question about air tools and proper storage

[Vernon29RW]

Hey guys hoping you can help me out. I bought a few IR air tools back in 2000 and used them quite heavily for 2 to 3 years. Since then I haven't used them at all. Fast forward about 10 years and now that I have my own home I've acquired an air compressor and would like to start using them again. Do you guys think they need to be rebuilt or do you think I could just dump a **** load of air tool oil into them and slowly work it in. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[bad_idea]

throw a splash of oil in them and see what they do. should be fine.

 

[rburke65]

Have you tried them out to see if they work? I would think they would be ok, although a shot of oil would not be a bad idea.....

 

[countryroad82]

Yeah give 'em a shot of oil and go to town. They'll be fine.

 

[Vernon29RW]

ok thanks guys, wasn't sure if running them after all these years would do more harm than good. Figured I'd ask here beforehand and double check.

 

[Mazdaspeed]

Wouldn't hurt to open them up and clean/grease/oil them just to get them back into good shape before throwing air into them. I doubt they need a full rebuild unless things have rusted up badly inside.

 

[Junkman]

I let mine site unused for about 10 years, and when I tried them, some worked, and others didn't. I oiled them all, and a few came back to life, but one impact gun was dead. I have continued to oil it for the last couple of years, and finally it broke loose the past summer. It has been fine ever since.

 

[rlitman]

I let mine site unused for about 10 years, and when I tried them, some worked, and others didn't. I oiled them all, and a few came back to life, but one impact gun was dead. I have continued to oil it for the last couple of years, and finally it broke loose the past summer. It has been fine ever since.

If not used for a while, the oil inside can thicken up, and they may get stuck.

You can add more oil, and eventually it will loosen up (the slow way).
Or you can use penetrating oil (Kroil is a great choice) that will break up the thickened oil inside, and that will loosen it up much faster.
Or, worst case, you take it apart, and directly degrease any gummed up oil thats sticking to the vanes with a penetrating oil. Then close it up, drip some oil into the air inlet, and it should be good as new.

Some air tools require grease in a gear case. Some do not. But the air motor will always only use oil.

 

[8man]

I had an impact ratchet go bad from lack of use, just bought a $6 part, installed it and it works great. The others have been fine. Oil it and see.

 

[badss98]

You can also use atf if you dont have air tool specific oil. This works just as good

 

[rlitman]

You can also use atf if you dont have air tool specific oil. This works just as good

Actually, probably quite a bit better. I just find the smell too objectionable.