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Topic: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench? (Read 732 times) previous topic - next topic

Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?


I was wondering if I can use the onboard compressor and tanks to use an impact wrench?

I have a Porter Cable compressor ( CMB15) capable of 150 psi but it only has a 1.5 gallon tank.  I'd never fit a 5 or 10 gallon tank to carry around with me.

If I can't, is there a work around.

Thanks
Ed
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #1 –
It won't recover fast enough to run an impact.You can use a torque multiplier. or a cordless impact. Milwaukee makes a good one.
1998 Foretravel U320c
4200 RCFE  unit # G5341

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #2 –
you can but it wouldn't be very good as the Rv compressor doesn't put out enough volume so you would have to wait a lot for the air to build up
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #3 –
I think you could if you had an additional storage tank but you already answered that a tank is out of the question. I just bought the Milwaukee big 1/2" inpact that delivers up to 750 ft.-lbs. of maximum fastening torque, up to 1200 ft.-lbs. to remove.  I have only used on a trailer tire so far and after only 1 impact it had the nuts loose. Compared to my air one it takes a few more impacts to break nut loose but after that it runs faster then the cordless one.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #4 –
If you can build the pressure with the engine compressor it will keep up with an air gun. As long as the repair isn't on the engine that you need the gun for.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Lance Camper –
I was wondering if I can use the onboard compressor and tanks to use an impact wrench?

I have a Porter Cable compressor ( CMB15) capable of 150 psi but it only has a 1.5 gallon tank.  I'd never fit a 5 or 10 gallon tank to carry around with me.

If I can't, is there a work around.

Thanks
Ed
Your CMB15 is 2.0 CFM at 90psi and the Cummins Holset is 13.2 Or 15 CFM and you have a 5 gallon wet tank I think. I upgraded my line and hose to 1/2" for more volume. Air gun works great.
    Mark C.
1994 U280
Build #4451
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking"

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #6 –
Yes the bigger issue isn't so much the compressor output but the air to the gun. Half inch hose will work better for breaking the nuts free but only if it isn't going through a quarter inch fitting between it and the tank.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Hammer2100 –
Your CMB15 is 2.0 CFM at 90psi and the Cummins Holset is 13.2 Or 15 CFM and you have a 5 gallon wet tank I think. I upgraded my line and hose to 1/2" for more volume. Air gun works great.
    Mark C.

I knew my compressor wasn't up to the task at 2.0 CFM. I learned that while researching impact wrenches. That's good news if the Cummins puts out 13 to 15 CFM. The impact wrenches I looked at require around 7 or 8 CFM. Looks like we have a winner here.

Thanks All
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #8 –
I'm a BIG fan of using whom ever's road service for tire issues. 

All my years of trucking, I never (ever) considered changing tires under any condition.
Too many things that can and do go South with 100 plus lbs. of tire /wheel combo.

A decent pressure gauge is worth its weight in GOLD
and if you don't have a thumper, you need to get one.  pc
S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: pocketchange –
I'm a BIG fan of using whom ever's road service for tire issues. 
+1....When we bought our first coach, it came with a monster hydraulic jack and breaker bar. The salesman was showing me the compartments and said, "here's the jack, you NEVER want to use it."  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: pocketchange –
I'm a BIG fan of using whom ever's road service for tire issues. 

All my years of trucking, I never (ever) considered changing tires under any condition.
Too many things that can and do go South with 100 plus lbs. of tire /wheel combo.

A decent pressure gauge is worth its weight in GOLD
and if you don't have a thumper, you need to get one.  pc

I guess the old adage different strokes for different folks applies here.
As an owner operator I have always repaired my own flats an installed my own new tires. Just put new rubber on the crane last week
The way I see it I am saving the money to have the flats fixed and the tires mounted and the money I would spend at the gym to get the same amount of exercise. I will have to have the Foretravel tires balanced as I don't have the equipment for that. The tools in the pic are the same tools you would see when you buy tires and have them mounted. 
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #11 –
Is it necessary to remove all the lug nuts on a Budd rear wheel to take off the hub cap?
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: Can a FT air system be used to drive an Impact Wrench?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: NancyS –
Is it necessary to remove all the lug nuts on a Budd rear wheel to take off the hub cap?

Usually only a few of the nuts hold on the cap. Look at the nuts and see if any of the holes in the hub cap are larger than the nuts, if so those stay on. In California on the commercial trucks you just use a cap over the axle.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean