AIR POWERED VS BATTERY POWERED TOOLS. WHICH IS BEST?
How to choose an impact wrench for a garage?
Every motorist should have an extensive arsenal of handheld, handheld vehicle-related troubleshooting tools.
This will save on travel to the car service. Among them, the presence of a convenient, functional, practical wrench is desirable. Which model to choose for the garage?
What it is
First, let’s figure out what the product is. This is a special tool that has a narrow specialization, small possibilities of use in everyday life.
With its help, you can perform several specific technological operations. tighten, unscrew the threaded-bolted connection: nuts, bolts, threaded anchors, which is important when carrying out repair work in the garage.
Features of choice
There are several classifications of the tool for different characteristics. We will study the most important of them in terms of eliminating car breakdowns.
The power source is distinguished:
- Hydraulic.
They work in the presence of a special pumping station, they are large, therefore the range of application of the unit is limited. It is impractical to use them for the purpose of repairing a car in a small space. - Electrical.
Powered by mains or rechargeable batteries. Such products are compact, highly functional, since they have a high rotation speed, therefore they are often used when performing minor repair work. - Pneumatic.
Powered by compressors, bulky, therefore also not always appropriate in a small area.
If the latter type is preferred, a compressor must be selected for it. But not every car owner will answer what type of compressor is needed for a nutrunner in a garage.
Experts insist: ordinary household tasks require a unit, the volume of the receiver of which is 24 liters, and the productivity is 203 l / min.
It will provide fast pumping of the car wheels, purging of its parts, reliable operation of the pneumatic impact wrench.
A wrench is rarely selected for the purpose of performing household work, more often it is used when repairing a car with your own hands inside a garage.
Experienced experts advise opting for high-quality electrical models, because they are the most convenient, affordable, have optimal power, rotation speed (40-100 rpm.).
What is a compressor, what is its need?
A compressor is a piece of equipment that contains compressed air. Compressed air can be useful for inflating tires, painting any surfaces.
A compressor is a device that is used to generate and move compressed air. It consists of a cylinder in which there is compressed air, it is also equipped with a reducer, after the equipment is turned on, it is connected to a pneumatic device performing actions.
When choosing a compressor, you should pay attention to your own needs and requirements that you place on the device, listen to the opinion of the seller, but the final choice is only yours.
How to choose a compressor for home and garage
A compressor is not an obligatory housekeeper, but every little thing, detail, and even more equipment will come in handy in the household. The compressor is necessary to work with other equipment, simplify and speed up the workflow. This article will tell you what criteria you should pay attention to when choosing a compressor for your home and garage.
How to choose a compressor?
- Power type. There are 4 types of power supply, car battery, 12 volt and 200 volt, network. In order to find out the parameters of each model, you should look at the instructions, characteristics or ask the seller about its capabilities.
- 12 volt compressors can be purchased for road use, such as wheel inflation. And 200 volts should be purchased for home use, as they differ in power and performance.
- The power consumption of the unit must be higher. The higher this indicator, the faster the tires in the car are inflated, you can work better with a wrench, sandblasting or a gun for painting any surfaces.
- Compressors are also divided according to the type of work; they are piston, rotary, diaphragmatic. It is better to give preference to piston models, they are more reliable and durable.
- Pressure is an important indicator for compressor equipment. The efficiency of blowing with compressed air, the quality of paintwork, the speed of inflating the tires of a vehicle depends on the pressure.
- Receiver volume. When choosing a compressor, you should pay attention to the size of the tank, the larger it is, the less often it will be pumped.
It is also worth paying attention to autonomous compressors that can work without electricity, but they have one drawback, the equipment must be constantly refueled with gasoline. But if you need to work on sections where there is no electricity, this is a great option.
In order to choose a reliable assistant at home, you can use the site “Grand Instrument”, which presents a wide selection of tools and compresses for amateurs and professionals. Experienced and qualified administrators will answer your questions and help you choose the most suitable option
Design features
Different models of equipment have individual advantages and design features. In particular:
- The presence of a reverse used to loosen the nuts. Most of the standard versions are only twistable due to the lack of reverse rotation function.
- Tightening adjuster, which automatically determines the moment of sufficient screwing of the element with a minimum error.
- Angle head, in the presence of which it becomes possible to fix bolts and nuts on the side surfaces. Corner models feature compact dimensions and minimum tightening torque.
For truck tire fitting
Freight transport is characterized by increased weight, thickened metal in the structure and constant high load on the base. Due to these features, the nuts and bolts on trucks are tightened to the limit and it is impossible to unscrew them without specialized equipment.
In addition, during the long-term operation of vehicles, rust appears on the threaded connections, which creates additional difficulties in the repair.
To work with truck parts, you need to purchase an impact tool with maximum power and torque. Due to the forceful action, the equipment will allow unscrewing corroded elements with a small investment of time and effort. The use of professional equipment eliminates the risk of damage to the thread, regardless of the complexity of the work performed.
Technical specifications
Regardless of the type of impact wrench, certain technical characteristics are inherent in it. The list of important parameters includes:
How To Use Air Compressors And Air Tools For Car Repair
- limiting power;
- the number of speeds and the ability to adjust the rotation speed;
- the possibility of autonomous functioning;
- maximum number of revolutions and frequency of beats per minute.
Also, when buying equipment, you need to pay attention to the package bundle. In addition may include: battery, charger, technical documentation, storage case and warranty card.
For passenger
If it is necessary to use an impact wrench for repairing cars, the requirements are not as high as for trucks. The minimum torque is 250 Nm. For permanent use, it is allowed to purchase a tool with a torque of 600 Nm and fasteners M600.
If you plan to repair a car in an open area or in a garage where there is no possibility of connecting to the mains, it is worth choosing an autonomous version. Rechargeable battery powered equipment is wired free for mobility and ease of day-to-day operation.
Since the standard battery capacity is not enough for a long time, the self-contained version is not suitable for continuous operation and performance of work that requires a lot of time.
Nuances when choosing the type of instrument
In addition to standard technical characteristics and individual preferences, a number of nuances must be taken into account when choosing a type of instrument. The type of wrench is selected depending on the purposes of further use, operating conditions and maintenance, the type of road transport when used for its repair.
Pneumatic torque wrench
Most modern impact wrenches are equipped with a torque adjustment feature. The main purpose of this function is to prevent fasteners from overtightening, breaking the thread or head. The adjustment will be useful for tightening relatively small nuts and bolts with a high torque tool. The fastener on the M8 will most likely be damaged if it is tightened with a tool without a regulator, with a maximum torque of 1000 Nm.
The principle of operation of a pneumatic adjustable nutrunner is to restrict the air supply, thereby reducing the torque. For example: if on a Fubag pneumatic impact wrench at 900 Nm, set the mode number, its torque will decrease to 450 Nm, which will allow you to confidently tighten the M14 fastener. The number of modes on different instruments may vary, but on average there are from 3 to 5 of them. Information about the operating modes is indicated in the documentation attached to the tool. Each individual device has its own characteristics of regulated powers.
Compressor for pneumatic impact wrench
The most important equipment necessary for the operation of a pneumatic tool is an air compressor. This device, with the help of an engine, injects air in itself and directs it to the instrument through a special hose. Let’s take a look at how to match a compressor to an impact wrench to meet all your needs.
- Pressure. The force of the output of compressed air depends on this characteristic, and therefore the performance of the tool. For most medium impact wrenches, a low pressure compressor that produces at least 6.3 atmospheres is sufficient.
- Maximum productivity. An important indicator on which the pace of the tool depends. If the flow rate of 360 liters per minute is indicated on the pneumatic wrench, and the compressor pumps only 330 liters during the same time, you can forget about uninterrupted operation in such a bundle. Compressor performance should be higher than the needs of the wrench.
- Receiver volume. A rather controversial indicator that determines the duration of the autonomous operation of the tool, in the absence of constant air pumping. Compressors with a small air volume (50 l) quickly lose pressure and for continuous operation of the tool, they must constantly pump air. With more impressive volumes (100-200 liters), the equipment can rest a little, despite the continuing operation of the pneumatics. For convenient work in a home workshop, a compressor for a wrench is enough for 100 liters.
- Connection type. To deliver compressed air to the air impact wrench gearbox, you need a special sealed hose that can withstand the pressure being applied. Before purchasing such a hose, you should find out which fitting size it fits (1/4, 1/2 or 3/4). The manufacturer indicates this data on the instrument itself, in the documentation or on the box.
The impact wrench is used for car repair and solving many household tasks. The tool will replace the usual socket head, with which it is not always possible to unscrew rusted parts. When equipping a garage, you should think about which wrench to choose for it so that it meets all the requirements for technical characteristics.
For service stations
To equip service stations, you need a powerful pneumatic impact wrench that can work on a continuous basis for a long time. Professional car service equipment must meet certain technical parameters, including the following:
- Idling turns. This indicator directly affects the power of the equipment. The optimal number of revolutions is at least 3000 rpm.
- Torque. Depending on the type of equipment, the indicator varies from 200 to 6000 Nm. For use in a car service, you should purchase a model for 1500-2800 Nm.
- Air consumption. At a standard pressure of 6.5 bar, the flow rate is 500-700 l / min.
The listed technical indicators are the main criteria for choosing equipment for a car service. When choosing a tool for continuous operation, you should have a power reserve of about 45%.
For passenger
If it is necessary to use an impact wrench for repairing cars, the requirements are not as high as for trucks. The minimum torque is 250 Nm. For permanent use, it is allowed to purchase a tool with a torque of 600 Nm and fasteners M600.
If you plan to repair a car in an open area or in a garage where there is no possibility of connecting to the mains, it is worth choosing an autonomous version. Rechargeable battery powered equipment is wired free for mobility and ease of day-to-day operation.
Since the standard battery capacity is not enough for a long time, the self-contained version is not suitable for continuous operation and performance of work that requires a lot of time.
Angle pneumatic pneumatic ratchets
Angular type pneumatic ratchets, by analogy with the standard version, are used to tighten screws, nuts, bolts and other fasteners. A distinctive feature is the ability to operate in a limited space due to the curved shape. Angle ratchets are widely used in tire shops, car services, and manufacturing plants.
The angular type of equipment has several features. The main ones are the following:
- the axis of rotation of the spindle is located at right angles to the body, which makes the tightening torque minimal;
- pneumatic ratchets have compact dimensions, which simplifies use in hard-to-reach places (for example, under a car hood);
- an automatic tightening torque controller is built into the body;
- basic technical parameters ensure a high level of performance.
What compressor is needed for a pneumatic wrench
Having decided on the type of wrench, it is necessary to select the appropriate compressor for it. The mechanism must provide the required indicator of working pressure and compressed air consumption.
The optimum operating pressure for a cordless compressor is between 6.2-6.5 bar, but for a wider range of applications, it is recommended to purchase a version with a maximum pressure of 10 bar. The air consumption of the wrench is indicated in the data sheet and should be 65-75 l / min.
Technical specifications
Regardless of the type of impact wrench, certain technical characteristics are inherent in it. The list of important parameters includes:
- limiting power;
- the number of speeds and the ability to adjust the rotation speed;
- the possibility of autonomous functioning;
- maximum number of revolutions and frequency of beats per minute.
Also, when buying equipment, you need to pay attention to the package bundle. In addition may include: battery, charger, technical documentation, storage case and warranty card.
For truck tire fitting
Freight transport is characterized by increased weight, thickened metal in the structure and constant high load on the base. Due to these features, the nuts and bolts on trucks are tightened to the limit and it is impossible to unscrew them without specialized equipment.
In addition, during the long-term operation of vehicles, rust appears on the threaded connections, which creates additional difficulties in the repair.
To work with truck parts, you need to purchase an impact tool with maximum power and torque. Due to the forceful action, the equipment will allow unscrewing corroded elements with a small investment of time and effort. The use of professional equipment eliminates the risk of damage to the thread, regardless of the complexity of the work performed.
Types of pneumatic impact wrenches and technological features
All pneumatic wrenches differ in the type of mechanism embedded in the body and the principle of action on the fasteners. Distinguish between impact and non-impact type of mechanism. Shockless varieties function due to the rotational action of the drive shaft. The tools are used for loosening small threaded connections. Impact wrenches affect fasteners through rotation of the drive shaft and impulses from the impact mechanism. The generated high impulses allow even rusty nuts and bolts of different sizes to be loosened.
Functioning principle
There are a large number of varieties of tools with a similar structure and principle of operation. The wrench consists of a barrel handle, inside of which a functional mechanism is introduced that activates the operation of the engine, spring and chuck. Unlike a drill, the tool is equipped not with a drill, but with an elongated attachment for clamping a nut.
After starting the wrench, energy is supplied to the motor and gearbox, which includes the chuck. The additional spring provides reverse rotation for increased functionality. Modern types of tools have a speed adjustment function and replaceable nozzles.
Design features
Different models of equipment have individual advantages and design features. In particular:
- The presence of a reverse used to loosen the nuts. Most of the standard versions are only twistable due to the lack of reverse rotation function.
- Tightening adjuster, which automatically determines the moment of sufficient screwing of the element with a minimum error.
- Angle head, in the presence of which it becomes possible to fix bolts and nuts on the side surfaces. Corner models feature compact dimensions and minimum tightening torque.
Wrenches: main types and types
A wrench, although a very highly specialized tool, but the volume of work, as well as their scale, is quite impressive, and therefore for different purposes and tasks you can choose one of the types of this tool.
Irreplaceable driver’s assistant
Its important advantage is its independent mechanical principle of operation, compactness and portability. Such a tool in the arsenal, for example, of a trucker, is a guarantee of safety on the road and timely arrival at the destination. These wrenches are distinguished by both increased reliability and trouble-free operation. The manufacturers took into account the fact that their main purpose is to remove and twist the wheels of trucks, that is, rather heavy equipment, therefore, exclusively alloy steel that has undergone special hardening is used for their manufacture.
But it is likely that such a tool will be used in the household of a country house or summer cottage, at a construction site, for performing some operations, etc.
The photo shows an electric wrench
Impact and “impactless” wrenches
Depending on the principle on which the torque in the tool works, all wrenches can be attributed either to impact wrenches, or to direct or static. The first, in addition to performing a simple rotational movement, also performs percussion. Impact tools are equipped with an additional option for counting impacts, and some have an electronic system to monitor the work of the torque.
The strength of the impact effect directly depends on the torque, as well as the number of blades on the turbine and its size.
And, for example, a pneumatic wrench will additionally depend on the power of the injection compressor. And, accordingly, if the instrument itself is powerful enough, but at the same time the compressor has average parameters, then this will affect the impact force.
The impact wrench first starts working on longer strokes, but closer to tightening or by the moment of free loosening, switching to shorter ones. When tightening the nuts, the greatest impact force is provided precisely at the end, when additional force is needed to ensure greater reliability of the bolted connection.
Some impact wrenches, regardless of their type or type, can be equipped with a reverse mechanism, as well as a torque regulator.
Impact wrench with attachments
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Benefits of pneumatic impact wrenches
But pneumatic tools are a more suitable option, in addition, their power is much higher. The source of energy for them is compressed air, which, falling on the rotor, is then transmitted to the spindle. In auto repair shops, direct impact wrenches with reverse and torque control are most in demand, but for some operations it is better to have a second device. an angular one. It should be noted that the pneumatic impact wrench finds its application on auto assembly lines, but only direct varieties are used there.
Advantages of hydraulic impact wrenches
The scope of application of hydraulic types of impact wrenches is quite wide. this explains a wide range of these devices. In tire shops, a wheel wrench is used, in which the following principle is applied: through a ratchet element, the translational movement from a hydraulic cylinder located inside the body is transmitted to the working mechanism.
How to choose a wrench
Wrench type: straight or angle
This division into types is based on the principle by which the spindle rotates in the apparatus: in straight lines. the axis of rotation of the spindle coincides with the axis of movement of the engine, that is, they are parallel, and in angular. the axes are located perpendicular to each other.
Due to such design features, these two types have significant differences in tightening torque, namely its strength, for angular ones it is 10-20 times less. For example, you can compare 4500 Nm for straight wrenches versus 120-150 Nm for angular ones. But to perform some types of work on unscrewing contaminated or problem nuts in hard-to-reach places, you cannot do without an angle device, and such power, as a rule, in many such cases is enough.
In the photo, the pneumatic impact wrench