New impact wrench not spinning.

[FoxhoundActual]

I bought my first impact wrench recently, not an expensive one. When it's connected and I pull the trigger it only vents air and doesn't spin most of the time. I opened it up and saw that all of the vanes are retracted. Is this correct or are some meant to be extended so the air has something to catch on? I can upload photos if required

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

A photo would help.

Those need a lot of air, what diameter hose are you using and are you running it through a regulator?

Try a couple of drops of thin oil in the air inlet too.

 

[zzr1200]

The vanes are meant to be extended, if its a cheapy then gently file any rough edges off of the slots for the vanes and rub the vanes on some wet n dry paper so they slip in the rotor snugly, or rebuild it and send it back for replacement.

hth

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

If it is new and does not work, take it back.
Get the supplier to test it, with you there.
If it is defective they will see it and replace it.

Don't go dismantling it.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Don't go dismantling it.

Too late...he already has.

Do as zzr1200 suggests and take it back.

 

[FoxhoundActual]

Is this how the vanes are meant to sit? I haven't run oil through the intake yet, only in the oil port on the side, I'll try that tomorrow.

 

[the snooper]

The vanes are supposed to move freely in and out, some of the cheap guns ate less then useless even when they do did

 

[Crater Creator]

Is this how the vanes are meant to sit? I haven't run oil through the intake yet, only in the oil port on the side, I'll try that tomorrow.

The vanes are supposed to be in contact with the outer diameter - that is they should be extended. Might just be gummed up with assembly lube or something, I would just try a bit of plus gas or even WD40 into the chamber and try it again.

 

[FoxhoundActual]

I'll give that a go, but if the vanes are meant to move freely, what's actually keeping them out when it's not spinning?

 

[the snooper]

I'll give that a go, but if the vanes are meant to move freely, what's actually keeping them out when it's not spinning?

Gravity and then some air when you pull the trigger

 

[FoxhoundActual]

Gravity and then some air when you pull the trigger

that thought crossed my mind but the gap where the vanes would be able to extend is at the top, so gravity would pull them down.

 

[dobbslc]

Once it's moving centrifugal force will keep them out.

 

[FoxhoundActual]

Once it's moving centrifugal force will keep them out.

Yes but what starts the movement if gravity is keeping the vanes in is what I meant

 

[the snooper]

Yes but what starts the movement if gravity is keeping the vanes in is what I meant

Are there any small holes in the back plate you removed

 

[Crater Creator]

Yes but what starts the movement if gravity is keeping the vanes in is what I meant

I see what you mean. Normally I think they will have some air pressure behind them to help them outwards. I never paid much attention to the design when I've had them in bits, just a squirt of oil and away she goes.

 

[dobbslc]

I would think they should be loose enough to drop down under gravity, then at least one vane will cover the chamber and get driven by air. Once moving centrifugal force takes over.

 

[zeppelin builder]

i fixed a large air driven prepping machine that worked ok for a while then suddenly stopped ,air just whooshed straight thru as above the vanes were stuck in just pushed them out and gave them a rub up with fine wet n dry paper till they were able to slide freely in the slots, fitted an inline oiler and it ran perfectly after assembly

if no oiler hold the trigger open and pour some light oil in before use

 

[Pete.]

I recently pulled a never used air impact wrench out of it's case where it's been for probably five years and it did the same. A quick shot of brake cleaner down the hole freed the vanes up nicely then I oiled it with compressor tool oil.

 

[Farside]

I bought my first impact wrench recently, not an expensive one. When it's connected and I pull the trigger it only vents air and doesn't spin most of the time. I opened it up and saw that all of the vanes are retracted. Is this correct or are some meant to be extended so the air has something to catch on? I can upload photos if required

After a flood last year I had to dismantle several air tools, so took the opportunity to improve them a bit. The vanes in the cheapy Aldidly rattleguns were a bit sticky, exactly as you describe, and they needed a touch of emery paper to make them a nice sliding fit in their housing. That improved them immensely.

 

[nick952]

Was the Forward/Reverse Button pressed fully in one way or the other and not just half way in between?