MadModder

Gallery, Projects and General => How do I?? => Topic started by: loply on July 31, 2011, 01:35:21 PM

Title: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: loply on July 31, 2011, 01:35:21 PM

Hi folks,

Random question but I own a 1/2" pneumatic impact gun which I use for the obvious task of undoing tight bolts.

For years this thing has undone ANYTHING I put in front of it, and if the bolt was too stuck it just twisted the head off.

In the last few months suddenly it seems to be loosing it's power - for the first time ever I was unable to remove a bolt a few months ago, and it's happened twice since, yet I was subsequently able to remove the bolts with a 60cm breaker bar.

I have oiled it periodically (only gets used say 10-20 times a year).

Any ideas what could be wrong? Should I strip the thing for a look or are they full of gaskets and other things not worth faffing around with?

Thanks for any tips!
Rich

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: doubleboost on July 31, 2011, 05:18:40 PM

Hi
Rich
I use impact guns at work every day
A snap on gun will last me about 1 year before it starts to loose power
 The best i ever had was 18 month
Just buy a new one
John

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: John Stevenson on July 31, 2011, 05:22:30 PM

We used to use nothing but CP guns, had about 15 in service at any one time from 3/8" up to 1 1/4"
You can buy a service kit for these consisting of 2 hammers, gaskets, O rings and a set of blades.
We used to rekit them when they went off and they lasted ages.
Most got replaced thru damage by running them over with 60 tonne machines  :doh:

John S.

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: loply on July 31, 2011, 05:32:45 PM

Ah okay, so it wasn't just my imagination!

This is an unbranded gun which can be had new for £30ish, so I might not bother trying to repair it. I'll probably strip it out of curiosity then throw it in the bin and buy a new one!  :clap:

Thanks for the advice folks!

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: mike os on August 01, 2011, 04:52:43 AM

I would chuck a load of air tool oil through it first......

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: John Rudd on August 01, 2011, 09:46:15 AM

It could be that the blades are worn...( made from a phenolic resin based material like Paxolin) allowing air past them hence the reduction in performance...

A strip and rebuild or else mend it with a new one..

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: loply on August 03, 2011, 10:00:16 AM

Well I took the thing apart, was nice and simple.

Only thing I noticed is that the hammer, which was essentially a sand cast iron cylinder, had two bearing surfaces where it spun the the 'barrel' which were totally unpolished, and there was a bit of gunk in there.

Cleaned everything up, polished the bearing surfaces on the hammer, re-oiled it and it certainly sounds very lively, but don't have anything to test it on.

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: John Stevenson on August 03, 2011, 02:38:19 PM

Try opening your wallet  :poke:   :lol:

Title: Re: Air impact gun - lost it's efficacy?
Post by: doubleboost on August 03, 2011, 04:50:56 PM

Quote from: John Stevenson on August 03, 2011, 02:38:19 PM

Try opening your wallet  :poke:   :lol:

 :bugeye: :bugeye: :bugeye: :doh: :doh: