Are airtools dead or dying?

[hdmark80]

So I've been putting together my garage since i bought my house last summer. I'm a diyer that does repairs on his own cars and eventually i want to restore a classic car myself. I bought a 30 gallon compressor, an earthquake impact wrench, i was about to spend money buying some good hoses and other air tools when I bought a m18 high torque impact wrench. I used it to do the brakes on my cts and boy did it make things easy. I'm a Milwaukee guy so i have a ton of their tools already. I sold the regular m18 and I'm going to buy the fuel version. I see the new one key versions coming out. Has it now come to a point where there's no need dealing with air tools? Is my new compressor just going to be used for filling tires? How many of you guys have given up on air tools? It seems like it's a smarter play to go with battery tools for someone like me.

 

[Skin]

We did this thread not long ago

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352598

 

[md21722]

Air tools still have their place but are getting displaced by cordless tools. Air tools are non sparking so good in dangerous environments. Most air ratchets are more powerful than cordless ones. Air impacts typically hit harder but less often than cordless, so if a cordless won't get it, the air might. Air hammers, paint guns, and blow guns are still air only. Then you get into air saws, die grinders, and other grinders were the air tools are much smaller and lighter. I have a mix of cordless and air and use both. Depending on the work you do you might be able to get away with cordless. But I would say it depends on what you do. I have a 10 HP 240 gallon compressor setup for a reason.

 

[Mr_B]

can you get a battery air hammer lol .
Is a battery impact wrench as small as a stubby air impact !
Lots of things you can do and achieve with air and air tools alone .
blow nozzles, die ginders, compact body drill/ right angle drill, stubby air ratchet, plasma cutting, leak down tester, smoke machine and inflating tyres all cheap easy and work well due to air .

 

[78C-10]

The younger guys at work are buying the cordless impacts and at times they do seem to have their places. Sometimes it would be nice to not be tethered to a hose but my air impact will still be working in 10,15,or 20 years with a couple of rebuilds in there but where will the battery impacts be? The electronics WILL fail, the batteries WILL fail and will the replacement batteries still be available in those years to come?

 

[MWEric]

Air impacts run at 8000-10000 rpm with as much working torque. Imagine NASCAR pit crews using a 2K battery impact. Probably dead for home owner though.

 

[theoldwizard1]

can you get a battery air hammer lol .
Is a battery impact wrench as small as a stubby air impact !

Both of those are good examples of where newer pneumatics shine. Two good examples

 

[deberly12]

Im with you....I have a 30 gallon. I had a Craftsman impact wrench (poc don't ever buy one...at least the recent ones) when my second one didn't work out of the box I demanded my money back and made a commitment to nothing Craftsman with moving pieces.... My Milwaukees are on the way (the beast and it 3/8 little brother) the air will still win for things like blasting and long use things like sanding. As well as in industry. They have air everywhere and will never go to cordless tools

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[6PTsocket]

can you get a battery air hammer lol .
Is a battery impact wrench as small as a stubby air impact !
Lots of things you can do and achieve with air and air tools alone .
blow nozzles, die ginders, compact body drill/ right angle drill, stubby air ratchet, plasma cutting, leak down tester, smoke machine and inflating tyres all cheap easy and work well due to air .

Media blasting, painting.

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[Ign]

We did this thread not long ago

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352598

We've done it numerous times

 

[Bellaireroad]

I use air tools almost exclusively .... they're cheaper , last forever, and no batteries to buy


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[shockwave]

Nothing beats an air tool for tire and suspension work imo all can be done with cordless too but size to wait ratio still beats any cordless tool for brakes,suspension and tires

For engine repair it's a toss up I use my cordless ratchet mostly for valve covers and t belts and water pumps

 

[dnschmidt]

They are clearly not dead but they may be bleeding a bit. Impacts are the one area where cordless is clearly making fantastic progress. Milwaukee's new cordless ratchets might be very interesting. Air hammers and paint guns will never go cordless or electric. I just bought a cordless Milwaukee Die Grinder and it's fantastic. The battle isn't over but the cordless guys are innovating every day. Air tools might have leveled out.

 

[MUD DAWG]

Very good video on the topic.

 

[Bobioz1]

Air hammer, cut off wheel, needle scaler, air lift cooling system filler, blow gun, cylinder leakage tester. Air power isn't going away. Tried to remove a decoupler pulley on a Chrysler alternator with M18 3/8 and 1/2, no dice. MG325 zipped it off no problem. Love cordless tools but they don't replace air tools.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

While I do see a lot of DIY guys switching to battery impacts, when I go in shops (which is fairly often) I see 95% of the mechanics still using air tools. When you're using it all day you don't want to deal with dead batteries, heavy impacts that don't fit in tight spaces, etc. If you're at home rotating your tires, you can get by with either.

 

[Finky198]

I'd agree with both of the above. I own a cordless 3/8 impact and 2 drills. Most of my other mechanical tools are air (3 impacts, 3 wrench, 3 cut offs, 6 die grinders etc... probably 25 in total) add plasma cutting, sand blasting, and body tools to that list. The need increases, Our shop does light industrial fab and auto work and we run a 7.5hp 120 gal. I rely on air all day long. Even Little stuff like blow guns and filling tires...

The rest of my power tools are corded tools like Angle grinders, Saws, and Hammer Drills.

 

[ddawg16]

Cordless is for the 'occasional' use.

But in a production environment, it's going to be air. Imagine bucking rivets all day using a cordless tool. Not going to happen.

 

[Musicinabottle]

The younger guys at work are buying the cordless impacts and at times they do seem to have their places. Sometimes it would be nice to not be tethered to a hose but my air impact will still be working in 10,15,or 20 years with a couple of rebuilds in there but where will the battery impacts be? The electronics WILL fail, the batteries WILL fail and will the replacement batteries still be available in those years to come?

"LIKE" button right there!

 

[Musicinabottle]

We've done it numerous times

Why not another time. It's FUN!

 

[JoJoSnap]

Nothing to worry about if da battery cordless ones go depleted...


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[pescados666]

You'd have to use a hammer to drive your nails like a caveman!

 

[rustbucket5]

cordless is not for occasional use, we all use cordless (milwaukee) at my work, yes you still need an air compressor and some air tools. but for fastening theres no reason to use air, cordless is just as fast and powerful. and who is stupid enough to buy a couple of cordless tools with only one battery? so i can wait for it to charge when it runs out of juice? it takes 2 seconds to swap a battery and put it on the charger. yes air tools are more robust long term but dont act like cordless tools are fragile. we literally get our impact hammer cases hot to the touch all the time doing 12 hours of assembly work before they get a break and they keep ticking

 

[md21722]

Media blasting, coolant refiller, & leak down testers are other cases where air is good. I love my Snap On 14.4V 3/8" impact & use it everywhere its appropriate over the 3/8" air impact, but the cordless is not for everything and I don't like the bulk of the big 1/2" cordless ones. Maybe if I was going the junkyard all the time to pull parts I would deal with it.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have yet to see a cordless DA or grinder that will go anywhere close to 8 hours at a time.

 

[Mr_B]

Reality is cordless impacts are useful but anyone working in a real garage daily going struggle use cordless impacts only. I got both and in the shop stubby air impact is used 90% of time as more power, light weight and fits where bulky battery don't, plus it half the cost for 4x the service life.
I use battery 10.8v compact impact mainly for small easy fittings like engine covers, casing bolts etc and all light stuff when working at the bench. when on car size/power is important and air wins here massively .. when out in yard or mobile 18v impact handy but still had get my air in yard when battery tools not got the grunt or got a tool solution .

 

[deberly12]

I think the average diy mechanic should go cordless. I don't know many diyers that

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[deberly12]

Sorry.... Have 19 impacts and needle scalers and 26 other air tool needs. If you just need a good impact go cordless. Then you can get a cheap compressor for blowing up tires. Impact wrenches use alot of air and you may only need a little 3 gallon for tire inflation but with even a small impact you need a compressor 10 times that size.

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[sberry]

but my air impact will still be working in 10,15,or 20 years with a couple of rebuilds in there but where will the battery impacts be?

is it 10 or 20 years and is rebuild cheaper or easier than changing a battery? 1 or 2 rebuilds?
I really don't mess with air rebuilds, I might fix something but if they are that worn I toss them.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Both of those are good examples of where newer pneumatics shine. Two good examples

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71%2B3HRp1U4L._SL1500_.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71xsLQUdhkL._SL1500_.jpg[/IMG[/QUOTE]

Aww, shucks guys:p

 

[Mr_B]

More than 20 years as I got air tools and impacts working perfect after 25 years, only serviced impact once in that time.
battery tools is motor as well as batteries.
any diy guy doing lot of car work wants air end of story, if light use and size not issue battery will ok .
ideal world have both .

 

[bcradio]

I have yet to see a cordless DA or grinder that will go anywhere close to 8 hours at a time.

Yikes!!! That does not sound like fun at all using either of these for 8 hours at a time.

 

[bcradio]

Sorry.... Have 19 impacts and needle scalers and 26 other air tool needs. If you just need a good impact go cordless. Then you can get a cheap compressor for blowing up tires. Impact wrenches use alot of air and you may only need a little 3 gallon for tire inflation but with even a small impact you need a compressor 10 times that size.

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Incorrect!

A small compressor will run an impact just fine. You may have to wait a minute for it to refill every now and again, but no biggie.

So much misinformation in this thread. Seems most of the responses on impacts and such are from users who are not using anything close to the latest generation of cordless tools.

 

[sberry]

Cordless would be my first option today especially for busy pieces. I like air for wheel and tire work, it is adjustable and can feather the power and speed.

 

[KMdef9]

Air is not getting replaced anytime soon. Maybe for the occasional user, but not for a pro who uses such tools ALL DAY. Not for an hour, but ALL DAY.

To add to what others said, electric tools get hot. Air tools actually cool down.

Electric impacts are slower than air. For most this doesn't matter.

And air can be serviced for much cheaper. Please share all the rebuild kits they have for all these electric tools. Replacing the motor and batteries in an electric tool will no doubt rival replacing it.

 

[hdmark80]

Incorrect!

A small compressor will run an impact just fine. You may have to wait a minute for it to refill every now and again, but no biggie.

So much misinformation in this thread. Seems most of the responses on impacts and such are from users who are not using anything close to the latest generation of cordless tools.

 

[hdmark80]

Cordless would be my first option today especially for busy pieces. I like air for wheel and tire work, it is adjustable and can feather the power and speed.

From what I understand with the one key you can customize the power and speed to a certain degree. I'm hoping one day i can just set to whatever torque i need, and eliminate the need for a torque wrench

 

[cvairwerks]

At work, most of my drill motors and die grinders were purchased when I was in elementary school. My rivet guns were purchased when the plant was built in 1941. We had 3 guys that did nothing but overhaul air tools.

 

[Forever Fixin]

I think it's gonna be the same argument. Plastic vs Steel. Which will be around longer? Batteries are a good portion of the cost of the tool and with platforms continually changing how do you keep up? Air tools can be a buy once cry once proposition, although I can see the usefulness/efficiency of the battery powered ones, I just don't think they will last as long.

 

[Citation]

Sorry.... Have 19 impacts and needle scalers and 26 other air tool needs. If you just need a good impact go cordless. Then you can get a cheap compressor for blowing up tires. Impact wrenches use alot of air and you may only need a little 3 gallon for tire inflation but with even a small impact you need a compressor 10 times that size.

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I agree except that I think a home mechanic might be better off with air. An 8 gallon compressor will drive a decent gun at least for a shorter series of bursts. After that the tank can refill. I pulled the axle nut off a car using a 4 gallon compressor and an IR 231. The pump kicked on before the nut was off but it did the job.

I'm going to second the longevity of air tools. I'm not a daily use mechanic. In 15 years I've pulled three good cordless drills out of service due to dead batteries. My limited supply of air tools and my 4 gallon compressor (17 years old) all still work fine.

Air has limitations no doubt and battery is great but I think they will live side by side for a long time.