The Air (Pneumatic) Tools Thread

[-Brent-]

I've stepped up to a 80 gallon Quincy compressor and I want to learn about air tools as I'm looking to set myself up with some tools over the coming year.

What do you like?

What should folks stay away from?

What are used tools I can't go wrong with?

And... anything else you think of, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

 

[md21722]

Many of the el cheapo tools are maddeningly loud. Like the HF cutoff wheel tool.

Any used tool can have problems, from not running at all, to having bad bearings, or air leaks.

Most air tools are designed to run at 90 PSI working pressure. To determine what the working pressure is, you need to put a gauge at the tool and adjust the regulator accordingly. Pressure drop can exceed 30 PSI across the filter, regulator, hose, and couplers on impacts, air ratchets, and things like that.

If you plan on very air intensive operations, like sanding, or painting, where the compressor runs quite a bit, look to add an after cooler on your compressor otherwise you will get water. Putting the filter/regualtor at least 25 feet from the tank will help somewhat, but if the compressor is running a while you still get water through it unless you do an after cooler, air drier, or run tanks in series.

 

[lazer50]

Good advice above! You might look at the astro pneumatic tool line it seems they have a wide variety and great customer service.ingersoll rand makes good tools.check your cfm output on your compressor and remember that when buying air tools.they have different working requirements.i would avoid hf tools imo sounds like you invested in a nice compressor so try to use usa 3/8 hose,good fittings milton makes good stuff.if you plan on using your tools more than just occasionally some tool will have different grades.i.e.good,better,best and will have different specs.just keep those things in mind and im sure you will get more tips here!

 

[rlitman]

...If you plan on very air intensive operations, like sanding, or painting, where the compressor runs quite a bit, look to add an after cooler on your compressor otherwise you will get water. Putting the filter/regualtor at least 25 feet from the tank will help somewhat, but if the compressor is running a while you still get water through it unless you do an after cooler, air drier, or run tanks in series.

Water is evil if you're painting or running a plasma cutter. It'll freeze up your sander's exhaust with enough run-time. In other tools, it's not necessarily harmful. In fact, in things like jackhammers, it's taken into consideration by the manufacturer as part of the lubrication.

Yes, cheap tools can be loud. But barring that, I've had great luck with a number of HF tools. The most I've had to do was replace an o-ring here and there (though I've had similar o-ring failures in Sioux tools too).

My o-ring kits BTW have paid for their weight in gold. Funny thing is that all of the Chinese air tools I've repaired have taken SAE o-rings from my red boxed kit. I only recently had to buy a metric (blue box) o-ring kit to fix my Sioux air engraver that wasn't running right.

 

[-Brent-]

Thanks, for kicking this thread off in a good way, fellas. I appreciate it.

I'm going to plumb my shop this weekend or coming week. The plan is to run the regulator just before the hose reel, which is about 15 feet from the compressor. Most tools will be run off the reel, that was my thinking.

The only HF air tool I own is the Earthquake impact gun. I like it and it seems like a quality piece. It's got a decent reputation online, which is why I bought it. Actually, as well, I have an HF cut off tool (still in its box) that I haven't ever used.

I'd like to get a saw, sander and maybe a drill to start. There's a lot of info out there but after searching the GJ, I hadn't seen a threaded dedicated so I'm hoping this could be a good place for tool info and such.

 

[RV8guy]

If you dig around on ebay you can find decent deals on premium air tools like Dotco and Cleco. I picked up a 1000 rpm 1/2 inch chuck Dotco drill for $10.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Maybe look into St. Louis Pneumatic. They have a fair variety of tools. I have 2 of their dye grinders that I've been very satisfied with. Some of their stuff is available thru Home Depot at a fair price. All U.S.A. made too.


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[JUNK-MAN]

I love my IR impactool in 1/2" drive, And except a blue-point die grinder the rest of mine are cheap-o's. I've had a CH and a Matco before the IR and by far the IR is a ton better.

 

[sberry]

Depends on what you want to do, these are 3 real cant miss work horses.

 

[MrGiggles]

Small grinders and cut off tools cannot be matched by cordless or electric variants. My 10 dollar HF tools have done just fine for me.

My Aircat 1055 is my favorite and most used 1/2 impact. It's unbelievably powerful, lightweight, and relatively quiet.

Air tools are one thing I don't like to buy used. Got burned on an IR 2135 once, never again. They generally are not that expensive new and you don't save much buying used.

 

[Cruzan80]

Any recommendations on a good die grinder, on the cheaper end? Brands to watch out for?

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Any recommendations on a good die grinder, on the cheaper end? Brands to watch out for?

I have a Blue-Point, I got it used for like 20/30 bucks on ebay a year and a half ago and it works great so far. For cheaper I would say harbor freight.

 

[gdocktor3]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy used IR, Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, Aircat if they're in good shape. I've purchased a lot of new and used air tools off eBay with no issues at all. As long as you take the time to ask questions and get the seller to guarantee they work, you will get your money back from eBay should they not work. Majority of my tools are Mac, Snap On, and older Chicago Pneumatic. I also have an Aircat and Florida Pneumatic (Aircat parent co) Any "name brand" tool will serve you well. Also, there are a million threads on "best impact for $100" or "best die grinder" etc etc etc. Its always a mix of truck brands and then the HF stuff. It's up to you to decide what your budget is, then buy the best tool available in that price range.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy used IR, Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, Aircat if they're in good shape.

But how can you really tell ? And how much does it cost to get a 1/2" impact professionally rebuilt ?

Majority of my tools are Mac, Snap On, and older Chicago Pneumatic. I also have an Aircat and Florida Pneumatic (Aircat parent co) Any "name brand" tool will serve you well.

My 1/2" impact and air chisel are both 25+ yo CP, sold by Craftsman. No one could put an exact model number on them, but for their age they probably have <200 hours of actual use. Having said that, CP has not been the King of the Hill for a long time.

The HF 1/2" Earthquake are a good bang for the buck. Better than a lot of other cheap brands. Same with the HF 3/8" impact ratchet.

Time for a M12 Fuel 3/8 impact !

 

[MrGiggles]

Any recommendations on a good die grinder, on the cheaper end? Brands to watch out for?

Harbor Freight. I believe the 3" cut off tool is 6.99 or something like that. You really can't beat them.

I've had mine over a year and it still works great. I also have a 1/4 die and 90* grinders, same story with them.

Open the box and give them a spin before you take them home. I've felt a couple that were rough or didn't turn easily.

If you're not fond of HF, Astro Pneumatic is top notch for a great price. They're usually best bought through Amazon.

 

[Fixnair]

I'm an air tool junkie. I've repaired air compressors for the last 55 years and would use only air tools. I have, in addition to the regular die grinder & 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" impact wrench I have a D/A sander, inline sander, air scissors, air shears, air powered Reciprocating saw, air powered circular saw, air powered chain saw, 4" angle grinder, 1/4" drill 1/2" drill, 3/4" impact, an air powered vacuum cleaner and air powered vacuum pump for refrigeration. I also have a couple of Gardner Denver 2 ton air Hoists. I forgot I have a small air powered hammer/chisel and a larger chipping hammer and a needle scaler.

The stuff you buy from China will not last very long and perform less than a major brand made in America. Brands such as Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Chicago Pneumatic, Sioux, Dotco, to name a few. All can be bought on line for a reasonable price.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

We're proud to still be making none of our air powered tools in China. Some of the factories we've been making our core air tools in we've been doing so going on 30 years.

 

[gdocktor3]

But how can you really tell ? And how much does it cost to get a 1/2" impact professionally !

Never had one rebuilt, but when I buy airtools on eBay I ask exact questions and save all the messages. Some questions - How old is tool and was it used professionally? Does it have any known problems? Can you guarantee it will work 100%? Stuff like that. Some sellers will dance around certain questions and that's when I ask them again until I get the answer. If not I pass. Now if it arrives not working correctly, and the seller won't refund your money, you can contact eBay, show them the messages and have them step in to get your money back. I haven't had problems with any air tools, but some other irrelevant items. Just the other day I contacted a seller about a Milwaukee m18 drill that stated in the listing "unsure if working". So I messaged them asking to test the tool for me. They said if I buy it, they will test it before shipping it. That sounds odd right? So I passed on it and moved on to the next. Another tactic of mine is to contact sellers on Craigslist who have nice stuff for sale, but ask if they have any other items for sale. A little over a year ago I found a guy selling two sets of 4 month old 1/2" shallow snap on impact sockets. I asked if he had anything else and he Offered to sell me his 4 month old snap on mg725 for another $100 if I take the sockets because he switched over to all Matco after his dealer disappeared. Since my old impact was a snappy 6100, the mg725 was a no brainer at that price. I grabbed the metric impacts, sae impacts and gun for $200 and all were in mint condition. Just be patient and be smart.