Exploring Asphalt Repair and Replacement

Posted on: 9 March 2015

Impact wrenches are highly convenient, but require a lot of maintenance to be worth the investment. From bad air quality to improper handling, there's quite a few things that could go wrong on a daily basis. If you have a rookie-training repair shop or work in an area with less than clean air quality, consider a few backup parts to keep in your maintenance drawer and a few techniques that could save your pneumatic tools before they completely fail.

Air Hose Inspection and Replacement Selection

Short of dropping tools to the floor, one of the most common damage areas for pneumatic tools such as air impact wrenches is damage to the hose. Most mechanic and industrial-use hose materials are designed for some rough handling, but failure can happen over time.

Improper storage techniques such as tightly bending and folding hoses during storage can lead to long term damage. The inner wall of the hose can begin to crack, a problem that becomes worse if there are constant temperature changes or extremes. The same damage can happen at the ends of the hose from twisting and turning the tool at improper angles.

When choosing your next hose, consider your industry and purpose. In many cases, it may be best to get a threaded hose that can deal with more bending and may be less likely to break. The threaded hoses are also more durable against accidental punctures and slices, as the threads catch and dampen punctures and slashes due to the texture and thread resistance.

Compressor Filter Inspection and Maintenance

The air compressor is constantly threatened by bad air quality, which can become a problem in many areas that use pneumatic tools. Debris can be created as screws, nuts and bolts are spun at high speeds by impact wrenches and similar tools. There's also the issue of gravel, sand and other hard debris that could get into the system.

Air compressor filters need to be maintained on a regular basis, as they can become blocked quite quickly. Before replacing the filter, be sure to examine the old filter. The damage may tell you of a much bigger problem.

If you notice a lot of tears and dents in the filter, there may be some rough handling from others who use or maintain the compressor. Be sure to educate others about proper maintenance and handling of equipment, as constant supply of damaged filters can lead to expensive repairs for the compressor. If there's a lot of caked up debris within a month, consider cleaning the general area more often or walling it off.

Contact an pneumatic tools professional for air impact wrench and compressor planning, maintenance and replacements.