Difference between electric vs. air tools

[428street]

I'm looking for real world opinions on air tools vs. electric tools. Beside the obvious, one being power by electricity and the other by air what are the other differences? For example, cut off tool. You can buy an air powered or electric powered tool.

Thank you in advance.

 

[gdocktor3]

In most cases, when referring to cut off tools, electric is one speed, while air can be feathered to give different speeds or rpm. Being that you can adjust the speed, air tools are easier to control and safer.

 

[428street]

ahhh, see, I did not think about that...I only used the cut off tool as an example but extrapolated out what you said I assume the variability in speed unless the electric tool has that feature would be across the board with any electric tool correct?

 

[Bighead38]

Depends on the tool. Some electric are variable speed while others are not.

 

[Sugarfryz]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with most tools I've noticed air has much more balls. Especially impact wrenches.

 

[Sugarfryz]

I'm assuming this is referring to corded electric tools not cordless

 

[oldtools]

For the same power, air tool tend to be smaller which is important in tight space.

 

[428street]

The clear difference to me is you need an air compressor to run the air tools which is $200-$2500+ plumbing, etc.

 

[MrGiggles]

An electric cut off is double the size and weight of a pneumatic. Same goes for everything else, especially impact wrenches, will also have considerably less torque.

 

[PJNJ]

Main differences are -
a. air tools are generally smaller in size, for example the stubby impacts like the Astro Nano can get in pretty cramped spaces;
b. with a compressor you can use a blow gun, air chuck for filling tires, and a paint gun;
c. if you have to worry about sparks, air tools are ideal;
d. cordless tools have no air lines to drag around or get in the way;
e. cordless tools are easily portable to take on the road;
f. with a battery, the cordless can be heavier;
g. I don't know if there are any impacting cordless ratchets, but the air impacting ratchets are pretty good (I have the HF).

To me, portability is probably currently the biggest plus for cordless. Size and variety for air tools.

I have air tools and still primarily use them. But I recently picked up the Ryobi 1/2 impact (the new one with 300 ft. lbs.) If I am just pulling off a tire, I use that. It also was very handy when my daughter got a flat and I went to change it for her. She was a few miles away and no air hose would stretch that far.

 

[dnschmidt]

The true difference is TORQUE. For example electric die grinders are far better than air die grinders as electric motors by nature have extremely high torque. If you chuck a cut off wheel into an electric die grinder it will power through things much better than the air tool equivalent which can often stall. The same is true between an electric and pneumatic polisher. The electric wins hands down.

Where air wins is in anything that has an impacting mechanism such as an air chisel or impact wrench. It also is much longer lasting and typically smaller and lighter as an air tool has very few moving parts since the power comes from the compressor and doesn't need to be generated locally at the tool. In an industrial setting air tools will always be used.

An interesting point. I just saw the Ferrari factory on "How it's Made." and Ferrari is apparently using mostly cordless tools to assemble their cars instead of air tools. I think they only make a couple of thousand cars a year so that probably makes sense for them. A Detroit production line isn't going cordless anytime soon I don't think.

 

[Tinner]

The true difference is TORQUE. For example electric die grinders are far better than air die grinders as electric motors by nature have extremely high torque. If you chuck a cut off wheel into an electric die grinder it will power through things much better than the air tool equivalent which can often stall. The same is true between an electric and pneumatic polisher. The electric wins hands down.

Real industrial air tools have plenty of torque. The best are also capable of continuous duty. Good air tools aren't cheap, but they're worth it in the long run. They don't get hot, are easy and cheap to repair, are smaller and available in a variety of speeds.

Comparing cheap air tools to electric, what you say has some validity.

At work, I use air to electric 10:1. Drills are the only exception.

 

[kctyphoon]

I always figured air tools were just a safer choice seeing metal parts and worn extension cords don't play well together.. they can also be significantly smaller for access reasons..

 

[BDT/NWMN]

We are blessed with three wonderful options for power tools..

Corded, Cordless and air power all have advantages over each other, depending upon the location where it is used, and what it is used for.. I appreciate having all three.

Kctyphoon brought up a good point pertaining to extension cords and safety; especially when working in the rain, or on a snow covered vehicle that is flooding the work area.

 

[428street]

Thanks for all the responses, they are appreciated.

 

[Monte]

Price/performance ratio...e.g. a professional 1700 watt electric angle grinder is like 200 bucks, a professional 1700 watt air angle grinder cost much much more...
(+ electrical consumption is much more in case of air)

 

[vettex2]

Corded, Cordless and air power all have advantages over each other, depending upon the location where it is used, and what it is used for.. I appreciate having all three.

I too use all 3

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

I too use all 3

I use all three as well.

Right angle air drills come to mind working in tight places that electric will never match.

 

[vettex2]

The clear difference to me is you need an air compressor to run the air tools which is $200-$2500+ plumbing, etc.

or just use a 25.00 hose

 

[kwschumm]

Decent air tools for most DIYers will last a lifetime and then be passed on.

Electric tools, regardless of quality, will be obsolete and thrown out when the batteries are NLA.

 

[vettex2]

Decent air tools for most DIYers will last a lifetime and then be passed on.

Electric tools, regardless of quality, will be obsolete and thrown out when the batteries are NLA.

but some have this thing called a CORD

 

[67King]

As someone who uses air tools, 12V cordless, 18V cordless, and corded electric tools, I think the best way to say it is this. Air tools make tough jobs easier. Cordless tools make more routine jobs easier. Corded tools make messy jobs easier (mostly grinding). Yes, there is tons of overlap.

I am constantly amazed at how many people are so dismissive of electric tools for a myriad of reasons. I can only assume that they've never had a few 12V types of tools like hex driver, drill, 1/4 or 3/8" impacts, or even ratchets at their disposal.

I use 12V for almost all general automotive work. I use 18V for most suspension work (however, I will say that I was invested in 18V stuff for home use - i.e. saws, drills, etc. - before buying the large 1/2" impact, which I prefer over the pneumatic......otherwise I'd use air there). I use air for sanding (DA or air file) and light grinding. I use the corded stuff for heavy stuff like removing undercoating or sealer (e.g. prep for roll cage install) or for buffing after wet sanding.

They all have their place. If I were just starting out, though, and not doiing bodywork, I would first invest in the 12V cordless stuff due to the incredible amount of time it saves for nearly all jobs.

 

[General Geoff]

Decent air tools for most DIYers will last a lifetime and then be passed on.

Electric tools, regardless of quality, will be obsolete and thrown out when the batteries are NLA.

That's a marketing problem, not a practical one. Ryobi's One+ platform has been around for what, 15-20 years? And the brand new Li-Ion batteries can be used with the first cordless tools produced under the name.

 

[CoogarXR]

To the OP, I would suggest buying one of each and see how you like using them.

I am not just being a ****, either. I have air drills, cordless drills, big 2-handed corded drills, same with grinders and so forth. They each have their ideal application. Unless you have run them all, you'd never know how well each type excels in certain situations. So, go get them all, lol.

For instance, I love my hitachi 12v drill/impact set. I can just grab it and do just about anything, anywhere. They are very light, well-balanced, and the Li-Ion lasts quite a long time. However, If I am going to cut with a 5" hole saw, I'm grabbing the big 2-handed, corded drill. But, if I am building an electrical panel and have to drill 100+ small holes, I'm using the air drill. Air drills rock for repetition. Consistent power without getting hot. Same with the air grinder. You'll wear the wheel down to the mandrel without it ever getting hot. Electric grinders heat up, and the cheap ones need rests or they'll overheat. But they typically can run bigger discs than the air ones. I could go on and on.

So, you gotta get at least one of each

 

[Showkey]

Many of us have all the tools available.........but...........I can not remember the last time I used my corded drill 1/2" or 3/8" , air ratchet all sizes, 1/2" or 3/8" impact, air chisel. All have been replaced by superior in very way battery powered tools. The only air tools used regularly are the die grinder, cut off wheel and small air disk sander.

 

[428street]

Thanks guys, all makes sense. It's a bit overwhelming but I see the good and bad points of each post. I certainly requires a lot of $$ for all this stuff.

 

[hangfirew8]

CoogarXR touched on heat. Air tools are self-cooling. You can overheat a blade, edge, or sandpaper, but you can't overheat the air tool.

I use both. The whole "air tools are dead" argument is pointless. Both have their advantages. But I realize my air tools will outlast me, just as some of them have outlasted my Grandfather, and my Dad. But my electric tools won't.

 

[crewchief888]

air tools are great IF you have enough compressor to run them.

ive always had enough air where i worked to run all my air tools.
at home is a different story, not enough compressor, too cheap to get one thats big enough, and not willing to have to run enough service to the garage (typical mid 60's 2 car 19x22) to power a bigger compressor.

i use electric for nearly everything except running an impact, or inflating tires.

 

[Davefr]

It all depends on the specific tool:

Sanding - Corded electric wins. Less noise, less power, easier to maneuver. (Sanding is a huge air hog at nearly 100% duty cycle)

Drilling - Can't beat cordless

Air Chisel Hammer - Can't beat pneumatic

 

[67King]

CoogarXR touched on heat. Air tools are self-cooling. You can overheat a blade, edge, or sandpaper, but you can't overheat the air tool.

The converse, however, is a factor, as well. An air tool can overcool to the point of freezing up. A sufficiently sized electric tool for a job won't overheat, and a sufficient compressor setup with a sufficient source for removing moisture from the air will not freeze up. But if one just plugs an air hose into a single stage compressor, they can certainly find themselves in a scenario where the tool will freeze. Used to happen to me all of the time when I was porting (iron) heads before I invested in a good 2 stage system with proper plumbing. Would have to get teh tool warm enough to melt the ice inside of it and drain it out.

 

[crewchief888]

the only time i've ever had an air tool freeze up was in subzero temps....

 

[pstemari]

.... But, if I am building an electrical panel and have to drill 100+ small holes, I'm using the air drill. ...

Erk. That's what a decent drill press or a CNC is for.

http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/58b08cde00162/VID_20121122_152907.mp4


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[CoogarXR]

Erk. That's what a decent drill press or a CNC is for.

http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/58b08cde00162/VID_20121122_152907.mp4


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

So you're saying I need to buy another tool?

Seriously though, when I did panel fab for a living, (I don't remember the exact dimensions) but picture a roughly 4x8' sheet of enameled steel. And you have to drill 100+ holes in it. It's not something a drill press can reach, and a CNC that could hold a sheet that big would take up half the tiny shop we had. So air-drill it is.

 

[Handyfarmer]

when I had a good number of air tools and there good, but say a sander, why run a 5hp motor when a 1/5 hp motor will do,

I do use air on most of my impact wrenches, I do have a battery 1/2" which is handy, but in the shop I will use the air tools (impact 95% of the time), jsut replace a 3/8"
with a new air wrench, have 3/8 up through 1" impacts, most other tools battery tools, I have bought a air drill and sander, and some other and was very dispointed in there power,

use the air buffer on the tire machine, use air chisels, and even have a air powered t post driver, on the one work truck,

they both have there place, but a good large air compressor is a must, for using air tools,

and have slew of air nailers and staplers,

 

[potato]

air tools will last longer since the pressure helps blow metal shavings and dust out when using while electric have magnets pulling it in.

 

[md21722]

air tools are great IF you have enough compressor to run them.

ive always had enough air where i worked to run all my air tools.

Sums it up!

Air tools are not nearly as efficient power wise as their corded/cordless counterparts, but the efficiency is made up other ways. Air tools are smaller, lighter, don't run hot, generally stop faster, can be run in standing water or in the rain, in areas where sparking is a problem, ...

Comparing good air tools to the electric stuff you get at the big box stores, air tools are much smaller, lighter, more controllable, and more comfortable to use...

If I'm using my impact to bust something free and it just won't happen, I just reach for my 4.5" air angle grinder w a cutoff wheel and zip it off. A Makita would do the same thing, once I got the extension cord out, if I had enough room.

A Milwaukee Magnum 1/2" drill has the same power as s 1HP 1/2" air drill but is about 3x the size and more awkward/less comfortable to use.

My Dremmel would often run hot to the point I would have to stop work it would get so hot, using reinforced cutoff wheels in tight places, so I replaced it with a straight die grinder.

The list can go on and on... Its a matter of personal preference, cost, and availability of air that will be the deciding factor.

To be able to replace all electric tools with air generally requires a true 7.5 HP or larger air compressor...

 

[amalik]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with most tools I've noticed air has much more balls. Especially impact wrenches.

The gap is bridging very closely.

 

[vettex2]

Many of us have all the tools available.........but...........I can not remember the last time I used my corded drill 1/2" or 3/8" , air ratchet all sizes, 1/2" or 3/8" impact, air chisel. All have been replaced by superior in very way battery powered tools. The only air tools used regularly are the die grinder, cut off wheel and small air disk sander.

What did you replace your air chisel with?

 

[Sugarfryz]

The gap is bridging very closely.

I meant more along the lines of corded tools. I'd be all over a corded impact wrench that could tango with my m18

 

[gdocktor3]

Many of us have all the tools available.........but...........I can not remember the last time I used my corded drill 1/2" or 3/8"

I was this way as well, until I started drilling a few hundred holes in a new addition for the electrical. Two 18v Ridgid drills (using 6" long 3/4" worm bits) couldn't make one hole, and my buddies Ryobi and Milwaukee 18v drills could only make 20 or so each on a battery. And they were hard earned holes. We never even considered bringing a corded drill, but where did we go at lunch time? Straight to my house to get the ol' corded Milwaukee wonder. That thing ran all day long and didn't skip a beat. The cordless drills would get partially through a stud. shut off, I'd had to reverse out, then start again. Not the corded. That thing cruised right through each time. And provided a nice breeze. For super repetitive work, like drilling nearly 1000 holes in one day, corded is irreplaceable.