Air Impacts are DEAD

[Mr_B]

^ the mac is same as the facom besides cost .

cordless has its place and is a miracle for mobile or yard work etc

they going have make lot more tool range to stop average shop not need air, I use it on plasma cutter, leak down tester, smoke tester, tyre machine, blast cabinet, paint guns, massive range hand held air tools and good old blow nozzle lol . couldn't work without one ...

 

[Wamsutta]

The pin is certainly much better if you're using universals and extensions.

But it forces you to use all impact extensions and sockets with a side lock hole. The bad habit of using chrome tools with that pin lock won't work.

 

[hangfirew8]

As has been stated, air tools are still improving. Astro just introduced the 1823 Nano MAX, 650 ft/lbs, and that's no bogus break-away rating.

Please show me the 650ft/lb (real rating) cordless that fits where this does.

Really, this thread needs to die.

 

[Schurkey]

The problem with cordless tools is the PRICE of replacement batteries.

That's not "the" problem, that's "a" problem.

Batteries self-discharge if not used. When I bothered with a cordless drill, the damned thing was dead every time I wanted to use it.

Every-day use, I guess cordless tools are OK. I don't think they're great, but I can go as far as "ok". Occasional use, HELL NO!

Personally, I think air tools are the much better deal. There are mechanics using the same impacts that they were 30 years ago. Which one holds better long term value is obvious.

Yes.

Already Own:

Air Compressor and Accessories
Air Impacts

Don't Own:

Milwaukee Tools/Batteries

Don't Intend to Buy:

Milwaukee Tools/Batteries

Life Status of Air Impacts:

Alive and Well

Very yes.

I'm a general homeowner type. It's easier for me to buy pneumatic tools (screwdriver, impact, etc) than items with batteries. I may use an impact once a month. The batteries will either be dead or not work or not be happy with only being used once a month. The pneumatics seems to work better for that situation in my experience.

Yes.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Precisely. I only have spare batteries for my Milwaukee 18v tools because I caught a two pack of them on clearance after Christmas a couple of years ago for $45, and that's for the low capacity ones. But for my purposes, they work just fine. But to buy one off, they're as much as buying a new drill kit with battery and charger.

Problem two is that in the long run, nobody stays with their battery tech or connectors. I had a perfectly serviceable 12v Makita drill I basically gave away at a yard sale because I couldn't get decent batteries for it at a reasonable cost anymore because Makita changed their battery connector. Because there are so many common parts between them, you can often get parts for a 30 year old air tool and keep it going, when the cordless tool has long since been scrapped.

Cordless tools obviously have a place, but they're a long way off from completely replacing pneumatic tools.

I have been going on 15+ years with the 19.2v Craftsman line on the same battery platform.

 

[stikman56]

Well the boys at ToolUp delivered my Milwaukee 2861-20 FUEL mid torque impact wrench today and all I can say is as of today, for the most part, air impact wrenches are dead. This thing is more powerful than an I-R 231 having six hundred ft-lb of removal torque and is just about the same size and weight as the 231. The bigger Milwaukee FUEL impact is just too damn heavy even though it's somewhat more powerful. This baby has more than enough power for 98% of what you use a 1/2" impact for and has the size and weight of an air impact. THE END IS NEAR for conventional air impacts. My Nitrocat 1250 isn't going up for sale but it might only be brought out once a month from here on in. This tool is a game changer.

They're also more expensive and batteries die. While I own them and use them, air has it's advantages and I'll be keeping mine.

 

[Greatbear]

I have cordless and pneumatic versions of several power tools, and they coexist quite nicely. The scope of work and ease it can be done is only made better with both options. Being able to have air power-levels in power tools out in the field where there is no air or power is a huge time saver. I don't have to choose one or the other. Both is definitely best.

 

[Stadger]

Air impacts are dead? That's rather like saying nail guns have killed off hammers.

 

[Codejack]

Well, I still have my old air tools from before I left all my stuff with my brother, just no air compressor because the tank rusted out (drain DAILY in the South!).

So, do I buy another compressor? Or do I buy cordless tools?

Half my work is done somewhere other than my shop, so the compressor won't be available for a lot of it, about the only air tools I used were impacts, and a solid cordless impact isn't much more than a cheap compressor capable of effectively running those tools.

Air tools aren't dead, but they have serious competition.

 

[BK13]

Nice. 17 pages of cranky guys telling each other "my situation is different than yours. Therefore, you're all wrong."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mmason7764]

.......

Batteries self-discharge if not used. When I bothered with a cordless drill, the damned thing was dead every time I wanted to use it.

.....

Schurkey, excellent point.

Besides the self-discharge problem, storing just about any battery at less than full charge shortens it's life, both in years and cycles. I've read this about lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and the various lithium ion battery chemistries.

Just FYI,

Mark