Air tools

Rogue Wave · 29 August 2007, 12:38

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 · 29 August 2007, 13:41

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 · 29 August 2007, 13:43

Quote:

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 · 29 August 2007, 13:59

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 · 29 August 2007, 14:04

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 · 29 August 2007, 14:06

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

Hightower · 29 August 2007, 14:15

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 · 29 August 2007, 15:11

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 · 29 August 2007, 16:36

Quote:

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 · 29 August 2007, 17:14

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.

codprawn · 29 August 2007, 17:39

I doubt it's illegal - the plastic connectors and pipes etc are quite well established now!!! Agree with most of the other stuff.

Limey Linda · 29 August 2007, 17:57

It sure is in the USA

martini · 29 August 2007, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Martini
You have a system that is highly dangerous and probably illegal.

The system I have is specifically designed for workshop compressed air supply. I dont see any way that this could be dangerous?

Hightower · 29 August 2007, 19:32

The main reson I don't like flexi pipe as a main line is that you could easily damage it when moving things around in a workshop environment, other than that I guess it's just as good as steel stuff. My personal favorite is the steel though.

Yes, always oil on a regulated line and if possible go for the bigest receiver you can.

Bigmuz7 · 29 August 2007, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree with that, I've had air ratchets, hammers , needle guns, sanders, you name it.. that look shitty/cheap but have well outlasted better makes !

Rogue Wave · 29 August 2007, 21:07

Kieron thanks for the nod about Merlin, I'd be interested in getting a quote from them.

All the tools I have been looking at are DESOUTTO, iNGERSOL RAND, ATLAS COPCO AND CHICAGO PNEUMATIC. I am a bit of a tool whore and I like to buy the best tools I can afford for my son to leave hanging around the yard.

Gordon mgrath had a very enviable setup whenhe was based in the UK and I think he used CP

codprawn · 29 August 2007, 22:42

Desoutter used to be awesome - they were the company who made Douglas Bader's artificial legs!!! They were taken over by Chicago Pneumatics some time ago so what they are like now I don't know. I have some precision air screw drivers from them whilst they were still British. Maybe they still make the quality British tools - don't know.

We also used to use Tucker pop rivet guns - they were really good.

As I said though you have to be so careful these days. I wouldn't mind betting even the top brands have some stuff made in China - stuff that is also sold under other names at 1/2 the price.

Rogue Wave · 31 August 2007, 06:25

Thanks I am familiar with brand engineering and generally can tell if something is good quality or not. What I can't tell ios the quality of the steel that the machined parts are made from inside, which is why I am asking for peoples experiences.

How about Electrical tools? DO you see much differewnce between B&Q's own range of power tools as opposed to AEG, Hitachi or Metabo

mdt · 31 August 2007, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

How about Electrical tools? DO you see much differewnce between B&Q's own range of power tools as opposed to AEG, Hitachi or Metabo

It is all down to what you are using tools for and how often you are likely to use them. B&Q own brand is fine for putting up shelves or screwing a garden shed together but show them any hard work / abuse and they show why they where £29.98.

Makita power tools for me every time, have not managed to kill one yet.

Mind you Ellen Macarthur had B&Q own brand tools for her round the world trips. Now that was brave of her.

BigFella · 31 August 2007, 08:57

Speaking from the perspective of someone who used to be in the business, (I used to sell tools/specialist engineering supplies etc.) just make sure you stay well clear of anything marketed as a DIY tool. Most manufacturers carry a DIY range and a 'pro' range or something similar. The DIY ranges have a 'working design life' of approximately 4 hours constant use which is adequate for the average guy who puts up an occasional shelf or curtain pole etc. They use very cheap and poor quality internal materials (even if the exterior looks as good as a PRO version).

Brands such as Desoutter, Metabo, Bosch, Makita all rank up there (with Bosch always buy the Pro ranges though).

BUT (as with all things in life, it is never that straight forward)

It is important to consider your usage against cost. In some instances it is possible to buy several low budget tools for the price of a pro model. If your use is going to be occasional, it may make more sense to buy cheaper tools and just replace them when they go wrong.

I know of many people that use Clarke/Sealey products bought from the likes of screwfix and machine mart and have been using them for years with no problems, but they probably only use them on an occasional basis.

On a side note, when considering electrical tools be wary of Makita cordless drill/screwdriver units. They are excellent tools but have an inherently weak trigger unit. We used to have around ten of them and at any one time probably at least two were away having repairs to the trigger assembly......