When you feel the need to tighten or loosen low-to-medium torque bolts, which tool do you rely on? Undoubtedly an air ratchet! The usage of this ratchet is quite different than a hand-powered ratchet. But you can get the most efficient service from a ratchet that you won’t get from an ordinary hand-powered ratchet. As it works in a different way, the usage requires a different technique. So, How to use an air ratchet?
At first, you have to lubricate the ratchet wrench properly. Then you have to connect it to the air supply. If you turn on the air compressor and turn on the trigger, your air ratchet will start working.
But there are a few things more to know. Let’s understand the process of using this tool and for which purposes you should use this.
How to Use an Air Ratchet
Now the tool may seem ordinary, but it requires a little bit different approach to work than normal ratchets. Let’s know the step-by-step process:
Step-1: Gather your tool
If you are a beginner with a power wrench, it’s better to perform the step once along with reading the steps. Otherwise, there might a chance to do it in the wrong way. So, gather every necessary tool, like an air ratchet, air compressor, adaptor (in some cases).
Step-2: Lubricate the ratchet wrench
Hold the trigger down and lubricate your ratchet using some oil. It will help your ratchet to perform better. Make sure that the oil is entering your ratchet correctly. Otherwise, you might face a lack of functionality while applying it. If you want the best ratchet service, lubricating it is a must.
Step-3: Connect the tool with your air compressor
Now here, if the compressor doesn’t fit properly, the air supply will get interrupted. To make it stick into the cordless air ratchet, you need to use an adapter to ensure the perfect size.
Step-4: Turn on the air supply, and it’s done!
So, at this phase, all you have to do is just turn on the air compressor, and your air socket wrench will start to spin.
Tips: impact air ratchet performs better torque than an ordinary snap on ratchet.
How does an Air Ratchet Work?
An air ratchet is almost the same as a hand-powered ratchet wrench. This ratchet wrench has the same square drive as a hand-powered ratchet wrench, but there is an air motor attached to it. The mechanic can activate air motor by pulling the trigger which can turn the socket drive. There is a switch to change the direction of the socket drive.
In a ratchet wrench, the compressed gas produces air pressure that is transformed into mechanical energy with a small pneumatic turbine’s help. The air’s high pressure pushes against vanes, forcing them to run parallel to the turbine's axis.
When someone pushes the trigger the pressurized air releases into an inlet opening in the wall of the chamber while the outlet opening leads to the exhaust line on the opposite side. The inlet air rushes towards the outlet opening while pushing the vanes to equalize the compressed gas and atmosphere pressure.
This powerful rush of the air is steady and constant because the pressure of the atmosphere and compressed air are constant. The Engineers design a wrench in such a way so that it works with more speed and less torque.
Where to Use an Air Ratchet?
An air ratchet is used for many things. Basically, The mechanics are applying this ratchet for loosening or tightening the bolts. You can use a ratchet on low-to-medium torque bolts. You should not apply an impact ratchet wrench on low to medium bolts as it can easily damage the bolts. So using ratchet or torque wrenches on bolts is serving the best outcome.
You can use your air ratchet in many situations. Here's where you can use an this ratchet wrench:
● To loosen any bolt easily.
● This ratchet can tighten a bolt too.
● Technicians apply in heavy manufacturing.
● You can even use in heavy construction.
● Ratchet wrenches in automotive and aerospace construction.
● If you don't have enough space to swing a good arc with a hand ratchet, and if the impact ratchet won't fit as well, you can go with the air ratchet with the help of Torx bits.
● You can even apply this tool to spin a nut in or out from a long bolt.
Air ratchets are mostly used in machinery works and construction purposes. The wrench can save a lot of time for you. But you cannot use a normal socket with an impact ratchet wrench. Whereas, air ratchet wrench provides amazing speed and less torque. This type of ratchets harness force from high-pressurized gas and converts it into powerful and controlled torque.
Wrapping up
We hope that we have given you the exact way on how to use an air ratchet. And at this phase, you have also known that you can use this ratchet for a lot of other purposes as well. We have made the process very specific and easy to follow for you.
It’s not necessary that you always apply the ratchet for your works. You can easily use a hand-performed ratchet, but the air wrench makes the whole process easy for you. If you are still confused about how to use it, you can follow some videos or take the help of local mechanics.
We hope that you can make your work easier using this tool, good luck!
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