Air Tools
Air tools are powered by compressed air. They are also called pneumatic tools. Air tools are popular in mechanics' shops, on construction sites, in factory assembly lines, and in higher-end home workshops. Air tools have some advantages over other types of power tools in certain circumstances.
Automotive air tools can be used safely around gasoline, oil, and other flammable liquids found in and around cars. Unlike gasoline powered tools, air tools create no toxic exhaust products, so they can be used in confined spaces with little ventilation. Even compressed air is very light, probably the lightest fuel that can be carried far from an electrical outlet. But compressed air tools do need compressed air, and therein is the major downside of air tools.
A compressor is needed to take ambient air and compress it for use by air tools. The compressor itself may run on gasoline, so it may have to be used outdoors or in a very well ventilated area. Compressed air must be stored in a high-pressure steel tank, and this poses a certain hazard. Should the compressed air reservoir rupture it can send shrapnel flying, or it can strongly blow air over flammable objects. Compressed air tools, with their reservoirs, should be treated as carefully as live ammunition, but otherwise such tools are safe and powerful.
Industrial air tools mounted over assembly lines are often supplied with compressed air through metal pipes that run to a central compressor. Coiled half-inch hoses drop down from the pipes above to connect to air tools that workers use. Some home workshops are equipped with similar overhead compressed air delivery systems, and so are many automotive air tools. Portable compressors can be used in home shops and taken to job sites.
Air impact tools emit short, powerful bursts of compressed air to drive hammers, chisels, and so on very rapidly. Air impact socket wrenches are very useful for removing rusted nuts from car tires quickly and without stripping the threads.
Ingersoll-Rand air tools are industrial quality air tools widely used in many applications. Snap-On air tools is another high-quality brand.
Air tool accessories include numerous types of pressure gages; hoses of reinforced plastic, rubber, and other materials; brass and steel couplings; wheeled carts for pushing compressors and compressed air reservoirs around; and, of course, a great many types and sizes of tools. It's also a good idea to invest in safety glasses or wraparound goggles to prevent eye injuries not only from flying debris, but also from powerful blasts of compressed air should a reservoir rupture, or an air line burst.