How much PSI to drive air tools?

[4717]

I bought a nice electric compressor from Sears to inflate the tires on the cars. I believe the tank has a 2 gallon capacity and the pressure dial allows you to crank it up to 125 PSI. Is this something I could use to drive small air tools to remove lug nuts or use air drills? The instructions did not discuss tools.

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by 4717

I bought a nice electric compressor from Sears to inflate the tires on the cars. I believe the tank has a 2 gallon capacity and the pressure dial allows you to crank it up to 125 PSI. Is this something I could use to drive small air tools to remove lug nuts or use air drills? The instructions did not discuss tools.

The pressure is fine but IMO the 2 gal cap is kinda small to effectivly run an air dirll or impact wrench.

[King Cobra]

Originally Posted by Birdman

The pressure is fine but IMO the 2 gal cap is kinda small to effectivly run an air dirll or impact wrench.

+1 We have 90lbs out in the mill and it powers our tools fine. As Birdman says, you may run into a volume problem with such a small tank.

[TOMMY GUN]

You won't be able to run an impact efficiently with only a 2 gal tank.

I have a 3 gal tank on my workvan running 125 psi and it barely runs an air drill for 10-12 seconds. It won't run my air gun at all.


I use one of these for a lot of stuff, works great.

FREE SHIPPING — Milwaukee Impact Wrench — 120 Volt, 1800 RPM, 1/2in. Size, 300ft.-Lbs. Torque, Model# 9072-20 | Impact Wrenches | Northern Tool + Equipment

Northern has some a little less expensive.


I always 'break' lugnuts first, then remove w/ impact. Then hand start them, 'snug' w/ impact, torque to specs. (I keep mine at 100 ft lbs.)


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[Birdman]

TG I think this thread should be moved to the Tech section .
(Other )Performance - Other at Stang Mafia Forums....Home of BVM Performance Parts

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Birdman

TG I think this thread should be moved to the Tech section .
(Other )Performance - Other at Stang Mafia Forums....Home of BVM Performance Parts

Done.


.

[JonW]

I bought (an admittedly cheap) impact from Harbor Freight. The torque reading was quite high, which is one reason I bought it. But when I got it home, it said to use a maximum of 60 PSI. That seems low to me for an impact. I would have thought that with an impact, more PSI would be better.

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by JonW

I bought (an admittedly cheap) impact from Harbor Freight. The torque reading was quite high, which is one reason I bought it. But when I got it home, it said to use a maximum of 60 PSI. That seems low to me for an impact. I would have thought that with an impact, more PSI would be better.

You are correct typically about 90lbs -120lbs is required for a 1/2" drive impact wrench.

[Carnut]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

You won't be able to run an impact efficiently with only a 2 gal tank.

I have a 3 gal tank on my workvan running 125 psi and it barely runs an air drill for 10-12 seconds. It won't run my air gun at all.


I use one of these for a lot of stuff, works great.

FREE SHIPPING — Milwaukee Impact Wrench — 120 Volt, 1800 RPM, 1/2in. Size, 300ft.-Lbs. Torque, Model# 9072-20 | Impact Wrenches | Northern Tool + Equipment

Northern has some a little less expensive.


I always 'break' lugnuts first, then remove w/ impact. Then hand start them, 'snug' w/ impact, torque to specs. (I keep mine at 100 ft lbs.)


.

I agree with TG about hand breaking and torquing. Impacts can overstress fasteners especially on wheels. I've seen a lot of broken wheel studs over the years due to the use of impact guns.

[Alloy Dave]

What you really need to look at is the SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute) - sometimes just called CFM - of air that the compressor will move. Each air tool has a different requirement, so you'll want a machine that reaches the highest tool requirement you have. Air grinders use a lot, buzz guns use a little.

Here is a link to some standards for various tools. I have a 60 gallon 5 HP unit that runs up to 15 CFM at 110 psi max, which will run any tool I need with no issues. It's the combination of pressure and tank volume that meets the tools "flow" needs.
http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/...ircompressors/

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

What you really need to look at is the SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute) - sometimes just called CFM - of air that the compressor will move. Each air tool has a different requirement, so you'll want a machine that reaches the highest tool requirement you have. Air grinders use a lot, buzz guns use a little.

Here is a link to some standards for various tools. I have a 60 gallon 5 HP unit that runs up to 15 CFM at 110 psi max, which will run any tool I need with no issues. It's the combination of pressure and tank volume that meets the tools "flow" needs.
Air Compressor Buyer's Guide | Northern Tool + Equipment

True Dave but most home compressors run at 125 max pressure so the key then is to have a large enough tank to provide the correct volume of air to run the basic "garage " tools. In most cases a 20 gal to 120 gal is the most common size range for this type of home use.(in this case bigger is better )

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by Birdman

True Dave but most home compressors run at 125 max pressure so the key then is to have a large enough tank to provide the correct volume of air to run the basic "garage " tools. In most cases a 20 gal to 120 gal is the most common size range for this type of home use.(in this case bigger is better )

Air hose diameter will also affect this. I recommend 3/8" hose, not the smaller 5/16".

Dave

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by Birdman

True Dave but most home compressors run at 125 max pressure so the key then is to have a large enough tank to provide the correct volume of air to run the basic "garage " tools. In most cases a 20 gal to 120 gal is the most common size range for this type of home use.(in this case bigger is better )

Just trying to give a thorough answer so people understand the concept. I've seen cases where people use regulators to dial down pressures (for paint guns for example), and if they do this at the wrong place, they won't be able to run air tools no matter how large a tank they have.

Although bigger is better in some cases, if you need to be able to transport your unit, you may want a slightly smaller one.

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

Just trying to give a thorough answer so people understand the concept. I've seen cases where people use regulators to dial down pressures (for paint guns for example), and if they do this at the wrong place, they won't be able to run air tools no matter how large a tank they have.

Although bigger is better in some cases, if you need to be able to transport your unit, you may want a slightly smaller one.

Good point about the regulators and the hose size. I also have a 2-1/2 gal portable that I use for nail guns, staple guns and sometimes spray painting away from the shop.I also have a 60 gal in the shop ,sometimes I wish I had a 120 gal but just don't have the room.

[The Bone]

4717
Take back that air compressor it isn't big enough to fill tires let alone run air tools. Once you buy a air compressor you will find that you can't live without it.
Buy the best and biggest one you can afford. With the size of tires these days it takes a lot of air to pump them up. Air tools have instructions in them and a suggested air pressure to run them. I have a 20 gallon tank and if I run a DA sander for very long the compressor constantly runs. I use synthetic oil in it because it gets hot I also use a fan to blow away the heat. I really need a bigger one and for now I have to wait but soon I will get the one of my dreams.

[moabman]

Another really important number is the CFM rating for the compressor. Pressure and volume are only two of the three variables that describe the ability of the compressor to handle tool air volume requirements. For a two gallon tank you will need at least 90 PSI AND 5.4 CFM to run an 1/2" impact wrench. The CFM is important because it describes how the compressor will handle sustained work loads. Most new air tools will list their CFM requirements.

edit: Missed Alloy Daves post - good post Dave!