Impact wrench stopped working

[Charlie M]

My Craftsman air impact wrench stopped working. Its an older model and not a lot of use. It just blows air through it without turning in either direction. Is there anything I can try on it or is it a lost cause.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

The vanes will stick if you don't use it much. A little penetrating oil in the air inlet, press the trigger to let it in to soak. Take it apart if that doesn't work. They're fairly simple. Cheaper ones have fiber vanes so be careful with the contacting edges.

 

[timcasbolt]

(quoted from post at 22:09:08 06/05/19)
My Craftsman air impact wrench stopped working. Its an older model and not a lot of use. It just blows air through it without turning in either direction. Is there anything I can try on it or is it a lost cause.

Sounds like you need a few drops of compressor oil. Marvel Mystery Oil is an acceptable substitute.

 

[timcasbolt]

I should have mentioned that compressor oil is also known as air tool oil.

 

[kcm.MN]

It's easy to bring an air tool back to life. Add a little tool oil as suggested. In a pinch, you can also use WD-40, but I don't like using other than air tool oil.

If you add oil but tool still stuck, take it apart, but WATCH for every little piece inside and where it goes. There are very few moving parts. Remove any rust or gunk buildup, then put back together.

I've done this with air tools that I'd swear someone used hard well water instead of air! Nice thing about air tools like an impact wrench or chipping hammer is they are simple tools and, with a little care, will last nearly a lifetime.

I always add 3 or 4 drops of oil at the beginning of each use and the end of each use. If I use it all day, then I'll add oil regularly. Doesn't take much to keep a tool happy. Thought I'd try that approach with the wife. ....Then the fight started. :shock:

 

[old]

Back when I worked at tracker marine I rebuilt air tools every day I was at work and the most common problem was lack of lube. ATF works well as a way to get them working again

 

[gmccool]

Put a few drops of Marvel Mystery oil in it. If you don't have any use Tranny fluid.

 

[circus]

Dirt or sand inside.

 

[Russ from MN]

I agree with the guys that say lube it! Have you been doing that?

 

[caterpillar guy]

I was told years ago that WD40 would damage the vanes in them. So to not use WD40 in them.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 02:23:33 06/06/19) I was told years ago that WD40 would damage the vanes in them. So to not use WD40 in them.

WD-40 is great for flushing crud out in oder to get it going, then follow it up immediately with the correct oil. This is true for many uses of WD-40.

 

[Farmall plowboy]

As someone who repairs tools at work, I'm sidding with those that said vanes need to be cleaned.

 

[guido]

Hello Charlie M,

Sounds like air is going through the Vanes. Put some oil in it, what ever you got will do,

Then put air in it and spin the drive. Who knows you might get lucky. Oil should be added after use too! Because sits longer and gets gummed up,

Guido.

 

[r.w.b.]

I second marvel mystery oil.
My impact developed a diffrent problem. It wont shut off.i cant get it open to get to the air valve.what i see down the air tube a round door opens with trigger pull and its not going in its home position.got to get some soft wire,make a hook,go in n see if a chunk of nasty is in the way

 

[guido]

Hello Charlie M,

If you get it working, using the RIGHT oil would be your next step,

Guido.

 

[gab]

If it's a Craftsman copy of a Chicago Pneumatic 734 it could have a broken hammer anvil pin.

 

[mozark]

I have a craftsman, probably just like it, mine quit working too. I found a knob right next to the air inlet that was set on "0" turned it to "4" and it worked like a champ.

 

[Jaden]

This stuff helps dissolve deposits from moisture in the air lines.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

If you're nervous about pulling the wrench apart, there are plenty of youtube videos out there showing how to do it, and how simple they really are inside. I recommend "AvE" as he does a very complete job of both showing how its done, but also explaining what everything does.

 

[David G]

Have you lubed it?

 

[timcasbolt]

(quoted from post at 00:03:08 06/08/19) Have you lubed it?

He disappeared after the first post.

 

[showcrop]

(quoted from post at 16:03:08 06/07/19) Have you lubed it?

Well, David there is agreement for you. 10 of 20 say to lube it.