Air tools

[Rogue Wave]

I have a reasonable budget allocated to buy Air tools for our Unit.

So far I have bought Hydrovane 3 phase compressor and want to plumb air all around the Unit.

Lucky me I here you say, so the question is whats the best make of Airtools ?

[codprawn]

There isn't one - some are better at some things than others. Ingersol Rand have a good name but the prices you pay - ouch. So many things are rembranded these days - you can usually tell the quality by the look and feel of the thing. I have an SIP pro impact gun that is better than most of the other makes but 1/2 the price.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I have a reasonable budget allocated to buy Air tools for our Unit.

So far I have bought Hydrovane 3 phase compressor and want to plumb air all around the Unit.

Lucky me I here you say, so the question is whats the best make of Airtools ?

Atlas Copco Here make a good selection on god quality Air tools, they're not cheap though.

[codprawn]

Some of the machine mart stuff is quite good - some is crap. Same goes for Sealey - some of it is indentical to branded stuff that costs 2x as much.

[Ribshop]

We have recently had a new system plumbed in around the perimeter of the workshop we used a company called Merlin, the price they charge for install and the time it took them (about 4hrs one afternoon) it worked out more efficient for them to do the lot. We have been using machine mart tools for years and have never had one fail.

[Hightower]

Steer clear of machine mart or Clark tools, these are really hobby tools and won't give the expected service.

[Hightower]

If you intend to use the tools in between regular lay ups it might be worth the trouble of fitting FRO unit (Filter, Regulator, Oiler) this will make sure the tools are oiled as you use them and won't ever seize up. Make sure that any air blow lines are on a different circuit to the oiler though. Also in the design of the pipe work, have all the take offs for the air tools/lines at the top of the main pipe and one off the underside of the pipe leading to the floor though an automatic drain valve, this makes sure that the system doesn't clogg up with water and rust your tools.

[martini]

I plumbed air round our workshop last year using a push fit system from Sealey. You just buy the required lengths of plastic pipe which are easy to cut to length (no threading required) and whatever connectors you need (90 degree corners, tee's, straights etc.) and wall clips. Cost me around £250 to go round a 2000 sqft shop with a ring main and 3 dropped down take offs. The beauty of it is you can chop and change or add to the system easily, the connectors are re-usable.

As for tools, I'm a self confessed Snap On whore but even I won't buy their air tools! Ingersoll Rand are generally considered No1 for quality. If you look on Ebay USA you can get great deals there. I recently bought a 1/2" gun and a 3/8" ratchet for £80 brand new!!

One here for example: http://http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW...QQcmdZViewItem

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Steer clear of machine mart or Clark tools, these are really hobby tools and won't give the expected service.

Not always the case - some of them are crap - but some are very good - you can tell by looking at them which is which. Same with their welders etc. I have a 205 turbo mig - replaced the cheap and nasty gun with a quality one and now it's as good as anything!!!

[Limey Linda]

Martini
You have a system that is highly dangerous and probably illegal. Rip it out and do it again with steel pipe. Hydrovanes have no built in reservoir and often rely on a ring main pipework system that acts as a res. Insert a res. in the system if it is small. Never, ever put an oiler on a supply system. Oil and water filter yes. Make sure the system has a low point to drain off water that WILL occur due to condensation. Install pressure regulators to keep the output of the sytem below 100 psi. Choose the tools you can afford, and use Schreader type quick disconnects. Keep a squeeze bottle of airtool oil handy and put a drop in the tool before you use/connect it. Run the tool for a couple of mins. first to blow any excess oil out. If you use rubber/plastic extension air lines then make sure you blow them out before use as there will be water in them.
Hope this helps.