Rebuilding pneumatic tools

[RivennHewn]

Any trick to rebuilding air tools?

Impact, drill, rivet guns?

I ended up with a rivet gun that leaks a lot of air. What's involved in repairing them?

Thanks for your time,

 

[wafrederick]

Price the parts first after finding out what is causing the problem and price the tool new.Sometimes it is cheaper to buy new instead of fixing it.

 

[billymade]

Depends on the rivet gun; the professional/industrial versions can be very expensive! In the case of these; they are worth repairing. The repairs/problems typically break down into:

1. head won't grip rivets: gripping jaws wear out, easy fix replace worn parts

2. gun body problems: o-rings/bladder/pneumatic portion needs refreshed; r/r new parts

3. hydraulic portion:r/r new parts and system bled with special tool or homemade tool. You might bleed the system first and then see how it works.

Here are some videos that give you a sense of repair/maintenance of the pro grade tools; these will probably be similar to the lower value ones as well:

more:

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...0.0.140.140.0j1.1.0...0.0...1ac.2.trs6eo_NmNY

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...3.0.143.359.1j2.3.0...0.0...1ac.1.4k1evjY97Yg

You might also check out a number of air tool repair centers online; one place that sells parts and service for the trailer repair industry is below. Good luck!

http://www.threedaytool.com/

Air tools in general are not that hard to repair; again, see how much the parts are and judge the cost effectiveness of the repair vs. new as mentioned above! Again, good luck!

 

[Ben7203]

Air tools are simple to work on, getting repair parts for off-shore brands may be the hardest part. Normal parts that wear out are bearings, o-rings, pulling jaws and air fins. A light with a magnifying glass comes in andy too. If you have any torque controlled tools, those can be a bear and will need to be calibrated. We have a simple work station at work that has all the parts and tool literature. 90% of the work can be done with simple hand tools and a vice. There are allot of smaller screws and bolts, so be careful and do not over torque anything.

 

[RivennHewn]

Thank you for the post.

The tool that's needing attention is a 4x by US Industrial Tool.

 

[Chris_PT]

I am particularly interested in this topic because I have a handful of air tools that are from my dads shop that could use service/rebuild. A few IR air ratchets, Matco Impact, and B&D 3/8" impact (love this little gun)-which actually works, but the ball detent that holds the socket in place is missing.

Not to hijack, but I (perhaps others) will find any information of good use.
Thanks in advance.

 

[up_in_the_air]

So your talking an aircraft riverting hammer? wheres the air leaking from? may just need a decent amount of oil and time to soak

 

[RivennHewn]

There is a steady flow out of the exhaust ports, between the main body and the long nose piece.

 

[up_in_the_air]

Have you tried putting a rivet snap and retainer on and holding against a block of wood or something soft and pulling the trigger? Some guns will not operate with out being against a rivet

 

[RivennHewn]

It seems to operate as it should, just leaks mass air.

Maybe hits with less impact due to the loss of air.

 

[up_in_the_air]

hmm may just need a dissemble and good clean, sticky valve or something

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Before doing anything else, uncouple the air hose, tie the trigger open with a piece of wire, and flood the tool with MMO or your favorite air tool oil.... Add oil when needed, and just let it sit and soak for a week or two... Then cover the tool with a cloth and couple on an air hose..

May be all that is needed if the tool has been stored or just gummed up...

 

[RivennHewn]

It's well oiled. The exhaust air has oil in it and it's coming out the business end too.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

It's well oiled. The exhaust air has oil in it and it's coming out the business end too.

sounds like time to have a look inside...

 

[signcrafter]

Sounds like it needs new orings. If it sat around for a while the orings will rot and deteriorate and leak. Take it apart and find the orings where its leaking and replace them.

 

[billymade]

A little digging with your tool info:

exploded view:

https://www.ustool.com/pdfs/US1X,US2X,US3X,US4X.pdf

If you need more info or order parts; contact them here:

http://www.ustool.com/store/cart.php?m=contact_us

You can also download their full line catalog here:

http://www.ustool.com/catalog.pdf

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks for the links,

Much appreciated.

 

[John Timmins]

I just got a price for an Ingersol Rand 1/2 inch drive impact gun (40 years old ? ) and the rebuild kit was $75. Trying to find a kit for that serial number was hard so I finally sent an email to a tool place with parts and they sent me that quote. I don't know If i will rebuild it of not. The trigger stays down and it's weak. I'm sure the vanes are worn and probably the kit has bearings that are needed.