10December 2021
the most common pneumatic tool in an automotive
workshop is the air impact wrench it's sometimes called a rattle gun it's easy to hear why taking
the wheels off the car to replace the tires is a typical application for this air tool it often
needs a lot of torque to twist the nuts free the rattle gun can be set to spin in either direction
and this valve controls how much torque it applies it should never be used for finally tightening
wheel nuts there's a real danger of doing them up much too tight that could cause the bolts to
fail and the wheel shear off the vehicle while it's moving another rule with the air impact
wrench is to use only these specially hardened impact sockets extensions and joints the sockets
are special six point types and these flats can stand the sudden force that the rattle gun
provides this is an air ratchet it uses the force of compressed air to turn a ratchet drive
it's used on smaller nuts and bolts once the nut is loosened the air ratchet spins it off in
a fraction of the time it would take by hand this is an air chisel it's useful for driving
and cutting the extra force that's generated by the compressed air makes it more efficient than
a hand chisel and Hammer just as there are many chisels there are many bits that fit into
the air chisel depending on the job at hand this is an air drill it has some important
advantages over the more common electric power drill with the right attachment it can drill
holes grind polish and clean parts unlike the electric drill it doesn't run the risk of
producing sparks which is important around flammable liquids or petrol tanks an air drill
doesn't trail a live electric cable behind it which could be cut and cause shock and burns and
an air drill also doesn't get hot with heavy use this is the simplest air tool it's a blow gun
or air duster it's really just compressed air by itself controlled by a lever or valve it's
used to blast debris and dirt out of confined spaces that can be dangerous so I protection
must be worn whenever it's used noise levels are usually high so ear protection should also
be worn it's also dangerous to use it to clean yourself down it's blast should always be directed
away from the user and anyone else working nearby
