Air tools running what psi?

[franco802]

I was curious what people run their impact guns at when useing them? I set my regulator at 90psi, anyone ever try to turn it up to 120psi? What will happen?

 

[garlicbreath]

I have an IR composite and run it at 175 when needed but usually at 140. No problems in years. I wouldn't do it to a cheapy though.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I have an IR impact and generally run it at 90 psi (the highest recommended psi). I have turned it up higher but usually don't need that much power.

 

[Jason4x4]

i have never run an airtool at the 90 psi recommended, allways maximum air, that is why i have a 150 psi compressor

 

[gmc4cw]

the regulator on my compressor never gets turned higher then 90 psi. if you need more then that then you need a bigger tool. I used to change tractor trailer tires. we ran 90 psi through the guns, but they were 1" drive and used a significant volume of air flowing through minimum 1" hose.

PSI is not everything. cfm is also important. the bigger the fittings and lines you run the more cfm it can flow. if you are running 120 psi through a pigtail line then you are losing effectiveness.

you need pressure to get the tool moving and cfm at pressure to keep it moving. it's like torque vs. horsepower.

 

[Confedneck79K30]

true, and like torque and horsepower, the more you have, the more power and more work you get done... horsepower is a measure of work....

that said, 90psi is what guns are RATED at, so a gun that is rated at 1000ftlbs (ir 2135ti) at 90psi, will have a 1250 or so rating at 140....

 

[BowtieBlazer]

also remember that you may lose quite a bit of psi(say 10) from your reg reading to the time you reach the end of a 50' - 100' hose

 

[bowtiepower00]

I like to keep things around 90 PSI. I've bumped things up to 120-175+ on occasion, especially when running 1" impacts on stubborn fasteners. I use a IR2131 1/2" impact, and I've never turned it past 90 as a mechanic I know had his fragment in his hand while using it at 120 PSI.

 

[Avery4jc]

we run full boar with all the lines at work (around 140psi) and I've asked them about it before but they have never had a problem (same set of impact guns and tools for years...)

At the house I run it at 120psi and haven't had any problems...

 

[skyyk5]

you should run from 90-100psi. i'll been talking with my compressor techs and salesmen for the past two weeks about this. They had told me that the higher pressure only overworks the compressor, it's the CFM you need to worry about, bigger lines, holding tank, and all. I.R. recomends 120 psi max. My plant is going to be buying two 200hp compressors soon, so all the salesmen have been kissing my a$$ (free lunches). So if anyone needs anymore info just let me know.

 

[sope]

I'd say it's safe below about 150. My home comressor Is at 120 (max) and at the shop I work at it's 150. Never had problems.

 

[jarheadk5]

At home, I set the regulator at the compressor for 120psi, which gives me about 100psi or so at the tool while it's running.

My civilian employer runs 100psi in their system.

The truck transmission shop I once worked at ran 140psi in their whole system.