Are air tools worthless now?

[mesquito_creek]

I have a drawer full of them that i haven’t used in years. Electric impact was a game changer that pretty much made the air tools obsolete…. So what do you do with them? Close your eyes and throw them in the garbage?

 

[Thunderhead1]

I have a drawer full of them that i haven’t used in years. Electric impact was a game changer that pretty much made the air tools obsolete…. So what do you do with them? Close your eyes and throw them in the garbage?

You can send them to me... I'm a certified collection site.

 

[RaceTec]

I have a drawer full of them that i haven’t used in years. Electric impact was a game changer that pretty much made the air tools obsolete…. So what do you do with them? Close your eyes and throw them in the garbage?

Same deal here, never use them at all anymore. Not even at the shop...

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I have a drawer full of them that i haven’t used in years. Electric impact was a game changer that pretty much made the air tools obsolete…. So what do you do with them? Close your eyes and throw them in the garbage?

I’m doing garage into a clean out this week in havasu…. None of my air tools have left the bottom drawer of my big box in probably 8 to 9 years… They are going in the garage sale pile. Some were never even used

 

[AZLineman]

I still prefer a half inch air impact over electric when working at home. Haven't seen an electric replacement for the air chisel, air file or D/A either. Somethings gotta be said for popping on the air truck to blow the dirt off yourself as well. My most used battery tools (Milwaukee) are the drill, grinder/cutter and the Sawszall. The other day I used the old plug-in Milwaukee sawsall and I forgot how powerful they were. I bring the half-inch impact with me when I travel in case I got a rip lug nuts. I would like to get a mini batt impact to minimize the hand ratchet turning these days just not sure which one

 

[Racer56]

I don't know. It's sure hard to beat a good angle die grinder with a Scotch Brite pad or sanding disk. I agree electric impacts and drills are the go to's now.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I'm in a different boat...the ones I still use are still used pretty frequently. Air hammer, die grinder, 1/2 impact and 3/4 impact.

 

[Your ad here]

Air tools have always seemed to suck. You need big air volume to run them. Big compressor, 3 phase power, air hoses, and your hands freeze. By the time you get setup, cordless tools would be cheaper, faster, and easier.

 

[River Dirt 2]

I still prefer a half inch air impact over electric when working at home. Haven't seen an electric replacement for the air chisel, air file or D/A either. Somethings gotta be said for popping on the air truck to blow the dirt off yourself as well. My most used battery tools (Milwaukee) are the drill, grinder/cutter and the Sawszall. The other day I used the old plug-in Milwaukee sawsall and I forgot how powerful they were. I bring the half-inch impact with me when I travel in case I got a rip lug nuts. I would like to get a mini batt impact to minimize the hand ratchet turning these days just not sure which one

DEWALT 20V MAX XR 3/8 in and 1/2 in Sealed Head Ratchet Kit

DEWALT 20V MAX XR 3/8 in and 1/2 in Sealed Head Ratchet Kit - DCF510GE1 from DEWALT

www.acmetools.com

 

[bonesfab]

Most of the battery stuff is the shiznit. But there is no replacement for air sometimes. My 90 deg angle grinder with a cut off wheel is one of them. The cordless just doesn't compare in that arena

 

[ltbaney1]

1/4" angle and die grinders, and air chisels are some of the tools i have not seen a decent replacement for in battery. my buddy bought the milwaukee 1/4 grinder set, my dynabrade air versions out worked them. same for DA sanders, buddy does body work for a living, says you can pry his air DA from his dead hands.

 

[ltbaney1]

Most of the battery stuff is the shiznit. But there is no replacement for air sometimes. My 90 deg angle grinder with a cut off wheel is one of them. The cordless just doesn't compare in that arena

exactly. i think the downfall with air, especially for hobby type folk. is they dont have the air supply to run them.

 

[kurtis500]

If theres a cordless replacement for my Dynabrade, IR and Hutchins sanders please tell me now and I'll have it on order today. Nothing in the electric market outperforms those that I have seen. Not even close. My Dewalt cutoff tool is nice but much bigger and heavier than the air tool.

 

[NIKAL]

Same boat with a deep drawer full of air tools. Like mentioned above I still use the disk sander once in awhile. I have a pair of air snips, that are rarely used, as I don’t do much fabrication anymore. But when needed I pull them out. And a course I still use the air blow nozzle and tire chuck as the compressor is way faster then the electric hand compressor that I do have and use on small stuff.

I have two CO2 bottles and multiple air guns just for taking out to the desert for the pits. Again not really needed anymore except for airing up tires.

 

[Heylam]

Working with fiberglass a lot, the problem with air tools is the possible contamination from oil and moisture. With electric tools I don’t face that problem.

 

[mesquito_creek]

exactly. i think the downfall with air, especially for hobby type folk. is they dont have the air supply to run them.

My 20 gallon “maintenance free” compressor finally died after 20 years…. That was probably 5 years ago. So I don’t even have the air supply to run anything of value.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Yes, cordless tools have really helped out the stolen catalytic converter sector....

 

[TimeBandit]

Yes, cordless tools have really helped out the stolen catalytic converter sector....

This. Cordless Sawzall's have cost us millions of dollars in stolen cats.

No padlock / chain / cable can stop a cordless 5" grinder using a wheel of death either.

My air tools are still in use, but the new crop of HF battery powered Hercules stuff is at a price point and warranty I may buy into.

I just don't use any power tools as much anymore, and I have LOTS of them!

 

[lbhsbz]

I still use 'em quite a bit. I run Dewalt 20V impacts...and they do great, but while they hit hard...they don't hit as fast as pneumatic stuff. My 3/8 dewalt is rated at 400 ft.lbs. I run into fasteners all the time that it won't budge, but I grab my 25 year old composite ingersoll rand gun that's rated at about 1/2 that and it spins it right off. Then I've had stuff where the air impact wouldn't budge it but the Dewalt took it off. Different tools for different jobs. I deal with a lot of long bolts with nuts on them, so you're fighting fastener twist and have to get that next impact in before the bolt (or stud) untwists/relaxes from the first impact.

Die grinders also get daily use, as well as the air hammer.

I'm not throwing anything away.

I have a 5hp 80 gallon compressor though, which makes air tools work significantly better than the little portable things out there.

 

[Mandelon]

I have a few, but don't use them too often. The "lug nut gun" still sounds cool though! LOL

 

[outboard_256]

I still have all my air tools but have been slowly been replacing them with Makita cordless equivalents. My Air-compressor tank sprang a leak before covid, so I just unplugged the compressor. Haven't plugged it back in since and haven't replaced the pressure release valve since I haven't had a need for it. But I am just a home hobbiest, if I was doing it for work 8 hours a day it would probably be a different story.

 

[Flat freak]

Except for my die grinder’s, I threw all my air tools in a milk crate and put them in a yard sale. They were all still there at the end of the day. I sold the whole crate full for $5.00 and yes I kept the crate

 

[4Waters]

3/8" and 1/2" in air impacts and 1/4" and 3/8" air ratchets have been pretty much replaced. I haven't used a cordless ratchet yet but I do know that a good 1/4" air ratchet has the power to remove power steering pump pulleys, so if the cordless doesn't have the power then the air ratchet hasn't been completely replaced.

 

[McKay]

Still use the air hammer/chisel as I have not seen a battery option yet. Then sometimes the small die grinders will come out if the milwaukee 12V ones can't fit somewhere as they are still a lot smaller than the battery units.

 

[whiteworks]

Electric tools good, electric cars bad.

Just an observation

I like them all, sometimes you need the right tool for the job

 

[Sandlord]

I’ve been stocking up on Dewalt 20V tools whenever the wife or kids ask what I want for Fathersday, Birthday, and Christmas.
The 1/2 impact pretty much stays in the jeep.
But I have several drills, a hedge trimmer, mini chainsaw, circular saw, and tire compressor that all use the same batteries as well.
and they’ve all been gifts.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Electric tools good, electric cars bad.

Just an observation

I like them all, sometimes you need the right tool for the job

Well air tools are electric tools also, just like electric cars are fossil fuel cars… lol

 

[ChrisV]

Still use air tools.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I called my buddy who has a fabrication shop and he said he would adopt them and that I could visit them whenever I feel like I need to! LOL!

Bye bye my old friends, there is a loving family waiting for you in Mesa!

 

[whiteworks]

Well air tools are electric tools also, just like electric cars are fossil fuel cars… lol

People are electric also

 

[Ziggy]

Most of my air tools haven't seen the light of day in forever, except the tire chuck.
I used to use my air ratchet like it was going out of style, which it appears it now has.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Electric ratchet and 3/8 gun are my go to's for engine bay/tear down. Chassis stuff tends to be air. Also, an air drill seems to be the right size and speed, for me at least, for drilling out broken exhaust studs.

 

[lbhsbz]

Also…if you’re working around flammable stuff, air tool motors don’t make sparks….neither should brushless, but I’d feel better with air.

 

[77charger]

I needed another impact recently and decided on a battery powered one this time.kobalt brand 24volt. Just from using around the house it seems to have a little more puunch than my air version and i dont have to start up my noisy air compressor and wait for it to fill.I also have the hi flow fittings on my air compressor hoses too which did help out.

I can also take the battery impact with me on trips to glamis if needed although i do usually take a compressor then too but easier to grab a battery impact and go to work.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Josh and I have drawers full but rarely use them , Also have a full cadre of Mikita, Milwaukie, and others , Ratchets small and large Guns My Makita 1/2 impact has more power than my IR thunder gun ever had

 

[manxman]

Still have a ton of air tools, and my fiberglass shop uses them daily, but slowly have been going over to Milwaukee cordless , both 12v and 18v. I have at least 6 sets of 1/4" and 1/2" drills and impacts. I try to keep tools on every work bench in my 16,000 sf shop. It's hard and expensive. I always look for the sales or the multi piece kits when there on sale. I recently added about $1500 to a $15,000 job just to by the right tools for that job. I have about 10-12 working individuals that need good hand tools.

 

[rrrr]

I’m doing garage into a clean out this week in havasu…. None of my air tools have left the bottom drawer of my big box in probably 8 to 9 years… They are going in the garage sale pile. Some were never even used

Both bottom drawers of my two Snap-On 78s are full of pneumatic tools. I haven't used one in years.

That's more a function of me getting old and not doing anything.

 

[gqchris]

I sold all of mine on Offer Up for 60$ a few months back. Hadnt touched them for years. Lots of Bluepoint.

 

[lbhsbz]

Both bottom drawers of my two Snap-On 78s are full of pneumatic tools. I haven't used one in years.

Put 'em in a different drawer....nobody ever uses anything they keep in the bottom drawer.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Put 'em in a different drawer....nobody ever uses anything they keep in the bottom drawer.

Ok, so I'm not the only one. Mine's turned into a catchall/ junk drawer. Every once in a while I open it and am surprised! It's for "uncategorized" items.

 

[Shlbyntro]

3/8" and 1/2" in air impacts and 1/4" and 3/8" air ratchets have been pretty much replaced. I haven't used a cordless ratchet yet but I do know that a good 1/4" air ratchet has the power to remove power steering pump pulleys, so if the cordless doesn't have the power then the air ratchet hasn't been completely replaced.

idk about the 1/2" impact. I pretty much have cordless everything for the convenience but it's hit or miss on if my cordless impact will break a nut loose on something large that hasn't been moved in a while where as my 1/2 air impact can snap a 1/2 bolt in 2 pieces if I hold the trigger long enough, I've had to do it several times.

I've been dying for somebody to make a cordless "air body saw"/file though.

to the OP. stick it in the new "buy nothing" thread. if you feel you don't need any of it. air tools still have their places

 

[monkeyswrench]

@Shlbyntro , oddly enough, Honda and Duramax crank bolts...even a 3/4 Milwaukee electric won't budge them! Serious Loctite from hell and torqued by a gorilla

 

[ltbaney1]

Ok, so I'm not the only one. Mine's turned into a catchall/ junk drawer. Every once in a while I open it and am surprised! It's for "uncategorized" items.

bottom drawer of my box when i was working in shops was always clean or cleanish pair of levis, a t shirt, snacks and a costco bottle of ibuprofen.

 

[SBMech]

I don't use them as much as I used to, but there is no replacement for air when you need real power.

I have a 1/4 butterfly that has always been the shit for transmission/engine pans. 1/2 and 3/4 for when I gotta beat on big or rusty stuff. Like everyone else had said, grinders/sanders and drills just work better as air powered IMO.

The electric I own do their job, but are not as cost effective as air, since they don't last or take abuse like air tools. I've killed my whole selection of battery tools several times now. They just don't last in a heavy work environment like a shop. Drop one in coolant or oil pan...dead tool....

I will say that they are very helpful, as trying to fit the damn hose in tight spots was half the challenge a few years back!

 

[LHC Kirby]

I’m doing garage into a clean out this week in havasu…. None of my air tools have left the bottom drawer of my big box in probably 8 to 9 years… They are going in the garage sale pile. Some were never even used

I'm in LHC ..... I would be willing to take a look at what you have ;-)

 

[BUDMAN]

I have the 30 gallon truck mounted compressors in my service trucks with the exception of one truck. It completely relies and battery powered tools. It even has the Milwaukee battery powered air compressor for brakes adjustments and to locate air leaks. We also have the 1” impact for tire removal for brake jobs.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

This is a great channel to see what tools REALLY make for power. Some are quiet surprising, others disappointing.

https://youtube.com/@TorqueTestChannel?si=JCd9p81G8MFtiMHo

And this video shows the big dogs of the impact world. A couple pneumatics, but mostly dominated by electric

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

Lube them up and run them every once in awhile to maintain your air tools...

My favorite die grinder sorta died a drawer death

 

[monkeyswrench]

Lube them up and run them every once in awhile to maintain your air tools...

My favorite die grinder sorta died a drawer death

I have a small IR "peanut grinder", body is about 2/3 scale. Got it with a bunch of junk kind of locked up. Soaked it for a couple days with WD40, put it to 150psi shop air and held it in a trash can to contain the spray. Been good the past few years...big mess out of a little tool though.

 

[kurtis500]

Are tire shops like Discount Tire switching to electric?