I went through a phase where i ran lots of air tools then battery tools got popular and i didnt do much with air.

Ive been wrenching on big stuff lately so tge air has come back in my life.

This air hammer is a must have it freaking rocks line up parts knock out bolts ball joints bloody your hand god i live it.

The air hammer gets used so often im amazed i was beating on tge dump truck then finally got smart and scared the stuff apart with tge air hammer.


The little earthquake 1/2" impact is also damm impressive also have the bigger earthquake but dont grab it much because the little one busts most nuts and bolts loose



Since going back to air ive bought these the chief right angle drill and have a handfull of 1/4 die grinders of various sizes straight and right angle.

Doesnt take a ton of air to run most these tools the big air hammer is a life saver making a lone garage mechanic very happy.

Just thought id my must haves. What are yours.

 

I am the same way evan. I am converting over to battery from air. I have both now but I don't think I will ever get away completely from air. Just no battery substitute for a good 3/4" ilmpact

 

I have a mix of both. Never been a fan of electric for high power stuff. But at the same time, you got to spend the money on a big enough compressor to make it worth it. Honestly the only electric tools I have are an impact and a couple drills. All my other electric stuff is for gardening related activities.

I do have to say, air hammers are one of those tools most people think are worthless yet they have so many odd uses. Stubborn ball joints are my favorite.

 

Gawd damn, what's the CFM requirement on that big impact? I don't think my little 5 HP compressor would keep up with that thing.

 

I have a combination of air, battery powered, and electric tools. I have an air impact, air sander, air hammer, air nail gun, air blow gun, and air chuck for inflating things like tires. Battery powered tools are spread across different things... Mower, weed eater, hedge trimmer, right-angle impact, regular impact, drill, lighting, etc. Electric has things like angle grinder, dremel, sander, oscillating tool, etc. I like having options lol.

These days, air isn't a requirement like it used to be. Battery powered tools are at a stage where they are brushless and well developed.

 

My air compressor cuts off at 175 psi. Even a 1/2" air gun gets positively angry at that pressure

 

Air compressor to fill up tires and occasionally blow some dust off things. Electric everything else! *milwaukee

primarily cordless but still utilize the corded versions for those long day activities. Cutting up for scrap hauling or prepping axles/surfaces for fab work/paint

 

That's what regulators are for. My air compressor tank pressure is 200 psi. The line regulator is set for 90 psi. Most air tools are very happy at 90 psi.

 

True, but there are times I run 3/4" drive sockets with my 1/2" gun

 

I have one of these. I think it is a Craftsman. I cannot personally recommend any other brand as i have never used any of them.
It is slow and the keyed chuck sucks. But ive used it where nothing else would fit and it saved my *** a ton of extra work more than once.

some tools like air shears/nibblers dont make sense for me to spend a ton of money on an electric version because of how little I will use them. And where I will use them.

 

I have had one for over 20 years and it finally gave up on me. I will replace it with a Milwaukee battery powered equivalent. One complaint I had even with a 11 cfm two stage compressor, it was using enough air that I would have to quit and let the compressor catch up. But on the other side, big difference in cost

 

Great to see this tool box talk going somewhere.

Not sure the 1" gun cfm requirements. I can pretty much run it at 90 psi with pump running.
a guy gave me this compressor for free even deliverd it to my house when i was at work. My eyes popped when i got home and saw this pump on it. I think 16cfm pump.

I fired it up plugged into my welder outlet 240. Marked the hole for repair cut out a good 1.5" rust hole then cut a patch and welded it it in.

its been amazing haveing the compressor


I do the makita battery tools. Have like 10 of the damn things. The 1/2 impact is a beast. Rebuilt it twice now. Problybtime for a new one.

 

I hear ya. I'm just glad that these battery powered tool companies are coming out with high torque impacts and big amp-hour batteries.

I only have 3/8- and 1/2-inch drives. I know a few companies like Milwaukee have a 3/4-inch drive impact out. Big power.

 

My big makita gun 1/2" is also available as 3/4 drive. Suposed to be 1200ftlb ive found it is actually 300-400ftlb but even at that its damn stout.

Also find 400lb rated air guns will go 150 or so

 

Needle scaler. One of my must have tools.