So i am going to start buying some tools for metal working, nothing to major just small things for my truck. and am wondering what would be better air tools for electric tools. i have a air compressor that can handle what i would be using it for. just dont know what the pros and cons are for both. thoughts???

die grinder
cut off wheel
sawzall
grinder
ratchet
impact
drill
nibbler
and i am sure some other items too

 

Electric tools are heavier, have more momentum, and more torque. I would use air for the die grinder, ratchet, impact and one drill as well. All the others I'd go electric, including an electric drill.

 

i have a set of dewalt 18 volt drill and sawzall, and a plug in drill (but it has a small chuck) i also just got a air cutoff wheel (it was $8)

thanks for the advise.

 

You can change drill chucks very easily. Most have a reverse thread retaining screw in the center, it's usually a phillips head and quite tight. Once this is out, the chuck just unscrews in the normal direction. It's also usually quite tight, I usually wind up chucking a larger allen wrench in it, and giving that a few sharp hits to break the chuck free. Most are either a 3/8" or 10mm thread. Home Depot and Lowes have a decent selection.

 

pound for pound you will get more power from an air tool. They also run cooler. This is a plus in the summer but a negative in the winter. I often have to wear my welding gloves when using my die grinder in the winter because the tool gets so cold. To a degree they are safer too. You don't have to worry about being electrocuted. And they just sound cooler.

 

so i was working on my bumper and used both a electric grinder and an air one and the electric was way way way way better. but the electric was a 4.5 inch and the air was a 3 inch but still so much better....and i had to let the air cutoff wheel heat up because it was getting cold.....but i can see the need for both

 

Not an authority but am a power tool junkie; whether I need the tool or not, both air and electric, and find I use the electric probably 90% of the time. Have a small shop compressor that puts out around 6.5 cfm @ 90psi and of the opinion unless compressor has at least 10-15 cfm, the more the better, one can spend just as much time waiting for the pressure to build than operating. Only have couple cordless tools and starting to get an urge to purchase a few more, and imho 18v min. Anyhow, had an urge to chime in and add my

 

Just how i usually buy or use them. I usually have two of each anyways.

> die grinder

air

> cut off wheel

3" - Air on the small ones because they fit into tough spots better. Electric on the 4.5, but, I usually use it as a grinder only.

sawzall

CORDED electric, because they have the longest stroke and it means the blade cuts more and stays cooler. Ones with a 7/8 (or worse 3/4") are fairly useless compared to something in the 1.25 range.

> grinder

Corded electric - can really kill a compressor unless you are talking 230v 2 stage oil less 120 gallons

> ratchet

hand tools first - I have air ones, but, fairly useless in tough spots where you usually need impacts.

> impact

air tools all the way. Exception is the Dewalt 1/2" impact, that is pretty sweet and good for driving lags.

I would go 1/2" first, quality such as Snap-On, Blue Point or IR. Then get a 3/8 butterfly, that is good for front of the engine stuff and Chevy brakes..

> drill

I love the air drill because it has torque, but, does not strip screws and fits in tight spots and can be used in the rain. But, I would get an electric 1/2" impact first.

> nibbler

One tool I have never owned - so I will pass judgment.

> and i am sure some other items too

magnetic clamps
center punch
drill doctor

 

Add a air hammer.......( suspension work.......

 

thanks for all the thoughts guys.

 

You've got quite the list there Brady.

Uh, let's see.

You might want to add an air powered hack saw to your list. It's actually a tiny sawzall, but it's made for cutting body panels.

Never had a need for a sawzall yet, but I'd go with an electric one.

I've used an air nibbler, it's handy for some applications, but not all.

Air hammer, yes, that's good to have.

Impacts, get a 3/8" and a 1/2". Air ratchets, get a 1/4" and 3/8". Cover all your bases anyway. Get a good breaker bar too, because sometimes an impact won't move something that a breaker bar will.

Die grinders and cutoff tools, I have them in air. I just think they're safer for some reason.

For a big angle grinder, you can get air powered ones, but they just don't have enough jam. Use an electric one. I have a dewalt 4-1/2" grinder at work for when I'm fabricating stuff.

What else... air drill at work. I also have a corded B&D, as well as an 18V B&D at home. All good for different jobs.

A cordless screwdriver is helpful sometimes, I've got a Ryobi 4v that's perfect for doing interior stuff.

 

i got a 4.5 inch electric grinder and a 3 inch air grinder, breaker bar i have i also have a steel tube that goes on the end to make it another foot longer (its 1/2 inch). i think my next buys are going to be air ratchets and impact. i have a few different electric screw drivers, much lighter then the dewalt 18 volt one i have. my buddy has one of those air powered hack saw it was sweet. an air hamer can be added.