Problem with air powered Cut off tool

[Markland]

Hi, new to the forum but have been doing some cutting out of rust and welding of my mini, i however was using a grinder with a thin cutting disc but this is simply too big for tight corners and intricate cutting.

So i bought one of these http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-cat113-3inch-cut-off-tool-2

However when i attatch it to the compressor and push the throttle ALOT of air just fires right out the bottom and the cutting disc doest move at all :S theres nothing up with the compressor as it works with my spray gun fine and theres little leak in the attachment of airline to the cut off tool.

Compressor is rated at 8cfm and the cut off tool needs 4cfm so no problem there.

I really am confused, am i not doing something right? will be taking it back tomorrow as i suspect it is faulty?

 

[the snooper]

probably the vanes stuck in, in the motor have you tried a drop of air tool oil in it and spin in by hand a few times afterwards,to try and release them if that fails take it back

 

[brightspark]

Hi, new to the forum but have been doing some cutting out of rust and welding of my mini, i however was using a grinder with a thin cutting disc but this is simply too big for tight corners and intricate cutting.

So i bought one of these http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-cat113-3inch-cut-off-tool-2

However when i attatch it to the compressor and push the throttle ALOT of air just fires right out the bottom and the cutting disc doest move at all :S theres nothing up with the compressor as it works with my spray gun fine and theres little leak in the attachment of airline to the cut off tool.

Compressor is rated at 8cfm and the cut off tool needs 4cfm so no problem there.

I really am confused, am i not doing something right? will be taking it back tomorrow as i suspect it is faulty?

make sure theres 90psi pressure pull the trigger and spin the disk by hand the vanes inside might be stuck .u shouldnt have to but squirt a bit of wd 40 in to the air inlet then spin it

 

[Markland]

It came with some oil which i put a few drops in, hmm if the pressure is over 90psi will it simply not run? i didnt think to check the pressure and only did a quick check to see if it works.

 

[shenion]

You may have to pull the trigger and flip the wheel by hand to get it going until the vanes brake in. Usually works after that.

oil it often as that provides some of the seal for the vanes.

 

[Markland]

Thanks all for the quick replies! will try spinning the disc tomorrow with trigger pulled, i did try it with the air disconnected and not pressing the trigger but will try!

 

[Markland]

Oh when spining by hand should there be some friction? i spun it when it wad disconnected and it felt quite tight.

 

[the snooper]

Oh when spining by hand should there be some friction? i spun it when it wad disconnected and it felt quite tight.

they usually spin free use the oil

 

[Shox Dr]

The stated air consumption of tools is always way lower than what they take. Where as the CFM for Compressors is 25-30% higher than available FAD CFM (Free Air Delivered)

So your 4cfm tool could be over 6CFM. May only supply 5-6 FAD CFM.

 

[the snooper]

The stated air consumption of tools is always way lower than what they take. Where as the CFM for Compressors is 25-30% higher than available FAD CFM (Free Air Delivered)

So your 4cfm tool could be over 6CFM. May only supply 5-6 FAD CFM.

the air tool would still work though but would just run out of air quickly

 

[Shox Dr]

very true

 

[brightspark]

if there half decent they will turn on about 15psi not that they would cut at that presure

 

[pedrobedro]

It's probably frozen up

 

[rkde]

Mine was stuck when I got it too. Added oil and gave it a help start, been fine since ~ don't chop your hand off while turning the disc...

 

[langy]

Quite common with Clarke stuff, the vanes are stuck as said earlier, take it apart and oil the vanes then it will work although i don't think your compressor is big enough as they like a lot of air.

 

[Markland]

Got it working after quite alot of turning by hand, compressor seems to cope ok, Really good for small cuts and in corners! think i'll stick to the angle grinder with cutting disc for most stuff though as the cut off tool is slower at cutting (probably my compressor)

 

[shenion]

They are fine for light work.

I find it funny as my die grinder says 1/3 HP yet it took my 3.5HP compressor to run it. (compressor HP here is overrated.)

I used one for years until I got an angle grinder. Now the die grinders are used for small stuff or where It is difficult to get to. I have 3, one is right angle, the others straight. Gives me more options. I only bought one intentionally, the other two came with other tools.

Be sure to get a water trap for your compressor. I use mine hard for hours on my trailer. It had white foam coming out of it. I did oil it often.

The next day, it was stuck, the vanes had rusted in place. Freed up ok. Be sure to put oil in and give it a short run before putting away.

I added a good water trap and my better compressor does not produce much water. I also use an oil fogger on my air line so i don't need to worry about oiling.

 

[busastars]

I got a similar problem with an Air Nibbler, it will work for a few seconds and cut for a few seconds but just stalls, the compressor kicks in very quick. Think my compressor is around 5-6 cfm and the tool wants 9cfm. Don't fancy buying another compressor but still need a way to cut sheet steel quick.