Torque and Chrome

Is my air impact wrench supposed to go faster in reverse?

I just bought a central pneumatic air compressor and a husky 3/8 in air impact wrench. The air compressor is rated for 4.5 SCFM at 90 psi. The husky impact wrench requires 4.5 SCFM at 90 psi. It seems like I am not getting the maximum torque that is listed on the box..which is 100 ft. lbs. Also, the impact wrench goes faster in reverse than it does in forward, is this normal? I understand that with this compressor it has to be intermittent use. And is it going to matter a whole lot if I use a 25 foot hose vs using a 50 foot hose? I just figured I might possibly be losing pressure if I use a longer hose.

Public Comments

1. you could be losing pressure via longer hose or the gun could be turned down to its lowest setting on the handle or right below the right angle part of the gun should be a adjustment screw or on the back of it good luck
2. Yes impact wrenchs always has more torque and more RPM (speed) in reverse cause thats where the most torque and speed is needed (to remove a bolt, not install one) Also a 100 ft lbs wrench aint gonna do a whole lot. I use mine to pull engines apart with faster (along with many other things) The head bolts on a chevy engine torques to 65 ft lbs when you install them. I had a 1/2" drive 240 ft lbs impact with a 60 gal, 230 volt, 11.3 cfm @90 psi compressor and that impact couldnt break loose those bolts I then bought an earthquake 625 ft lbs impact from harbor freight and on its #3 setting out of 6 will spin head bolts right out, but #1 and 2 setting will not. Oh yeah and yes you are losing some work force with longer air hose. Adjust your reg up some to help over come that. Like around 100-110 psi at outlet As I said, I have a shop compressor and 130 feet of line/hose, 2 gauges and two regs. At the compressor outlet if I set it to 95 psi, I check the gauge at end of my 130 feet and its down to 78 psi. So what I did was removed the reg on compressors outlet and now air comes out at 135 psi, put a reg and filter/water trap 30 feet away from outlet and set that reg to 105 psi and at the end of my 100' hose my gauge shows 98 psi