Air Tools

[Gem99ultra]

This is the brute I am referring to
2V MAX* XR 9 GA Cordless Fencing Stapler (Tool only) - DCFS95B | DEWALT

For portability I don't think one can beat the cordless fencing stapler. Battery power just ain't gonna git it. Corded running off of a generator is no a handy setup. And of course air isn't going to happen either in a remote area like fencing.

I have a few cordless tools which are very handy for a quick job that's not close to an air or electric power source. But for some tasks that take a bit of power - only electric or air will do. I do have an exception though and that's my $700 IR air impact. It doesn't have nearly the power my HF cordless impact has. Strange especially since I shy away from anything that HF sells, but that's one tool they do sell that I've found to be good.

 

[RBLapham]

Reason I bought an air compressor to begin with. ---Spray Painting. Painted many cars back in the day. Still have and use my Binks #7. Tried many electric spray guns and all were trash compared to air. Another "Air only" is blowing out parts and other things. Have and use all electric, battery and air. Each has its good points.

 

[Bird]

One air tool I will never part with (I have a few)...that there is no corded or cordless alternative for and that's an air saw...you see them most in shipwright/ fabricator tool boxes...most use a standard reciprocating blade (i.e., sawzall etc.) ...they will fit where no other tool with it's capacity will go and are meant to be used with just one hand...

I agree. They just cannot be beat.

 

[neverfailyou]

There are some areas where air tools seem to have an advantage- like auto body work.

First admittedly you do have a hose to drag around, but No battery weight or bulk.

Plus when a person really gets serious about things like sanding the body down to metal, an air tool can be run flat out, non stop as long as you have enough air compressor to drive it.

Then there is actual painting- again air is a requirement. I think Auto body work will continue to favor air tools.

I like cordless tools to, just ordered some new LI batteries for my Craftsman 19.2 volt tools. Great for when working outside the garage/shop

Maybe be a little late for you...
I ordered a $20 adapter to run my Craftsman 19.2 tools from Dewalt 20v Li batteries. Current battery technology and readily available allowing me to continue using my older tools. I believe adapters for converting Craftsman to other battery platforms are also available.

 

[grsthegreat]

i use air tools, but take this from my neighbor

he has COPD caused by repeated exposure to air tool oil mist working at GM plant for years. has about 40% lung function.

but i dont work with them much. so im not worried myself

 

[sd455dan]

Reason I bought an air compressor to begin with. ---Spray Painting. Painted many cars back in the day. Still have and use my Binks #7. Tried many electric spray guns and all were trash compared to air. Another "Air only" is blowing out parts and other things. Have and use all electric, battery and air. Each has its good points.

Sounds familiar, but never tried an electric spray gun
I started with a Binks #7 copy- couldn't afford a real #7 at the time, and then bought a Binks BBR
I like it but now looking at (WANT) one of the various versions of Iwata LPH -400 for base coats.

 

[sd455dan]

Maybe be a little late for you...
I ordered a $20 adapter to run my Craftsman 19.2 tools from Dewalt 20v Li batteries. Current battery technology and readily available allowing me to continue using my older tools. I believe adapters for converting Craftsman to other battery platforms are also available.

Mmm, I didn't know that - looks like pretty close price wise I got 2 direct fit 6 amp hour LI batteries and also a new charger for $77 (amazon)
Tried them out, seem to have Good power. time will tell.

I really like these old Craftsman 19.2 volt tools. they are tough.
Dropped the 1/2 inch drill driver off the peak of the barn multiple times when i was screwing the roofing down. Didn't seem phase it.
Have also really worked the reciprocating saw and it has also held up well.
The only dog of the tools has been the fluorescent light, which has been my luck with all fluorescents.

 

[PILOON]

Nothing like the song of a quality air drill.
Music to my ears!

(I worked in aviation)

 

[truckdiagnostics]

When you only have single phase power making a lot of air gets complicated. I have found battery powered tools to help out a lot in that regard. Single phase motors are pricy and a phase convertor ugh! Also I do believe air tools have ruined my hearing over the years. I am still going to replace the motor on the air compressor but I would have been in big trouble with out the battery operated impacts.

 

[ponytug]

When you only have single phase power making a lot of air gets complicated. I have found battery powered tools to help out a lot in that regard. Single phase motors are pricy and a phase convertor ugh! Also I do believe air tools have ruined my hearing over the years. I am still going to replace the motor on the air compressor but I would have been in big trouble with out the battery operated impacts.

You might want to consider looking into a variable frequency drive (VFD) for your three phase compressor. It will cut the start up load by a lot, and you could rig the VFD make your compressor into a variable speed compressor so it isn't always cycling. VFDs have gotten a lot cheaper recently, not to mention more reliable. These days I wouldn't consider using a phase converter. YMMV...

All the best,

Peter

 

[Bird]

Sounds familiar, but never tried an electric spray gun

I put 2 coats, in two days, on a mobile home about 35 years ago with an electric spray gun. It did a very good job and of course, left my ears ringing and my hands sore.:laughing:

 

[Tinhack]

I was all air tools in the body shop. No other way. I went through 3-4 sanders a year. Usually 2-3 DAs and at least one in-line. The "expensive" ones didn't even last a year so I kept several HF units on hand all the time. I have one HF DA that's about 15 years old. It just recently started getting a rough bearing feel. I kept them oiled. They just wear out.

I've recently started a collection of Dewalt battery tools. I have the drill, driver, grinder and saber. I really like the Atomic line. Smaller, stronger and brushless. Not to mention light enough for my old hands and wrists to manage. They're for my hobbies and maintenance now. None will get the hard use of a business.

 

[neverfailyou]

Mmm, I didn't know that - looks like pretty close price wise I got 2 direct fit 6 amp hour LI batteries and also a new charger for $77 (amazon)
Tried them out, seem to have Good power. time will tell.

I really like these old Craftsman 19.2 volt tools. they are tough.
Dropped the 1/2 inch drill driver off the peak of the barn multiple times when i was screwing the roofing down. Didn't seem phase it.
Have also really worked the reciprocating saw and it has also held up well.
The only dog of the tools has been the fluorescent light, which has been my luck with all fluorescents.

My experience similar. First my Amazon charger died, then a while later one of the Amazon batteries won’t take a full charge so I was down to one Amazon battery and a older slower Craftsman charger. As I already have several Dewalt batteries, I can keep using 19.2 tools with the the adapter until they die. They’re tough tools... except the fluorescent light.

 

[ray66v]

I was all air tools in the body shop. No other way. I went through 3-4 sanders a year. Usually 2-3 DAs and at least one in-line. The "expensive" ones didn't even last a year so I kept several HF units on hand all the time. I have one HF DA that's about 15 years old. It just recently started getting a rough bearing feel. I kept them oiled. They just wear out.

I have over 40 years in the body shop, and I have owned a total of 6 DA's.

Five were National Detroit, four of which were used up. And, currently I have one ND fine finish DA and One Ingersoll Rand, DA that are still in good working order.

Yes, I used them a lot, as in everyday. Lots of heavy production work.

As with most bodymen, I did not oil them unless they stopped working, or made noises due to the contamination the oil would cause. :confused3:

 

[truckdiagnostics]

You might want to consider looking into a variable frequency drive (VFD) for your three phase compressor. It will cut the start up load by a lot, and you could rig the VFD make your compressor into a variable speed compressor so it isn't always cycling. VFDs have gotten a lot cheaper recently, not to mention more reliable. These days I wouldn't consider using a phase converter. YMMV...

All the best,

Peter

Thanks thought about, nice to know it wasn't a completely stupid idea. If I was younger and getting in or staying in the business, would have thought about it a lot harder.

 

[ponytug]

Thanks thought about, nice to know it wasn't a completely stupid idea. If I was younger and getting in or staying in the business, would have thought about it a lot harder.

Well, I don't think it was a stupid idea.

I bought a used Walker Turner drill press and put a small VFD on it. I didn't want to replace the original 3 phase motor. At low speed, I can jog it around for things like tapping. The control a VFD gives you is pretty amazing.

My only two cents is get a name brand one for your first one. It will come with a better manual, and tech support will be better. The learning curve will be easier.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Tinhack]

Well, since we're name-dropping, I've power tapped steel to 6-32 on my Bridgeport Mill. I felt a little too anxious to try 4-40 though.

I've got a VFD for it and run a 2.5hp 3-phase motor off the shop 1-phase 240v. I had a second VFD for the original table feed but the gears in it finally reached EOL. I've since installed a new X-feed and a table lift feed. I got tired of cranking that thing. I thought about getting a Y-feed but there's just not that much call for it.

 

[ponytug]

Well, since we're name-dropping, I've power tapped steel to 6-32 on my Bridgeport Mill. I felt a little too anxious to try 4-40 though.

I've got a VFD for it and run a 2.5hp 3-phase motor off the shop 1-phase 240v. I had a second VFD for the original table feed but the gears in it finally reached EOL. I've since installed a new X-feed and a table lift feed. I got tired of cranking that thing. I thought about getting a Y-feed but there's just not that much call for it.

Awesome!

I have a dream to have a Bridgeport, but I don't know enough to use it, or at least use it well. Amazing machines.

All the best,

Peter