Do you really need air tools?

[FordExplorer]

I always seem to get the feeling that everybody feels that in order to make your shop complete and be able to do any real work, you need to have an air compressor and air tools. For me, I cannot currently afford to invest in a compressor and quality air tools, so I spend any money I do have available on quality hand tools. So far, I have been able to do any work required with a little extra effort.

I would like to start a discussion on this, and I'm curious to see what opinions are out there on this. I am also curious what your opinions are on corded electric impact wrenches are, as it seems that the main tool most people use with their compressors are impacts.

EDIT: I should add that I'm referring to a home shop

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

if you want to eat while getting flat rate ..air tools on everything

 

[sdguy55]

Short answer no you dont HAVE to have them. But there some things that an impact does better than a handtool. For instance whenever i come across rusty bolts it usually goes in this order. Heat, lube, impact. Impacts just seem to pull bolts out with less chance of breaking the bolt off. Cause if you break a bolt off thats a whole new line of tools, patience, and extra time. Its all about shaving time.

 

[2oolhound]

You need compressed air in a shop for blowing out oil and air passage ways etc. Tools wind out at much higher rpm's. How about an electric sand blaster? I wouldn't want to be without air.

 

[luvit]

i don;t own any air or electric impacts.
the more often i hand-tighten large locknuts on excessive threads (deep well) the more i regret not owning one..
.

 

[Samson]

For some instances it does make life a WHOLE lot easier..

 

[crewchief888]

i did without them for many years at home, never had a compresssor.

i sometimes never touch an air tool for a week or so at a time at work.

they does save time, and eliminates (sometimes) back breaking labor.

the few electric impacts i've used over the years, are heavy, awkward, and not as powerfull as an air impact.

 

[LGMechanical]

Im a truck and coach mechanic. In short, hell yes.

 

[Rye425]

If you do any bodywork an air hammer becomes a valuable tool that's hard to replace with anything else.

 

[86k10]

YES. work smarter, not harder. To me its like having running water (indoor plumbing) or a well pump out back. You can survive either way but I like hot showers.

 

[Wine-o1]

I would say for the pro yes but for the average person working on his own car no. Would I go without them at work or at home-NO WAY. As stated above they make jobs faster and rusted bolts can be removed easier.

 

[skyking]

I cant imagine not having air.The uses are too great to list.A shop vac is another essential .

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I use many different air tools daily. Impacts, air hammer, die grinder, sander, etc. could not do half the work that I do now if i did not have air tools. You can save huge amounts of time with air tools. For me running down fasteners is only just a fraction of what I use air tools for. So in conclusion no you don't have to have air tools to run down a nut or bolt. Like you said quality hand tools can do that job too. BUT if you are planning on making it in any kind of shop, an air tool will become your best friend and keep food on the table.

 

[archirelic]

I'm just a DIYer and don't have a truly shop-worthy or capable compressor, I've only got a pancake compressor which works to some degree for what I need it for now. Now, being a DIYer, I'm constantly wishing I had a much more heavy-duty air set-up w/all the accompanying tools. I can't imagine a pro not finding air tools beneficial.

 

[beerdog]

Where do you live? If you live in the rusty upper midwest and work on cars older than few years old you WANT air tools. I have wrestled the rusty bolts of cars both ways and I cannot imaging not having at least a 30 gallon compressor and at least a very good 1/2 impact.

 

[goodspeed]

I use them a lot for mostly fabrication work (die grinders, plasma, sandblaster, etc). I spent the last year borrowing a friend's shop without one and it really made my work a lot more difficult.

 

[antinym]

For a light DIY-er, no. I got away without a real compressor for a long time. But, the more you do, the more time it will save you. From blowing out crevices, impact guns. brad nailers, DA sanders, sandblasters. You can do it all manually, but you can do more faster with air.
I hear some of the new top end cordless impact wrenches are now worth a damn. But once you have some air tools, you'll wonder how (really "why") you ever got by with out them.

 

[Flatintoone]

If you do work regularly in your home shop, then yes. An impact wrench can be a godsend. Depending on how you value your time and aggravation, it can pay for itself very quickly.
(This from someone in the rusty, salty midwest.)

 

[FordExplorer]

Where do you live? If you live in the rusty upper midwest and work on cars older than few years old you WANT air tools. I have wrestled the rusty bolts of cars both ways and I cannot imaging not having at least a 30 gallon compressor and at least a very good 1/2 impact.

I can agree with that. The deal is that I'm headed off to college, and I will be living away from home, but not on campus. I have a good sized shop I can tinker in, however I don't own any air tools myself as I had always used air tools that my dad had. I own a 1995 Explorer from Michigan so I definitely know what you mean by the rust thing .

An example for me though was when I was replacing rear shocks on the Explorer. I get one side all replaced, with the other side all ready to come out except for the one main bolt on the bottom half. I discovered that the bolt was bent and rusted in place. I tried a Chicago Pneumatic 1/2" impact and it didn't even touch it. So in that case I ended up using two breaker bars by wedging one against the frame and using a floor jack under the other. Eventually I got it out and replaced the hardware. However, that was actually a situation where I was able to get by with the hand tools where you would assume air tools were needed.

At my age, I already own way more tools than I should have but I still have the urge to buy a compressor and air tools. So for now I'm just trying to justify waiting on that purchase.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

...So far, I have been able to do any work required with a little extra effort.

It is so much more effort than you realize until you have them available at all times, and you don't realize how spoiled you become from air tools when you're in a situation where you only have hand tools available.

The rapid succession of force from an impact gun , air hammer, air ratchet, etc. provides a completely different force than hitting something full force with a sledge or using a breaker bar with a huge piece of pipe on it. With jobs where things are completely rusted solid, it can make the difference in getting the job done at all, not just on time.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I have a tiny, tiny compressor....

... and I find it essential. There are just some things that you need an impact for, or a die grinder, cut off tool, etc. There are some electric alternatives to these, but the air versions are often lighter and perform just as well.

When you factor in needing to pump up tires or blow out things, the ability to have air is a big deal.

And FYI, my compressor cost me $69 new, my impact $25 at Wal-Mart, die grinder $10 from HF, hose reel from HF, 100ft of hose from HF.j Maybe $200 invested total with accessories and everything. Low buck, but when you need it you need it!

 

[maddawg308]

I have worked on dozens of trucks (hobby only, not professional) over the last 10 years, and 99% of the work I did on them was done using hand tools. I will say that air tools make life a lot easier, and faster, which is important if you make a living with your tools. But for hobby use, I prefer to go slower, use my hand and muscle power, and "feeling" the work as I do it. I get more satisfaction getting the job done with a ratchet and wrenches, instead of an impact wrench and other air tools.

MY opinion, do it with hand tools, and when you get the money, build your air tool collection. But no hurry.

 

[Murphy4570]

HELL YES!

Air tools will save your ***, day in and day out.

I use them as much as possible.

Here's one job where air tools are absolutely KILLER: Any Jap car with manual belt tensioners. Spend 5 minutes loosening and tightening that long *** tension bolt by hand, or get the 3/8ths air ratchet, and be done with the damn thing in seconds!

 

[Outlander]

I'm just a DIYer and don't have a truly shop-worthy or capable compressor, I've only got a pancake compressor which works to some degree for what I need it for now. Now, being a DIYer, I'm constantly wishing I had a much more heavy-duty air set-up w/all the accompanying tools. I can't imagine a pro not finding air tools beneficial.

^^ this (except mine is broken). I bought an electric impact a couple of years back and have been using more than I ever thought. When it dies, I will be replacing it immediately. Someday, when my shop grows up it will have a big man sized compressor.

 

[taumac]

no but makes life so much easier. You said you dont have alot of money but for under $350 you can get a Porter Cable pancake compressor with 3 nail guns. Really theres 2 or 3 main air tools you need, some sort of impact which you can find anywhere for under $30 bucks. I have one of those granted its not a Aircat or IR but it works. A blow gun, air chuck for airing up tires, cleaning up shop and other little things. A die grinder or cutoff tool is nice too. Listen there are many guys on here that have huge compressors and alot of air tools which is cool but your not them. That small Porter Cable 6gallon 150 psi unit was the top rated compressor last year i think and I can tell you it runs my 1/2 in impact. You might do 1 tire than wait for it to build back up. Good Luck

 

[jjjrmx5]

Yes. It is worth it.

Air chisel.

Air saw.

Die grinder with burr or wizz wheel.

Nevermind the std. air impacts and ratchets which are common and necessary..
.
Add in buffers, sanders and the like and it sounds like you are not in touch.

Go work for a shop or a mfgr facility based employer that uses air.

Air is where it's at. Rotary compressor even better.

 

[Joe B.]

Where do you live? If you live in the rusty upper midwest and work on cars older than few years old you WANT air tools. I have wrestled the rusty bolts of cars both ways and I cannot imaging not having at least a 30 gallon compressor and at least a very good 1/2 impact.

That says it all. I lived in California forever and now I live in the Midwest. Back in CA I got along fine without and impact. I have run into bolts here in the Midwest that I could not have gotten off any other way.

 

[crewchief888]

at home,
i use them cuz i'm lazy and hate to work any harder than i have to.

plus i have a compressor, and plenty of extra/old/replacement/backup air tools.

at work if i'm in the shop, i'll use them cuz i'm lazy and hate to work any harder than i have to,
out in the field, i dont use them as much, unless i really have to, cuz i'm too lazy to climb up in the back of my truck to start my compressor

 

[taumac]

I add that many ppl would think you need alot more than a compressor to complete a home shop. I think for the price for a decent electric impact you could buy a compressor and a cheap impact. Look at it this way If you buy a electric impact you have 1 tool thats it. A air compressor is the engine that could run many tools.

 

[pipsters]

I add that many ppl would think you need alot more than a compressor to complete a home shop. I think for the price for a decent electric impact you could buy a compressor and a cheap impact. Look at it this way If you buy a electric impact you have 1 tool thats it. A air compressor is the engine that could run many tools.

To add to that, you don't even need a very big compressor. A belt driven 20-30 gal compressor will do 75% of the stuff you can do with the big 60-80 gal ones. As long as you aren't sanding an entire car or cutting 50 linear feet of angle iron you can definitely get buy with a smaller compressor and it will make life a LOT easier.

I just got done using my 1/4" air ratchet for the first time doing a fairly big job and man oh man was it nice. Took me about 3 mins to take the front end off my car with hand tools you're looking at 20-30. During the course of the job, the time savings really adds up. And just like I always do, I forget to connect something and have to redo a portion of the job.

Another example was a couple months ago I replaced the struts on my car. Using a spring compressor and a 3/4" socket w/ impact I ran down the spring compressor in no time flat. Using hand tools best guess is roughly 30 mins per side. I just don't have the patience for just hand tools anymore. Keep in mind I have a 120v 25 gal compressor too, nothing too big.

 

[mjl44]

I use hand tools almost all the time (just a DIYer, not a pro). I live in an apartment and don't have all the room in the world to store tools. My tool box is next to my TV. I do have a HF impact I bought awhile ago for when I was lifting my truck. It has come in pretty handy when needing to remove axle nuts or changing ball joints. It's awkward, but when I get manuever with it, it works, and it was like $35.

I've been looking at getting the 6 gal 150 psi Porter Cable pancake...they're about $160 now. My friend has one, and it works fine for short bursts with an impact. I wouldn't need constant air for what I do.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I absolutely love my impact for changing my tires, and doing suspension work. I seem to change a lot of ball joints and an impact is absolutely essential for this. Before I had air tools I had to let the weight of the car rest under the balljoint on a jackstand in order for the balljoint to stay stationary while i remove the nut with a wrench.... but with an impact, i can just zip them right off!

 

[skruft]

Need, for a DIYer, probably not, except that it would be silly to drive a lot of brads or finish nails with a hammer. I have practically every air tool and the only time I absolutely "needed" one in the last few months was when I was changing a Jeep bumper and one of the bolts underneath would not come off with anything but an air impact. On the other hand, I use one or more air tools every day when I am home and they make my life much easier.

 

[Mustangmike]

Working with trucks and trailers, air is a required to do any kind of repairs just do to the size and weight.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I love air tools. electric impacts ****. I don't care if they have the same amount of power they are too big and bulky.

I own 5 nail guns, 2 die grinders, 2 impacts & 2 air ratchets. I had a battery powered 1/2 drive impact from my old job. I never used it at home so I sold it.

 

[monster1]

That's like asking if you need cable tv!

 

[gsmornot]

I wasn't sure I needed a compressor before I bought one. I knew it would be nice but I was getting by. Well, I can't see myself not ever having a compressor anymore. It's one of the first things I turn on when getting ready to work in the garage.

 

[AutoTek]

Air tools are a must! Work smarter not harder. If you wrench for a living its a MUST, for home DIYers IMO its still a must but you can get away without it. Unless your broke, why would you want to wrench without air tools? Using air tools is part of being a man

 

[OEXL16B]

I don't need air tools - I like using 1/2'' drive stuff. I find that I can build a more intimate personal relationship with the equipment I'm working on by using hand tools. Air tools are so savagely impersonal.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Honestly depends what you are working on i found more uses for an air compressor after i had one it opened up a whole new world and dimension to my projects

It's like this you can enjoy ice cream by it slef but hot fudge cherries ans whipped cream make it better coimpressed ait and increased power are those toppings just my 2 cents

i got laong fine befor hand but better after i had a compressor