How to Adjust an Impact Wrench

Impact wrenches are used for taking care of stubborn nuts and bolts. These tools operate by providing large amounts of torque that ordinary tools cannot produce, making it easier to remove or tighten various nuts and bolts. Proper adjustment of an impact wrench can help prevent a number of problems, including over-torquing, under-torquing, thread stripping and socket damage. Electric and pneumatic (air-operated) impact wrenches have somewhat different methods for torque adjustment.

Instructions

Adjusting an Pneumatic Impact Wrench

1

Run the air compressor until it reaches operating pressure. Wait for the compressor to turn off automatically before use.

2

Locate the airflow regulator near the back side of the impact wrench. The regulator will appear as a dial with numbers "0" through "5," with "5" being the highest torque. Some wrenches may have different units of measurement.

3

Turn the dial to the desired number setting to adjust the impact wrench's torque. If the impact wrench does not have an airflow regulator dial incorporated into the wrench, adjust the pressure regulator on the compressor itself.

Adjusting an Electric Impact Wrench

4

Connect the impact wrench into an available power outlet. Set the wrench's spin direction and make sure the wrench is operating properly.

5

Locate the adjustment dial on the front of the impact wrench. This dial is used to adjust the amount of torque delivered by the wrench.

6

Turn the adjustment dial clockwise to increase the amount of torque. To reduce torque, turn the dial counterclockwise.