Locked up air tools - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TennesseeZ · 05-09-2010, 02:40 PM

I just recently got a compressor going again, and now most of my air tools are locked up, I'm guessing from sitting for years without use. I have oiled them, no workee, what else can I do? Would soaking them in a penetrating oil help? Are they hard to repair, or do I need to just get new ones? Most are C/P kind of quality, a few off brands I picked up here and there or got in trades.

I'm putting over 100# of air to them and they don't even budge.

cableguy0 · 05-09-2010, 02:52 PM

They are probably rusted inside. I would take them apart and see if you can get them to move.

**El Jay** · 05-09-2010, 02:57 PM

Fill them with Marvel Mystery Oil and walk away from them for a day, then give them a try.
If that doesn't free them, just open them up & clean everything real good. My personal preference is WD-40 & 0000 steel wool. Make sure you get any tiny particles out, reassemble, then put them back to work.

**Ron 586** · 05-09-2010, 05:36 PM

Listen to El Jay. Marvel Mystery oil is good stuff. Make sure and trigger the tool while pouring it in the tool so some of it gets where it needs to be. It don't hurt to tap them lightly with a hammer to cause a jarring motion in the tool. If all that fails then you know what comes next. Good luck.

**El Jay** · 05-09-2010, 05:46 PM

I forgot to add, if it comes to tearing it open & you're worried about it; ask yourself this question, "What's the matter, you afraid you're going to break it?"

TennesseeZ · 05-09-2010, 06:15 PM

Thanks guys, I just put about 3 pints of MMO in a dozen or so tools, found out about triggering them on my own, LOL! This time tomorrow should tell the tale, besides I need to get all matching fittings for them, I hate having to change fittings just so I can use a different tool.

ERASER5 · 05-09-2010, 10:53 PM

I completely agree with the MMO. HOWEVER! DO NOT hold the tool anywhere near your face when you power it. All that oil will blow out as the tool starts to turn.

MMO tastes nasty if you must know.

05-09-2010, 02:40 PM	#1
TennesseeZ Countdown Survivor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bean Station, East Tennessee Posts: 9,676	Locked up air tools I just recently got a compressor going again, and now most of my air tools are locked up, I'm guessing from sitting for years without use. I have oiled them, no workee, what else can I do? Would soaking them in a penetrating oil help? Are they hard to repair, or do I need to just get new ones? Most are C/P kind of quality, a few off brands I picked up here and there or got in trades. I'm putting over 100# of air to them and they don't even budge. __________________ 93 Yukon 89 Silverado Z71 SWB Sport 91 K 2500 Silverado "Lobuk-Worktruk" A MAN OF HONOR DOES NOT LIE, CHEAT, OR STEAL, NOR TOLERATE THOSE WHO DO. Gettin' old ain't for sissies.

05-09-2010, 02:52 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	Re: Locked up air tools They are probably rusted inside. I would take them apart and see if you can get them to move. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

05-09-2010, 02:57 PM	#3
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Locked up air tools Fill them with Marvel Mystery Oil and walk away from them for a day, then give them a try. If that doesn't free them, just open them up & clean everything real good. My personal preference is WD-40 & 0000 steel wool. Make sure you get any tiny particles out, reassemble, then put them back to work. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck Last edited by El Jay; 05-09-2010 at 05:46 PM. Reason: horibul speling

05-09-2010, 05:36 PM	#4
Ron 586 RIP Mr Ron Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Sandy, Tn. 38221 Posts: 8,166	Re: Locked up air tools Listen to El Jay. Marvel Mystery oil is good stuff. Make sure and trigger the tool while pouring it in the tool so some of it gets where it needs to be. It don't hurt to tap them lightly with a hammer to cause a jarring motion in the tool. If all that fails then you know what comes next. Good luck. __________________ Ron (Mr Round Tuit) Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle TN Message Forum TN Facebook Group SETN Truck Show My Photobucket

05-09-2010, 05:46 PM	#5
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Locked up air tools I forgot to add, if it comes to tearing it open & you're worried about it; ask yourself this question, "What's the matter, you afraid you're going to break it?" __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

05-09-2010, 06:15 PM	#6
TennesseeZ Countdown Survivor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bean Station, East Tennessee Posts: 9,676	Re: Locked up air tools Thanks guys, I just put about 3 pints of MMO in a dozen or so tools, found out about triggering them on my own, LOL! This time tomorrow should tell the tale, besides I need to get all matching fittings for them, I hate having to change fittings just so I can use a different tool. __________________ 93 Yukon 89 Silverado Z71 SWB Sport 91 K 2500 Silverado "Lobuk-Worktruk" A MAN OF HONOR DOES NOT LIE, CHEAT, OR STEAL, NOR TOLERATE THOSE WHO DO. Gettin' old ain't for sissies.

05-09-2010, 10:53 PM	#7
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Locked up air tools I completely agree with the MMO. HOWEVER! DO NOT hold the tool anywhere near your face when you power it. All that oil will blow out as the tool starts to turn. MMO tastes nasty if you must know. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60



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