Electric or pneumatic???

It is very common these days when doing a home improvement job to think only of plugging your tools into the nearest electrical outlet. Sometimes it is easy to forget that there are other alternatives to power your tools. How about using your air compressor? Air tools are much more than just impact wrenches and nail guns. For example, you can purchase pneumatic reciprocating saws and air drills. Some of the advantages to air powered tools is they are often smaller,lighter and more quiet. Other advantages are they are less expensive and generally more powerful than their electric counterparts.

Cordless Impact Wrench - Not the same tool as your cordless drill.

The cordless impact wrench is quickly gaining in popularity among professional mechanics and the hobby mechanic as well. You may be thinking "I already have a cordless drill that I use for impact applications, why do I need a cordless impact wrench as well?". I thought the same thing. The first difference is on the inside. A cordless drill creates continuous in-line torque. A cordless impact wrench employs an internal spring-loaded pulsating cam to create rotational torque. This creates the "impact" force that loosens a nut. It is the equivalent to banging a wrench with a hammer loosen a rusty nut only a lot faster. Unlike a cordless drill - which creates continuous in-line torque, a cordless impact driver uses an internal spring-loaded pulsating cam and gear mechanism to create rotational torque or the "impact" force.
Another big difference, is the lack of reactionary torque. Reactionary torque is what you experience with your cordless drill. You have to use brute force to keep your drill from spinning the opposite direction in your hand. With a cordless impact wrench, that torque is directed to the nut not your arm. You can easily hold this tool in one hand and let the cordless impact do all the work. No more pushing down on the tool to drive that screw. These tools are also smaller and lighter than a cordless drill. For example a DeWalt cordless impact wrench is about 35% the size of its comparable cordless drill. This feature makes them perfect for those overhead projects and reaching into hard to get to spaces.

The next time your start that big deck project in the backyard, leave the cordless drill in the box and grab your cordless impact wrench. Your arm will thank you at the end of the day.

Chicago Pneumatic introduces the new CP724H air impact wrench

Chicago Pneumatic introduces the new and improved CP724H Air Impact Wrench. This wrench have been redesigned with new materials for user comfort and better performance. A valuable choice for transmission work, brake, exhaust system or body repair work where cramped workspace makes this small but powerful air tool a must. The CP724H offers a 3/8" drive with 200 ft.-lbs. of ultimate torque. The new cushioned comfort-contoured handle grip, one-hand push button forward/reverse differential regulator, four position power setting forward and ultimate power in reverse, are all well balanced in a 6" package. Weighing in at only 3.1 lb., this will be one of our more popular air tools in the Chicago Pneumatic impact wrench product line.

IR Thunder Gun impact wrench - NASCAR quality air tools

The Ingersoll Rand Thunder Gun ® air impact impact wrench was built and designed specifically for demanding needs of pit crews in racing. It meets the requirements of the fastest tire changers by delivering an almost instantaneous blow of torque that removes lug nuts with incredible speed. The Thunder Gun impact mechanism is based on decades of design expertise of industry leader, Ingersoll Rand. It’s wrapped in a smaller, lighter, more agile package, and the tool’s exacting method of delivering power virtually eliminates the distracting vibration and kickback that can slow the frenzied pace and "controlled chaos" of a critical pit stop. If you are looking for the same quality tools that NASCAR pit crews use, grab a new Thunder Gun.

Rechargeable battery tips

Here are a few tips for maintaining the life of your rechargeable batteries on your power tools.

1) Don't run your batteries completely dead. There is a myth that says you should run your battery pack completely dead before recharging it. Completely not true.

2) New battery packs should be charged fully before use. Usually it takes several discharge/recharge cycles to get full life out of them.

3) A NiCd or NiMH battery will lose around 1% per day of it's charge. You should charge your battery packs every 1 -2 months when not in use.

4) Do not charge your batteries in extreme temperatures. Mainly its the cold that will kill your battery. When charged in a cold climate, condensation can develop inside your battery and cause corrosion.

Cold weather and your air tools

When the outdoor temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit over night, it is time to change to a winter weight oil for your compression pump, engine, and your air tools. This will solve most of the cold weather problems we see. When the outside ambient temperature is below the 40 degree point your air compressor will be hard to start. An easy fix to this problem is to just warm up the air compressor, air lines and air impact wrench before you start it. Also, remember to change to thinner oils for winter use ahead of time. This can add a lot of life your air tools,impact wrench, etc.. and make life generally easier on a cold morning. And remember your air tool's greatest enemy,water, is always present. It will probably be frozen in the air lines. Another reason why warming up your equipment above the freezing point is a really good idea. Always drain your air tanks of excess water at the end of the work day. Remember a happy impact wrench is a productive impact wrench.

Ingersoll Rand IR231 Air Impact Wrench review

The Ingersoll Rand 231 air impact wrench is a classic tool that has been around for well over 20 years. This is a classic design that has largely been unchanged by Ingersoll Rand over the years. It is a twin hammer design (also, there is a fitting to grease the hammers) and is high speed. Only a small amount of grease is needed even with heavy use. Simply apply the grease through the pin greaser and away you go. Be careful not to over grease your tool, too much grease will slow the impact and its hammers.
Overall, the tool is well balanced and not overly heavy. It fits well into your hand and has a light trigger pull. (If your looking for a light impact, try the Ingersoll Rand IR2135Ti Titanium air impact wrench) This tool has the adjustable torque setting built right into the forward/reverse button. This feature allows the operator to adjust the torque with your thumb. Very handy.
To sum it up, the Ingersoll Rand 231 air impact wrench is a solid performing air tool. You can't go wrong with this one. It has surprising power and speed and is built like a small tank. The IR231 delivers 1200 blows per minute and develops an average of 390 foot pounds of torque on about 5 CFM at 90 PSI of air. Good, solid performer.

How to safely operate your air tool - part 2

Here are few more safety tips for using your impact wrench or air tool. The first is often overlooked and can save you some pain.

1. Always turn off the air supply, bleed the air pressure
and disconnect the air supply hose before installing,
removing or adjusting any accessory on a impact wrench, or
before performing any maintenance on a impact wrench or
any other air tool.


2. Do not lubricate air tools or impact wrench with flammable or volatile
liquids such as kerosene, diesel or jet fuel. Use only
recommended lubricants. Check manufacturer specs for the correct lubricant.


3.Use only proper cleaning solvents to clean parts on your impact wrench. Use
only cleaning solvents which meet current safety and
health standards. Use cleaning solvents in a well
ventilated area.

How to safely operate your air tool - part 1

Below are some basic tips for safely operating your air tool. Some may seem like common sense, but most people routinely ignore these simple rule. Jobsite safety is extremely important and needs to be reviewed on a regular basis.

1. Always use clean, dry air at 90 psi maximum air pressure at the inlet. Higher pressures may result in excessive speed, rupture or incorrect torque.

2. Be sure all hoses and fittings are the correct size and
are tightly secured. Check your air tool fittings as well. For example, make sure your air hose is attached correctly to your impact wrench.

3. Ensure an accessible emergency shut off valve has
been installed in the air supply line, and make others
aware of its location.

4. Do not use damaged, frayed or deteriorated air hoses
and fittings.

5. Keep clear of whipping air hoses. Shut off the
compressed air before approaching a whipping hose.