3/4 IR impact wrench

I've heard of using Type-A ATF as a substitute for air tool lubrication oil (in the air stream). But I can't imagine that ATF would be appropriate for lubricating the impact mechanism.

Out of curiosity, just how much did that IR258 cost? A pretty penny I bet. So why would you want to risk destroying your investment in a quality tool by putting the wrong lubricant in it? I can perhaps understand such a reckless attitude with cheap import air tools, but why did you opt for an expensive IR tool if you're going to abuse it?

- Michael

Have to agree with Michael on this one. I am sure you spent a pretty penny on a quality tool, so why take the chance? Even more so, why take a chance with the warranty? I am sure that if something goes wrong and IR finds out that you were using something else, they might not be so inclined to acknowledge the warranty. Most companies are looking for a way out on most warranties, why give them the chance on a costly tool.

We are all lazy, but I think you are making a mistake on this one.

Chris

Umm, that's why I'm asking before I do anything. Was that not clear? I have every intention to take care of this tool, because yeah, it was friggin' expensive. I wanted to know if someone happens knows if IR oil is really a specific oil that must absolutely be used, or if it's just something common with "IR" printed on the bottle. As I mentioned, I have no information on the oil itself in order to find out on my own. Not to be offensive or anything, but I'm not an idiot. "No, that won't work, you need the real stuff," is plenty to let me know that I should use the specified oil. The whole lecture thing--twice in a row, no less--is redundant, a waste of everyone's time, and pretty annoying to boot.

Most impacts use two different oils. One lubes the air motor and that is where you use normal air tool oil, either using an oil mister or by adding a few drops into the coupler. Then there is the oil in the impact/clutch area (that is what the oil fill on the side is for. Most of them use a 30 to 50 weight non-detergent oil. No problem using other oils IF they are about the same viscosity.

I doubt that it is anything special although they may have requested an additive of some kind to make it "special". Most air tool oils (for the motor) are just a good quality lightweight oil. When I had an air tool repair company we had the best luck with TriFlow. Often we would send a tool back to the customer and after a few days of continuous use with no lube the customer would return it for a warranty repair when all it needed was a little oil. After we switched to TriFlow they would run a couple of weeks and someone would usually snap to the idea that they might need to lubricate it. I was never a big fan of ATF. Good luck and enjoy your new toy.

Ah, thank you. I was actually talking about the impact mechanism (this one's oil bath instead of just greased) but I'll definitely give Tri-flo a look when I need more motor oil. Which is soon. What do you dislike about ATF? Does it wear off too quickly?

Sorry - guess I missed the first post. Can't really give you a scientific reason for not being an ATF fan - it just never seemed to lubricate as well as some other products we tried. I guess wearing off too quickly would be as good an explanation as any. I know a lot of people use it and swear by it but once we started using Tri-flo we never looked back.

Good enough for me. I haven't been terribly impressed with ATF in air tools either.