What Size Air Compressor Do I Need For Impact Wrench

An impact wrench is an air tool which means it should be powered by air compressors. And so, when you're going to purchase an bear upon wrench for your regular job or weekend DIY activities, in that location is another affair that yous demand to buy- an air compressor.

I think purchasing an air compressor for your touch on wrench is not a trouble. The problem is determining which size air compressor you should buy. That's why I'm hither with a basic guide that tin can respond a question you have in your heed- what size air compressor do I need for impact wrench?

While ownership an air compressor, yous must focus on three things- PSI, CFM, and the size of the tank. Permit's know a flake about these iii things-

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)- PSI rating tells how much force per unit area the air compressor can deliver per square inch
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)- CFM is the rating that declares the volume of air it delivers per infinitesimal
Size of the Tank- The tank size is typically measured in Gallon. It denotes the amount of air the tank can carry each time yous make full it.

I hope you've understood these three things. Now information technology is time to find out how should you pick a right-sized air compressor for your impact wrench.

What Size Air Compressor Do I Need for Bear upon Wrench?

To make the all-time choice that goes with your impact wrench, you should pick an air compressor considering the below iii points.

1. How to Pick the Correct PSI?

Typically virtually of the single-stage air compressors come with an air pressure of effectually 90 to 120 PSI. This is the common range of PSI. As there is no variation, you won't accept to be that much worried virtually the PSI while buying an air compressor for touch wrench. However, I'll advise buying one that comes with higher PSI, probably 110 or 120 PSI.

But, if your piece of work is more than related to rusted or frozen fasteners, it is better for you to get a double-phase air compressor. Frozen or rusted fasteners need comparatively more torque. In such cases, double-stage air compressors tin can help you past delivering effectually 170 to 175 PSI so that y'all can fight and win against the most stubborn fasteners.

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2. The CFM Rating You Need for Your Touch on Wrench?

And so, y'all've seen that you don't accept to worry much most the PSI. Simply, CFM is something that should be properly checked before you select an air compressor to option. CFM differs widely in different air compressors. To get the best out of your impact wrench, you lot should option the air compressor that can evangelize the exact amount of air it needs.

The CFM you should choose depends on the size of the touch on wrench. Below hither, I'yard going to talk about the CFM needed for the nigh commonly used sizes of impact wrenches.

¼-inch Impact Wrenches

For such small touch wrenches, you won't need to have an air compressor with a loftier CFM rating. Typically, a i to 1.v CFM air compressor volition practise the work perfectly. If you want, y'all can go for higher CFM ratings, only that won't exist necessary. And so, if you lot don't want to spend much, get for something that delivers 1 to 1.five CFM.

3/8-inch Bear upon Wrenches

It is needless to say that 3/8-inch impact wrenches need more air power than 1/4-inch ones. So, in such cases, I'll propose buying an air compressor with a 3 or 3.v CFM rating. Well, you tin go for ane that delivers 2.five CFM, but that is besides close to the edge. There is a chance that y'all won't receive the expected performance sometimes. So, if you are not under budget constrain, for your 3/8-inch impact wrench, you lot should selection an air compressor that delivers around 3 CFM.

½-inch Impact Wrenches

This is probably the about common size that is used everywhere. Then, making a decision in such a case is really easy. Ask someone who uses this sized impact wrench and yous'll get the answer. However, in my opinion, buying an air compressor that delivers 4 to 5 CFM air. This volition help yous to get your things perfectly.

As well, you tin use a 3.5 CFM air compressor to run a ½-inch impact wrench. But I don't suggest buying this size unless you lot're on a budget. If you accept the scope, try to buy i with a 5 CFM rating.

1-inch Impact Wrenches

This is non something that is unremarkably used by DIYers. 1-inch impact wrenches are used in construction sites for large tasks. So, the air compressor also should be powerful and huge. So, in such cases, I advise yous buy an air compressor that comes with a 9 or 10 CFM rating. It'll toll you a lot, only structure sites need air compressors for a lot of reasons. So, the investment is worthy.

Helpful Tips: Air Tool CFM Chart

Here are some of the most common air tools and their boilerplate CFM requirements. Keep in heed that air tools are rated on a 25% duty bicycle (in use for 15 seconds out of every lx seconds) and so for continuous use tools such as grinders, y'all may want to multiple the CFM number by 4.

Air Tool	Avg. CFM @90 PSI	Avg. Operating PSI
Air Hammer	four	90-100
Angle Grinder	5-viii	90-100
Blow Gun	2-3	90-100
Brad Nailer	0.5	70-90
Die Grinder	5	seventy-xc
Disc Sander	xx	90-100
Drill	4	lxx-xc
Framing Nailer	2	100-130
Grease Gun	three	120-150
Hydraulic Riveter	iv	ninety-100
Impact Driver (one/ii″)	4	90-100
Touch on Driver (3/4″)	7	90-100
Impact Driver (one″)	12	90-100
Impact Wrench (3/8″)	3	xc-100
Impact Wrench (1/2″)	four	ninety-100
Impact Wrench (1″)	10	90-100
Orbital Sander	6-9	70-100
Paint Spray Gun	4-8	ninety-100
Ratchet (i/4″)	3	90-100
Ratchet (three/8″)	4	90-100
Speed Saw	4	ninety-100
Staple Gun	ii	lxx-90
Tire Inflator	2	125-150

3. The Size of Air Compressor Tank for Impact Wrench

While choosing an air compressor for your impact wrench, you should focus on the size of the tank too. It is an of import upshot to make your work comfortable.

The size of the tank tells how much air a compressor tin can shop. A xx-gallon air compressor can surely carry more air than the amount of air a half dozen-gallon air compressor tin can carry. Equally a effect, by filling the xx-gallon compressor once, you can piece of work for a long time. And so, I guess you'll get for a big one. But wait. In that location is something more which y'all should await at.

A 20-gallon air compressor comes with less portability because carrying it is a hassle. As an impact wrench is an intermittent tool and you have the telescopic of having a break while operating it, you tin accept the opportunity of picking a smaller ane, probably a 6-gallon one, which ensures more portability. You can simply take a break to make full the tank.

The pick is e'er yours. I've shown you lot the pros and cons of both. Now information technology is your time to make a decision to choice one.

If you inquire me my opinion most choosing a perfect sized tank, I'll go for a ten-gallon tank. I always love to stay on the safe side. Picking up a ten-gallon 1 volition give me continuity and portability both at a moderate level.

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Last Verdict

I hope you've got an idea virtually what size air compressor you should pick for your impact wrench. Now information technology is time to select one from a lot available in the market place.

Typically for DIY works at dwelling, picking an air compressor that delivers v CFM and comes with around a 10-gallon tank is my recommendation. But some other things touch on the decision, including the budget. And then, information technology is up to you to option i that'll be the best for you lot from all aspects.