Thread: Best Air tools

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What are some good air tools that some of you body men or painters have used? I am going to order me a DA sander and some prep disks and a few other things soon. Also where would you order them from on the net? I am looking at www.thetoolwarehouse.net and they have a lot. I am sure there is not any air tool out there that's the best or anything but I just want to see what you guys have that seems to work real well and not have any problems. I am looking at ingersol rand (sp) and I have used a lot of air tools from them but only used one of their DA's for about 5 minutes and also used a lot of Blue Point.
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Shawn-

csf03716 is right pneumatic Tools are very exspensive but I was alway told you get what you pay for I myself use matco, snap on or mac tool I like the warranty that they have but there only good if you take care of them

One air tool I find very handy is a blue point microsander that you can use to sand down your cars paintwork prior to spraying another coat of paint

















I reduce the picture 60 % and it's still HUGE

I've got one I use it to do my metal polishing Just ordered it little sister buffer boy your talking about alot of work useing that to do a hole car

If you've got a lot of bondo to sand down, a reciprocating long board sander is nice. They're cheap, too. I've seen good qualitly metal bodied sanders go for $30.

Just a preventive measure. It does not matter if your air tool is a budget or top of the line, oil it before using and at the end before putting away. Also, oil occasionally during use. This came from a person I know whose company does tool repair. He states that most failures come because people put their tools away dry allowing contaminates to sit and eat during down time.

Ok well thanks for the info but not to sound like an ass or nothing I never really asked anyone to really tell me that it's too much money or nothing, just good brands that they have used and were happy with. Like I said, I do not mean to make that sound bad AT ALL or sound like an ass because I know you guy's are just trying to help. I know that I have to clean and oil them DAILY, I use them basically everyday and do that after every use. I am going to get a sanding line board as well like someone here mentioned and a DA sander. I already have a compressor, regulators, air and oil trap, etc. I am going to get a new water and oil trap when I get my paint spray gun and air brush. I got the money saved now for the tools so I am just looking to see what I wan't now. I am thinking about going with Ingersol rand or Blue Point or something, I don't need no Snap On ones. Snap On is way too expensive and you mostly pay for the name even though yes Snap On tools are nice and all but still, way too much and if I have problems they suck at getting a truck over here to get me a new part and I don't wanna deal with that.
Thanks for the info and all so far, any more are still appreciated.

FMX,

How big is your compresor? Horsepower? Tank size? That makes a real difference.

By the way, here's a hint. When you say "I don't mean to sound like an ass," it generally means that you are ust about to do so. The guys were just trying to give you info to help you make a decision. If you start telling them what information to give you, pretty soon you're going to get zippo.

You might try going to www.Autobodystore.com
They are really experienced body and paint guys as well as Len who runs the site and a body shop and the store. His prices are good and his service as well but I am not promoting any of the brands he sells. You might search the archives there as I know there has been similar questions about DA's , etc.
I think you will learn a lot from this site as well.
Hope this helps
MikeC

Henry, I think I get what you are saying but I am not about to do nothing. And JUST like I said, I know they were just trying to help and yeah I appreciate it because I know that they are trying to help me out so I don't get myself screwed up and waste money. I just couldn't think of any way to put the sentence and was in a hurry so I said it so when more people post they don't have to like waste their time I guess telling me that, just the name and then I am happy. So I hope noone takes that in a negative way and I really appreciate the help. I have never said nothing like that in a negative way before when asking for something so I would hope you guy's wouldn't believe I would do it now. Anyway's before this all get's out of hand, I have a couple of air compressors, one is small and not enough for spray guns and the other is bigger. The bigger one is 15 Gallons and 5 HP. It will be good for the DA and all but I am going to try and get a bigger one from my teacher that he is selling and use it for painting... Either that or pay 50 bucks and buy my own materials and all and use the schools heat booth they have that they spent like 100 grand on I was told. Most likely I will do it at home but just may go to the school and then not have to worry about using my own compressor and all. Either way I do this, it isn't like I will be losing out because if I buy these tools and take real good care of them then they will last me a long time and be worth the money.

MikeC, thanks a lot for that site, I will definetely check it out.

Five HP and 15 gallon tank will definitely NOT run a DA, a die grinder, a high-speed sander or a cut-off tool. Anyone telling you that is just trying to sell a compressor. Trust me, I've had two 5HP compressors, and neither would run much more than an air ratchet or an impact wrench. They barely would run a decent HVLP paint gun.

That size compressor will be lucky to put out more than 4.0 CFM at 90PSI. DA's and other similar tools take 6-9 CFM. Some HVLP guns take 10 CFM. My 5hp compressor was lucky to run a DA for more than a few minutes.

I bought a 7hp, 60 gal dual piston unit. Costs more, but at least it works.

I myself like Dayton air tools, also Craftsman.FMX, the 15 gal 5hp is plenty big enough for painting, you only need between 20-50 PSI depending on guns requirements, that compressor is big enough, you may want to consider bigger for air tools but even then, it should be big enough for that too.

It ain't just the pressure . . . it's the flow rate. 5HP is barely enough to paint with. I've done it, but it was a fight, and there was lots of stopping.

Henry I have used a lot of air tools on mine but you are right. It works for me for now but it is running all the time and I don't like to run it hard like that. Noone is trying to sell me nothing, my teacher has I think he said a 60 gallon one... either 60 or 80, I can't remember and he said it will run any spray guns and all my air tools (not all at the same time of course) I am going to see what he want's for it and then also just go to Sears or Sam Club has some big ones too. Do you know if any of the compressors at Sam's are any good or will do good enough and not bust down? Tools is what is going to take up most of my money here. I have 1000 bucks saved up and it's taken me forever to get that much but am going to sell my bike and get another 3300 so I should have enough for the tools and if this compressor is anygood and I get it for a good price then I am hoping to have a lot of money left over to at least get the frame done and my tools bought (enough for the job).