With many different options on the market, it can be challenging to know what features to look out for when selecting an impact
wrench. This guide provides a brief overview of the technology and outlines some simple steps to help you get started.
An impact wrench, also known as an impact driver or an impact gun, is designed to tighten or untighten bolts. It is commonly used in mechanical and industrial applications, for example when changing tires and disassembling car wheels, or performing maintenance on oil platforms. There are electrical, battery-powered, or pneumatic options available, each associated with different benefits and challenges.
The operating principle is relatively simple. An impact mechanism composed of an anvil, an impactor (hammer) and a spring, enables the
wrench to tighten and untighten as required. The tool accumulates energy by the hammer cage over one or more revolutions and once the hammer
hits the output shaft (anvil), it creates the tightening or untightening torque.
.jpeg)
It
is good to bear in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The desired torque range, power requirements and the impact
mechanism’s design may vary depending on the job. As the latter affects the weight, vibration, speed and durability of the tool, it can
have a considerable impact on user comfort and suitability for the task. To start the selection process, first consider:
The design of the tool can play a key role in improving productivity. For example, a well-positioned center of gravity is a great benefit, as it enables better support over extended periods, while different handle shapes and trigger positionings can improve user comfort.
The material of the tool is another critical consideration. Metallic tools are usually more robust, but also heavy to use over long periods. Composite tools, on the other hand, are much lighter, enabling better maneuverability, but the material has made them less durable. Fortunately, advancements in material development over the last decade have improved the mechanical resistance of composite, improving its strength and making it a good alternative to metal in many applications.
It is good to remember that the clutch housing and the body of the tool can be made of different materials. When you compare tools, make sure you check which part is composite and which is metal. As a rule of thumb, impact wrenches larger than ¾” tend to be made of metal.
Always choose a tool with a maximum torque that is superior to the torque needed for your application. This will reduce the time you spend using the tool and the vibrations you are subjected to. The graph below illustrates the different torque values commonly found in manufacturers’ catalogs.
.jpeg)
Do you use the right impact wrench?
Legend:
Beware of overtightening! In some applications, for example when changing tires in small vehicles or trucks, tightening requires precision
and torque control. Using tools with torque limited functions, coupled with a torque wrench, will optimize the application without
overtightening and damaging the studs.
You can identify the ideal tool square by looking at the size of the thread. If the square is too small compared to the thread, it will not be suitable and is likely to break. However, if the square is too large, it will be too strong and break the screw when tightening it.
.png)
It is vital to pay attention to factors that affect user safety and ergonomics, such as the sound level and vibration. The sound level is usually governed by the ISO15744 standard and the lower the value, the safer the user experience. The same goes for vibration levels, usually governed by ISO28927: lower vibration levels equal a safer and more comfortable user experience. Some impact systems are designed to enable low vibration levels and safety and comfort can also be further enhanced with the use of vibration-absorbing gloves.
By considering these seven points you will improve safety associated with using tools in the workplace, therefore protecting operators. An additional benefit to these responsible practices is that you will improve efficiency too!
Noise and vibration levels are factors to consider when choosing the tool to use for your application. Usually, when using keys below ¾”, operators are more sensitive to noise. However, above 3/4”, vibrations are more important to ponder.
Knowing what you need to consider when looking for the right impact wrench for your application is a good start, but sometimes reviewing
technical values is not enough to enable a well-informed purchase decision. To ensure the tool can meet your needs, it is always a good idea
to discuss your requirements with the manufacturer and request a trial. Trying the tool out in your target application will give you
confidence that it is a good fit for the task, the environment and ultimately, the way you work.
.png)
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts on the following:
Talk to the team today:
Choose the right lighting tower and sleep well
Lighting tower reminds night, but also refers to diesel engine. In turn, night reminds us of silence, which is not exactly what we associate with an engine... With urban centers becoming increasingly dense and legislation increasingly strict about noise pollution in construction sites, keeping decibels to acceptable levels has been the great challenge of the main construction equipment manufacturers. Read More…
Energy Recovery in Air Compressors: Harnessing Efficiency for Sustainability
In today’s world of increasing environmental awareness and the drive for sustainable practices, industries are actively seeking innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption and minimize their carbon footprint. If your business uses air compressors, focusing on energy recovery in air compressors is one area to pay attention too. Read More…
Compressor Terminology: What are some commonly Used Acronyms
Sometimes in the world of compressors the lingo can be confusing. Unless you are totally immersed in the compressor industry, some of the terminology might be completely lost on you. Read More…
Why is saving energy important? A focus on ALUP range offered by Ash Air
Did you know that 70% of the total cost of compressor installation consists of energy costs?
There are many reasons why saving energy is important for your business as it helps you in many ways to make your business more efficient as
well as providing you with many different forms of value. Ash Air's range of Alup products can help you become more energy efficient to help
reduce energy bills, reduce your costs and comply with all environmental legislation.
Read More…
What to Know About Compressed Air
Exactly what is compressed air? Where does it come from? What is it for? When we compress—or squeeze—air into a small space, we call it compressed air. When humans discovered the ability to compress air, civilisation made a huge leap forward. The reason? Compressed air opened the door to all kinds of new production methods. Read More…
Compressed Air Filter: Surface Filtering
What is surface filtering? How does it help production? Find out here Read More…
Stay Connected with your Air Compressor Remotely With ICONS
Did you know that conducting an air compressor health check has become even easier? Getting easy and affordable access to your compressor status information at your fingertips with our Intelligent CONnectivity System (ICONS Read More…
Is your Compressed Air Piping leak free?
Compressed air system leaks are indeed a big source of energy waste. Leakage in piping systems have been shown to exhibit leaks of up to 25 percent of the total energy costs. Addressing leaks is one of the first maintenance steps a facility can take to reduce energy costs. Read More…
What to know about Atlas Copco’s Vacuum Solutions Range
Ash Air is proud to introduce Atlas Copco’s Vacuum Solutions in New Zealand. Here are five things to know about Atlas Copco Vacuum Solutions! Read More…
Efficiency of Compressed Air Distribution and Piping
Think about efficiency for a minute. Every year with constant innovation, things are becoming even more efficient. Everything from electronics to industrial machinery are being developed to get more done faster while using less power. Read More…
Luck of the Irish and Compressed Air Give Us Beer
With the Luck of the Irish and a little help from air compressors we will all be enjoying a pint of our favorite beer this St. Patrick’s Day! Read More…
What is compressed air humidity?
The air surrounding us is a mixture of fry air and water vapor. The amount of water in the air depends on the temperature and volume of the gas. The higher the air temperature, the higher the air's ability to absorb more moisture. Find out about compressed air humidity here. Read More…
The Dangers of a Load Too Small for a Diesel Power Generator
The generator starts up, and not long after, white smoke and oil are seen coming out of the exhaust. It is new, and tested, good quality diesel... I wonder what happened? Read More…
7 important gas generation energy saving tips
Investing in an on-site industrial gas generator is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint and your operating costs. Once you have taken this important step, there are some other things you can do to maximize your gas generation energy savings. Here are seven of them. Read More…
The importance of saving energy when compressing air
For many businesses, preserving energy and becoming more sustainable have become top priorities. That not only saves them money but also makes them more competitive in the future, when demand for “green” products and services will only increase. Not just because governments mandate greater sustainability but also because customers expect it. Read More…
Compressed Air in everyday Life
While you relax and read this, do you see an electronic appliance around you? Wondering how could you relate to the current read? We got you! Compressed air is all around, in the electronic appliances you use right now. Read More…
Selecting the right compressed air dryer
How do you know which type of compressed air dryer will best meet your needs? These insights will help you make the right decision. Read More…
How nitrogen makes plant based meat better
How is plant based meat made? And how does nitrogen make it taste better? Read More…
Why are compressed air dryers so important?
There are many contaminants that can threaten your compressed air system, but moisture is among the most prevalent. You may be thinking, but it’s just water, but water can have a devastating impact on your compressed air system, your production equipment, and your end product. The best way to prevent moisture from contaminating your compressed air is with a dryer. Read More…
.jpeg)
How to Make Your Air Compressor More Efficient
Compressed air can be one of the most expensive forms of energy for manufacturing plants, often using more energy than other equipment. One horsepower of compressed air requires eight horsepower of electricity. With many air compressors running at efficiencies as low as 10%, there’s often plenty of room for improvement. Fortunately, 50% of compressed air systems at small- to medium-sized industrial facilities have opportunities for low-cost energy conservation. Read More…
Choosing the Right Vacuum Pump for You
As easy as it would make all of our lives, vacuum pumps are far from being “one size fits all”. Not only do you have the size to consider when choosing a vacuum pump, but more importantly type. I will briefly touch on some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each vacuum technology we deal with. This should give you a better understanding of where to begin your search... Read More…
The keys to generating food grade nitrogen
A nitrogen generator, combined with an air compressor and the necessary air treatment products, can provide you with a steady supply of food grade nitrogen. Read More…
.jpeg)
What is a piping quick-drop for?
AIRnet offers moisture-eliminating drop fittings called Quick Drops! Quick Drops make “drop-tees” obsolete, removing the need for extra parts and pipe, while saving time and money. Read More…
.jpeg)
What Does Commissioning your Air Compressor Mean?
Proper compressor installation and commissioning helps ensure trouble-free startup and long-term reliability. Thorough inspection and critical review during each phase of the installation process eliminates “built-in” deficiencies or problems which c... Read More…
.png)
How to overcome 3 common challenges associated with working with stainless steel
Stainless steel has long been crucial for many applications where strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion are essential. That is why it is often chosen for process equipment used in harsh environments such as chemical and petrochemical plants, refineries, and power stations. Read More…
.png)
How to put a price on productivity?
Price is an important consideration when choosing a tool for metalworking applications, but it alone should not be the deciding factor. Other things also contribute to the total cost of ownership, performance, and, ultimately, the overall productivit... Read More…
.jpeg)
PSI? CFM? Horsepower? Choosing the Right Compressor
Horsepower? PSI? CFM? There is a lot to consider when purchasing a new air compressor. It is important to understand what you actually need and how to find out. Read More…
Did you say "Christmas Dinner"? What's Compressed Air, Gas, and Vacuum got to do with it?
Yay! It's Christmas! But before the turkey gets carved and a heaping spoonful of Christmas pudding gets dropped on your plate, you might get asked what you’re thankful for. Well, maybe this year you could say you’re thankful for the compressed air, gas and vacuum solutions that made everything on the table possible. Let’s look at how! Read More…
The many benefits of on site gas generation
Are you faced with the decision of whether to switch from purchasing bottled nitrogen or oxygen to on site gas generation? In that case, the decision is easy. You should! Lower costs, the right purity, less transportation emissions, improved safety, no logistics headaches. In all of these areas, on site gas generation is the superior solution. And making the switch is easy. All you need is a gas generator and a supply of compressed air. Read More…
Five Tips to Increase Compressor Installation Efficiency
Did you know that one of the largest costs for industrial manufacturers is compressed air? That’s right – anywhere from 12% to 40% of a facility’s total energy costs come from its compressed air installation. This means that finding innovative ways (no matter how small) to increase compressed air efficiency can amount to big savings over the long run! Items like leak elimination, air audits, reduced pressure bands, and reducing unloaded running hours are some of the most popular ways to decrease energy usage – but there are many other actions that you can take. Read on to discover additional ways to reduce your costs and make sure your compressor system is running as efficiently as possible! Read More…
.png)
How to Correctly Size Your Compressed Air Piping System
A properly sized and designed piping system is a necessary component of any distribution compressed air system. Without this key component in place, the delivery of air from the compressor to the specific points of use will be inefficient and costly, both in the short term as well as in the long term. Let’s look more closely at how to size your compressed air piping system to ensure minimal pressure loss while maintaining maximum efficiency. Read More…
Testing for Microorganisms in Compressed Air
Potential for growth of micro-organisms in a compressed air system is tied to the moisture level (dew point) of the compressed air. In simple terms, if there is moisture in your compressed air, microorganisms such as mold and bacteria have the environment they need to grow and thrive. While it’s true that as air is compressed, much of the moisture present in the intake air will condense, enough moisture remains to allow micro-organisms to proliferate. Read More…
The Key Benefits of Monitoring Your Compressor System
Your compressor installation is a workhorse that requires regular service and maintenance to help it achieve maximum efficiency and longevity. This is where compressor monitoring and data gathering technologies come in, as these provide meaningful information on your system that can be visualized, tracked over extended time periods, and used to make insightful decisions regarding compressor performance. Read More…
Aluminum versus cast iron – Which piston compressor material is best?
Some piston compressors use cast iron and others aluminum. But which is better? Here is a look at their differences and respective benefits. Read More…
Why a Variable Speed Compressor?
A variable speed compressor is not for every application. VSD rotary screw compressors need to be ran in a location that is in need of 24/7 compressed air and has a changing demand on the amount of air needed. If your compressed air needs are constan... Read More…
Why Do I Need a Mist Eliminator?
Compressed air purification equipment must have a very low pressure drop, long service life and be strong enough to withstand the most strenuous operating conditions. Protection from oil slugs or compressor air/oil separator failure is essential. Read More…
What do I need to know about ICONS?
Intelligent Connectivity System (ICONS) is the eyes into your compressed air system. Ditch the logbooks, the regular visits to the compressor room and dealing with surprises with your compressor. • Most maintenance organizations operate between 10% to 40% efficiency • Most spend more than 50% of time on emergency work • Reactive maintenance costs 3-5 times more than preventive maintenance. Read More…
How Much Will Compressed Air Cost You?
Compressed air is used in many different industries. From refrigerator manufacturers to toy makers, companies around the world depend on compressed air to produce products. It's so important that many consider it a utility as significant as electricity, water or natural gas. Read More…
Why do you need to filter compressed air?
Compressed air is always contaminated. Contaminants include, • Liquid oil - oil aerosols - oil vapor, Dirt - microorganisms - pipescale, Trace gases: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide. Learn more about why you need to filter compressed air... Read More…
What is air compressor electric motor efficiency?
As part of a concerted effort worldwide to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the impact of industrial operations on the environment, regulatory authorities in many countries have introduced legislation to encourage the manufacture and use ... Read More…
Why is air treatment necessary?
Air is always contaminated with solid particles such as dust, sand, soot, salt crystals and water as it leaves the compressor. An effective compressed air treatment system lowers the dew point of the air and takes out the elements that may harm equipment downstream of the compressor and dryer Read More…
Why Do I Have Water in my Compressor Lines in the Winter When I Have a Dryer?
The ambient temperature in an air compressor’s environment can greatly affect your air compressor’s performance. All air compressors will
generate some amount of water, but depending on inlet air conditions some can produce large amounts of water.
Read More…
What to do with your old compressor?
Just purchased a new compressor? Are you asking yourself, “Now what am I going to do with this old air compressor?” Read More…
.jpeg)
Which Parts are Checked and Replaced During Routine Maintenance on my Air Compressor?
Routine maintenance on your screw compressor or piston compressor is vital to ensuring your unit is performing to its full potential. There are simple checks and inspections you can do daily, weekly and monthly to keep your compressor running efficiently and to avoid downtime. Read More…
The Cost of Compressed Air: What are the Lifetime Costs of a Compressor?
Whether you use your air compressor for woodcarving, bottling or manufacturing consumables, compressed air plays a critical role in your business. It is undeniable that compressed air is a valuable source to your applications. Read More…
How much air pressure do I need for my application
There are many things to consider during the selection process of an air compressor for your business. Most important, determining the proper size of the compressor to match your operational needs. Read More…
What Causes the Dewpoint to Spike on your Air Compressor?
Dewpoint spikes immediately after desiccant switchover (line C) indicate that the desiccant was not sufficiently cooled before being brought on-line. Hot desiccant will not adsorb moisture well until it cools down, after which the dewpoint should dro... Read More…
.jpeg)
Why is there Oil in my Screw Compressor Air Tank?
Don’t be alarmed if you find oil in your air compressor tank. Actually, all rotary screw compressors pass trace amounts of oil in the compressed air. The question is how much is the normal amount of oil in my compressor tank? Read More…
I Have a Dryer, But I still Have Water in my Compressor during Winter. Why?
The ambient temperature in an air compressor’s environment can greatly affect your air compressors performance. All air compressors will generate some amount of water, but depending on inlet air conditions some can produce large amounts of water. Read More…
Can I Perform the Maintenance on my Air Compressor Myself?
Once you’ve invested in an air compressor your business or home you may ask yourself, “What happens if my compressor needs service? Needs a filter change? Oil change?" Read More…
Why is my air compressor filter full every week?
As you know, compressed air filters protect your machine from dirt, dust, oil and water. These contaminants are extremely common in the areas you would find a compressed air system and will wear down your machine if not properly filtered out. Read More…
© 2026 Ash Air • Website design by Fuel
