Has anyone completely ditched air powered tools?

[Sticky Grips]

As the title states, has anyone ditched compressed air tools, and gone completely battery powered? Have you regretted it, or found that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be?

I ask this for a few reasons, one of them being I just bought a new house, and I bartered my 3 year old 60 gallon compressor with my dad in exchange for some tools. I'm considering not installing another one and just going all battery, with the exception of a small compressor to fill tires or run a brad nailer.

The only thing I'm really worried about is having a 1/2" impact gun that wont work as well as my IR 231C impact.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Re: Has anyone completely ditch air powered tools?

Anything will be more at least if not more powerful than a 231. The only reason I use air is for torque sticks

 

[slowzuki]

Re: Has anyone completely ditch air powered tools?

Sandblaster. Air-chisel. Paint gun. Everything else is sort of ok in electric or dinky air compressor.

 

[scw1991]

I picked up a corded Milwaukee 9072 1/2" impact gun and it buzzes lug nuts off my GMC K1500 as fast or faster than my 5HP IR231C coupled to my IR 2475 2-Stg compressor with 80 gallon tank.

 

[dlcwent]

I've never run out of "juice" using any air power tool. But I can't say the same for my cordless counterparts. That being said, I think they both have their place. It's nice not to have the limitation of far away you can get from the compressor, or dragging the hose around.

 

[dnschmidt]

Considering you had a relatively small compressor to begin with you could get away with this. The problem for me would be die grinders and paint guns both of which require a far larger compressor than you already had so no loss there. There are no electric equivalents to tiny air die grinders and SATA paint guns.

 

[vintage nut]

I run die grinders all the time on my 3hp compressor. About 11cfm output. Never had a problem with it keeping up. Handles painting well too.
I couldn't live without air tools. When I finally build my own shop I'm planning on plumbing the whole shop, having at least two larger air lines for 1" impacts and rivet busters, and having a pair of 80 gallon 5hp compressors outside, probably giving around 40 cfm total. Could even plumb in my current compressor too, giving me about 50 cfm. Often see used 80 gallon kellogs for under 1000. Two of those would be perfect

you can never have too many tools

 

[woody 73]

Don't get me wrong I love cordless tools but until the day comes when they can build a battery that will last a long, long, long, long, long time I am keeping my air tools.

replacing 18 volt battery packs is killing me in the money dept.

 

[royesses]

For at home work I have almost entirely gone cordless. I still will always have a compressor as it is so useful inflating tires, blowing clean parts and other tasks. If I were still working as a mechanic, the biggest most powerful compressor would still be my go to power source.

 

[racin72charger]

I bought cordless 1/4 and 3/8 impacts as well as a 1/4 ratchet mostly for doing dash and interior work. It's not a good idea to drag an air line that's laying on the shop floor across a customers 70k Denali. They work awesome and they have a light that shines on your work so the fastener can be seen. Air tools certainly have their place, especially with us that do this for a living.

 

[tdkkart]

There will always be a use for compressed air, some air powered applications can't be replaced. That said, I haven't bought a new air tool in years, and rarely use the ones I have. I have a 90* die grinder type sander that I use somewhat often, but for real die grinder applications I use an electric Foredom grinder if at all possible
I drastically need a new 1/2" impact, but with the corded and cordless models getting much better by the day I'm holding off for a bit longer.

 

[67King]

Bead blaster and paint gun. I've not used a cordless die grinder, so I can't speak to those, but I also don't mess with iron heads any more, so I don't need them for long hours of porting.

 

[CobraChevelle]

I plan on using air tools most of the time.

 

[skruft]

I still use all the normal air tools except that I use cordless drills when they are more practical than air drills.

 

[hangfirew8]

Battery tools are catching up, but one thing won't change. My air ratchet is 30 years old. My air compressor is from the 1930's. Twenty years from now my 18V battery impact wrench will be worse than useless, but my air tools will still be going.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

With M12 and M18 I hardly ever fire up the compressor.

I have the M12 polisher, but really wish they'd make an angle die grinder. I don't care if it eats batteries.

As stated, sandblaster, paint gun, still need it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Battery tools are catching up, but one thing won't change. My air ratchet is 30 years old. My air compressor is from the 1930's. Twenty years from now my 18V battery impact wrench will be worse than useless, but my air tools will still be going.

I've mulled this over. And while very true, I am happy to pay for the convenience factor of batteries. And when they are POS, I will spend again to update. This is "my" hobby, so for me it's worth it.

I still have all my air tools, btw. They aren't going anywhere.

EDIT: I really like parting out trucks. The air and 2 guns and 2 rats come out for that. My buddy and I with the radio and Mtn. Dew. Battery won't dismantle a whole truck in an afternoon type thing, ya dig.

 

[Wizzard]

No. The latest 1/2" cordless impacts are obscenely heavy and bulky to say the least (especially the Milwaukee Fuel)...not very practical for wrenching on cars regularly. One reason I kept my older IR W360 1/2" cordless is that it barely weighs 6lbs. Still use my 2135Ti and cut off wheels regularly, no substitute for air imo.

 

[jonjon1]

I still use air drill... I recently bought the new so 1/2" impact, I have to say its strong, BUT big and big, I only bought it because he gave it to me for $675 after tax and it came with $450 of free sockets...

 

[twertsy]

I still use air drill... I recently bought the new so 1/2" impact, I have to say its strong, BUT big and big, I only bought it because he gave it to me for $675 after tax and it came with $450 of free sockets...

They don't sound free to me

I've plenty of money but will never buy new SO tools. Makes zero sense paying a couple thousand percent markup, plus interest when I can get a handful of old Proto sockets at a flea for a couple bucks that are every bit as good, some have argued better.

 

[shanny19]

I know progress is rapid, but I gotta think we're still years away from battery die grinders with the power and small size that we're used to in air tools.

 

[Rico.]

This is actually quite an interesting question....

Cordless tools have come along way in a short time... The 3/8" size impact has
definitely been one tool that has come on in leaps and bounds lately and for pro
techs, and mobile techs that use these things on a daily basis having both seems
like a jolly good idea

However.....

I am a DIYer with a little home workshop, I just do service and repairs on my car and
friends and families cars, so my tools don't get a massive workout. Maybe a day or two
a month... and then once a year a bigger job like a timing belt or something like that.

You would think I would be a good candidate for cordless tools... no bulky air compressor,
air lines... all the fittings and plumbing that goes with it, but for me, the opposite was true.
Not to say cordless tools would have been a bad choice.... Just air tools were a better
choice.... and here's why...

Once you have a modest compressor,

1. The cost of good midrange quality air tools is allot cheaper than cordless counterparts.
2. I never have to replace batteries (ever)
3. My air tools are quite happy to sit in a cold garage for months, and as long as they're
oiled and maintainted will just work when I need them to.
4. Blow Gun.
5. Air Hammer.
6. Tyre Inflator.
7. Blow Gun.
8. They're quite happy to work in wet conditions.
9. Miniscule spark danger when working close to combustable gas or liquids.
10. Blow gun.
11. Amazing high speed and high torque and compact die grinder.
12. Spray paint Guns.

I think that will do for now.... but you get the point... There are tools that are very cheap
but so unbeleivably useful (Blow Gun) even for a serious DIYer... That are impossible to
make as an electric or cordless tool... They last forever (when looked after) they don't
mind being abandoned in my cold toolbox for months, and the money saved on the cost
of buying a few air tools compared to their cordless equivalents will buy you a modest
compressor.

To add cordless tools to air tools.... for a pro or an every weekend DIYer Yes absolutely,
To ditch air tools all together.... I think would be very foolish indeed..... IMHO.

Carry On....

 

[DodgeMech]

buddy of mine has...mainly cuz he was running a service truck at first and liked the idea of not having the air line attached while working on equipment and such...although of course he had the compressor on the truck...

but now he's working out of a shop and still only uses the electric stuff...cuz he can't afford to have a good compressor and air system put in...kinda pisses me off honestly though...even his badass snap off electric impacts are still heavier and not as powerful as the air powered counterparts that i have at work

 

[RedneckWelder]

To me air tools have one major downside...and that is dragging the hose along with it. And that is just an aggravation...and the lightweight Flexzilla hoses take some of the wrestling with the air lines out of the equation (we use 1/2" air lines at the shop, and the regular rubber ones are heavy)

I put whips on my compact air tools (like my 3/8 gun) for tight space use and that seems to work well for me.

Battery powered tools are great but they have some downside, to include weight, battery life and lifespan are not infinite, and cost. Personally what would be most useful to me is a battery powered 3/8 impact, while I'd probably rather have my Nitrocat over any battery powered 1/2 impact gun.

9. Miniscule spark danger when working close to combustable gas or liquids.

Interestingly enough I know of a heavy equipment shop that does not allow electric tools. I don't know more info on why, what percipitated this, or any other information besides they decided to banish them from the shop.

 

[dr_clyde]

I know that compressed air will never dissapear from the manufacturing world. Even the most advanced CNC machinery uses pneumatics to control things. Therefore, I have an unending stream of powerful air at my disposal in the shop. My air tools are an investment that follow me wherever I go. I like the size, power and seemingly endless variety of air tools.

I have a battery powered drill, grinder, sawzall, impact, ect too. They are indispensable for field work and quick portable jobs. But they will never replace my corded and pneumatic tools for all day fabricating and construction work.

Plus it's harder to blow chips off the mill table with a battery lol

 

[Skin]

I've embraced cordless a little bit but you still cant beat the power or size of a pneumatic, in any comparable battery driven tool. Likewise cordless break, pneumatics rarely do especially if serviced.

 

[Trey T]

OP:

NO WAY!!! how am I going to blow/clean my garage floor w/o compressed air nozzle? I can't replace my angle die grinder with cordless and several other air tools.

 

[cheechi]

my most used air tools in this order are

blow gun
tire inflator
die grinder
air drill with sand/wire/non 'drill bit' attachment

Most of the time I will start out with the M12 tools and go to air if that don't cut it but the 3/8 wrench and ratchet I have do quite a bit on their own. I also would always reach for a hand ratchet before either the M12 or air anyway but sometimes things get stubborn or in tight spots its worth it.

 

[Chngalay]

This is a very timely topic. I have been researching new compressors, but my needs for air seem to be dwindling. I have a corded Kobalt 1/2" impact which has never failed to break nuts/bolts loose. I use my 3/8" M12 ratchet quite a bit. I have a 3/8" Bosch impact that I am using more and more as of late, and the batteries also power a fantastic cordless drill. My two main reasons now for still needing air is the ever-popular blow gun and to fill tires. The money I save by getting a smaller compressor can be spent on a few M18 tools I've had my eye on....

 

[dk10438]

I'm switching over to pneumatics. It's annoying to me to have to charge the battery when I need it. Unfortunately I'm still using makita nimh batteries and it's going to cost me to replace all the tools with newer li ion brushless tools. I'd rather switch to pneumatics and wait for these tools or batteries to give out .

 

[Frank Dukes]

I've been considering selling my large compressor and all tools then buying a fuel 1/2" impact and a small pancake compressor for my nailers. i just cant seem to let go of my 30 gallon compressor and i still want a pancake and the m18 impact lol. the struggle!

 

[bcradio]

I've been considering selling my large compressor and all tools then buying a fuel 1/2" impact and a small pancake compressor for my nailers. i just cant seem to let go of my 30 gallon compressor and i still want a pancake and the m18 impact lol. the struggle!

Did you buy all of these used? If not, you will be losing a significant percentage of the money invested in these trying to sell them. If they are already paid for and you bought them mostly new, best bet is to keep them and add the cordless tools you need.

 

[vintage nut]

I think there is a place for both. I use die grinders probably daily and really couldn't live without air. I like cordless for doing a bit of quick stuff on my truck, saving dragging the air line out. But if I'm in my shop or have a lot to do, I really want air.

The obvious answer is to have a full set of both pneumatic and cordless!

you can never have too many tools

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I will keep using a two phase compressor (at home) and air tools for undercar and hood for as long as I can. I hate dealing with batteries.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

They don't sound free to me

I've plenty of money but will never buy new SO tools. Makes zero sense paying a couple thousand percent markup, plus interest when I can get a handful of old Proto sockets at a flea for a couple bucks that are every bit as good, some have argued better.

I love Snap On tools, but I agree. The price on their cordless tools is insane. My coworker just bought the 3/8 and 1/2 guns. Was almost $1500 if I recall.

 

[Ign]

No. The latest 1/2" cordless impacts are obscenely heavy and bulky to say the least (especially the Milwaukee Fuel)...not very practical for wrenching on cars regularly. One reason I kept my older IR W360 1/2" cordless is that it barely weighs 6lbs. Still use my 2135Ti and cut off wheels regularly, no substitute for air imo.

You should handle the old V28 impacts, they make the M18 2763 look small. IOW, it's getting better.

Lately I've been loving my 3/8" M18 2654, does 90% of what you need on a car and is light, compact and agile.

Recently I've been modifying an 8x14' deckover and I found I was loving my 2 cordless 4.5" angle grinders. At a bench, cords are fine but on a larger project like a trailer I hate dragging, routing, tripping over cords and hoses.

 

[Wizzard]

Lately I've been loving my 3/8" M18 2654, does 90% of what you need on a car and is light, compact and agile.

100% agree...great tool

 

[chris142]

Then only battery powered tool i have is a small drill for dash screws and such. The engine guy next door is always asking me to bust a crank bolt or press a ball joint because his cordless wont do it.

 

[ATK305]

I have yet to find any battery powered impact that produces enough torque for me to consider dumping air tools completely. However, I find myself using battery powered cordless tools more and more because it's so convenient and easy these days. .Maybe someday a mfg. will build the perfect cordless with plenty of torque and batteries that last long enough, and doesn't cost a $1,000. But for now I'll still be using my air stuff on anything impact related.

 

[Frank Dukes]

Did you buy all of these used? If not, you will be losing a significant percentage of the money invested in these trying to sell them. If they are already paid for and you bought them mostly new, best bet is to keep them and add the cordless tools you need.

No they are old tools and i honestly dont use them much. the only reason ive considered it is i have a one and a half car garage and space is a premium. I built a bench over the top of my compressor last fall and that has left me with the space usable again so i have changed my mind mostly. If i thought they were worth enough to pay for a pancake and a fuel 1/2 impact i would do it. theyre not, so i wont.