalt and it wasn't no where strong enough. I borrowed my friends MAC TOOLS which he said he used to take off anything, but that didn't do it either. I think his gun has seen better days as I believe it really DID remove everything. I'm going to wait for the Earthquake and put it to the real test. Oh, and I have a 25-gal, 140 psi compressor.

2) Can my friend get his MAC gun "re-built"? Where and how much does it normally cost?

Thanks!!

~magic_garage

 

[russlaferrera]

Yes, the Mac gun can be rebuilt . Cost ?

 

[e-tek]

IngersonRand makes a lot of these otherwise branded tools. A rebuild is about $80-100bucks (In Canada, likely less in US).
It concerns me that crank bolt so tight.... What are you using to "hold" the crank while you are beating on it? What kinda car?

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Forget the gun get a breaker bar unhook the coil and crank the motor over to break loose the nut.

 

[e-tek]

Forget the gun get a breaker bar unhook the coil and crank the motor over to break loose the nut.

I've seen that done, but then heard it can do damage...

 

[ddawg16]

Forget the gun get a breaker bar unhook the coil and crank the motor over to break loose the nut.

And that is why they are called "backyard mechanics".....

Not raging on you Iron....some of those backyard guys come up with some neat ways to get things done.....but there are times.................. where is most likely involved.....way too much....

"Hey yall, hold my beer while I show you this."

 

[magic_garage]

IngersonRand makes a lot of these otherwise branded tools. A rebuild is about $80-100bucks (In Canada, likely less in US).
It concerns me that crank bolt so tight.... What are you using to "hold" the crank while you are beating on it? What kinda car?

I'm not using anything to hold it. Doesn't using an impact gun remove the need to hold the pulley? If I hold the pulley, then I won't need the gun right? Am I missing something. It's a Nissan.

Thanks!!

 

[magic_garage]

Forget the gun get a breaker bar unhook the coil and crank the motor over to break loose the nut.

Yeah, I heard of doing it that way, but I'm also using that as a very last resort. I've always wanted to invest in an impact and the earthquake was cheap enough to wait for to tackle my pulley bolt with.

Thanks!!

 

[RAYJAY]

I've seen that done, but then heard it can do damage...

nope do it all the time on the SHO v6 breaker bar 2x4 and bum,p the starter.......

 

[RAYJAY]

Yeah, I heard of doing it that way, but I'm also using that as a very last resort. I've always wanted to invest in an impact and the earthquake was cheap enough to wait for to tackle my pulley bolt with.

Thanks!!

what cfm does your compress put out at 90 lb you only stated that your compressor is 25-gal, 140 psi compressor how many hp is it single stage/ 2 stage or oil less ??? sorry to say this but it could be the air compressor .......

Jeff

 

[6t7gto]

you sure it's not a left hand bolt?
david

 

[wakeboarder311]

i think it is also the compressor. i know my little compressor wont do jack with an impact

 

[Falcon67]

Make sure you are turning it the right way - my $50 Sears 1/2 impact runs 'em right out, no problem. That's at an installed torque of 150+ ft/lbs. Same with 9" rear yoke nuts - brrIIIP, it's off. I set those at 160 ft/lbs.

 

[Bulldog13]

I think the settings on your gun are off...I've got a 30 gallon compressor anf my 1/2 impact works just fine...+1 on the breaker bar, never had a problem with the dampener bolts before...

 

[Doug I]

I did my Rodeo and it was pretty easy.

Tools:
1. Breaker bar - 18"x1/2"
2. Chain vicegrips
3. 2x4

My pulley had a shoulder on the back of it to wrap the chain grips around it. Did that. Propped the grips off the floor with the 2x4. Check the chain will be pulled tighter when the load comes on. Breaker on the nut, start to pull, then a tap with a hammer and that was it. After a 1/4 turn it was hand tight.

Went and bought a gear puller but didn't need it - grabbed the pulley, a little flex by hand and off it came

Didn't have to pull the radiator, just the fan.

 

[Doug I]

I'm not using anything to hold it. Doesn't using an impact gun remove the need to hold the pulley? If I hold the pulley, then I won't need the gun right? Am I missing something. It's a Nissan.

Thanks!!

If you have the plugs out it's possible the crank is turning.

 

[Hapis]

FYI- I broke down and bought a new gun the other day from Lowe's. It was discontinued and they dropped the price from 80.00 to 31.00. I figured it was worth a try as the gun I had ben using for the past 25 years finally bit the dust. Going to try it out this weekend to see if it holds up. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Kirk

 

[Chris Adams]

On impact guns, several things can cause them to not perform as expected.

One is a lack of air volume coming from the tank.
Too small an outlet, some damage, a kink, a constriction, a poorly working regulator.
All of that can be easily inspected or fixed.

Too much air hose. A 50 foot lead will cut the 'impact' from the gun by a noticeable amount.
100 foot of rubber line and you don't really have an impact gun, you have a hose expander.
I found that out the hard way. I have lots of impact guns and after adding a second 50 foot run I found I couldn't 'hit' harder than about 150 lbs, no matter the gun, the regulator setting, or the pressure in the tank.

That was with 125 foot total. All the guns were about useless.
A single bad (weak) rubber hose can kill the power.
Keep it SHORT, make sure it is full size (no 1/4 inch stuff in the mix) and any compressor and any tank that can build 90 PSI will take loose a bolt, if you have the gun for it.

The compressor size, CFM, tank, mean nothing on a single bolt removal.
Tanks hold volume, so you don't have to wait for it to build.
Compressor power equals time to reload, not power on the wrench.
If you have 90 lbs (most air guns) and enough volume to work for 20 seconds (about three gallons, tops) the gun will NOT KNOW what tank, compressor, you have, nor will it care.

I don't care if you have a three phase, two stage 160 gallon tank with a 20 horsepower motor and compressor, if you set it for 90 PSI, and pipe it through a 3/8 line you will get the SAME impact power as a 1.6 horsepower, with a 10 gallon tank.
For about 20 seconds. Which will remove, or fail to remove the bolt.
Big tank, big compressor, big motor equals long time, fast fill.
Not more power.

 

[Klunker]

as far as loosening a balancer pulley, if engine turns, take out one spark plug, push about 2 ft of rope into the cylinder leaving enough sticking out to retreive the rope. loosen bolt with a breaker bar, as soon as the rope gets squeezed in the combustion chamber it will stop the engine from turning. reverse engine a little to get the rope out. This is my S.O.P.

Your never going to get as much out of a impact wrench as you can with a decent breaker bar (1/2 drive x 24).

 

[e-tek]

I'm not using anything to hold it. Doesn't using an impact gun remove the need to hold the pulley? If I hold the pulley, then I won't need the gun right? Am I missing something. It's a Nissan.

Thanks!!

Maybe yes, maybe no. If you don't have enough gun torque to overcome the bolt torque, you'll turn the engine. I've had some so tight I needed to hold the engine from turning. But you're right if your gun hits hard and fast.

nope do it all the time on the SHO v6 breaker bar 2x4 and bum,p the starter.......

Ray - You have to pull the pulley off "all the time" on your SHO?? Time for a new car!!

If you have the plugs out it's possible the crank is turning.

But he'd notice it turning fer sure.

I'm sure your new gun will whack it off (so to speak!) and all this will be moot!

 

[magic_garage]

what cfm does your compress put out at 90 lb you only stated that your compressor is 25-gal, 140 psi compressor how many hp is it single stage/ 2 stage or oil less ??? sorry to say this but it could be the air compressor .......

Jeff

Hmm...never thought I'd be the compressor...

Here's the specs on my compressor:

Husky 2.0 Running HP 30 Gallon Vertical Compressor, VT6315
A solid CAST IRON, twin cylinder compressor pump for extreme durability. Offers 135 PSI maximum pressure and air delivery 6.5/5.5 SCFM @ 40/90 PSI. Features pneumatic tires, efficient Solberg style intake filter, and a heavy-duty handle.

I've got a 3/8", 50 foot hose attached to it.

Thanks!!

 

[magic_garage]

you sure it's not a left hand bolt?
david

I'm pretty sure. The field service manual says to turn it CCW.


Thanks!!

 

[magic_garage]

On impact guns, several things can cause them to not perform as expected.

One is a lack of air volume coming from the tank.
Too small an outlet, some damage, a kink, a constriction, a poorly working regulator.
All of that can be easily inspected or fixed.

Too much air hose. A 50 foot lead will cut the 'impact' from the gun by a noticeable amount.
100 foot of rubber line and you don't really have an impact gun, you have a hose expander.
I found that out the hard way. I have lots of impact guns and after adding a second 50 foot run I found I couldn't 'hit' harder than about 150 lbs, no matter the gun, the regulator setting, or the pressure in the tank.

That was with 125 foot total. All the guns were about useless.
A single bad (weak) rubber hose can kill the power.
Keep it SHORT, make sure it is full size (no 1/4 inch stuff in the mix) and any compressor and any tank that can build 90 PSI will take loose a bolt, if you have the gun for it.

The compressor size, CFM, tank, mean nothing on a single bolt removal.
Tanks hold volume, so you don't have to wait for it to build.
Compressor power equals time to reload, not power on the wrench.
If you have 90 lbs (most air guns) and enough volume to work for 20 seconds (about three gallons, tops) the gun will NOT KNOW what tank, compressor, you have, nor will it care.

I don't care if you have a three phase, two stage 160 gallon tank with a 20 horsepower motor and compressor, if you set it for 90 PSI, and pipe it through a 3/8 line you will get the SAME impact power as a 1.6 horsepower, with a 10 gallon tank.
For about 20 seconds. Which will remove, or fail to remove the bolt.
Big tank, big compressor, big motor equals long time, fast fill.
Not more power.

I'm starting to question my compressor/hose setup, and thinking thats the bottle neck.

Ok, how can I check that my regulator is working properly?

The outlet that came with my unit might be too small? Do most of you change those out and to what size?

I suppose I can get a shorter hose or maybe a 1/2" hose at the same 50 foot length?


Thanks for all the help and tips. As I said though, I'm going to keep the breaker bar tips in my back pocket because I've committed myself to the impact gun.

 

[Chris Adams]

Main thing is be sure the air volume and pressure is coming out at 'full blast'. One way is to put a gauge on it. A gauge should show the same pressure coming out as the regulator says. Example, turn the regulator to 110 lbs, a gauge hooked to the end of the hose would also say 110 pounds.
Visual inspection of the outlet to be sure it is not constricted, that the valve is fully opening.

The shorter the hose the more bang.
If the hose is old, or super cheap, then it may be the problem.
Does your gun have an adjustment?
My Chicago Pneumatic has a dial that increases/decreases the power. Dial is under the trigger.
My Sears has a lever on the back.
My IR has a dial. Be sure they are at full.
Soak the bolt with PBblaster, Liquid wrench, etc. at least an hour before you try to remove it. A day is better.
Try to tighten it one or two bumps, before removing. Sometimes hitting it the other way will loosen it up.
I have even tapped straight off the tank, no regulator, on a job many years ago, working above my guns abilities.
Un-threaded the regulator, threaded in a straight outlet, put that into a hose, took the tank up to 125 (it's max) and then blasted loose the bolts. Old rusted wheels on a big trailer. Needed about 350 lbs each.

I think you should just check for problems, use a short, new or high quality hose, soak it in liquid wrench, use maximum pressure on the gun (it’s just for one bolt) be sure the gun is set to maximum, use a tight socket, bump it backwards a couple times and I think it will come off.

 

[magic_garage]

Update

Main thing is be sure the air volume and pressure is coming out at 'full blast'. One way is to put a gauge on it. A gauge should show the same pressure coming out as the regulator says. Example, turn the regulator to 110 lbs, a gauge hooked to the end of the hose would also say 110 pounds.
Visual inspection of the outlet to be sure it is not constricted, that the valve is fully opening.

The shorter the hose the more bang.
If the hose is old, or super cheap, then it may be the problem.
Does your gun have an adjustment?
My Chicago Pneumatic has a dial that increases/decreases the power. Dial is under the trigger.
My Sears has a lever on the back.
My IR has a dial. Be sure they are at full.
Soak the bolt with PBblaster, Liquid wrench, etc. at least an hour before you try to remove it. A day is better.
Try to tighten it one or two bumps, before removing. Sometimes hitting it the other way will loosen it up.
I have even tapped straight off the tank, no regulator, on a job many years ago, working above my guns abilities.
Un-threaded the regulator, threaded in a straight outlet, put that into a hose, took the tank up to 125 (it's max) and then blasted loose the bolts. Old rusted wheels on a big trailer. Needed about 350 lbs each.

I think you should just check for problems, use a short, new or high quality hose, soak it in liquid wrench, use maximum pressure on the gun (it’s just for one bolt) be sure the gun is set to maximum, use a tight socket, bump it backwards a couple times and I think it will come off.

Ok, got the 1/2" drive Earthquake impact from HF. I set the compressor to 90 lbs, oiled up the gun and took off the bolt with no problems at all. While I was oiling up the Earthquake, I did feel a lot more torque on this gun verses the other 2. I wish I had this gun when I took off my axle nut. I broke 1 breaker bar trying to get that thing off. That nut would of been a another good test for the earthquake.

Anyway, thanks for all the tips and help.

 

[MustangRick]

I have a similar sized air compressor, and have the same impact. The manifold on my compressor had a restriction in it right behind the regulator that was about as big as a pencil lead. My impact would struggle to hit about 90ftlbs. I took it to a buddies and he would breakstuff with it. I ended up plumbing in an elbow on the drain and I get plenty of air now. Plus the drain is way easier to get to now since I t'ed it off to a ball valve.

 

[gorgbroza]

I bought an HF Earthquake gun today after having trouble with a crank pulley bolt (Acura Integra). Still couldn't get the bolt off... perhaps I should have tried a different and/or shorter hose.

Ended up putting the trans in 5th gear, having a friend step on the brakes, and using a breaker bar w/4' extension. Don't know what I would've done if it had an automatic transmission....

 

[nissan_crawler]

what cfm does your compress put out at 90 lb you only stated that your compressor is 25-gal, 140 psi compressor how many hp is it single stage/ 2 stage or oil less ??? sorry to say this but it could be the air compressor .......

Jeff

i think it is also the compressor. i know my little compressor wont do jack with an impact

Somewhat old post, but until the compressor is running, the cfm output of the pump doesn't have jack to do with it. It's not the compressor. Now, the cfm output of the piping, regulator, and hose certainly can. Until that pump kicks on, that impact couldn't give a damn less if it was on a 2 cfm pancake compressor, or a 120 gallon 40 cfm screw compressor, it just doesn't matter.