Craftsman Impact wrench

[Lanse]

Howdy, i just got a new air compressor that came with a new impact wrench. It has little/no power even on loose bolts. I think i may have given it a little too much oil. It is set at 80 PSI with a limit of 90 so i know thats not the problem. It has a 1/4 hose, and im thinking of going to 3/8 for more power??? What do you think???

 

[shvl73]

Unless you gave it a whole lot of oil, I would think the excess would just ooze out the exhaust port. Those things thrive on fairly high cfm and 1/4" hose is a limiting factor, though I wouldn't think it would fail to turn loose bolts. Is your compressor cycling quickly due to air consumption and unable to keep up? Does your compressor spec cfm at a rated pressure?
I've run a cheapy 1/2" impact on a small compressor easily, though you get only short bursts. A large tank or even an added portable, inline may help, though the compressor will run longer to fill the larger volume. This can wear out some of the oil-less units, due to heat.
Hopefully Bird sees this thread, as he has a lot of experience with pnuematics.

 

[Superduper]

If it was a cheap package deal type of thing, that may be all your wrench is capable of. 90psi is not that high. For impact wrench use, I personally wouldn't even limit the pressure unless your compressor is capable of extraordinarily high pressures (150-175). Small hp and small hoses typically means that you can use it in burst mode only. Sustained operation requires sustained pressure and flow. However, most impact wrench type of use is in the form of burst mode anyhow. If you need to stand there and just hammer away, your wrench is too small and you'll benefit from getting a more powerful one.

 

[Lanse]

Let me rephrase that, it doesnt want to move non rusted in bolts. It was a craftsman 26 gallon, brand new. It worked better untill i OD'd it on oil, LOL

 

[SPYDERLK]

Howdy, i just got a new air compressor that came with a new impact wrench. It has little/no power even on loose bolts. I think i may have given it a little too much oil. It is set at 80 PSI with a limit of 90 so i know thats not the problem. It has a 1/4 hose, and im thinking of going to 3/8 for more power??? What do you think???

That pressure is far too low. The tool performance is probably rated at 90 or 100 psi. This is at the tool under flow conditions. To get this pressure at a 1/2" impact tool thru a 50' 1/4" hose your would need 150 psi at supply. If you are running your output thru a pressure regulator that will give you even more loss at the fairly high flow these tools require. Use a 3/8" hose and run the compressor to at least 100 psi on the low [turn on] pressure. This usually means the compressor turns on at 100 and off at around 120.
larry

 

[Superduper]

Now I'm confused. So what did you overdose in oil, the compressor or the impact wrench? If the compressor has too much oil in it, you should drain it immediately and refill to the recommended level. If the impact wrench, it shouldn't be a real big deal. I would recommend a very light oil. If you put 90 weight into it, that could be a problem. Personally, I use ATF and have never had a problem. Did you put the oil directly into the quick connector? On my tools, over-oiling just means that the oil blows right out the exhaust and coats your hands, face, or whatever is near the exhaust port with the oil. If you think the tool is suffering from the effects of over-oiling, just run it without a load and it should flush the excess oil right out of it. If that does not fix it, the problem is in the tool and upgrading to a larger hose will not rectify that. I use 1/4" hose much of the time because it's more convenient, flexible and lighter but my IR impact is powerful enough that a quick burst is all it needs to cinch or remove virtually any bolt. The 120 ft/lb lug nuts on my tractor zips off in less than 1 sec with my IR231. I get greater sustained performance from 3/8 or 1/2" hose but with an impact wrench use, will not make a difference for the use that I most need it for. Spraying paint, now that is a different matter.

 

[Lanse]

I know, its confusing, sorry.

1) Impact wrench has too much oil
2) Tool had sticker that said not to use over 90 PSI
3) Compressor is set at 80 PSI
4) has 25' 1/4 inch hose

 

[automech]

why did you add oil to a brand new impact? It should have come ready to use. You can add a squirt into the air inlet once in a while but other than that you should not have to top up the body unless it is leaking. The oil bath motor guns usually are only about 1/4 filled or so, not filled with as much as you can put in there.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I know, its confusing, sorry.

1) Impact wrench has too much oil
2) Tool had sticker that said not to use over 90 PSI
3) Compressor is set at 80 PSI
4) has 25' 1/4 inch hose

Drain out some oil.
Ignore #2
Reset compressor operating range to above 100.
Use larger hose.
Be sure the gun does not have a knob that throttles airflow independent of the trigger. Should be in instructions

 

[Superduper]

I don't think this is a typical problem. The OP says tool has little or NO power, even on LOOSE bolts. That sounds ominous to me. My tools never require any oil except a few drops into the inlet before using. I've never had one that had a chamber that you fill up. Lanse, what type of oil did you use? Not gear oil, right?