Air Tools

[Larry Caldwell]

Is anyone else a fan of air tools in the shop? It seems everyone is fixated on battery power nowadays, but I'm fond of air wrenches, grinders, drill motors, etc. I piped 3/4" black iron around the shop with drops over benches and tools. Air to clean out chips from the lathe, drill press and sawdust is handy, and I can drive a 5/16 lag into wood without drilling using a 3/8" air ratchet. There's nothing like a blast cabinet for cleaning up parts. Plus, the tools are far more durable. Power is not the only consideration. I have a 1/8" collet die grinder that will use Dreml tools, but is no thicker than a white board marker. It's great for scroll work. I'm looking for a surplus dental drill for really fine work.

My fixed machines, like the table saw, jointer, planer, mill, lathe, welder, and drill press run on 240v. electricity, as does the compressor. Any motor over 1/4 hp runs better on 240v., so

For the rest, I like air. The tools are cheaper, the compressor is more expensive, but I built my own 15 cfm out of a used 5 hp motor, salvaged tank, and Harbor Freight pump for about $225. The pump and pressure switch were the only things I bought new. A single stage pump was fine, since I don't have a use for 175 psi air. I need a line dryer, but haven't built one yet. So far I'm getting by with drip legs on the drops and filters.

 

[PILOON]

Coming from aviation I always vote for air tools.
Very reliable, light wt compared to most electric and durable.

 

[GaryM]

I have a few air tools and use them on occasion. Mostly in my pole barn. But battery is handier in my garage and around the house. As those are all small jobs in various rooms both upstairs and down.

I've settled on milwaukee M18 and some M12 as well.

 

[Bird]

I, too, have always been partial to air tools. When my brothers were Matco Tool Distributors they brought me their broken or defective tools from their customers, so I repaired/rebuilt just about a thousand tools for them, nearly all air tools.

 

[mike48130]

I like both. I use my ridgid cordless impact and angle grinder all the time. But air for the larger impacts and angle grinders. The air tools still get used a lot too.

 

[cdaigle430]

I am switching over to battery power tools form Air. All that left is my frame, brad and finish nailers.

 

[cdaigle430]

An interesting study would be to see which uses more electricity-battery powered tools like Milwaukee's Fuel or air compressors themselves while using pneumatic tools?

 

[Aquamoose]

Each has its place. I use both, along with corded tools.

 

[sd455dan]

Just ordered a new 1/2 air impact today

1000 lb ft. should break free the stubborn bolts my 480lb. ft old impact couldn't :thumbsup:

 

[old and tired]

....broken or defective tools from their customers, so I repaired/rebuilt just about a thousand tools for them, nearly all air tools.

This is why I don't buy air tools, most of what I had didn't work - most likely since I buy cheap crap... I've never been let down with something that I can plug in.