Electric VS Air

[DXN1EL]

I know air impacts are unbeatable and with proper lubrication air tools can last long time. But what about performance? Are the grinders, drills stronger than electric powered tools?

 

[TripleR]

Going to depend a lot on your compressor performance.

 

[nybirdman]

I had used air tools at my work and have some at home.I don't see any power advantage to air versus electric.You need a very large compressor to take advantage of air tools.Maybe a little cheaper to run in a commercial shop environment where they have a large air source.Home use not so much.
You still have to drag around an air hose,today's cordless tools are pretty good.

 

[Bird]

It depends entirely on the individual tool, as well as having enough compressor. There are some electric drills and grinders that are more powerful than other electric ones, and the same is true of pneumatic ones. Some of the most powerful drills and grinders I've had any experience with were older Sioux air drills and grinders that came to me for repairs. They were stronger than any electric ones I've used, and they belonged to a freight company's trailer rebuild shop.

You want to see a small drill with unstoppable power - T-Handle Pneumatic (Air) Drills

Or the 1280 series 7" grinder - Right Angle Grinder-Sander - Model#1287L

But of course Sioux tools are a bit expensive for a home shop.

 

[yomax4]

I have a Sioux Disc Sander and 2 Sioux Die Grinders. Hands down more powerful that the Eagle, Kawasaki and Craftsman air tools I have. I do have a 1/2" electric impact that is one mean tool compared to the Chicago Pneumatic Air impact I have. Air tools will require a lot of oil if used a lot and you're compressor is running a lot. Compressors like to pump out moisture which the tools don't like. I have auto oilers on some.

 

[bandaidmd]

I compare on a tool to tool comparison, sometimes the air version of a tool is way more compact than its electric counterpart (such as a die grinder).
It seems like you can buy a cheaper brand of air tool that will hold up pretty well where a cheap elec. tool is not going to hold up to any serious use.
Economily the electric tool probably wins out, running a 5hp compressor to drill a 1/4" hole seems quite a bit wasteful.

Weight is another factor, i cant imagine what an electric version of my 1" truck air impact would weigh.

 

[ericher69]

I know air impacts are unbeatable and with proper lubrication air tools can last long time. But what about performance? Are the grinders, drills stronger than electric powered tools?

You gotta remember that the main advantage to air tools is being able to stall them without burning up the motor (such as stalling an electric drill) or being too aggressive while grinding with an electric grinder.

Cost wise the air tool is almost always more expensive to operate; running a 5hp compressor vs a 6 amp electric drill

 

[Bird]

I have a Sioux Disc Sander and 2 Sioux Die Grinders. Hands down more powerful that the Eagle, Kawasaki and Craftsman air tools I have. I do have a 1/2" electric impact that is one mean tool compared to the Chicago Pneumatic Air impact I have. Air tools will require a lot of oil if used a lot and you're compressor is running a lot. Compressors like to pump out moisture which the tools don't like. I have auto oilers on some.

I'm sure curious about that 1/2" electric impact. What brand and model is it? I've owned 2 electric 1/2" impacts and they were very handy when I didn't have enough air compressor, but they were both less than 250 ft. lbs. of torque. I see the 8 amp Craftsman now claims 350 ft. lbs. but I thought most any Chicago Pneumatic would be around 425 ft. lbs. Of course, for most jobs, you wouldn't notice the difference in power, since either one will do the job.

Of course, automatic oilers, dryers, etc. are good, but instead of that, I just give my air tools a little shot of air tool oil through the air inlet and a very brief burst of air after I finish using them. A lot of people will oil them before use, but I think it does even more good to do it after use to displace any moisture.

 

[Bird]

You gotta remember that the main advantage to air tools is being able to stall them without burning up the motor (such as stalling an electric drill) or being too aggressive while grinding with an electric grinder.

Cost wise the air tool is almost always more expensive to operate; running a 5hp compressor vs a 6 amp electric drill

Another big advantage to air tools is their much lighter weight; not as tiring to use. Naturally, you need a big, high capacity compressor in a shop where time is important and there's almost continuous use, but you sure do not need a 5 hp compressor for home use.

 

[Scooby074]

It comes down to how much air you got and how much you want to spend.

High quality air tools with lots of supplied air in many cases are superior to corded tools and can certainly be as powerful or more powerful in a lighter package. We used Sioux and DeSoutter tools, very high end, worked extremely well.

Sometimes a quality corded tool is preferable.

There's too many variables to say ones better than the other for all uses in all cases. One thing is, most home shops dont have enough air to run high end pneumatic tools properly.

Then there are the new pro grade cordless tools, like Ingersolls new W750 impact W7150 | 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench | Ingersoll Rand that for all intents and purposes is the match for even high end pneumatics. Its capable of 780 ftlbs!, which is the match for Ingersolls TiMax unit, which is a GREAT pneumatic gun. Not a cheap tool at near $500 for the kit however.

 

[Bird]

You're right, Jason. And they keep coming up with new and better inventions. I hadn't seen the new Ingersolls. I can sure see how that impact would be great on service trucks for mechanics in the field.

 

[Gary Fowler]

One big reason for air tools use in industrial settings and confined spaces is that there is no danger of electrical shock from accidental cutting of cords and other electrical abuse. If you are working on or inside of a steel structure/vessel you don't want the possibility of a shorted electrical cord close to you.

 

[Bird]

I really hadn't thought about that, Gary, but I guess using electric tools could get exciting in such circumstances.:laughing:

 

[Scooby074]

You're right, Jason. And they keep coming up with new and better inventions. I hadn't seen the new Ingersolls. I can sure see how that impact would be great on service trucks for mechanics in the field.

Yes. For sure. If I was still working in the field as a mechanic, Id have one. (Or the equivalent, but weaker, Snapon). Its a game changer. You never used to be able to get 1/2" pneumatic power in an electric, now you can.

 

[Shield Arc]

I worked over the water just about my whole life. Electric tools and water don't mix so well. :laughing:

 

[DXN1EL]

GREAT!!

Just what I am looking for. Those Sioux look badass. 35CFM:licking:
I have been thinking to buy my first compressor to play on back yard for some time, I know that it hast to be a good size at least 44CFM

 

[Bird]

GREAT!!

Just what I am looking for. Those Sioux look badass. 35CFM:licking:
I have been thinking to buy my first compressor to play on back yard for some time, I know that it hast to be a good size at least 44CFM

If you intend to run those tools for long periods of time when you use them and/or you'll use them every day for long periods of time, yes, you need a big compressor. But all the tools I ever used or worked on called for 90 psi. Most any compressor will do that. And when I was repairing one or two air tools a day, my 11 CFM compressor ran them just fine for testing and limited use, such as you'd find in a home shop.

Another consideration is your air hose and coupler sizes. I could run and test 3/4" impact wrenches with 3/8" and even some with 1/4" air hoses, but you'd never get their rated power without going to 1/2" hose and couplers.

 

[yomax4]

I'm sure curious about that 1/2" electric impact. What brand and model is it? I've owned 2 electric 1/2" impacts and they were very handy when I didn't have enough air compressor, but they were both less than 250 ft. lbs. of torque. I see the 8 amp Craftsman now claims 350 ft. lbs. but I thought most any Chicago Pneumatic would be around 425 ft. lbs. Of course, for most jobs, you wouldn't notice the difference in power, since either one will do the job.

Of course, automatic oilers, dryers, etc. are good, but instead of that, I just give my air tools a little shot of air tool oil through the air inlet and a very brief burst of air after I finish using them. A lot of people will oil them before use, but I think it does even more good to do it after use to displace any moisture.

The one I have is a Fein. Made in Germany.. Don't remember the model but it says 300 Ft#.. I did some horse trading with the Fein rep and have had it for 3 years. Sadly, These Fein impacts are $400.00+.. I guess they have some very nice high end tools but this is the only one I have. The CP impact that didn't work as well could have been worn who knows.

 

[ericher69]

Naturally, you need a big, high capacity compressor in a shop where time is important and there's almost continuous use, but you sure do not need a 5 hp compressor for home use.

Not so! Most air tools are rated at average CFM's Ie; ingersoll 1/2" impact 450ft/lbs rated at 9 CFM but will take much more air if working continuously (even 30 sec of trigger time) Cannot measure actual CFM use; just an observation.

A 5hp 60 gallon unit would be minimum that I would use in a low use home shop; reasons

1. Less compressor run time
2. Decreased condensation/water build up
3. Absolutely needed with the following- sanders, grinders, air over hydraulic press, cabinet media blaster.

These tools require much more CFM than a 5hp 60 gal. Unit can deliver at 90psi (single stage, 2 cylinder unit under $1k)

 

[Bird]

Not so! Most air tools are rated at average CFM's Ie; ingersoll 1/2" impact 450ft/lbs rated at 9 CFM but will take much more air if working continuously (even 30 sec of trigger time) Cannot measure actual CFM use; just an observation.

A 5hp 60 gallon unit would be minimum that I would use in a low use home shop; reasons

1. Less compressor run time
2. Decreased condensation/water build up
3. Absolutely needed with the following- sanders, grinders, air over hydraulic press, cabinet media blaster.

These tools require much more CFM than a 5hp 60 gal. Unit can deliver at 90psi (single stage, 2 cylinder unit under $1k)

:laughing::laughing:Of course you're right about the average CFM. My IR231 is rated at 4.2 CFM, but 22 CFM for continuous running under load. But if you need 5 hp and 60 gallon tank, that's fine with me. I've never had to run an impact wrench continuously under load for a long period of time, since I let off the trigger when I take a bolt out or a nut off, and let the wrench quit turning until I put it on the next one. And then it only runs a matter of seconds before loosening the next one. In my shop, I never needed more than a 3 hp, 60 gallon compressor could provide, even with the cabinet sand blaster, sanders, drills, impact tools, ratchets, etc. - except - the non-cabinet sandblaster. I didn't have an air over hydraulic press; just a non-air 6 ton hydraulic press and a 3 ton arbor press.

Of course now I only have a 30 gallon, 1.8 hp, 5.7 CFM at 90 psi, 120V compressor and had no problems at all taking the tires and wheels off my brother's one ton truck, with that IR231, to do a front end brake job, including replacing one caliper and cleaning the disks with a die grinder. And we were using a 50', 3/8" air hose, and never had to stop and wait on the compressor to catch up.

Of course, maybe your definition and my definition of a "home" shop are different. If I were working in a business where such tools are used all day, every day, I'd certainly want a bigger compressor.