Air impact wrench

Air impact wrenches: what you need to know

Air wrenches are used for installation and dismantling threaded fasteners with points: nuts, bolts and others. The tool doesn’t feature an electric motor and is operated by compressed air, therefore, it is ideal for working in rooms with high humidity. Air wrench is light in weight and small in size, isn’t prone to overheating.

Types of air wrenches

By type of mechanism:

• Non-impact air wrenches. Designed for tasks that require high precision and accuracy. Fit for working with small parts.
• Impact air wrenches. Allow to dismantle even large or stuck fasteners.

By design:

• Straight. The tool’s socket is on the same axis as the rotor shaft. These tools are considered to be very powerful. The grip can lie in the same plane as the body or be attached at an angle to it.
• Angle. Perfect for tightening and loosening fasteners in hard-to-reach places. The head is at a right angle to the rotor shaft.

Operating principle

When the trigger is pulled, compressed air is supplied through the special hose to the rotor which begins to rotate. The motion is transferred to the spindle and then to the air wrench socket.

The principle of the torque transfer is the same both in impact and non-impact models. In the latter, the distribution is even due to the planetary reduction drive.

The design of the impact wrench features a mechanism which, as a rule, consists of a cage, hammers and a spindle. The cage is fixed and attached to the rotor shaft. Hammers are fixed into the cage with pins. Under the influence of the centrifugal force, the hammers can slightly shift either contacting the spindle or rotating without it. Each time they get in contact, the blow follows.

Tips on using air wrenches

Before you start, make sure that the operating pressure complies with the compressor output and that the cross-section of the hose is in line with the device specifications.

In order to protect the device from wearout and corrosion, the compressed air must be prepared first. It goes through a filter drier, then is mixed with oil fumes which lubricate the moving elements of the tool. You should use special sockets for impact devices.

While using air tools, it is important to control the torque. There is a risk of overtightening the fasteners as this equipment is very powerful. It isn’t allowed to set up or check out the tool as well as to move from one area to another without disconnecting it from the air compressor.

AUTODOC: convenient online shopping

A wide selection of reliable high-quality products for automotive repair and car maintenance can always be found in the online shop AUTODOC. Here you can buy air wrenches, drills, screw guns, scalers and other equipment at the most advantageous price. Order any item from our catalogue today and we will deliver it in a short time inexpensively.