Running tools at 160psi

[azlo]

Does anybody run their tools above 120. My comp runs 175psi but stops at 162psi. I havent installed a regulator yet im saving monet to get a good one but mean while I run it @162psi. Meanwhile, do u guys think it will hurt my tolols?

 

[padronanniversary]

yeah, your tools should have a rating for it. A regulator is relatively cheap and inexpensive, worth saving your tools

 

[jsaw]

Is that 160 PSI measured at the tool, with the tool running? You have to connect a pressure guage at the tool in order to check the working pressure.

 

[crewchief888]

ive worked in shops with line presure as high as 200psi. never had a problem with any of my IR 231's, IR, bluepoint 3/8" guns, or BP 3/4"
ive seen inexpensive guns blow their guts out in a short time under constant use.

i dont blame the high line pressure, fault lies with a gun thats underpowered to start with.

 

[s_ontario]

I've run 175 on everything without failures except air greaser and paint sprayer

 

[pete379]

run mine at full compressor pressure 175lbs
pete

 

[Motofixxer]

I wondered about the pressures too. But the more I have looked at shops, asked around, and learned about engineering. Most things are engineered and tested to be safe at 2-3 times the "normal" specs. So if a tool is designed and tested to use at 100psi then why can't it run at 150-175 when it should easily be capable of 200+ psi

 

[azlo]

Is that 160 PSI measured at the tool, with the tool running? You have to connect a pressure guage at the tool in order to check the working pressure.

My Compressor is 20cfm@175psi (I love saying that) with a guage on the tank. So it might be a lower psi at the end of 50ft hose.

 

[c39er]

I run my air impacts all the time above 160. Never had a problem in the last 15-20 years. You might lose a warranty if a broken tool issue comes during warranty period though.

 

[padronanniversary]

I wondered about the pressures too. But the more I have looked at shops, asked around, and learned about engineering. Most things are engineered and tested to be safe at 2-3 times the "normal" specs. So if a tool is designed and tested to use at 100psi then why can't it run at 150-175 when it should easily be capable of 200+ psi

Its all about tolerance stack up and how it was designed. It is rated at a specific pressure based on testing and materials used, how it happened to be manufactured, with margin built in. To simply say it works at 2-3 times is a far cry from the specifications that the manufacturer has built into this. Some of the biggest issues I see is vendors in China swapping material out, looks the same, but is cheap pot metal to save a few $. Have had instances where pot metal was used, and the porosity was so bad that things broke under load, and we saw actual unmelted bits of bolts in the casting.

This is coming from years of engineering design work, I would not trust running above specifications. Now that being said, sure, but don;t ***** when things break.

 

[iagsxr]

My old Mac man wouldn't warranty tools that were ran way over pressured.

He had a shop on his route running 175. I don't remember exactly, but want to say air ratchets in particular wouldn't take it. Finally he told the owner he wouldn't warranty another air tool until he turned the air pressure down.

Depending on how big your shop is and how it's plumbed 162 at the tank may not be over at the tool.

 

[KrisKustomPaint]

I usually don't worry about running high line pressures with most of my tools, but I wont run my air stapler over 90 psi. I've seen plenty of air staplers with blown out seals from running 120 psi. I suppose it depends on the type of air motor. my cut off wheel has been used and abused up to 160 psi, but the motor is just 5 or 6 blades that seal to the inside of the housing and air spins it around. I would think rpm is more important than psi. The stapler or an air riveter or something like that has an air cylinder so they seem to be more sensitive to air pressure.

 

[Submarine_Sailor]

My air compressor cycles between 180 and 210 psi. Most of my tools, per the manufacturer's specs are rated @ 90 psi. That in mind, given what I paid for them and they have a lifetime warranty, I won't run them over 90 psi because I don't want to void a warranty. I don't do a lot of heavy industrial work, but never have found something 90 psi wouldn't handle. I do have an impact wrench rated at 200 psi for those heavily rusted/torqued bolts though....

 

[sstruckguy]

I have heard this debate for years but always had to hand someone, usually the "high psi" arguers, the tool owners manual to keep them quiet.

A simple google search will give you this link:

http://www.ehow.com/way_5693181_much-1_2_inch-air-impact-wrench_.html

..which in short says: Most manufacturers of 1/2-inch impact wrenches rate their tool's power at 90 psi.This means that given an adequate volume of air at 90 psi the impact wrench will develop its full rated torque.

And just for another point of reference:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-consumption-tools-d_847.html

...which also states:
The air consumption is based on a common working pressure of approximately 90 psi (620 kPa, 6.2 bar).

Speaking from "my" experience, I have never opened, much less had to repair, an air tool that was running off of 90-100 psi and was lubed properly.

Your compressor and your tools will thank you for running a lower pressure.

 

[milkovich]

I run everything at between 90 and 100 psi since the regulator creeps a little. I have run without a regulator but don't fire your tools "unloaded" ... even at 90psi my old shop teacher would beat us (not really) if we rev'd the tools. The unloaded speeds kill bearing/bushing life.

 

[6530]

..which in short says: Most manufacturers of 1/2-inch impact wrenches rate their tool's power at 90 psi.This means that given an adequate volume of air at 90 psi the impact wrench will develop its full rated torque.

And just for another point of reference:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-consumption-tools-d_847.html

...which also states:
The air consumption is based on a common working pressure of approximately 90 psi (620 kPa, 6.2 bar).

Your compressor and your tools will thank you for running a lower pressure.

This. If the tool produces full torque at 90psi, why run higher pressure and prematurely wear it out?

 

[carpenter383]

more pressure = more power, with shorter life.
I broke my bostitch 15 ga finish nailer rated at 120 psi with 155 psi first shot!.
I've ran my IR 2132g impact at 155 for a few yrs now with no issues and much more power than what recomended pressure would deliver.

 

[79firebird]

At work we run all our air tools at 175 psi. At home in my shop i run them at 100 and if im running on air hoses i up it to 150