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| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 265 | I like air tools and have several but why is air the normal choice to power DA sanders, cut off wheels, grinders, etc? I can see safety being a factor in dusty conditions and air drills do run at the best rpm for metal drilling but these tools require a pretty big compressor to be useful and if two guys want to use them at the same time its break time every 10 minutes to let the compressor pump back up. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | one of the biggest advantages is size/ weight, air tools don't need their own motor and some [like die grinders] can't be matched by anything electric for size and manuverability, and in the case of sanders/grinders, electrics have lower rpm limits, speed = power
the fact that air tools don't have an electric motor makes a big difference in price as well, much cheaper to have a wide range of air tools than of individual electric ones to cover all the bases
electric impact wrench? electric paint sprayer? electric chisel? electric sand blaster?
the compressor doesn't need to be all that big, other than continuous DA or sand blasting use, just needs to be sized for the intended use, especially if you'll habitually have more than one person use
others may have different takes on it, but pneumatic is much more efficient
Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | The more you use an electric tool, the hotter it gets. The more you use an air tool, the cooler it gets. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | GreenGMC,a good point on having to let the compressor catch up.In order to run a lot of air tools especially two guys using them at the same time you need a larger compressor,which is a big expense.I have a larger compressor in my shop,but it is a one man shop.Depending on how much work you do,electric tools might not be all that bad.Just my 2 cts. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 240 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 240 | They just sound neat, But really is my use they are safer, doing field repair the last thing I want to do is start the welder up and drag cords through mud and water to hook up a drill, impact, or saw and get the bejusus shocked out of me.
You Learn more Listening than Talking
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 | Doing body work on a vehicle kicks up a lot of dust and an electric motor doesn't last very long sucking it all in.
38 original
48 panel
59 stepside
46 in the back forty
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | That's exactly right, an air tool operates its motor and bearings in clean air from the compressor, so there's no wear from particle contamination. Have you ever opened up an electric sander? Its amazing that they even last a few days with all the crud that ends up in there.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 863 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 863 | Hard to get electricuted using air tools in the rain.... :/ | | |
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