Air tool ideas and pics ?

[Travinsky]

Looking for medium level air tools for auto garage and woodworking, USA made is a plus but not a requirement as long as it's good quality. The tools should be ones that get the most use in your garage and later I can research specialty tools I'll need as I go.

The compressor I'm using is a Puma 60 gallon with 12 cfm@90 and now looking to work on a few projects that I have been planning for many years.

When I do a search, I get waaaay too many tools and threads that are not specific for what I am looking to buy, which is a go-to list of the minimum required and necessary air tools that everyone should have in the shop.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and your pics

 

[theoldwizard1]

Made in the US will be difficult as most of the major brands are now made off shore.

IR and CP are still top brands.

 

[crewchief888]

minimum requirement and neccesary tools mean a lot of different things to different people..

you may want to be a little more specific about what projects you are planning.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Most used: A few styles of air chucks for tires. Blow guns, a few different styles and lengths.
Used often: Cut Off wheel, drill, 1/2" impact, sand blaster.
Also some use: Air hammer, chisel, polisher, sander(s), sprayers.

 

[Gizmosity]

Most used: A few styles of air chucks for tires. Blow guns, a few different styles and lengths.
Used often: Cut Off wheel, drill, 1/2" impact, sand blaster.
Also some use: Air hammer, chisel, polisher, sander(s), sprayers.

+1.

I would say as a professional woodworker I haven't/don't use a lot of air tools besides blow guns and nailers.

Doing automotive/body work I would add to the above 3/8"ratchet, die grinder and an 8" mud eater in the "most used"

 

[wnstwolf]

As mentioned for wood working various nailers from framing to roofing to staplers and brad nailers all bostich for me and have worked great

switch over to the cars and by far the 1/3 inch impact spend wisely and get a good one this is an heirloom tool for sure I have an older snap on i find i reach for my cordless 3/8 more and more and the air ratched sits in the draw also use my angle die grinder often with rol-lock disks its an IR unit blow gun a must and inflator tools for car and kids toys

 

[Mike Miller]

My most used are 3/8 impact, 1/2 impact, die grinder with scotch bright pads both straight and angle, 8 in. sander (mud hog), blow gun and tire inflater, Grease gun, and cut off tool.

 

[9GUY9]

For auto repair after the basic air chucks and blow guns, in order of most used by a auto tech.

1. GOOD 3/8" impact. You can remove 90% of the fasteners on a auto with it.
2. 1/4" air ratchet for engine and smaller fasteners. If you dont plan to do much engine work, move this towards the bottom of the list.
3. Die grinder
4. cutoff Wheel
5. 1/2" impact
6. GOOD air hammer I own a lot of tools, and this is probably my favorite.
7. 3/8" air ratchet a lot of people get these before several of the much more used tools. I've always said a 3/8" air ratchet is good for wasting air, and smashing your knuckles.

 

[justin1795]

I never use my 3/8 impact or air ratchet. I agree with the rest.

 

[RivennHewn]

My most used would the die grinders, and the needle scaler.

Cut off wheel and body saw get used some.

I do have a slow speed air drill that I like for drilling small holes in metal, as I don't have to hold the trigger half way on like my cordless drill.

 

[AndeiH]

i have an 80 gallon compressor and find myself not using air tools all that much, lol. my main use is filling up tires and cutting with the plasma cutter.

 

[ClineWrench]

I'd suggest hitting a few pawn shops and picking up some quality snap-on, Mac, Cornwell or ingersol rand air tools.

On the automotive side I would suggest a half inch air gun, a 3/8 air gun and ratchet wrench, and maybe a quarter drive air ratchet wrench.

If you get into very detailed work like valve bodies and such, maybe a low torque quarter drive air gun.

Oh and don't forget a couple of air chucks for filling tires and such.

 

[Travinsky]

This is such great advice from pros. I have a good list now and will check out CL and pawn shops.

 

[RedneckWelder]

The four air tools I turn to most often are my 1/2" impact (IR 2135, absolutely love it), a 3" cutoff tool, a die grinder, and a blow gun. I also use a 3/4 impact gun quite a bit, but that's more for my specific line of work vs. general mechanic work.

Air chucks are also a must have, and a 3/8 and 1/4 air ratchets are nice to have.

 

[stikman56]

Looking for medium level air tools for auto garage and woodworking, USA made is a plus but not a requirement as long as it's good quality. The tools should be ones that get the most use in your garage and later I can research specialty tools I'll need as I go.

The compressor I'm using is a Puma 60 gallon with 12 cfm@90 and now looking to work on a few projects that I have been planning for many years.

When I do a search, I get waaaay too many tools and threads that are not specific for what I am looking to buy, which is a go-to list of the minimum required and necessary air tools that everyone should have in the shop.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and your pics

There are some good deals on air tools and cordless on ebay and Craigslist. I buy, repair and sell them myself. There's some really good tools that work well, last and are inexpensive to get. Look at the Craftsman 19984 or 19905 (aka 2131 IR) impacts possibly for 1/2", they can be had cheap most of the time. Also some off brand stuff for 3/8" guns that are strong, light and inexpensive. If you want a strong 3/8" air ratchet that's built pretty well the older Earthquake (made by Florida Pneumatic.... the FP729) is a good choice for the money, it's also the Cornwell CAT8000SD. ANY of the impact wrenches that look like the Nesco NP745xlt, ATD2102, (same wrench), was marketed under many different names. Mine's a US General, from some years ago. They're strong ,and mine has been tough as nails.

 

[Travinsky]

minimum requirement and neccesary tools mean a lot of different things to different people..

you may want to be a little more specific about what projects you are planning.

I'm dumb as dirt, but wife is very smart and an amateur artist with clay, tin, and custom pillow designs - so she might like to try something new by making stuff with a plasma cutter

We'd also like to take some courses and try building a few things like pergolas, arbors, cabinets and furniture. Not much to watch on TV so this might be fun.

AUTO:
16 years ago a friend helped me work on my Mustang when the head gasket blew and the stall converter crapped out, so I would like to try my hand at it with my WW (weekend warrior) pickup

Maybe fix some leaks, add a small DIY turbo, switch out the AT for a 6spd, toss a roll bar in the bed and chop the top since I miss having a convertible.

So I'm guessing I should get some welding equipment too.

Problem is good tools are pricey so I will have to beg wife to bend the budget