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Air Tools Buyers Guide
Air tools, also referred to as pneumatic tools, have several
advantages over electric power tools. For one, they offer more
torque and power than conventional power tools. They also are
generally more durable than their electric counterparts because
they have fewer moving parts. Finally, they're easy to use. Just
plug in your air tool's hose to your compressor and start
working.
Air tools do require a separate air compressor that powers your
individual air tools. Be sure to match the PSI (pressure per square
inch) rating on your compressor with that of your tools. Doing so
will enable you to run your air tools at maximum power. Also, only
purchase air-tool hoses that are made for the connection on your
compressor. A tight seal between your hose and compressor is
critical to prevent air leakage and loss of power.
There is an air tool for almost every job. Some of the more
common air tools are pneumatic drills, air grinders, pneumatic
hammers, lubricators, air nail guns, air paint sprayers, pneumatic
ratchets, air sanders, air saws, tire inflators, and pneumatic
wrenches.
Nail Guns:
An air-based nail gun can make a big job seem small. Pneumatic
nail guns come in two basic types: stick and coil.
- Stick-type nail guns: Stick-type nail guns hold 20 to
40 nails at a time in a long narrow configuration, or “stick.” The
nails in the stick are held together with thin pieces of wire,
paper, or plastic.
- Coil-style nail guns: Coil-style nail guns hold nails in a
drum or canister. The nails are usually held together by wire and
form a long flexible strip. Coil-style nail guns can hold upward of
300 nails.
Air tool nail guns are often designed for specific applications,
including framing, finishing, and roofing.
- Framing nail guns: Framing nail guns are designed for
prolonged, heavy-duty work.
- Finishing nail guns: Finishing nail guns are smaller and
used with lightweight finishing nails.
- Roofing nail guns: Roofing nail guns are designed
specifically to fasten shingles.
Nail guns use two different trigger mechanisms, including
professional grade and two-step.
- Professional-grade (automatic): Professional-grade
varieties fire immediately upon pulling the trigger and require
some practice to use.
- Two-step nail guns (semi-automatic): Other models, more
appropriate for beginners, require a two-step process: pulling the
trigger and tapping the barrel against the surface being
nailed.
Nail guns also come with a variety of features, such as
adjustable depth control and oversized triggers for use with
gloves.
Compressors:
Air tools need a constant, stable supply of compressed air to
function well. Before selecting a compressor, carefully consider
the unit's horsepower and tank capacity. Units with more powerful
motors and larger tanks (measured in gallons) can generate higher
levels of PSI for longer amounts of time, providing greater power
to your air tools.
Most air tools need a certain amount of pressure to operate
properly, so make sure the compressor you choose is powerful enough
to run your most demanding tools. There are two main types of
compressors available: piston-type and compact.
- Piston-type compressors: Piston-type compressors use a
pump to fill a tank. The tank stores the compressed air until it’s
ready for use. When the air pressure drops below a certain point,
the compressor turns back on and increases the pressure. There are
both single-stage and two-stage compressors, featuring one and two
compressors, respectively. Two-stage compressors create more
pressure and are superior for heavy-duty jobs.
- Compact compressors: Compact compressors do not have a
tank to store compressed air. Instead, the compressor continues to
run while it is providing air pressure. While these models are
small and light, they do not provide enough pressure for many
applications and are generally used as propellants for paint, glue,
or lubricant guns.
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