The power tools have made DIY and other home improvement projects easier, faster and hassle-free. However, we need to have an accurate knowledge of power tools like How Does Air Impact Wrench Work? their types and their functionalities to use them properly.
In this article, we are going to learn about a very important power tool, the air impact wrench.
We’ll talk about how an air impact wrench works, how to use it properly and lastly, how to buy the air impact wrench from the market.
So, let’s get started!
What Is an Air Impact Wrench?
There are many different names for air impact wrench such as air impact wrench, pneumatic impact wrench, air impact gun, rattle gun, windy gun and sometimes torque gun.
It is actually a powerful tool that is engineered to deliver high torque with little efforts from the user. It operates by accumulating intensity in a rotating measurement.
Air impact wrenches are extensively used for various industrial purposes such as automotive repairing, heavy instrument maintaining, product assembling, major manufacturing projects etc. where high torque is required.
Air impact wrenches are available in different sizes on the market. 3/8 and 1/2 inch air impact wrench is most common and most use in automotive industry. Besides two more size available in the market 1/4 and 3/4 inch. The 1/4″ is mainly used for small and tight spaces whereas the 3/4″ is suitable for major manufacturing.
How Does an Air Impact Wrench Work?
The air impact wrench works by compressed air that delivering high output torques. You need to adjust the torque level accurately for using it. It is suitable for any household or industrial repairing work once it builds enough torque.
Usually, an air impact wrench is used for screwing/unscrewing nuts and bolts. This power tool makes screwing/unscrewing much easier and faster.
You may find different types of air impact wrench on the market but they all follow the same fundamental principle of applying rotating energy or torque with small constant impact.
Air impact wrenches are generally motorized by air, some of operated by central power corded or battery.
The Air Impact Wrenches Working Process
Forcing the airflow
The airflow is powered in the adapter. There are two holes in the base. The air is forced inside through one of the holes. The position of the two holes can be found from the forward or reverse operating button.
The Spinning of the Rotor
The airflow goes through a hole at the backplate of the system. Then the backplate directs the air so that it can touch the Rotor Blades through the Rotor Cylinder.
Then it begins to spin the main rotor. The whole process delivers moderate pressure to all the blades from the rotor. This helps the spinning of the main rotor.
The Hammer
The edge of the rotor cylinder comes with a spline. The spline pushes the Hammer Cage and the Hammer to rotate with the whole rotor. The rotating hammer helps to screw/unscrew any nut & bolt. The handle, by moving backward and forward activates the hammer to move in and out.
How to Use an Air Impact Wrench?
Here are the steps to use an air impact wrench properly:
Assembling the Wrench
The first step is to assemble the wrench. Air impact wrenches are a lot like drills. They have a switch which releases torque and air pressure.
You need to take a rubber hose and attach one end of it with the wrench and the other end with an air pressure unit. The air pressure unit is used for supplying air pressure through the rubber hose. The trigger is used to control when to release the pressure.
Follow the guidelines in the user manual to assemble the wrench properly.
Test The Wrench
Once your air impact wrench is all assembled, you need to test it.
Set the PSI between 90 and 100 and check if the wrench is applying the right amount of pressure.
Ensure that the rubber hose is free from any twist. To check the direction in which the wrench is set, lightly press the trigger and observe.
Set the Speed
Your air impact wrench should come with a dial for controlling the speed. Use the dial to set the correct speed for your project.
Also, check the torque while setting the speed. After you are satisfied with the speed and torque level, it is time to attach the right sized socket bit to the wrench.
To check if your air impact wrench is ready to use, just take a wheel nut and slip it under the socket bit. Now press the trigger of the wrench. If you have done everything right, the nuts of the wheel will loosen out swiftly.
Here is a video tutorial about how to use an air impact wrench
How to Adjust Torque On Impact Wrench?
Here are two ways to adjust the torque on an impact wrench:
1. Controlling The Line Compression
The first way to adjust the torque on an impact wrench is by controlling the line compression.
For this, first, you need to start the compressor and allow it to run until the compressor arrives at its valve pressure.
Now, attach the impact wrench with an air hose using the compressor. By accommodating the pressure regulator, you can decrease the working compression that is available to the line.
Thus, you can adjust the torque.
2. Controlling The Tool Compression
The second way to adjust the torque on an impact wrench is by controlling the tool compression.
You have to attach the tool air regulator with the impact wrench. Now add an air hose with the tool air regulator.
And finally, control the tool air regulator to get the expected quantity of torque.
While adjusting the torque on an impact wrench, remember the following things-
- Decreasing the air pressure of the compressor also lowers the quantity of compression. If you are using one compressor for operating several tools at a time, then it is better to use a tool air regulator. Which is add more value for you.
- This attempt will only lower the quantity of torque generated by an impact wrench. The highest amount of torque delivered by a wrench is controlled by the working flow of the compressor and the pressure rating of the manufacturer.
- If you require limited tolerance, then make sure your setup has a measured torque wrench.
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