Just got myself a pretty big air compressor and have been doing some research on impact guns. I was planning on using a 1/2" air hose/connectors for all my tools just to eliminate any chance of the hose restricting flow to the tools. Ive landed on a couple of impacts that I would like to buy, however I am noticing that they pretty much all have 1/4" air inlets. The ones I am looking at are name brand and higher priced, incase that makes a difference. Is this common? What's the point of running a 3/8" or 1/2" hose if its just going to get bottlenecked by the inlet before it even reaches the tool? Looking for insight.

Any help appreciated!

 

Your hoses will bend and flex this reduces the diameter inside for the air to flow through. As a result you need a larger diameter to compensate. For the fittings they use a 1/4" npt thread on them, however you can get them with 3/8" diameter connections (the 3/8" still have the 1/4" thread on the other end). This is what I recommend. BTW Ingersoll Rand is my preferred brand for the tools.

 

Do you think I'd notice a performance difference between a 3/8" hose and a 1/2"?

 

3/8" air hose is typical in most shops, 1/2" isnt needed unless your running big 3/4" drive guns. 1/2" hoses are also a pain cause they arent as flexible. if you have a decent 3/8" hose and 120 psi in the tank you will be fine with any 1/2" gun.

also prefer ingersol tools. ive got a 2115 (3/8) and 2135 (1/2") guns, had them for 10 years of hard professional use and they still work great. if the 1/2" gun wont take it apart nothing will.

 

TBH you probably won't on a 1/2" gun. We use 3/8" on everything except the 1" impacts which get a 1/2" line. Sorry I missed that part of your question on the first go around.

 

This is the hose I just ordered, its a 3/8" hose with 1/4" male npt theads. Should I even bother trying to get a female 1/4" npt x 3/8" output coupler for the hose? I'm having difficultly finding those online as 1/4" npt to 1/4" output connectors seem much more common.

Also, since most guns have 1/4" inlets, do impact guns usually come with the male 1/4" npt x 1/4" male quick connectors pre installed? Or do they come with a 3/8" quick connect since its expected to be used with a 3/8" hose?

Thanks guys!

 

The tools usually just come with a 1/4" threaded hole and you supply your own fittings. The ones I use are 3/8" fittings from Menards. They have 1/4" threads on them, but the fitting end is larger.

 

3/8 line will supply plenty of air, well over 20scfm.

Use McMaster - Carr if you're looking for specific parts and can't find them at other places, just make sure the fittings are rated for the air pressure your compressor will supply. You also might consider a particle and water filter if you're getting a nice impact

 

These are the fittings I picked up.

Husky High Flow Aluminum Female Quick Coupler and Plug Set-036-0138H - The Home Depot

and yes I do plan on adding in a filter, they're pretty cheap so why not.

 

dont get aluminum quick connects, they will wear very quickly and leak. they can also gal up easily and become hard to use. this isnt really a place were aluminum is a good material to use.

there are many different types of quick connects you can use. any shop ive worked in uses either "A" or "M" style. these are the most common. if you were going to use paint guns you would want an hvlp style fitting (high volume low pressure, also known as a "V" style), however only a good painter with a high end paint gun would notice the difference.

 

Well I already bought them so I will just have to wait and see how long the last. I ordered another "zinc plated steel" coupler and 4 standard male plugs just to have a few extra for new tools and to replace worn out fittings. I'm really looking forward to using a spray gun. I spray paint things maybe once every month or two so its going to be interesting to see how much better/easier it is to use a HVLP gun.