In this guide, we will discuss in detail about the right size air compressor for impact wrench. There are many different air tools that we can run with an air compressor. Every air-powered tool has different air compressor requirements. Therefore, to run each pneumatic tool, an air compressor must match the needs in every aspect.

Air Compressor For Impact Wrench

And ideal size air compressor for impact wrench is around 8-Gallon, 3-7 CFM with PSI around 90. It will be enough to run a ½ inch impact wrench.

When running impact wrench with an air compressor, there are many factors to consider such as power levels, PSI ratings and CFM outputs. With all these confusing technical details, in mind it can be hard to figure out exactly which air compressor will work best with your current impact wrench.

So basically, the size of an air compressor doesn’t matter; it’s the power of an air compressor that is important to run the impact wrench.

CFM & PSI Chart for Impact Wrench Air Consumption

Impact Wrench Size	Air Consumption	Tank Size (liters)	Tank Size (gallons)
1/4-inch	2 CFM	12 liters	3.17 gallons
3/8-inch	3 CFM	18 liters	4.75 gallons
1/2-inch	5 CFM	30 liters	7.92 gallons
3/4-inch	7 CFM	42 liters	11.09 gallons
1-inch	10 – 16 CFM	60 – 96 liters	15.85 – 25.36 gallons

Impact Wrench Air Compressor

In this article, we will also discuss the requirements of each size of an impact wrench in detail. But before that, lets have a look at our list of 10 best air compressor for impact wrench.

It is very important to choose the right air compressor for your impact wrench, so it can run smoothly and efficiently. In this article, we will cover all the aspects and will help you choose the one that’s right to run your impact wrench. We will also compare 10 best Air compressor for impact wrench. So let’s get started!

10 Best Air Compressor For Impact Wrench

What is an Impact Wrench?

An impact wrench, also known as an impact gun, is used to loosen or tighten lug nuts, large bolts, and frozen fasteners.

In simple words, an impact wrench is a tool that we use where a simple hand wrench doesn’t work.

Most commonly, impact wrenches are powered by compressed air, providing additional force and better grip to open tight fittings.

A simple nut or bolt can be loosened or tightened with a hand-wrench, but sometimes it is too tight or is jammed, so we need an impact wrench to open it.

Sometimes, a screw head is stripped, and it becomes difficult to grip, then an impact wrench is needed.

How does an Impact Wrench work?

To understand this, imagine you want to loosen your wheel lug nuts, but the lug nut is so tight that you cannot loosen it with the help of a wheel lug wrench or L-shape socket wrench.

Sometimes, you have to use a hammer to hit the wrench, or some people push the wrench suddenly with the help of their legs.

The same method applies to the impact wrench. It is designed to store the energy in a rotating mass, which is accelerated by the motor.

The impact wrench gets the power from the air compressor delivers the power suddenly from the rotating mass to the output shaft.

This sudden delivery of power opens the tight nuts and other fittings.

How to calculate CFM your Impact Wrench needs:

As we discussed earlier, CFM is the most vital aspect to calculate when choosing an air compressor to run an impact wrench.

The CFM of an air compressor should meet the required CFM to run an impact wrench, which the manufacturer usually recommends.

So, we only have to calculate the CFM rating of our air compressor.

How much air do you need to run an impact wrench?

To calculate this, we have to multiply our impact wrench’s recommended CFM by 1.5.

(Impact Wrench CFM x 1.5)

For example, if the recommended CFM mentioned on our impact wrench is 5 CFM, then the air compressor we should choose to run should be 6 CFM x 1.5 = 9 CFM

How to calculate the air compressor’s tank size your Impact Wrench needs:

Besides CFM, another vital aspect of running an impact wrench is determining the air compressor’s tank size.

The tank size determines the time your impact wrench can run. If you have an enormous task with an impact wrench but have a small air compressor tank, you have to complete your job in parts as you have to stop your work to refill your air compressor tank with compressed air.

The bigger the tank, the impact wrench will work for that more extended period without any delay.

How many gallons air compressor for impact wrench?

To calculate this, we have to multiply our impact wrench’s recommended CFM by 6.

(Impact Wrench CFM x 6)

With the same example as above, if the recommended CFM mentioned on our impact wrench is 6 CFM, then the air compressor we should choose to run should be 6 CFM x 6 = 36 liters (9.5 gallons)

We always recommend using an air compressor with slightly higher specs than required.

Can a 6-gallon air compressor run an impact wrench?

Yes, a 6 gallon air compressor can run an impact wrench, but we don’t recommend it.

Keep in mind a 6-gallon air compressor will run your impact wrench for only a few minutes, as it will run out of compressed air. Therefore, we recommend an 8-gallon air compressor to run an impact wrench.

Unless you need to use your impact wrench for a minimal task, always go for at least an 8-gallon air compressor.

Air compressor required for 1/4-inch Impact Wrench

A small air compressor that can deliver around 1 CFM – 1.5 CFM will be sufficient to run a 1/4-inch impact wrench, as it doesn’t need a lot of air pressure.

A 1/4 -inch impact wrench will require around 90 PSI to run smoothly.

Air compressor required for 3/8-inch Impact Wrench

A 3/8-inch impact wrench requires a little more pressure than a 1/4-inch impact wrench.

An average-sized air compressor that can deliver around 3 CFM – 3.5 CFM will be sufficient to run a 3/8-inch impact wrench.

Some people have tried a 3/8-inch impact wrench at 2.5 CFM, but we don’t recommend it.

Always use your pneumatic tools under CFM, which your air compressor offers.

A 3/8 -inch impact wrench will require around 90 PSI to run smoothly.

Air compressor required for 1/2-inch Impact Wrench

The most commonly used size of an impact wrench is ½ -inches.

An average-sized air compressor that can deliver around 3.5 CFM – 5 CFM will be sufficient to run a 1/2-inch impact wrench.

As mentioned above, always go for an air compressor that offers more than the required CFM.

It will save your impact wrench and your air compressor from getting exhausted quickly.

To be on the safer side, use an air compressor around 4.5 CFM – 5 CFM to experience optimum results.

A 1/2 -inch impact wrench will require around 90 PSI – 100 PSI to run smoothly.

Air compressor required for 3/4-inch Impact Wrench

A 3/4 -inch impact wrench requires a high CFM of around 7 CFM.

3/4 -inch impact wrenches are not commonly used, and handypersons and professional service providers usually use them.

A 3/4 -inch impact wrench will require around 90 PSI – 100 PSI to run smoothly.

Air compressor required for 1-inch Impact Wrench

1 -inch impact wrenches are not commonly used and are typically found on construction sites only.

1 -inch impact wrenches come last on the table. It requires the highest CFM and a powerful air compressor to run it.

How many CFM does it take to run a 1-inch impact?

A powerful air compressor that can deliver at least 9 CFM – 10 CFM will be required to run a 1-inch impact wrench.

A big air compressor that can generate around 10 CFM will be costly, but as mentioned earlier, 1 –inch impact wrenches are used in commercial sites; therefore, you will need it more often.

So, it will be a wise long-term investment to buy a powerful air compressor for your 1 –inch impact wrench.

1 -inch impact wrench will require around 90 PSI – 125 PSI to run smoothly.

Why use an air compressor to run Impact Wrench?

Among all other forms of energy, compressed air is used most commonly.

Most of the pneumatic tools have an adjustable torque to control the speed to increase the skillfulness of work.

Air compressors are used for many tasks such as filling a paintball tank, inflating a tire, filling a Co2 tank or an HPA tank, and much more.

We find many new ways to utilize our air compressor to make our lives easier with every passing day.

But why should we use an air compressor to run an impact wrench?

Air compressors are used for impact wrench as they generate a high ratio of power with low heat. Also, it has no risk of fire hazards or electric shock. It has a longer life span and provides speed variance and torque control.

How big air compressor for impact wrench

Many people confuse the size of the air compressor with its specs.

Remember that the air compressor’s size doesn’t always reflect its offered specs.

Nowadays, many air compressor manufacturers are offering small and lightweight air compressors with better power and specs.

Many manufacturers are still producing large-sized air compressors with average power and specs.

Therefore, never choose an air compressor just by looking at its size. Always buy an air compressor after determining these four main specs:

• Amount of airflow from the air compressor – CFM
• The pressure of airflow from the air compressor – PSI
• Tank size of air compressor
• Horsepower (HP) of air compressor

These specs are usually mentioned on the user manual or a sticker on your air compressor. As shown in the image below.

Safety measures to follow when using an Impact Wrench

When using an impact wrench with an air compressor, remember to follow the basic safety precautions to prevent unwanted incidents.

Know the requirements of your impact wrench:

Before using your impact wrench, it is vital to know its requirements. Read the user manual thoroughly. Follow all the instructions and protocols mentioned by the manufacturer.

Ensure proper assembly of the tool:

Before using your impact wrench with an air compressor, ensure you’ve correctly assembled your tool. Any loose-fitting may result in an incident. Also, before making any changes to your impact wrench, make sure it is disconnected from your air compressor.

Keep the sick and children away:

When using an impact wrench with an air compressor, always make sure no sick person is near you. Also, keep the little children away from the workplace for additional safety measures.

Wear safety goggles and safety earplugs:

It is advised to wear safety goggles and safety earplugs to protect your eyesight and hearing if any unwanted incident happens because these are the most vulnerable parts and have the highest chances of damage.

Keep an eye on the gauges:

Always keep an eye on the air compressor gauge when using an impact wrench with an air compressor. It is good to do things at home yourself, but always keep your safety on top of your priority list.

Conclusion:

To conclude our answer, what size air compressor do I need for impact wrench, we must say that randomly picking an air compressor to run your impact wrench will result in worse performance.

So always calculate your air compressor’s specs to match your impact wrench requirements mentioned in your impact wrench’s manual.

So to summarize, the recommended requirements you should look into for an air compressor to run an impact wrench are 5 CFM – 8 CFM, 80 PSI, and a 20-gallon tank.

Also, remember to follow safety precautions to prevent any unwanted incidents while using impact wrench with an air compressor.