Cordless Replacing Air

[RedRabbit]

After my grandpa came into my shop and saw all the cordless tools I have, he asked if I still used air tools. I took out some and said yes, he asked why. I told him air is always available, while batteries have to charge, and they are usually lighter.

On Sunday we were talking. I was telling him the plans for my garage when I'm a bit older. He asked if I was going to have a big air compressor. I said of course, for my air tools. He brought up the idea of having all cordless tools. I thought it was a good idea. Cordless tools will only increase in power, they already match my air tools' power.

Is it likely that one day people will only have 3 gal compressors for tire inflation, and only cordless tools for work. Or are air compressors like the manual transmission, outdated (I have 3 stick cars, don't get mad at me ) but still available and preferred by many?

 

[thymer]

Have yet to see a electric sandblaster.

 

[Spn1025]

Cordless paint sprayer?

Well, there is a cordless caulk-gun...

 

[92integra]

going to fill your tires with electricity? electric compression test>?

 

[Spn1025]

eh nevermind, there is a cordless paint sprayer..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-ProTip-Speed-Sprayer-P651K/203268330

 

[rice rocket]

Cordless paint sprayer?

Well, there is a cordless caulk-gun...

Some woodworkers are spraying HVLP with only a small vacuum powering it.

I have no idea how well it works, and woodworkers' finish quality standards are pretty low (no offense) in comparison to what we find acceptable in the automotive world.

 

[Spn1025]

How does this fit into the argument:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Dual-Function-Inflator-Deflator-Tool-Only-P731/203060297

Battery powered air compressor. lol.

 

[Ign]

Lots of threads (and debates) about this

 

[RedRabbit]

going to fill your tires with electricity? electric compression test>?

I said have a small 3 gal compressor for things like tires and other items that,require inflation.

 

[RedRabbit]

Have yet to see a electric sandblaster.

I have not considered sand blasters. That's a good point.

 

[Rico.]

Blow Gun.... Blow Gun.... Blow Gun.....


I'm just a DIYer, but I find this tool indispensable....

Also my tools don't get a ton of use, but my air tools are always ready
to go even if I haven't used them for 2 months. They are smaller, lighter,
cheaper... and there is miniscule spark risk when using them close to
a flamable source.

If you need maximum mobility then cordless all the way... But if you
need a maximum mobility blow gun.... You are **** out of luck...

...for the time being, anyway.....

 

[RedRabbit]

Blow Gun.... Blow Gun.... Blow Gun.....


I'm just a DIYer, but I find this tool indispensable....

Also my tools don't get a ton of use, but my air tools are always ready
to go even if I haven't used them for 2 months. They are smaller, lighter,
cheaper... and there is miniscule spark risk when using them close to
a flamable source.

If you need maximum mobility then cordless all the way... But if you
need a maximum mobility blow gun.... You are **** out of luck...

...for the time being, anyway.....

You can run a blowgun off a 3gal. Im not saying to eliminate all compressors, just the big 80gal compressors.

 

[Rico.]

You can run a blowgun off a 3gal. Im not saying to eliminate all compressors, just the big 80gal compressors.

Ahhhh.... got ya...


May I suggest you amend your thread title to... Cordless Complimenting Air....

 

[RedRabbit]

Ahhhh.... got ya...


May I suggest you amend your thread title to... Cordless Complimenting Air....

Well I did refer to having a small 3 gal in my post so...

And I'm not sure how to change a thread title...

 

[Spn1025]

I will say one thing...
I can use air impact guns no problem without hearing protection.
At work we have a 1/2 Milwaukee cordless impact, and the noise absolutely rattles the hell out of my eardrums. It's worse than standing right next to a rigger who's going to town with a chainfall.

 

[Rico.]

Well I did refer to having a small 3 gal in my post so...

And I'm not sure how to change a thread title...

I know.... I'm just bustin' your chops a little.

I think Air will be around for a few more decades... however it's not inconcievable
that technology could advance to a stage where we have small cordless hand
held tyre inflators and blow guns with tiny built in compressors..... Maybe.

Until then, it's either all air tools or a combination of both.

 

[RedRabbit]

I know.... I'm just bustin' your chops a little.

I think Air will be around for a few more decades... however it's not inconcievable
that technology could advance to a stage where we have small cordless hand
held tyre inflators and blow guns with tiny built in compressors..... Maybe.

Until then, it's either all air tools or a combination of both.

Thanks for the teasing . I also believe air ill be around for a while longfer, I just don't think it will be as common as electric in 20 years.

 

[cagullett1]

You can run a blowgun off a 3gal. Im not saying to eliminate all compressors, just the big 80gal compressors.

try blowing much off with a 3 gallon.... it's terrible if you need to use it for more than 5 seconds.

 

[doojus]

You can run a blowgun off a 3gal. Im not saying to eliminate all compressors, just the big 80gal compressors.

Lol this guy thinks 80 gallons is big. That's an entry-level compressor.


I think each type of tool will always have its place. Personally I grind a lot of millscale off metal for fabrication, it'd be stupid for me to use a cordless grinder for a job where you might be grinding for 30 minutes straight. Same for die grinders, air shears, cut-off wheels. Besides the obvious, the beauty of air tools is you just buy the power source once (the compressor). Because of this, the tools are usually less expensive, weigh less, and are more reliable.


On the flip side, in situations where portability is important, cordless tools have created a niche for themselves. It's hard to beat the functionality you get out of a cordless impact these days.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I think air will always have a place but cordless is definitely shrinking it's place. I know I haven't used my 3/8 air tools in 2 years at work. I got a battery impact and ratchet and that was it. I tried a 1/2 but it was just too akward and heavy compared to my air IR so I returned it.

 

[MikeF2316]

Some electric tools get hot when you use them for a long time. Maybe uncomfortable for you, maybe bad for the tool. Maybe both. Air tools stay nice and cool.

 

[RedRabbit]

Lol this guy thinks 80 gallons is big. That's an entry-level compressor.


I think each type of tool will always have its place. Personally I grind a lot of millscale off metal for fabrication, it'd be stupid for me to use a cordless grinder for a job where you might be grinding for 30 minutes straight. Same for die grinders, air shears, cut-off wheels. Besides the obvious, the beauty of air tools is you just buy the power source once (the compressor). Because of this, the tools are usually less expensive, weigh less, and are more reliable.


On the flip side, in situations where portability is important, cordless tools have created a niche for themselves. It's hard to beat the functionality you get out of a cordless impact these days.

First I know 80 gal isnt the biggest around. I work in a shop bro, we got a lot bigger than 80s. Second, what if its a corded tool? A corded cut off wheel can run as long as an air powered one. Third, what if your tools are the s ame brand, whats the difference. Most of my tools are Makita, one battery...

 

[doojus]

First I know 80 gal isnt the biggest around. I work in a shop bro, we got a lot bigger than 80s. Second, what if its a corded tool? A corded cut off wheel can run as long as an air powered one. Third, what if your tools are the s ame brand, whats the difference. Most of my tools are Makita, one battery...

Lighten up kid, I couldn't have made it any more clear that I was joking about the 80 gallon thing.

Your thread title was about cordless tools, changing your argument to corded tools just makes it look like you're backpedaling.

 

[RedRabbit]

Lighten up kid, I couldn't have made it any more clear that I was joking about the 80 gallon thing.

Your thread title was about cordless tools, changing your argument to corded tools just makes it look like you're backpedaling.

Sorry, I was pissed off before writing my last post. My bad. And your right. Air works better for those tools.

 

[trackwelder]

Going to be a long time before cordless tools replace all air tools.
Let's think just think about air hammers, die grinders, needle scalers, da sanders, cutoff tools. Air tools are lighter, no lag time, variable speed , tons of torque. I love my cordless tools but I'm never giving up my compressor or any air tools.

 

[rslaback]

Until I find a tire machine that has an electric rim clamp and electric bead breaker I am going to see a need for big compressors.

 

[rustbucket5]

i would like for electric to replace air but like others have said its just not possible to completely replace(yet anyways) to go down to a 3 gal? i think thats entirely possible in certain situations like if you only use air for impact tools and airing up tires. although if your doing serious grinding......your SOL lol

 

[dsimatt]

I could see maybe on the automotive side but heavy duty theres no way i'd give up my air tools because cordless is nowhere strong enough.

My biggest gripe is i seem to need to replace atleast 1 battery every year and they aren't cheap, my air tools the most i do is need new fittings that are free thru work.

 

[RedRabbit]

Ok thank you everyone for your replies. I have learned that cordless tools are great and maybe one day will replace many air tools. But air tools are here to stay. Especially for heavy duty applications and continousnrun tools.

 

[LordPsychon]

Some woodworkers are spraying HVLP with only a small vacuum powering it.

I have no idea how well it works, and woodworkers' finish quality standards are pretty low (no offense) in comparison to what we find acceptable in the automotive world.

How am I not supposed to take offense to that? HVLP with a vacuum? Absolutely ridiculous!

I will grant you that wood stains and finishes are considerably more finicky than metal finishes - you can polish metal considerably but can only sand and plane wood so much before it loses its character.

 

[ranger302]

Man I am going the other way, all air tools. If I could get an air circular saw I would have it. In a metal shop all the grinding dust kills cordless and corded tools, air tool keep right on trucking.