Differance between ft lbs in a air impact gun?


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Old 04-13-21, 07:16 AM
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Differance between ft lbs in a air impact gun?

I like working on my own vehicles at home and looking to buy a air impact gun, I found 2 that I like, one has 950 ft lbs torque and the other 1190 ft lbs torque. I basically need it to remove tires, calibers, and removing my mower blades which are "brutal" to get off. Is there that much of breaking power between the 950 and 1190? There is a difference of $60 between the two, would I be better off getting the bigger one in case it's ever needed? Thanks...
 
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Old 04-13-21, 07:26 AM
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Is there that much of breaking power between the 950 and 1190?
Just enough that if you buy the smaller one and find you need the larger one.

Actually the compressor is probably your limiting factor, a small pancake compressor simply will not deliver as much air as a big 2 stage 60 gallon unit.

Personally I dont like them, a bit too brutal and really should not be used to reinstall parts.

I cringe every time I'm at a repair shop and see them use guns to reinstall wheel lug nuts!
 
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Old 04-13-21, 08:08 AM
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I bought my cheap harbor freight impact about 40 yrs ago. At that time I knew nothing about impacts but at less than $20 theirs was affordable. It only has 250 lbs of torque but for the most part does ok. Occasionally I'll need a breaker bar to loosen a stubborn nut/bolt. If it ever tears up I'll buy a better one.
 
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Old 04-13-21, 01:43 PM
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I doubt you will ever come across anything requiring 1000 ft lbs to loosen. Remember you provide the resistance to prevent the air wrench from spinning around the item you are tightening/loosening. Look at torque tables in any auto service manual. I doubt any go above 300 ft lbs.
Also as others have pointed out, higher loosening torques on air wrenches require higher air output (cfm) at pressure from the compressor or the loosening torque decreases as the cfm or pressure decreases. High cfm at high pressure makes for an expensive compressor.
 
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Old 04-14-21, 05:48 AM
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I doubt any go above 300 ft lbs.
The highest I have ever personally had to remove was for the rear axle nut on my 69 beetle. That one took a 5' piece of angle iron with a socket welded on and a 195# guy standing on it to remove..

I would agree, those higher torques with an air gun can take your arm off!
 
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Old 04-14-21, 07:01 AM
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Wire brush the threads then put some anti seize on your blade bolts.
 
 

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