street131
Well-known member
Hey guys, is there a market for pneumatic circular saws and pneumatic reciprocating saws and who would use it?
Pneumatic circular saws and full size recip saws
- Thread starter street131
- Start date
Bessy
Well-known member
Why choose an air power for circ or recip saw when there's plenty of options and power available both in battery and corded?
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vanapplebomb
Well-known member
I see your from West Michigan. I like the 131 reference in your screen name.
People around here probably know I am a big advocate for air tools... that said, I don’t see a use for a circular saw. 99.99% of people would be using it for wood. Having a vane motor that requires lubrication would be a bad idea around woodwork. The oil ejected through the exhaust would mess with the finish. Makes paints/varnishes “fish eye.” With DA sanders used for metal work it isn’t an issue because you just wipe the surface down with solvent, and your good to go. Unfortunately with wood, it soaks in and your screwed. It could use a turbine motor, which requires no lubrication, but that starts getting pricey. For woodworking I just don’t see a use there. Also, many wood shops won’t have a compressor big enough to run it. Your probably looking at a 16 scfm air draw (~1hp air motor) ...which equates to a good 5hp compressor.
Stone work, possibly. I know a guy that worked in the stone industry. They usually have large compressors for their polishers. In a wet and gritty environment from wet sawing, there may be a market there...that’s largely why they use air polishers.
As for full size reciprocating saws, they used to be out there. Haven’t seen one in ages though. Last one I came across was an old 7” Rockwell International. I believe it was largely used on ships in the US Navy. Short stroke body saws are still very popular for delicate work on sheet metal. I use them a fair amount. Pretty handy little saws. There are quite a few good body saws on the market. Even some of the cheap ones I have used are not bad.
People around here probably know I am a big advocate for air tools... that said, I don’t see a use for a circular saw. 99.99% of people would be using it for wood. Having a vane motor that requires lubrication would be a bad idea around woodwork. The oil ejected through the exhaust would mess with the finish. Makes paints/varnishes “fish eye.” With DA sanders used for metal work it isn’t an issue because you just wipe the surface down with solvent, and your good to go. Unfortunately with wood, it soaks in and your screwed. It could use a turbine motor, which requires no lubrication, but that starts getting pricey. For woodworking I just don’t see a use there. Also, many wood shops won’t have a compressor big enough to run it. Your probably looking at a 16 scfm air draw (~1hp air motor) ...which equates to a good 5hp compressor.
Stone work, possibly. I know a guy that worked in the stone industry. They usually have large compressors for their polishers. In a wet and gritty environment from wet sawing, there may be a market there...that’s largely why they use air polishers.
As for full size reciprocating saws, they used to be out there. Haven’t seen one in ages though. Last one I came across was an old 7” Rockwell International. I believe it was largely used on ships in the US Navy. Short stroke body saws are still very popular for delicate work on sheet metal. I use them a fair amount. Pretty handy little saws. There are quite a few good body saws on the market. Even some of the cheap ones I have used are not bad.
p00p
Well-known member
I could see a table saw using air, especially if you dont have 240v 50amp service & are often on the road that may require some hd cuts. Although, for not much more over a 120v generator, you could just get a biggin.
Not really going to save much imo.
Not really going to save much imo.
vanapplebomb
Well-known member
240V/50A is a 10hp motor. Your looking at a 40-50HP diesel tow-behind screw compressor to run an air motor that big... Thats a lot of equipment to move.
p00p
Well-known member
120v compressor generator combo isn't as taxing though.
Not a huge market. People who work under water or inside spark free areas.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I think Skil made them years ago for the navy for underwater construction and dock building, but that was around the WWII era as I recall.
Butchers use pneumatic circular saws. I got one in an auction one time and my butcher was very excited to get it once I figured out what it was. In that saw the exhaust was piped away, not blown out into the work area.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I think the Amish use them some, but talk about a limited market. Ezekiel and Abel will buy one and use it until they die and then their kids get it.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
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Last edited:
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You aren't running a 10hp motor on a 120v compressor/generator.
Air isn't free to make and it is a very expensive way to make power, especially compared to direct-drive tools
afazz
Well-known member
They exist and are used in hazardous (i.e. explosive or flammable) and/or wet environments. I would assume that most people working in those environments are doing it professionally, need top quality tools, and have big budgets, so some specialized manufacturers do make them. Here's an example:
www.csunitec.com
Amish is another market, but still relatively small. I did some research recently after talking with an Amish roofing crew... it seems like their main problem is reliance on the power grid, but they can and do use diesel-powered generators and compressors to run battery and pneumatic tools. The crew who did my roof was clearly working with a nice budget: all brand new, top-quality equipment including an aluminum trailer, Werner ladders and stages, Quincy gas powered compressor, Milwaukee M18 stuff, and top level hand tools.
Some fascinating links for anyone interested in going down the rabbit hole:
www.npr.org
Home - CS Unitec
CS Unitec specializes in magnetic drills, annular cutters, HIPPO mixers, and a full line of non‑sparking, non‑magnetic, underwater tools.
www.csunitec.com
Amish is another market, but still relatively small. I did some research recently after talking with an Amish roofing crew... it seems like their main problem is reliance on the power grid, but they can and do use diesel-powered generators and compressors to run battery and pneumatic tools. The crew who did my roof was clearly working with a nice budget: all brand new, top-quality equipment including an aluminum trailer, Werner ladders and stages, Quincy gas powered compressor, Milwaukee M18 stuff, and top level hand tools.
Some fascinating links for anyone interested in going down the rabbit hole:
At A Trade Show, Power Tools Fit For The Amish
The Amish don't drive and don't connect to the electrical grid. Yet a growing number of Amish people are leaving farming for manufacturing. That means they need tools — and power.
www.npr.org
Tool Expo at the Mt Hope Showcase 2021 | Air Works Consignment Auction
Welcome to the Mt. Hope Showcase, held in conjunction with the Air Works Consignment Auction
www.mthopeshowcase.com
Firebrick43
Well-known member
amish around hear mainly use a small chainsaw like a stihl Ms170 or ms171 and BT45 stihl drills to bore the bigger holes. Smaller stuff is cordless. They can use electricity, just not from the mains.
Badgerstate
Well-known member
Id be interested in it, I just dont think that I have nearly big enough of an air compressor. Im all about my pneumatic drill, impact driver, impact wrenches and die grinder but those are all pretty small tools that dont have a huge demand for air.
I feel like a circular saw would require a huge air compressor and Id have to go out and buy a 60 gallon compressor just to make it work.
Most people would probably be like, "why bother?" when they could just go out and get an electric circular saw.
I feel like a circular saw would require a huge air compressor and Id have to go out and buy a 60 gallon compressor just to make it work.
Most people would probably be like, "why bother?" when they could just go out and get an electric circular saw.
Around/under water.
We had some for work around explosives.
Layer was okayed to use regular plug in stuff though.