Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - air impact wrench to remove wheel lug nuts

I recently bought a CH 60 gal vertical compressor and a cheapo 1/2" impact wrench from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=53176) . One of the things I was hoping I could do with this is use the gun to break loose and remove wheel lug nuts torqued down to about 80-100lbs. The gun is rated to something like 250 lbs, but won't budge the lug nuts.

Should a impact wrench be able to remove wheel lug nuts?

Do I need a better gun to do this? I don't mind spending some money to get a good tool - can I get some recommendations?

I too own both a harbor freight 250lbs torque wrench and a brand name 450lbs wrench. My 250lbs has always (knock on wood) removed most lugnuts, except the occasional trailer wheel that no wrench on earth will move.

The first thing I would check is the pressure/volume at the gun. I don't recall the specs exactly, but you lose about 5psi for every 50 feet of hose, even more if you are using 3/8" or smaller lines. To compensate for this, I crank the gun regulator up to 100 or 110 psi if needed.

If that don't work, then you'll need the 'better' gun with higher torque ratings and they are only sold in brand name at much higher prices.

I gave up on the POS and got one of these: IR 2131QT (http://snipurl.com/909f)

Works great :cool:

Thanks for the help.

Now that's an impact wrench

I agree, you get what you pay for.

I have the same wrench. There's a force adjustment next to the air inlet. I think from 1 to 4 with 4 being the most force. That wrench is not a good one. It did loosen the lug nuts on my car but that's about it. Any heavier duty than that, forget about it. Invest in a more powerful one.

That's one thing I don't get. If the wrench is rated at 250 lbs, it should be powering off 100 lbs lug nut without any problem. Am I missing something here?

Forgot to mention that this is the wrench I'm currently using and it is a monster! Takes lug nuts off with ease. No hesitation at all.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=2623

YOu probably dont have the CFM to run the gun.

IR makes soem excellent guns. I think They are better than Snap ons too.

I have a thundergun (232tg) and its a friggin monster of an impact gun.


Jim