ToolGuyd needs a tool reviewer (air tools)

[Stuey]

I'm looking for someone to help out with air tool reviews on ToolGuyd (http://toolguyd.com/), and figured GJ would be the best place to look.

Goal:

To provide ToolGuyd readers with more air tool reviews that they might be interested in.

I'm not looking for contributors whose sole motivation is to score free swag. I'm looking for experienced tool users who want to share their insights and opinions to benefit readers.

Qualifications:

Decent communications skills (don't worry about being perfect, that's what me or an editor are for).

Must be able to take clear photos ($15 in clamp-on lamps can do wonders to improve photos).

Must be able to resize photos and "save for web" in Photoshop or Gimp.

Must be able to write objectively; i.e. don't just tell readers something *****, show them why it's good or not good for certain users.

Must be 18 or over, and USA resident, preferably continental USA.

Must have experience with using air tools on a regular basis.

If interested, point me to a GJ thread where you either reviewed a tool or started a helpful review-like thread.

Also suggest 3 tools you already own that you could and would be interested in reviewing for ToolGuyd. Newer tools would be better.

Payment would vary, but would average between $25 and $50 per review.

If things work out, after those 3 tool reviews we could talk about getting new tool samples into your hands for testing and review. New samples would be provided at no cost to you, and would be yours to keep for long-term testing.

I'm not looking to hire anyone, review opportunity would be in form of freelance or independent contractor arrangement.

I'm looking for at least 1 contributor, but there's no limit.

Interested GJers should comment here, rather than PM or email.

 

[woodstockva]

Stuey -

I think you should really require that there be some minimum equipment requirements.

I.E. -- Air compressor size, line size, fitting types, CFM, etc. PLENTY of people have small tanks, fewer people have compressors & lines/fittings that will produce the amount of CFMs needed to use the air tools full potential.

A lot of issues people have with lack-of-power with air tools is because of equipment limitations, NOT the tools themselves.

 

[Stuey]

Stuey -

I think you should really require that there be some minimum equipment requirements.

I.E. -- Air compressor size, line size, fitting types, CFM, etc. PLENTY of people have small tanks, fewer people have compressors & lines/fittings that will produce the amount of CFMs needed to use the air tools full potential.

A lot of issues people have with lack-of-power with air tools is because of equipment limitations, NOT the tools themselves.

Great point! That's partly why I want to see/consider 3 potential tool review ideas first before arranging for new tools to be reviewed.

A puny air compressor could be a limitation, but not a deal-breaker. I might be able to arrange for an upgrade, whether a no-cost sample for review and long-term testing, or partially or wholly subsidized as part of a review contribution agreement.

Or, there's the potential to get cordless equivalents into a reviewer's hands.

 

[kf4zht]

This is quite a neat opportunity for someone. I would throw my name in but I know how much time it takes to do a real review/test.

Opportunities like this are what make GJ one the best forums around

 

[Stuey]

This is quite a neat opportunity for someone. I would throw my name in but I know how much time it takes to do a real review/test.

Opportunities like this are what make GJ one the best forums around

Testing and reviewing a new tool does take a heck of a lot of time, which is why I need help. But testing and reviewing a tool that one would use regularly as part of usual work or routine anyways is a LOT quicker and easier. That's why I'm looking to GJ.

I'm really looking for a frequent air tool user that could adequately test and review tools and share their findings.

 

[cheechi]

PLENTY of people have small tanks, fewer people have compressors & lines/fittings that will produce the amount of CFMs needed to use the air tools full potential.

Stuey reviews tools both for pro and consumer audiences, from everything I have read of his site (most of it at this point). So having a variety of information just like you said is useful. If an impact can do a great job at full shop pressure with hundreds of gallons, but struggles in the consumer's garage with a compressor within the 6-40 gallons range that most consumers have.

How a tool works with a 6 gal pancake vs a 20 gal hot dog vs a 40 gal 3 phase is very significant. Having a variety of compressors as a reviewer, or a variety of reviewers with different equipment, both would be ideal here. In fact, construction equipment makes up a decent chunk of the kinds of tools that both pros & consumers would overlap; they typically run from 3-10 gal portable 120v compressors on jobsites. Impact guns to drive lags, nailers, pinners, etc.

I understand what you're getting at, a blast cabinet isn't going to be useful at all on a small compressor, nor a die grinder, nor hvlp, etc. But what you're getting at is making a minimum requirement for the reviewer may not be thinking it all the way through.

 

[sberry]

These 3 are bargains. Lots of power and long life. The 4 inch right angles have been ran hard, not so much as a loose screw. You can buy a cheaper pencil unit from HF,,, its worth the money but is no in the same league as the red one in the pic,, which btw is sold under various brands to about 90$

 

[woodstockva]

Stuey reviews tools both for pro and consumer audiences, from everything I have read of his site (most of it at this point). So having a variety of information just like you said is useful. If an impact can do a great job at full shop pressure with hundreds of gallons, but struggles in the consumer's garage with a compressor within the 6-40 gallons range that most consumers have.

How a tool works with a 6 gal pancake vs a 20 gal hot dog vs a 40 gal 3 phase is very significant. Having a variety of compressors as a reviewer, or a variety of reviewers with different equipment, both would be ideal here. In fact, construction equipment makes up a decent chunk of the kinds of tools that both pros & consumers would overlap; they typically run from 3-10 gal portable 120v compressors on jobsites. Impact guns to drive lags, nailers, pinners, etc.

I understand what you're getting at, a blast cabinet isn't going to be useful at all on a small compressor, nor a die grinder, nor hvlp, etc. But what you're getting at is making a minimum requirement for the reviewer may not be thinking it all the way through.

There are many people here with the correct sized equipment to accurately review air tools. I just feel that unless the reviewer can meet the minimum CFM requirments for the tool, then they cant accurately review it.

Think about someone reviewing a Corvette that cant drive above 25 mph.

While yes, there are those that use (for example) a 3/4" impact with a pancake compressor....the tool will work, but only for a very short time until the tank drains & at 20% power. I do not think that is an accurate review.

Maybe I am wrong, but I know for me personally I try to show tools in real life situations.

Also, to anyone wanting to review tools....I can assure you that it is a LOT of work to put out anything quality. Typically for me anyway, I spend about 1 hour of work PER MINUTE of final video.....between testing, videotaping, editing, converting, uploading, etc.

If you take Stuey up on this offer, you should do so because you genuinely like taking the time to review things/test tools....not only to get something for "free".

 

[bcradio]

There are many people here with the correct sized equipment to accurately review air tools. I just feel that unless the reviewer can meet the minimum CFM requirments for the tool, then they cant accurately review it.

Think about someone reviewing a Corvette that cant drive above 25 mph.

While yes, there are those that use (for example) a 3/4" impact with a pancake compressor....the tool will work, but only for a very short time until the tank drains & at 20% power. I do not think that is an accurate review.

Maybe I am wrong, but I know for me personally I try to show tools in real life situations.

Also, to anyone wanting to review tools....I can assure you that it is a LOT of work to put out anything quality. Typically for me anyway, I spend about 1 hour of work PER MINUTE of final video.....between testing, videotaping, editing, converting, uploading, etc.

If you take Stuey up on this offer, you should do so because you genuinely like taking the time to review things/test tools....not only to get something for "free".

If I am interpreting this correctly, then this is not an accurate statement. As long as the compressors tank is above the regulated pressure, then the tank will deliver 100% of the air requested by the tool at that regulated pressure. Bottlenecks need to be accounted for also though such as hose diameter and fittings. The only time the compressor CFM rating comes into play is once it kicks on after dropping below the regulated pressure.

 

[woodstockva]

If I am interpreting this correctly, then this is not an accurate statement. As long as the compressors tank is above the regulated pressure, then the tank will deliver 100% of the air requested by the tool at that regulated pressure. Bottlenecks need to be accounted for also though such as hose diameter and fittings. The only time the compressor CFM rating comes into play is once it kicks on after dropping below the regulated pressure.

Not a chance.

A pancake compressor WILL NOT put out enough CFM to power an air impact at full power, even if for a short time. Will not happen.

The lines, fittings, and air volume is not enough to reach the tools potential.

Most real "tests" of an impact's potential are not achieved with a short burst of power anyway....it takes a consistent source of air to get any job done. For example....driving lag bolts into the side of a house when you would install a deck, 2-3 seconds & then no power will not cut it, nor would it show the tools power --- only the lack of power from the compressor.

ALL pneumatic tools have manufacturer recommended CFM rates, and whoever reviews them should at least meet those requirements.

 

[BeaverPuncher]

You can keep the review money. I'll do the reviews for the heavy home user mindset. If considered I think the ********* tech mentality should do the " beat the ever loving **** out of the tool" review.

I also am very objective on my tool considerations and how they actually perform vs. how they are advertised.

 

[bcradio]

Not a chance.

A pancake compressor WILL NOT put out enough CFM to power an air impact at full power, even if for a short time. Will not happen.

The lines, fittings, and air volume is not enough to reach the tools potential.

Most real "tests" of an impact's potential are not achieved with a short burst of power anyway....it takes a consistent source of air to get any job done. For example....driving lag bolts into the side of a house when you would install a deck, 2-3 seconds & then no power will not cut it, nor would it show the tools power --- only the lack of power from the compressor.

ALL pneumatic tools have manufacturer recommended CFM rates, and whoever reviews them should at least meet those requirements.

Sorry, but you are the one who is wrong here. I can put a 1 cfm pump on a 1000 gallon tank. It may take 2 hours to pressurize, but once done it WILL deliver full requested air to that tool until it drops below the regulated pressure. This isn't a debate, it's how it works.

I mentioned nothing at all about how long it takes to bring a 2 gal pancake tank below the regulated pressure... could be seconds. Yes a tiny tank compressor owner is probably not the best reviewer, but that's not what I am talking about.

 

[woodstockva]

Sorry, but you are the one who is wrong here. I can put a 1 cfm pump on a 1000 gallon tank. It may take 2 hours to pressurize, but once done it WILL deliver full requested air to that tool until it drops below the regulated pressure. This isn't a debate, it's how it works.

I mentioned nothing at all about how long it takes to bring a 2 gal pancake tank below the regulated pressure... could be seconds. Yes a tiny tank compressor owner is probably not the best reviewer, but that's not what I am talking about.

A pancake compressor will power a full size impact, about as well as a book of matches will cook a steak.

There is a reason they put CFM requirements....its not to sell compressors.

This was not an argument about whether a small compressor could fill a large tank, it was about whether a small compressor would power an air tool --- BIG difference. A dripping faucet will fill a bathtub, but you cant take a shower under it.

 

[bcradio]

A pancake compressor will power a full size impact, about as well as a book of matches will cook a steak.

There is a reason they put CFM requirements....its not to sell compressors.

This was not an argument about whether a small compressor could fill a large tank, it was about whether a small compressor would power an air tool --- BIG difference. A dripping faucet will fill a bathtub, but you cant take a shower under it.

Wrong again. This argument was about your statement saying that a pancake compressor will only power an air tool at about 20% (or any arbitrary percentage less than 100). This is false.

It will power the tool at 100% (taking into account hoses/fittings) until the tank drops below the regulated pressure. This may take 5 seconds if the tank is sufficiently small or it could take an hour on a larger tank.

 

[rsanter]

Short term review?
Long term review?
Do you have a testing routine?

I used to do product testing ( for the company I worked for testing our stuff as well as competitors stuff and wrote reports on them and all)
You need a standardized testing routine for the different type of tools you will test or you will never get reliable results.

I have several sizes of compressors, I do think testing on several compressors is a good thing as not everybody has a big one.

How about having several people test the same tool. We send it to say three people for each of their opinions.

I have several air tools bit nothing that is all that new. I would be willing to do some testing of tools people loan to me ( like something new and expensive) and then we can return it.
I also may be able to borrow some locally

Bob

 

[A_Pmech]

Guys....

Let's not pollute Stuey's thread. He's a smart guy and I'm sure he'll figure out how to deal with the compressor size variable.

 

[Stuey]

Short term review?
Long term review?
Do you have a testing routine?

I used to do product testing ( for the company I worked for testing our stuff as well as competitors stuff and wrote reports on them and all)
You need a standardized testing routine for the different type of tools you will test or you will never get reliable results.

I have several sizes of compressors, I do think testing on several compressors is a good thing as not everybody has a big one.

How about having several people test the same tool. We send it to say three people for each of their opinions.

I have several air tools bit nothing that is all that new. I would be willing to do some testing of tools people loan to me ( like something new and expensive) and then we can return it.
I also may be able to borrow some locally

Bob

Reviews would be short term, with hopes of long-term updates. Web content can always be updated or built upon with updated info, insights, or
opinions.

Testing would be based on what someone looking to buy the tool or another model would be interested in knowing.

It's not comparison testing, so there wouldn't be strict standardized protocols. Testing would be over the course of expected and intended use, hence my search here for someone that would use the tools for their regular work or activities.

Several people testing the same tool is not always a good idea. It becomes a mess to coordinate, it can be difficult to coordinate samples, and there's less pressure for progress or adherence to a deadline because each reviewer knows there are others that could be relied on.

Ultimately, my goal is to find someone who would be able and willing to test new tools of reader interest, someone who could show what they think about a tool through words and images, and someone who I can vouch for.

The 3 review suggestions is for a sort of paid tryout process. They don't have to be reviews, but could be informational, as long as they demonstrate the ability to meet above bolded requirements regarding photos, articulation, and enough experience to be discerning.

 

[Crown Imperial]

I am here for the CFMs.

 

[doan]

I'm a tool junky and avid photographer. Some pics in posts here and on my blog where you can read samples of my writing as well.: http://doan.us/blog

I recently restored a Craftsman 150 with pics here: https://plus.google.com/photos/11572...CK_jyva3zr_Pcg

Newest tools I have are
Dewalt cordless sawzall
knipex pliers - including mini bolt cutters
Makita 18v circular saw.

I have a decent sized air compressor and lots of air tools, but nothing new. For an air tool review, I could do the harbor freight air die grinders. Mine have a lot of hours on them from my car restoration project. They are cheap and tough. Cheap enough that you can buy several to avoid changing tools.

 

[gearhead1]

Sounds fun to me. The newest air tool I have is a HF 3/4" drive impact. I also use a 1/2" impact and cut off grinder on a regular basis. I also have a 3/8" ratchet, 1/4" ratchet, needle scaler, drill, chisel, and riveter.

Posts related to tool review:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248359&page=3


Posts related to air compressors/tools:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250125
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250425
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250831&page=4

 

[BikerDad]

Stuey,

I would love to do some reviews for ya, BUT... my only experience with air tools is with small gauge pneumatic fasteners. So, if you want somebody who can write, and will bring the noob perspective to the specific class of tools, I'm your guy. If not now, keep me in mind for later.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'd be happy to wring out tools for you, I'm a heavy equipment mechanic and we use a LOT of air tools.

At work we have a nice rotary screw Quincy and we have big air lines with 3/8" high flow fittings.

At home I have a more representative homeowner grade compressor- a 30 gallon Campbell Hausefield 220v compressor, and we use fairly standard 3/8" airlines with 1/4" quick connects. I can give you reviews with both.

I also have a DSLR camera, decent photography skills, and can write a coherent review while holding down my sarcasm.

 

[scarney1988]

Reserving space for a submission.

Quick question: What is the suggested word count (min/max)?

As an employed automotive repair technician I have plenty of opportunity to test air tools.