Air ratchet question

[PandaWill]

Hi guys

I've recently bought a new Ingersoll Rand air ratchet.

Being a newbie to the world of air compressors I hadn't even thought about fittings - turns out it's a 1/4 npt fitting.

So I get the correct adaptor and connector and hook everything up - to find 2 problems.

1. Air seems to hiss around the fitting area when connected but I am not using the ratchet - I've tried a bit of ptfe tape and tightened fittings as much as I dare
2. The ratchet seems juddery in operation - although I don't know whether they're all like that as I've never used one before

I am running it at 90psi.

Any advice gratefully received

 

[rich r]

1) Try more PTFE, or a different adapter. I've had some air tools that leak where the adapter screws in, but generally a bit more PTFE does the trick.

2) How are you oiling the ratchet? Couple of drops down the air hose connection or inline oiler? It should be smooth, or at least all the air ratchets I've ever used have been - even dirt cheap Aldi ones.

Pressure sounds about right, most tools are designed for around 6 Bar.

 

[PandaWill]

Thanks Rich - I've just been out and tried a bit more ptfe and it's done the trick. No more air leak!

I am putting a couple of drops of oil down the connector - I think there might have been a bit much in there originally as I've ended up with oil all over my hand from the exhaust.

Now it's got some of that out of its system it seems to be a bit smoother.

Thanks for your help!

Will

 

[rich r]

If it's been stored for a while, sometimes the vanes can stick in their grooves. Keep lubricating it and it'll probably free up as you use it. Unless you're using it all day, a couple of drops of oil every time you get it out and every hour of use will be sufficient.

But yeah - oil out the exhaust and all over your hand is the downside of many air tools Still - if I have to undo 200 bolts, I'd rather have a bit of oil on my gloves than a tired wrist using a manual ratchet!

 

[pedrobedro]

Run it under no load for a few minutes to bed it in, it helped with my cheap rattle gun. When I first got it it was going in the bin as it just blew air straight through but I put some oil in and spun it by hand then ran it and it's never failed since.