Air tools

[Dingo]

Who makes good air tools, and which should be avoided?

Just got an air supply (co2) and I am looking for some air tools. Don't want to break the bank on a set, but would like something decent.

[BillaVista]

For decent without going top end I'm a big fan of Ingersoll Rand (IR).

These days I try and avoid Campbell-Hausfield and the like unless it's a tool I very rearely use or I just can;t aford better at the time (which is, like, always, of course!)

[blacktoy]

for the best bang for the buck IR(Ingersoll Rand) is the way to go, been beating on my IR's for years without any problems

[D60]

Ingersoll Rand, Chicago Pnuematic, Florida Pnuematic

[Brandon]

depends on the use, you can get stuff from Harbor Freight dirt cheap for a lot of uses. The tools I use the most are IR (Die Grinder/cut off wheel) the rest are from HF - and they work well for their use (DA, drill, impact, spare cut off wheel, air saws, etc etc.)

I want a better impact but I got a pretty good compressor so if I crank the pressure up the cheap tools still kick butt

[64Trvlr]

I went out and looked and these are the brands I've got Ingersoll Rand, Chicago Pnuematic and Snap-on

[slapnutz]

IMO three cheepo die grinders @30.00 each will out live one Ingersoll Rand @100.00 each. Just keep them oiled. Besides, it nice to have different grinders with various attachements already chucked up and ready to go.

[John Smith]

I went the route of going with quantity over quality buying cheap Campbell-H, Harbor Freight and whatever they sell at Costco. After using cheap air tools for a few years now the only thing I would like to buy is a nice IR impact. My cheap impact does not always do its job. Otherwise all my cheap air tools work great. Hell my $10 Harbor Freight cutoff wheel has seen tons of use and still works great. Keeping your airlines water free and your tools well oiled goes a long way.

If you are limited on funds you could build a collection of nice stuff slowly. I needed a lot of different tools for my projects and had limited funds at the time so I went cheap and I don't regret it.

[Dingo]

Actually as some of you suggested I will probably go the cheap route for now and get better stuff as the cheap start to break.

thanks for the advice.

[m016324]

I agree with billa on this on if it's something that you are going to use often (impact 1/2" 3/8" ratchet 3/8 1/4") I would get a quality tool because they are going to have the balls to get that damn rusted nut off the bolt. Also the smaller tools from HF usually don't have even close to the ratings that IR does. Granted money is an issue. With grinders and saws ect cheap ones usually work pretty well for all but production work. For longivity of course oil your tools after use and keep them free of water. Putting a moisture separator inline on your compressor will also help. Definately like this forum thanks camo!!!

-ben

[broncofreak2000]

I agree Ingersoll Rand is the only way to go.

[tdavis]

I have a set of el-cheapo junk for the trail air compressor (engine driven Sanden w/7 gallon air tank). That way, if it gets lost/stolen/damaged I can run down to HF/Costo/Walmart and replace it cheaply.

Now, the home tools - that's where I try and get quality at. I've got the Sears 1/2 impact gun ($180 one, I think it's the rebadge IR) and love it. Everything else, well.. again.. HF/Costco/Walmart junk, since I don't use it enough to make it worth while.

[Toyota_Jim]

Snap on or ingersol stuff in my box.

[stunnin650]

i work with my air tools for a living, don't skimp on a 1/2 impact, i got a mac 434 and it's great, as for other things i started off with the cheap ones and slowly replaced them with good one but i still have the cheap ones and they work very well, just oil them every time u use them and they will last a long time

[camo]

most all of my stuff is snappy. with the execption of my IR titainum 1/2 impact.......can you say 1000 ft lbs come awn.

probally my most used is the snap on im31 3/8 impact. great tool

[Toyota_Jim]

Originally Posted by camo

most all of my stuff is snappy. with the execption of my IR titainum 1/2 impact.......can you say 1000 ft lbs come awn.

probally my most used is the snap on im31 3/8 impact. great tool

yep i just upgraded my im31 to the newer im31a . great gun for sure. use the shit out of mine.

[DiegoYJ]

I run my air tools off my CO2 tank, usually on the trail for the most part, so I can't see spending a lot for em. I bought a reconditioned Craftsman on e-bay 3 years ago, no probs so far.

[doctor_cad]

My dad has been an auto mechanic for 30 years. He has had the same Ingersol Rand gun for 25 of them. Used every day!

[BadDog]

IR for staples like impact and air chisel. Places where quality, power, and longevity are important. I've got 3/8 and 1/4 Snap-on air wrenches only because I got a deal used off the truck (33% of new with rebuild kits included) and 50% for a nearly new D/A. Any of the truck stuff is going to be pretty good to very good, but pricey. In general, if I really care and I'm buying quality, it will be IR.

Other stuff less important and less used like air shears, air grinder/cut-off (which last forever anyway), air drill, etc... they come from HF on sale...

[scramblejim]

Ive got a Matco composite body, "quiet" impact. Im pretty sure its a rebadged IR, and I love. It got enough power to get most of the jobs done that it should, and it doesnt have a high pitched whine like most of my cheap tools do. a bunch of my other tools, like the die grinder with the 3m whizzer pads, the air hammer, are all el cheapo tools.

[BlueTorch]

Snap-On, Mac, and Ingersoll Rand in my box. Harbor Frieght has some great deals on Ingersoll Rand from time to time. I picked up a sander the other day for half of what the same sells for at Sears.

[BlueTorch]

Make sure you oil your air tools. Just a thought

[haystax]

I guess I will add my vote for IR, they are about the best bang for the buck. Snap-On is better but the price is just too much to justify the added quality. Sears sells Craftsman air tools that are made by IR just with different looks. Harbor Freight cheapies are pretty good as long as you don't get impacts or ratchets. Snap On die grinders have way more balls than any other brand i have used, but it sounds like a pawnshop IR and a plastic case set of HF die grinder/hammer/cutoff might suit you the best. Air tools in general are pretty greedy and the CO2 just doesn't last that long. It is great for changing tires and trail repairs but a die grinder or 1/2 impact will drain your tank really quick. That has been my experience at least.

[whthilux]

Bet the craftmans pro 3/8 impact has #'s close to the snap on,& I only paid 70 bucks for mine.(floor model)

[CrustyJeep]

I like to hit the local pawn shops and find good deals on slightly used IR stuff. Sometimes you stumble on some amazing deals that way. I'll take good used over new junk any day.