Impact and Torque Wrenches

[RobS]

Glenn, your outlook on tools and maintenance reminds me of a story a friend sent me. It's pretty funny. I'll post it under "off topic" /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RobertN]

The tank rusted out on my old 2hp compresser, so I bought a new compressor. I saved the "compressor-pump" though. I saved the motor too, using it for a bench mounted polishing/buffing motor. I still have the regulator stuff too...

What I have been toying with, is making a 3pt compressor. I could run the 2-cylinder cast iron pump I have off the PTO, what with a pillow block, and some pulley matching. I could mount a small tank on it. I figure it could all fit on a small utility box/frame, like you see in Northern and TSC.

Of course, I've been thinking about it for over two years /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif That would be cool though, compressed air anywhere the tractor could go...

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[Bird]

RobertN, what would you do for a pressure regulator/pop off valve/cut out or something to keep it from just continuing to build pressure until it self destructs? Electric compressors have the pressure switch that shuts off the motor. Gasoline ones (that I'm familiar with) have a clutch that disengages the motor (or is that engine?). Hmmm, bound to be a way but like a lot of things, might cost more than just buying a rig.

Bird

 

[RobertN]

I found on my Rotary mower that it was next to impossible to hold the blade stationary while trying to break loose the nut holding the blade on, while trying to use a breaker bar.

The nut spun right off with a impact though. I am fortunate though, that the neighbor is very nice, and has a pretty well equipped shop for working on his big-rigs. He has 3/4 and 1" impacts...

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[DocHeb]

To use a continuous power source on a compressor you need an external "bleed" unloader switch (rather than a motor cut-off). There are gasoline engine compressors available that would be a similiar situation as a PTO powered compressor. I'm not an expert, but I think searching for Grainger Item# 4TK14 will give the part you'd need.

<font color=blue>http://my.grainger.com/Grainger/start.jsp</font color=blue>

 

[JonLeonard]

I have a manual impact wrench around somewhere...if you are looking for an idea for something cheaper. Might be hard to find now a days though.

Cost me about $40, 15 years ago. Mine is about 8-10 inches long, and very heavy made. Basically you put a socket on it, put it on the screw, twist it 1/2 a turn, push it down onto the socket and then hit it with a small sledge hammer. Mine also came with some big screw driver bits for impact removing stubborn older screws.

Very effective and much cheaper than an air unit, but I rarely use it since I have air powered equipment now. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

DocHeb, you really caught me asleep at the switch that time. You're right; that's the item I had in mind; don't know why I said clutch, and it's not as expensive as I expected. RobertN's PTO compressor might not be all that hard to build.

Bird

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya's
like RobS i'd run with handheld tools i have 2 big sets one comes with me on jobs and the other lives in my workshop ,i have got a impact gun but only use it for striping down gear after i have cracked nuts with braker bar .they are OK i would never say great tho (ducking for cover on that note) good for wheels and bolts ya don't need to be fussie with but rebuilding motors ,gearboxs hand held spaners are the way to go ,ok other thing is i read about people useing torque wrenches for doing up blade bolts .sorry guys to me ya just have been con'd into buying new tools where they are not needed a head on a motor yep but wheel nuts ,blade bolts etc etc tight is tight end of story ..also if useing a impact gun for wheels always check by hand !!!!!! just cos the box states it will do things up to 100000000 foot pound don't mean it dose
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[Bird]

JD, I sorta agree and disagree. You only use your impact gun after you break nuts loose with a breaker bar?/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif That's the reason I want an impact wrench; so I don't have to strain something to get them loose. For putting most things back together, yes, I use my hand tools, and about the only time I've used a torque wrench is head bolts, but then folks like you and I have probably been turning wrenches most of our lives. If a guy isn't accustomed to doing so, he might be well advised to have a torque wrench so he knows how tight he's getting those nuts and bolts. And as for checking by hand after using the impact, good advice again for a novice. It may even be good advice for everyone, but I don't do it; I just run my lug nuts, blade bolts, etc. on there with the impact and go. I agree that just because the box says xx number of ft./lbs. doesn't mean it does; but I rebuilt my impact wrench myself so I trust it./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya Bird
i'll clear it up a bit i have a 1/2 inch impact gun but most nut's i crack with a bar i use 3/4 with 3-5 foot bracker on the end .i find the impact good on starter pawls ,chainsaw brake drums ,smaller things that spin and hard to hold, mass bolts ie my seed drill has 63 discs on it each one has 6 bolts thats where a impact gun comes into it's own class .
oh yea if my scanner was playing the game i'd send ya's something to read about CRC, WD40 etc etc they did a test and found better after 5 minutes than leaveing over night and also kero and diesel were not far behind the top of the line for freeing rusted nuts
catch ya
JD Kid