Question about pneumatic tools

[ddm]

Hi all, I got a bug going on these days and I am thinking about upgrading my air compressor so I can run a blast cabinet and also doing some spray painting. Which got me thinking, that's pretty much the only time I would use an air compressor, of course other than filling up air in tires or blow/dry/clean some parts. Since all my impact wrenches are electric now, I have a few different sanders that are electric, a few electric grinders (both wet and dry), small rotary work I can use dremel, and my last air tool are my nail guns which I am going to switch to electric/battery also. I never use a die grinder much but even those have electric ones, so other than a plasma cutter, I can't really think of anything else I would absolutely need a good air compressor. Yeah, I am trying to cheap out... I mean spending my money wisely.
Obviously I am no expert nor need the tools for heavy duty jobs, so my questions to y'all experienced people out there, what are some pneumatic tools that you are still using that you still prefer air over electric? I think wet applications would be one big problem with electric tools, otherwise, I am sure I am missing some key points why some people would not switch to electric, please school me, thanks.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Blasting is your first desire and they don't make an electric one.

 

[md21722]

Some plasma cutters have built in air compressors.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

Really depends on how much blasting you will be doing. If you are planning on doing a good bit, I'd invest in a decent compressor

 

[78Bird]

You aren't cheaping out, usually all those electric tools are more expensive than their air powered equivalent, so you are paying more for the cordless (air line-less) tools.

And as noted, blasting, using air to clean out parts, some things you can't do without air.

and if you HAVE air, pneumatic tools are cheap, lightweight, non-shocking (wet environments like you said), and powerful.

I've never seen a light, electric right-angle die grinder. And no, a Dremel is nowhere near the power of even a cheapie die grinder.

 

[md21722]

Air tools are often a lifetime tool. Not too many people would say a cordless rechargeable is a lifetime tool. About the only electric tools I use are lights and the heat gun.

 

[rlitman]

Air tools are often a lifetime tool. Not too many people would say a cordless rechargeable is a lifetime tool. About the only electric tools I use are lights and the heat gun.

There's something to be said for the longevity of a pneumatic tool. Even in the face of environments that would be awful for electric tools (wet, full of abrasive particles in the air, hot, etc).

When it comes to power tools, I too try to get pneumatic when possible. But that's because I've got a good compressor. Still, I can't take all of my pneumatic tools with me somewhere and expect to be able to use them, unless they'll run off my pancake compressor. That's fine for a nailer, but not for blasting...

I think that if they made a pneumatic light or heat gun, I'd probably own it. LOL.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Seems like the use you want to use it for is the use that almost requires a large compressor.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

You can get away with blasting and spray painting with a small air compressor..(depends on how small). With a blast cabinet.. you can blast a little bit at a time. Same with spray painting. If you dont have the patience.. it will be just a PITA. You wont be able to do nice complete car paint jobs or blast larger parts quicker than you can clean up with a wire brush on a grinder.

 

[908Jim]

What size compressor are you upgrading from?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[BDT/NWMN]

A - Get either a larger compressor or smaller expectations..
B - Build a mini blaster to match your compressor...
C - Farm out the blasting.

 

[md21722]

There's something to be said for the longevity of a pneumatic tool. Even in the face of environments that would be awful for electric tools (wet, full of abrasive particles in the air, hot, etc).

When it comes to power tools, I too try to get pneumatic when possible. But that's because I've got a good compressor. Still, I can't take all of my pneumatic tools with me somewhere and expect to be able to use them, unless they'll run off my pancake compressor. That's fine for a nailer, but not for blasting...

I think that if they made a pneumatic light or heat gun, I'd probably own it. LOL.

I would love to have a pneumatic drill press and bench grinder

 

[ddm]

Thank you for everybody who replied. I am actually upgrading from one of those awful 8 gal (1.5 HP?) compressor, so I think almost anything would be better in the sense of CFM. I was looking for a large one for the longest time, but with limited garage space, my wife is going to kill me if I took out a corner for "another tool", but since now we moved, I have enough space that I can put a few 120 gal in, hence it got me thinking again to get one.

I guess I wouldn't use the blasting nor spraying a lot, I actually used my 8 gal to re-finished(spray paint) the entire kitchen cabinet doors in our old house and also painted a few other cabinets plus speaker boxes with decent quality, I mean, decent enough coming from an 8 gal that is. I understand quality tools make a difference and I learned it the hard way, so I am not trying to cheap out. At the same time, I don't want to waste money on buying something that I might only use once or twice a month, if that. Hence my question to see what other people use their compressors for, to justify the purchase, for my conscience, I mean wife.

It does make sense on how many of you mentioned that pneumatic tools can last a long time, since it's relatively simpler mechanics inside, so I will keep that in mind. Although I do love and spoiled by my battery operated ratchets/impacts, not sure if I can go back to having an air hose everywhere now...

Anyways, thanks for all that replied and I will keep looking for a good deal on craigslist.