8 cfm needed for impact wrench?


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Old 05-30-20, 12:58 PM
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8 cfm needed for impact wrench?

I have an Aircat 1/2 Inch 1150 pneumatic impact wrench. I have never used it. But I was about to buy an air compressor for it. The one I was looking at produced 5.3 cfm at 90 psi with 10 gallons. I would only use this compressor hooked up with one impact wrench to loosen the occasional bolt.

I talked to a tech at Aircat. He said I would need at least an 8 cfm compressor at 90 psi to use with the impact wrench. 8 cfm air compressors are very expensive and there is no way I would spend that much.

I keep reading that a 1/2 Inch impact wrench can get by with 5 cfm. I tried selling this impact wrench online, But no one was interested.

You guys use air compressors. What do you think?


 
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Old 05-30-20, 02:05 PM
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What kind machinery contain the bolts you need to loosen? This impact wrench is rated at 900 ft-lbs of torque. That is an industrial size wrench.
 
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Old 05-30-20, 05:15 PM
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I think that wrench is overkill for anything you might work on. You would be better served by something like this: Chicago Pneumatic CP734H 1/2-Inch Drive which should work with a smaller compressor. You will probably break more bolts than loosen with that one.
 
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Old 05-30-20, 08:43 PM
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It would use it for removing automotive bolts

 
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Old 05-30-20, 11:42 PM
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1,400 Blows Per Minute makes this the strongest hard hitting Twin Hammer 1/2 Impact Wrench on the market
You got a big tool there, needs air to run. Will that little 10 gal compressor run it, probably, but your only going to get a few seconds of low torque output befor it bleeds down.

That's like when I wanted to see if my 1hp, 1 gallon compressor would power my framing nailer. It did, two nails then had to wait 2 min to recharge!
 
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Old 05-31-20, 01:30 AM
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many are using cordless electric impacts might look at those if you do not want a large stationary compressor most any 1/2 inch impact is going to use a lot of air most 30 gallon models only put out 4-5 cfm at 90 psi so they dont even keep up with a 1/2 inch impact and you may have to wait for it to build back up depending on how long you need to use it, almost have to look at 60 gallon models to start seeing cfm ratings that are large enough to run a 1/2 inch impact well and keep up with it to continue to use it.

 
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Old 05-31-20, 03:41 AM
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You can get a electric 1/2 inch, 250 ft-lb torque impact wrench from HF for $40-$50. It will loosen anything automotive. The only drawback is doesn't fit into tight spaces. I use a universal joint and extension as a work around.
 
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Old 05-31-20, 05:56 PM
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I found a 20 gallon Quincy compressor that produces 7.5 cfm at 90 psi that might be in my price range. I would be open to getting an electric one if I could only sell this pneumatic one.
 
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Old 05-31-20, 10:24 PM
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if I could only sell this pneumatic one
eBay my friend, everything sells at the right price!
 
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Old 05-31-20, 10:35 PM
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Yeah at the right price eBay & PayPal takes quite a big chunk of that now a days. I sold some trash found Dynaco tube gear I found the FM Stereo tuner & the pre-amp however the power amp never showed up or else I probably would of kept it an restored them anyway I got them for free so I did not care what greed bay took. I sold each one for around $200 (so around $400 total) after all of the fees and shipping my net was only $210. I would try the local Facebook market place. If you are brave enough try the local craigslist.
 
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Old 06-01-20, 10:54 AM
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depends on how much space you have and voltage to your shop or garage really dont see a very good reason not to invest in a good compressor a large single stage 60 gallon can be bought for 450--600 range really not that expensive if you shop around. with a little maintenance the compressor and any air tools should also have a very long life.
cordless tools are nice and handy just charge a battery and take anywhere but expensive and how long will the batteries last.
 
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Old 06-01-20, 10:59 AM
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I don't know anything about that particular impact but I've done a lot of spraying with undersized compressors. Spray guns typically require 10-12 cfm and while a small compressor won't operate one continuously it will run a quart cup [and then you wait for the tank to build back up] My small compressor has a 1hp motor and a 11 gallon tank. I do prefer my big compressor but it is stationary unlike the small one.
 
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Old 06-01-20, 11:45 AM
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8 CFM is ~50 GPM.
To run correctly, that tool needs to drain a 90 PSI, 60 gallon tank every minute , OR have a REALLY expensive 60 GMP @ 90 PSI compressor. It's like using a 3/8" drive ratchet to turn a 1/2" drive socket.

I HAVE found that an extra tank helps to get high-CFM tools to (marginally) work in low-CFM situations (i.e. 200' of air line, but in this case a small compressor ) Get a good sized air tank, (I've got HF 11 gallon) and replace the stock fitting with a 3/8" "X fitting".
One leg goes to a short 3/8" whip so you've got a short hose to the tool. Another leg goes to the tank. Another leg goes to the pressure relief & gauge. Last leg goes to a ball valve and 3/8 nipple.

This gives you a nice high CFM for impact tools and nailers. When it comes to grinders, drills and paint sprayers you really need the bigger tank and compressor.
 
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Old 06-05-20, 11:15 AM
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Hmm......................interesting additional info you all posted here. Thanks. As far as posting the item for sale, I won't use ebay.

But I contacted a few local auto tech school directors. They said they see if any of their students would want to buy it.
 
 

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