Repair And Fix it

Pneumatic tools offer reliability and strength. An air gun uses very few moving parts. Air pressure moves pistons that generate the power. The only maintenance needed on an air gun, or pneumatic tool, is daily oiling if the tool is not self-oiling. The main goal of an air gun is to deliver a powerful tool capable of intense amounts of torque or pressure. The most common high-impact air tools are air hammers, air drills and impact wrenches.

Air Hammers

An air hammer is not an elegant tool. It is used to repeatedly deliver blows to an object. The hammer comes with a variety of tips to shape or smooth metals. An internal piston is actuated by the air pressure from an air compressor. The piston repeatedly shoots forward and back. The different tips determine what the movement accomplishes. A flat-head hammer tip allows a worker to create a curve in a piece of sheet metal. The flat-head condenses and spreads out the metal as the piston hammers the ball into the surface of the metal. Chisel tips can be used to chip away at brick or stone, or to gouge metal.

Air Drills

Air drills use air pressure to generate high levels of rotation comparable to battery-operated drills. The tool is weaker than the electrical variation but is less likely to break down due to the limited number of moving parts. The tool delivers steady rotation regardless of the material. Electric drill motors can snag up in tough materials. Air drills are available in a standard gun style, similar to electric, and hand-held variations similar to electric screwdrivers. The tool has a quick-release connection on some models, or the standard chuck-key connection that requires a specific tool to unlock the bit.

Impact Wrenches

Impact wrenches are the most common type of high-impact air guns. An impact wrench combines the elements of an air hammer with an air drill. Rather than just spinning a gear, the tool delivers air pressure to an internal hammer that builds up briefly before spinning the gear. The rapid discharge of stored pressure or energy translates to high-torque rotation. Impact wrenches work best on stubborn or damaged bolts. The manual equivalent to this tool would be to place a wrench on a bolt and hammer at it with a sledge hammer. The tool, like all air guns, is reliable with minimal moving parts. The only maintenance necessary is to oil the tool daily. The oil prevents the internal pistons and gears from becoming sticky or dry.

Removing rusted bolts can be a frustrating and time-consuming task. Sometimes, no matter how much penetrating oil you use, you just dont have the leverage to remove the bolt. For those really stubborn bolts, an impact wrench can make all the difference. An impact wrench turns the high pressure air from your compressor into high torque for removing the most stubborn bolts. With the proper hose and fittings, connecting an impact wrench is quick and easy.

Instructions

1

Connect one end of a properly-rated air hose to the compressor by pulling back the release collar on the barrel connector attached to the end of the hose, sliding the connector over the air-outlet nipple on the compressor and releasing the collar.

2

Connect the other end of the hose to the impact wrench by pulling back the release collar on the barrel connector attached to the end of the hose, sliding the connector over the air inlet nipple on the wrench and releasing the collar.

3

Turn on the compressor and adjust the air pressure setting to the appropriate level for the tool that is connected to the compressor. Open the cutoff valve (if any) on the air outlet of the compressor.

4

Pull the trigger on the wrench briefly to check for proper operation.

Dewalt offers several different varieties of cordless impact tools divided into two categories: impact drivers and impact wrenches. Impact wrenches and drivers come in 12 volt and 18 volt varieties. Homeowners typically find 12 volt tools to be particularly handy and lightweight, while professionals will appreciate the power afforded by Dewalts line of 18 volt impact tools.

Dewalt 12 Volt Impact Drivers

The Dewalt DCF815S2 is Dewalts light duty 12 volt impact driver intended for use by homeowners. It features a 1/4 inch drive and delivers 3,400 impacts per minute at 79 foot-pounds of torque. The unit weighs 2.3 pounds and includes two lithium-ion battery packs so that you can keep one on the charger for when the other fails.

Dewalt 12 Volt Impact Wrenches

Dewalt offers a single 12 Volt light duty impact wrench intended for homeowner use. It features a 3/8 inch drive and delivers 96 foot-pounds of torque to drive the unit at 3,400 impacts per minute. The kit includes two lithium ion battery packs and a storage bag. The impact wrench weighs 2.3 pounds and is protected by Dewalts three-year manufacturers warrant.

Dewalt 18 Volt Impact Drivers

Dewalt offers three different varieties of 18 volt impact drivers to meet a variety of impact tool needs. All three are 1/4 inch drive. DCF826KL and DC825KA have a short frame for reaching into tight spaces and 111 pound-feet of torque. DW056KS offers the same frame size but with 98 pound-feet of torque.

Dewalt 18 Volt Impact Wrenches

Dewalts line of 18 volt impact wrenches includes three models: the DC820B, DC823B and DC820KA. The 820B and 820KA models feature 1/2 inch drives, while the 823B features a 3/8 inch drive coupled with 125 pound feet of torque. The 820B is the most powerful impact wrench in Dewalts lineup, with 145 pound-feet of torque, while the 820KA joins the 3/8 inch drive model in offering 125 pound feet of torque.