Ahhh nice!@Anathollo my plasma cutter has a built in compressor. One of the reasons I bought this one. It is slightly smaller than preferred but much more usable in a large variety of situations.
Ahhh nice!@Anathollo my plasma cutter has a built in compressor. One of the reasons I bought this one. It is slightly smaller than preferred but much more usable in a large variety of situations.
For personal use and construction I can see air tools dying off - for commercial manufacturing heck no.
I need to go get our tanks filled now for our nail guns. I started keeping tanks in house vs carrying out compressors or electric nail guns. Only issue is no welding supply stores fill them - I need to go to a paintball field to get them filled. We tried the electric and Passload nailers and they all suck compared to a good ol air nailer (for what we do).
My guys destroyed 2 paslodes, 2 makita electric, and 1 dewalt electric and the whole time our good ol IR air nailer has worked flawlessly.
I got the guys this set up for small jobs: Pneumatic CO2 Regulator Kit with 20 oz tank
Yeah I can see that for commercial manufacturing. Forgot to account for that. You should call up a CO2 supplier (we use Airgas at work) and just keep a bottle handy for refills.Air tools not going anywhere,.
Compared to electric tools, air-powered tool versions are lighter and smaller, and they pack the same or higher amount of torque.
If I was operating a die grinder, cut off or disc sander for a couple hours a day, air tools ftw.
And I have used die grinder for hours for several days during the heat of the summer and I have caught myself positioning the tool while grinding to receive the air exhaust from the tool to cool off many times.
@Oswego The cost of sourcing materials for lithium will only increase over time.
Yeah I can see that for commercial manufacturing. Forgot to account for that. You should call up a CO2 supplier (we use Airgas at work) and just keep a bottle handy for refills.
@Taco Loco Yeah just because they are better doesn't mean they aren't on their way out sadly. I love air tools but I hated carting around a compressor and hose line to job sites.
Ahhh nice!
So my order of these got intercepted by someone else somewhere between being received at the plant and making them to me. So I ordered another set of the 7", 10", and 12" ones. As well as some more 7", 10", and 12" Knipex Cobra pliers and some Knipex diagonal cutters. I'll be here when these get delivered so they wont walk off.
There will never be an electric tool that will never come close to replacing these in my shop...
View attachment 11730
and at a $300 savings, I’ll never own one of those plated gold platinum dong double headed unicorn estrous cycle flowing rainbow flaming purple #MeToo Milwaukee M18 1/2 electric impact guns, unless I win the Mega-million Friday night.
For die grinders and small cutoff tools, air is the tits. If someone were to buy me a battery operated impact I may be swayed another way but I'm going to try and stay from going down the electric tool rabbit hole as long as I can I've never had luck with air cut off tools. Id put my Milwaukee M18 fuel grinder against any air cut off tool. I bet if I had 2 batteries I could be twice as productive as an air tool even if I had to wait for the battery to charge in between. Air cut off wheels do not have the power an electric one does.I've had my 80 gallon air compressor for years and had to desire to pay the price for those batteries for the electric impacts. They seem nice for the trail or to leave in your truck if you need one for emergency repairs, but for my shop air is king and it's hard to beat the longevity of an air tool over a battery operated one. The air compressor was free so I figure I'm already close to a grand ahead of the air tool purchasesFor die grinders and small cutoff tools, air is the tits. If someone were to buy me a battery operated impact I may be swayed another way but I'm going to try and stay from going down the electric tool rabbit hole as long as I can
![]()
Well I guess I'm gonna contradict myself nowWhile I admit there are PLENTY of uses for a good air tool. A 1/2" impact (as long as its not a compact version) is not one. The new Milwaukee Fuel has 1000 lbs/ft of tightening and 1300 lbs/ft or loosening. If you need more get a breaker bar and a 4' section of pipe.![]()
That is a pretty bad ass little air ratchet!
I'm about ready to get the Milwaukee version. Sometimes it's extremely frustrating not having one on my truckMy DeWalt electric die grinder at work would put any air die grinder to shame. Unless it's in very tight spaces because the thing is massive.
I've never had luck with air cut off tools. Id put my Milwaukee M18 fuel grinder against any air cut off tool. I bet if I had 2 batteries I could be twice as productive as an air tool even if I had to wait for the battery to charge in between. Air cut off wheels do not have the power an electric one does.
Air has a very limited use in my shop, filling tires and blowing things off is about all it gets used for. I use an air die grinder only occasionally because I don't have an electric one yet.
M18 rules in my garage and on the truck.

....at least with the current techGive Milwaukee another year and they will have a cordless paintball gun.We need a new thread (electric vs air tools). Ill side with neither and both. Each have their own pros and cons thus their own "best tool for the job" scenarios. Most of my opinions are based on having guys use the tools who don't own them of give a sh*t about them. They get used and abused in a commercial setting.
What I can tell you is - ain't no battery going to send 1,200+ .68 caliber paintballs downrange at 300fps like my air tank that weights less than 2lbs will....at least with the current tech

Give Milwaukee another year and they will have a cordless paintball gun.![]()
Give Milwaukee another year and they will have a cordless paintball gun.![]()
With heated grips for winter games.

Isn't this just the coolest little drill press you've ever seen? (Not mine).
View attachment 11738
View attachment 11737