What Happened To Air Tools?
- Thread starter Jacobson
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2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
To each their own. I have the 3/8 M12 impact, and the "100 ft/lbs" it puts out is maybe half that. Just today it couldn't break free a 13mm undertray bolt. I used a standard length 3/8 ratchet, broke it free by hand, then ran it out with the impact. Look at the size of the 1/2 impact. WAY bigger than my IR2235. Yes that IR needs an air supply, but it will absolutely fit where that M18 will not.
Don't get me wrong, I love my m12 stuff, especially the ratchet. But it has yet to show me it has anywhere near the power and size of air tools. My air stuff is not going anywhere. YMMV of course.
Don't get me wrong, I love my m12 stuff, especially the ratchet. But it has yet to show me it has anywhere near the power and size of air tools. My air stuff is not going anywhere. YMMV of course.
my air tools are expanding, smaller, lighter, more power and 3rd the outlay.
People need look at current air tech not compare a 2 decade old air ratchet to an electric one but to a kuani reactionless ultra nano impact air ratchet and latest nano air impact wrenches plus all the daily tools batteries don't cover for auto use, air hammer being number 1 .
Air hose no drama in an organised shop with experienced user, it always going be at the job even if just for blow nozzle, leak testing ect, couldn't cover daily auto work with air hose thrown in bin & just battery tools .
People need look at current air tech not compare a 2 decade old air ratchet to an electric one but to a kuani reactionless ultra nano impact air ratchet and latest nano air impact wrenches plus all the daily tools batteries don't cover for auto use, air hammer being number 1 .
Air hose no drama in an organised shop with experienced user, it always going be at the job even if just for blow nozzle, leak testing ect, couldn't cover daily auto work with air hose thrown in bin & just battery tools .
In an answer to your question,in my garage nothing. I have my air tools and battery powered tools.To put it simply, evolution has set in. Times are changing and tools are changing along with the times. I started out with a 1/2 drive ratchet and a few sockets.Now I own numerous battery and air powered tools that do the same thing.I have also been a subscriber to Eric's channel to before he relocated.Anyway here is what I tend to work with.
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Like I stated in the similar thread Battery tools are moving at a breakneck pace, look at the sheer volume of types of tools available.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if there isn't a impact hammer currently in the works, I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible when we have battery bandsaws, caulk guns, miter saws, yard equipment and widow makers
I wouldn't be surprised at all if there isn't a impact hammer currently in the works, I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible when we have battery bandsaws, caulk guns, miter saws, yard equipment and widow makers
tried to remove caliper mounting bolts factory torque 90 ft lbs. Not sure what previous tech tightened.
Using swivel socket (not extension)
Fuel 3/8" M18.
Can't get it off, M18 high torque one won't fit.. But I am pretty sure my aircat 3/8 would have gotten it off or any of those tiny 1/2" air impacts.. Ended up using breaker bar (and it didn't feel too overtightened), no big deal.
Using swivel socket (not extension)
Fuel 3/8" M18.
Can't get it off, M18 high torque one won't fit.. But I am pretty sure my aircat 3/8 would have gotten it off or any of those tiny 1/2" air impacts.. Ended up using breaker bar (and it didn't feel too overtightened), no big deal.
Except that ETCG is a bit of a sellout and a LARGE portion of that stuff you see was given to him "free". He's about as legit as a Poweblock show. Its not like he got tired of his air tools and ran out and converted over. Its free high end swag. Of course hes going to use them.
Far from everyone can afford 2-3 different platforms of cordless and multiples of the same tool with different drive sizes. Pneumatic has no power bias, it doesn't care what brand compressor is running it and you can get an excellent collection for very little cash.
Far from everyone can afford 2-3 different platforms of cordless and multiples of the same tool with different drive sizes. Pneumatic has no power bias, it doesn't care what brand compressor is running it and you can get an excellent collection for very little cash.
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Moose Legs
Active member
You can actually get air hammer style bits for SDS rotary hammers, for now though I would rather use an actual air hammer, or just a good old plain jane hand powered hammer.
Eventually though I think they will probably be able get more power out of rotary hammer.
Eventually though I think they will probably be able get more power out of rotary hammer.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The answer is simple, both air and cordless are getting better all the time 
Hey, you can a bunch of free tools as a successful you tube personality
back to the question, cordless tools are getting stronger, more affordable, and batteries are getting better all the time. I wouldn't want to be without mine.
However, i wouldn't want to be without my air tools though even if i don't use them as much. Air tools are improving too. there's a sea of mini impacts and nut busting torque keeps climbing too (if that's real). MAC just introduced a new line of well designed, powerful impacts with led lights
To me, i don't think cordless will completely replace my air tools but, they compliment them nicely. i have a wide assortment of both cordless and pneumatic tools. you can never have too many tools in your arsenal.
Hey, you can a bunch of free tools as a successful you tube personality
back to the question, cordless tools are getting stronger, more affordable, and batteries are getting better all the time. I wouldn't want to be without mine.
However, i wouldn't want to be without my air tools though even if i don't use them as much. Air tools are improving too. there's a sea of mini impacts and nut busting torque keeps climbing too (if that's real). MAC just introduced a new line of well designed, powerful impacts with led lights
To me, i don't think cordless will completely replace my air tools but, they compliment them nicely. i have a wide assortment of both cordless and pneumatic tools. you can never have too many tools in your arsenal.
I think a lot of these internet guys end up selling out, yeah I'd say cordless is best in Milwaukee backed up a truck full of their stuff for free...I'd still keep my air tools.
I'm a OTR tech in the rust belt, air tools are still king for their power to size to cost ratio.
I did buy a snap on cordless ratchet a few weeks ago and it lacks air style power but man it's so handy to use it's becoming my favorite tool.
Which is fine, no judgment from me. But if you're going to make a video showing off all your cordless, you might want to preface it by saying "i was given this all for free and I find it convenient" as opposed to making it out like you got sick of 'tripping on the hose' and spent a pile of cash.
I'd also value the opinion much more if his stuff actually looked used. SMA likes tools a lot, gets a number of things for free, but everything goes into his daily rotation so it actually gets used and his opinion becomes actually meaningful. For example a number of his Milwaukee things have bitten the dust and hes been using HF cordless impacts daily for about a year (time of death tbd). I haven't noticed a lack of pneumatics on his channel though.
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I agree, there's a farmer in Minnesota that I follow on YouTube and Wd40 sponsors some of his videos and he came out and said it's to make all his video time worthwhile. I can't blame a guy for taking free tools but you lose credibility when your videos become commercials for the tools aka auto shows on tv.
GJ is a awesome place where you get honest opinions on tools from people that actually use them, I was going to get the m12 ratchet till I read guys on here saying the snap on was better so I waited till I got a good deal and I love it.
mbshop
Well-known member
I use both. Mostly air. No need to buy cordless at this time or in the future. Ok, so I'm retired.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Air tools aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. My air 3/8 Cornwell impact remains my most used tool by far
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
If ETCG1 can fit that Milwaukee in the same place he can fit that 1/4" Mac air ratchet, then he is a magician. The sizes aren't even close.
Htscheg
Well-known member
I use both pretty much on a daily basis, each have their own place and use in my world....
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
I'll admit that cordless are handy, but why knock air tools?
Cordless impacts have come a long way. Makes me wonder why corded weren't more common? An extension cord is "friendlier" than an air hose.
Cordless impacts have come a long way. Makes me wonder why corded weren't more common? An extension cord is "friendlier" than an air hose.
honcho
Well-known member
Corded tools work great for drills and saws but AC electric motors are power limited by their electric circuit. A corded electric tool can only draw as many amps as the circuit breaker will allow. A battery powered tool can dump a huge number of amps (until something goes up in smoke or the battery dies). Battery power is somewhat analogous to compressed air storage tanks where a big blast of air can come from a tank while a smaller compressor refills the tank.
Stooge
Well-known member
Nothing against cordless, i have a few but im primarily air based in my shop. i have a hard time watching these types of videos because of the shill aspect and the over exaggerated man act, and i made it to exactly the 1:07 mark when he's really pretending to trip over and get tangled in the air hose before tossing it in the trash. Just that in itself, makes it seem like a commercial to his cordless sponsors to me. How often does an air hose actually get in the way, sometimes i have to change positions slightly or drape it over my shoulder, but walking over to a car and all of the sudden stumbling over it wrapped around the leg, is just obnoxious. like a lot of people, I would have a hard time turning down some free tools, and i cant fault anyone for doing it, but i couldn't agree more with atleast starting out by saying, "i didn't really buy thousands of dollars worth of separate platform cordless to look pretty and pristine in the drawer, i got this stuff for free to use and demo for the subscribers to see and buy".
Stuff like this just really makes me cringe.
^ +1
While ecg an okay sort of guy he not really very adept with tools and cars .
In an auto shop you not going get much done if you tossed out the air hose .
This air hose drama is just silly, mine on a sliding real front and back of lift bay and run down both walls plus one external, you hardly ever have issue as working in same area creates efficiency and muscle memory .
Sure battery become super useful but it not that new and I been using battery tools for well over decade in auto work, construction and mobile is where they excel, not such a game changer in auto work when a 3/8 reactionless kuani K2323 air ratchet is 150bucks, shorter than that mac 1/4 and 3 x smaller than the battery ratchet and has actual 50ft/lb + torque, same with nano impacts, composite ones are super light size not much bigger than a large capacity 20V battery pack and can have 630ftlb real power and they very affordable for high spec.
Other plus for air in shop is lifespan and durability, you can drop an air tool on concrete in dirt ect daily and no drama, do same with a battery tool lol, I busted more than 1 battery pack myself from a drop .
They both great but having and using both for what they best and most efficient at is key .
Anyone dumping air as don't like the hose working in an autoshop environment is simply in the wrong trade ...
While ecg an okay sort of guy he not really very adept with tools and cars .
In an auto shop you not going get much done if you tossed out the air hose .
This air hose drama is just silly, mine on a sliding real front and back of lift bay and run down both walls plus one external, you hardly ever have issue as working in same area creates efficiency and muscle memory .
Sure battery become super useful but it not that new and I been using battery tools for well over decade in auto work, construction and mobile is where they excel, not such a game changer in auto work when a 3/8 reactionless kuani K2323 air ratchet is 150bucks, shorter than that mac 1/4 and 3 x smaller than the battery ratchet and has actual 50ft/lb + torque, same with nano impacts, composite ones are super light size not much bigger than a large capacity 20V battery pack and can have 630ftlb real power and they very affordable for high spec.
Other plus for air in shop is lifespan and durability, you can drop an air tool on concrete in dirt ect daily and no drama, do same with a battery tool lol, I busted more than 1 battery pack myself from a drop .
They both great but having and using both for what they best and most efficient at is key .
Anyone dumping air as don't like the hose working in an autoshop environment is simply in the wrong trade ...
HazetMatt
Active member
Seems like his only actual argument against air tools was the air hose? With where I'm living right now air tools wouldn't be practical for me, so I'm very happy that cordless tools have come far enough that you can do most auto jobs with them and not have to run a giant compressor. That said, if I ever get a more permanent and spacious garage one of the first things I get (after a lift) will be a compressor and some air tools. Especially an air die grinder, the electric ones really aren't there yet.
Is it possible your battery is worn out and unable to provide enough juice to the tool? I recently used the M12 Fuel 3/8 impact to take apart the front end of a 2001 Chevy Express, none of which had ever been taken apart before. I was surprised the little tool was able to get out some of the bolts that should have been torqued to 140 ft-lb all while using a swivel attachment. I still want the new M12 stubby impact as well as a compressor big enough for air tools though.
We put 600 PSI PVC pipes in our walls and have four places with quick connects that we can use a tool from, including two on my large workbench. The compressor stays permanently in the corner of the garage, but we can use air tools where ever we need to.
finn
Well-known member
You didn’t identify your location. Probably not from the rust belt, based on your comments.
You are correct nothing was rusted on the vehicle but I still think I got more power than the 100-110 ft-lb advertised since I was removing the lower control arm bolts with a 3/8 impact, 3/8 impact swivel adapter, 3/8 to 1/2 adapter, then the 1/2 drive socket. I really wasn't expecting it to budge but I already had the tool in my hand so I threw the socket on it to try it out and it worked.
scooby074
Well-known member
Theres a place for both.
Cordless gets you grab and go and no hose to get in the way. Air gets you power and light weight and compact body.
The MG325 (example) .. There is a whole lot of jam in a small package with this one.600ftlb and could likely do more. You wont even get close to this with a cordless 3/8.
Cordless gets you grab and go and no hose to get in the way. Air gets you power and light weight and compact body.
The MG325 (example) .. There is a whole lot of jam in a small package with this one.600ftlb and could likely do more. You wont even get close to this with a cordless 3/8.
Mg325 not best example as pretty big and not exactly current cutting edge air .
mac facom ap kuani aircat all have composite/alloy nano wrenches with lengths around 4" and torque potentially over 630ftlb in tiny package with great control and durability .
mac facom ap kuani aircat all have composite/alloy nano wrenches with lengths around 4" and torque potentially over 630ftlb in tiny package with great control and durability .
scooby074
Well-known member
You guys watched that video? mg325 was pulling off lugs torqued to 600 through an adaptor at that! Hammered a bit @600 but still did it. I bet without the adapter it would do 650.
Yeah brand new gun and all. And likely in 6mths it wouldnt do it, but still.
Anybody actually test the new Mac/Facoms? I havent seen it yet (no Mac dealer for the last 8yrs anyways). Mac specs it at 700ish "nutbusting" iirc. The Snappy would probably get real close to that in ideal conditions. Like to see the Mac tested though
Yeah brand new gun and all. And likely in 6mths it wouldnt do it, but still.
Anybody actually test the new Mac/Facoms? I havent seen it yet (no Mac dealer for the last 8yrs anyways). Mac specs it at 700ish "nutbusting" iirc. The Snappy would probably get real close to that in ideal conditions. Like to see the Mac tested though
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kythri
Well-known member
A guy at work has the new Mac guns and I've never used them but he says they hit hard, my IR guns are getting old and wore out but still get the job done and cost me nothing. To me that's the big thing, I pay once and run the gun for years till it's wore out and then replace...no replacing expensive batteries.
I'm interested to see how my snap on 3/8 cordless holds up, my IR air one just like everyone else at works has good power but the heads are ****. Just not having to listen to the loud exhaust is good enough for me.
I don't get the obsession with Chinese cordless tools for use in an auto environment, they are just not near competitive with pneumatics. Other trades cordless have there place & been game changers but not in automotive, air is King by a long shot.
FSrepair&fabrication
Well-known member
Air is still king in any truck shop. Yea cordless has its place but it cant touch an airgun running 150+ psi. Try working on some state highway plow trucks with a cordless impact and see how far you get before you run out of batteries. At 175 psi i can blow the lugnuts off walking floor trailers that haul trash in and out of landfills like the nascar pit crew with an IR 2135. yea they wear out faster but the benefit of being able to break free the most neglected stubnorn lugnuts with a 1/2 gun really saves the wrists over a 1” arm twister air gun. get your milwaukee 2767 or whatever the latest version is called (I have the 2767) to do that. I know mine cant. Or let me see someone make a battery powered air hammer or blow gun... airs not going anywhere. Maybe harry homeowner doesnt need an air compressor anymore to change his wheels but in the real world cordless cant cut the mustard. Or in any sparkproof industrial enviornment. They make spark proof airguns guns for chemical plants... Try that with a battery gun.
Ditto. Maybe 300 on a good day but I don't run my air lines at 200psi. Bear in mind those threads and the friction surface of the bolt face were probably incredibly hot which does aid in removal since it acts like its own lubrication. Its really no different to try to remove a bolt, fail, torch it, and it zips right off.
MG325 isn't "new" but its definitely small. Just not the shortest.
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scooby074
Well-known member
These are all valid comments. Real world ****. Rust is king here. Not all of us live in Arizona etc. Bottom line electric is good, but it isnt perfect for all.. Air isnt dead yet.