Air vs battery tools

[slackdaddy1]

Talking automotive at a hobby level, restoring a car, building an old jeep, maintaining your own rides.

I have a good 2 stage stationary compressor, but the shop is yet to be plumbed with multiple "ports"
I have a 1/2" and 3/8" impact air impacts, and a 3/8" air ratchet.
about 6 months ago I bought a Milwaukee 1/2" 18v impact, I have not touched the air impacts since.
The 1/2" Milwaukee is somewhat to big for general "taking apart" ,, so been hand wrenching general disassembly not requiring impact. There are rare times I will drag the air hose over and use the air ratchet or 3/8 air gun when a lot of bolts have to come out.

Sooo, looking at the Milwaukee 3/8" stubby M12v impact and 3/8" M12v ratchet.
Gimmicks? or will they get used? or should I just plumb the garage for air and use the air guns I have?

Thoughts??

 

[87FoRunner]

They will get used.

Cordless opens up a whole new world of convenience.

You will always need air for tires and tools that are extremely high dollar in cordless (die grinders, sanders, etc.)

 

[dmaxfireman]

Aside from tire inflation tools and blow gun I seldom use air these days. The convenience of cordless is undeniable provided you have charged batteries at the ready. I would plumb in a couple of air lines where you think you'll need them for tools that will not be battery powered and still continue to purchase cordless tools that fit your needs.

 

[u2slow]

Batt tools for convenience. Air for power and longevity.

My only battery tools are drill, 1/4" impact, and flashlights...but my work is limited to around the house and in the shop.

Mobile/installer type guys - different story - battery tools make the most sense.

 

[enduro74]

If your looking from just a convenience standpoint your better off to just go with cordless and drag the rubber hose out for tires and using the blow gun.

However from a cost standpoint you'll spend a lot more on cordless stuff than air. Cordless requires batteries which wear out and then you buy more batteries and then eventually the tool breaks and you've got to get if fix (Unless its brushless and then just toss it and buy a new one)

You also have to remember that at some point the manufacture (Dewalt Milwaukee or Whoever) is going to come out with a new battery technology or just a new battery and stop making your batteries/tools and you'll eventually be left with a bunch of tools and no batteries or a bunch of batteries and no tools... Air tools just keep plugging away, feed them clean air and lube them well and you may have to buy a new impact every 10-30 years depending on how much you use it.

I work in the tool/equipment repair industry and am watching air tools make a come back. Companies are realizing that the cordless tools are costing them more than it's saving them because they're constantly replacing the batteries and repairing the tools.

 

[demarpaint]

I prefer air, since I have a 60 gallon compressor in my garage, the necessary plumbing and an assortment of air tools. Air tools are cheaper for the most part, and to get the power you need for some automotive work you need one big heavy battery powered tool. I have some battery powered tools which see some use, or get used when I help friends at their house and they don't have a compressor.

I'm sure an air tool has a much longer life expectancy than a battery powered too, even more so when you factor in batteries.

 

[trackwelder]

Most of my corded construction tools have been sitting idle due to cordless tools.
In the shop I still prefer most of my air tools. I prefer air over cordless for die grinders, impacts, and sanders. Air line reels make accessing a hose line easy and convenient. The only air tool that’s been completely replaced for me with cordless is an air ratchet.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you have a decent compressor, I'd lean more towards air tools. There are certain tools like air hammers that cannot be replaced with cordless. A lot of tools like cordless impacts and die grinders cannot compete in terms of size, weight, and/or power. That being said, there are certain tools like the Milwaukee fuel ratchets and fuel stubby impact that are small enough and just powerful enough to replace air tools for tasks that do not require a crazy amount of power.

 

[Mr_B]

Ideally both.
if you want ultra compact and power then it got be air, also lot of air tools and air usage not available in a battery platform .
Air tools also far cheaper and far longer service life in rough use .
You likely make good use of a compact battery impact but you also make good use of air tools you already got and a nano impact wrench nana reactionless ratchet and a good old hard hitting air hammer .
No way I want run my shop 1 10hr day without air, above 3 air tools are huge time and fatigue savers ...

 

[slackdaddy1]

Thanks for the insight guys,
I think I will plumb the shop for multiple air ports, and one outside and stick with my air tools I have along with the Milwaukee 1/2 impact.
I think once I have it plumbed I wont be so lazy about using the air tools.

 

[slackdaddy1]

Next will be the compressor in the exterior, unheated shed debate.

 

[Davefr]

I prefer using electric and battery whenever possible.

Sanding with an electric DA is much more pleasant then a pneumatic DA that consumes 15+ CFM and runs a deafening 5HP compressor at full duty cycle and is attached to an air hose that's as stiff as a donkey ****.

Changing tires with a lithium impact is also much more efficient then dragging out a long air hose, hooking it up to impact and compressor and then putting it all away when done.

The only tools left for pneumatic is an air hammer, air blow gun/inflater and paint sprayers.

So I guess the answer is all three have their sweet spots. (pneumatic, corded electric and lithium)

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I'm having a bit of deja vu here. Wasn't this same topic discussed thoroughly a couple months ago?

 

[ChrisLS8]

If your looking from just a convenience standpoint your better off to just go with cordless and drag the rubber hose out for tires and using the blow gun.

However from a cost standpoint you'll spend a lot more on cordless stuff than air. Cordless requires batteries which wear out and then you buy more batteries and then eventually the tool breaks and you've got to get if fix (Unless its brushless and then just toss it and buy a new one)

You also have to remember that at some point the manufacture (Dewalt Milwaukee or Whoever) is going to come out with a new battery technology or just a new battery and stop making your batteries/tools and you'll eventually be left with a bunch of tools and no batteries or a bunch of batteries and no tools... Air tools just keep plugging away, feed them clean air and lube them well and you may have to buy a new impact every 10-30 years depending on how much you use it.

I work in the tool/equipment repair industry and am watching air tools make a come back. Companies are realizing that the cordless tools are costing them more than it's saving them because they're constantly replacing the batteries and repairing the tools.

I'm working on one of the largest projects in the Bay area and cordless tools rule the roost. Not sure what you see but cordless tools are more popular than ever

 

[sk8wnec]

For me air tools always have the highest power to size ratio. It can't be beat unless they start making air tools with way higher voltages. Like 240v batteries.

 

[larry_g]

I'm retired an no longer spend a lot of time working in the shop repairing vehicles. My Air tools serve me just fine and I will not go to the expense of converting to all battery tools. That said I have a handfull of battery tools that get used a lot.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I’m just in the process of installing my 60 gallon Sanborn. I’ve had it for about 1 1/2 years and just getting it installed. Looking forward to using air tools that I have used with my portable 25 gallon CM. I especially like air for wood working, stapling, nailing, drilling and of course blowing.
I like air tools when near or have access to a compressor and relatively close area. I have about of 100’ of hose.
Cordless are great I have both 12v Milwaukee and 18volt Bosch tools for remote or working from a ladder. Battery management is a real thing to be wary of. Air is basically free once you have a decent compressor. Batteries not so much.

Could one of you guys please start a thread on how you set up your air manifolds, with gauges, cutoffs, air reels, various filters etc. I’m looking for ideas and prefer to go over the top to begin with than continually tweaking an ill planned layout.

 

[Lwel9226]

If your looking from just a convenience standpoint your better off to just go with cordless and drag the rubber hose out for tires and using the blow gun.

However from a cost standpoint you'll spend a lot more on cordless stuff than air. Cordless requires batteries which wear out and then you buy more batteries and then eventually the tool breaks and you've got to get if fix (Unless its brushless and then just toss it and buy a new one)

You also have to remember that at some point the manufacture (Dewalt Milwaukee or Whoever) is going to come out with a new battery technology or just a new battery and stop making your batteries/tools and you'll eventually be left with a bunch of tools and no batteries or a bunch of batteries and no tools... Air tools just keep plugging away, feed them clean air and lube them well and you may have to buy a new impact every 10-30 years depending on how much you use it.

I work in the tool/equipment repair industry and am watching air tools make a come back. Companies are realizing that the cordless tools are costing them more than it's saving them because they're constantly replacing the batteries and repairing the tools.

I am slowly going back to my old air tools and phasing out my cordless tools because of the hi cost and limited life span of battery systems...
Air tools last a very long time with a minimum of maintenance....
Will miss some cordless... especially my Makita Port-a-band.... Oh Well....

Lynn W

 

[themiller]

As a non-pro I'm too poor and cheap to use battery.

Big air impact gets used a few times a year to change out tow balls. I have a 1/2 craftsman impact that works OK for 90%, so long as I'm not touching rusty suspension, but I only keep up with the batteries because I have a cordless drill and impact, and light, and Bluetooth stereo that all share. It's painful to pay $50 every few years for a luxury - I'd never do it for just one tool.

 

[Skin]

If you have the budget both are handy. If not stay with Pneumatic. Tools are smaller, quieter, more powerful, faster, and pretty much last forever provided you don't pump them full of water. Its nice to have a couple cordless impacts and a ratchet for small things like a tire rotation or battery when you just don't want to bother filling the compressor.

 

[Vinny]

I only have two air tools, an IR 1/2" impact and an IR air hammer, both I use with a smaller pancake compressor, and only very rarely. Especially the air hammer; I'm not cutting through welds very often, which is all I've used it for.
Everything else, I rolled corded electric.

 

[Davefr]

I am slowly going back to my old air tools and phasing out my cordless tools because of the hi cost and limited life span of battery systems...
Air tools last a very long time with a minimum of maintenance....
Will miss some cordless... especially my Makita Port-a-band.... Oh Well....

Lynn W

Assuming you have a cordless drill with a std battery like M12, then you're already dealing with limited battery life issues. The additional cordless tools that share that battery are not adding to battery cost.

The only time battery life issues go away is if you totally eliminate all your cordless tools.

In the case of M12 lithium, you should be getting 5+ years out of the batteries and when they do need replaced, they're only around $100/pair.

The std battery platforms like M12 and M18 are a godsend.

 

[MattT]

In the case of M12 lithium, you should be getting 5+ years out of the batteries and when they do need replaced, they're only around $100/pair.

Easy enough to keep a current platform going. And for just a drill replacing the package isn't much more than new batteries.

When you've got real money in a cordless platform and it becomes obsolete is when the problems start. My construction cordless tools are Milwacky V18. 3.0 batteries are pushing $150 a piece. Will have to hit the used market if a charger, or tool, dies. When the current batteries die it'll be time for a new platform in a different color.

Similar situation with my older IQV 7.2V and 14.4V mechanics tools. Doubt I'll be buying another set of batteries for those either.

Some on this forum seem to think the current battery platforms aren't going to become obsolete. That is highly unlikely.............................

 

[Mr_B]

For construction and mobile and some convenience then battery is way forward .
In a mechanical shop, carpentry shop, production plants etc then air still much part of the kit.
Air does a lot more than just power few hand tools and even then some of the hand tools have no equal match in battery platform even without considering tool durability of being thrown around and covered in dirt and liquids for decade or 4 .
Also if comparing modern battery, compare it to modern air as they got a lot smaller, more powerful, more variety and lower cost than ever have been in past .
When in the shop air super useful, when down the pull-a-part or up a ladder fixing storm damage then battery your best buddy .
Seems OP diy and already got air tools and a compressor he be pretty silly not plump couple line points to use it .
He also going have battery drill for home maintenance so he be wise make sure he gets into a platform at some point that crosses well in tools for both construction and auto mechanical field as bare tools not that pricey if hunt around for deals .
Milwaulkee being most common and 5yr warranty nice on electrical kit as the stuff breaks, especially brushless .

 

[kctyphoon]

Not that i used them much before i got cordless, but i finally sold my bigger (small compared to pro’s) compressor and mechanic air tools.. there is simply no point to having both for home. Not having a garage makes the choice much easier too. My small pancake isn’t going anywhere though. Having that just to blow stuff out is well worth it. Nailers and other low consumption tools, i cant warrant getting rid of just in case I need them again.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I dumped my air tools for cordless ingersoll rand & Milwaukee. I haven't looked back. They need a battery air hammer lol.

 

[theoldwizard1]

M12 1/2" stubby removing lug nuts torqued to 250 lb-ft

 

[CJM8515]

I use cordless as much as I can. Way easier to deal with, no compressor needed, no needing to run airline or plumb ports, etc. But there are tools like die grinders, air hammers, sanders, etc that air is the ticket. Those

 

[IPFreely]

What about replacing the inside of the battery packs? Anyone doing that?

 

[Showkey]

Air 1/2, 3/8 impacts, air ratchets ..............but Rarely use air tools..............

M12 M18 ..........tools of choice.

Carry M18 impact in the RV ..........saved more than few people some serious inconvenience on the road side.

 

[Vinny]

M12 1/2" stubby removing lug nuts torqued to 250 lb-ft

Pretty cool! I always wondered how accurate the ratings on the battery and corded impact wrenches are. Some of the claims just seem to be impossible.