1/2 inch impact wrench on small compressor

[rnvinc]

I have a (new) 3 gal 1.25hp Craftsman air compressor that I tried using a (new) Campbell Housfield 1/2 inch air impact wrench with....

The compressor works fine for airing tires, pool floats, etc.....

The impact wrench will not work when hooked to this compressor....it just hisses as if the air is just passing thru the impact wrench without engaging the wrench mechanism....

Is this because the 3 gal tank is not enough air volume to work the impact wrench...??

Is it because the 1.25hp is not enough hp to keep the air flowing at maximum flow rate...??

Rickie

[woodduck]

What's the pressure on the tank? Has the gun worked with a different set up?

[boatstall]

Most 1/2 consumer impact wrenches require between 3-5 SCfm @ 90lb. as a minimum. Ck the mfg. minimum air requirements, and I'll bet your nowhere near those.

[Eager Beaver]

If it would work with your set up, you wouldn't have enough pressure to acually do anything with the gun. EB

[boatstall]

Hose size is a determiner as well, especially on air tools. Your compressor and tools may match up on CFM and pressures, but if you can't supply the air volumes at the tool end of the air line, same problem. Some of my small demand tools will run on a 3/8" hose, but most require 1/2". Small compressors such as the one you described, often come with a coiled 1/4", and were never intended to supply enough air for anything other than running inflators and small brad and nail guns. Continuously rotating air tools gobble air.

[Cray]

You should have enough air to at least turn over the wrench. If it is only hissing, check the forward and reverse leaver or push pin. Shift them back and forth several times. Some time they won't shift all the way. Ditto on small hose and volume. I have a 7gal that air tools will bring to it's knees in a hurry. Just don't expect to much from that compressor.

[carter]

You should have enough air to at least turn over the wrench. If it is only hissing, check the forward and reverse leaver or push pin. Shift them back and forth several times. Some time they won't shift all the way. Ditto on small hose and volume. I have a 7gal that air tools will bring to it's knees in a hurry. Just don't expect to much from that compressor.

I agree it should work for short time is the hose is large enough.
I have a 20 gal tank and a 4hp compressor and most tools will use it up fast. But if you work a little and let it recover then work again they still work ok.

[rnvinc]

Hose size is a determiner as well, especially on air tools. Your compressor and tools may match up on CFM and pressures, but if you can't supply the air volumes at the tool end of the air line, same problem. Some of my small demand tools will run on a 3/8" hose, but most require 1/2". Small compressors such as the one you described, often come with a coiled 1/4", and were never intended to supply enough air for anything other than running inflators and small brad and nail guns. Continuously rotating air tools gobble air.

My compressor indeed has the coiled yellow plastic hose......so my suspicion is not enough volumn...

I will buy a larger hose and see if that helps at all....

Thanks guys...

Rickie

[fvasquez]

I think you need a bigger compressor, or am I wrong? I also don't own one...

[LA CrappieMaster]

You should have enough air to at least turn over the wrench. If it is only hissing, check the forward and reverse leaver or push pin. Shift them back and forth several times. Some time they won't shift all the way. Ditto on small hose and volume. I have a 7gal that air tools will bring to it's knees in a hurry. Just don't expect to much from that compressor.

I agree with this, if it isn't turning over at all then it is something to do with the wrench.