What are Air Tools and the Various Ways they Benefit Professional Contractors

The Many Benefits of Using Air Tools

In the realm of power tools, air tools are a popular favorite due to being efficient and extremely user friendly.

Air tools offer many benefits to both professional contractors and weekend DIY enthusiasts alike.

Many people find them considerably less tiring to use than conventional electrical power tools and for a worker putting in long hours using power tools, this can be a huge benefit!

History of Air Tools

Although you might not think of it in such a way, the hand bellows used by an old time blacksmith was a type of air tool since it used compressed air.

In 1650, a German physicist and engineer named Otto Von Guericke invented the first air pump.

By 1829, things had progressed to the invention and patent of the first compound air compressor that compressed the air in a succession of chambers.

The pneumatic tube is well known and was in use for many years in office buildings to shuttle documents and papers from one office or floor to another.

In 1865, the first subway used a giant pneumatic tube. The first mechanical “cash carrier” such as we see at drive through banking windows nowadays was patented in 1875.

It wasn’t long before the possibility of using air to power tools was put into practice. In 1871, an inventor named Samuel Ingersoll invented the pneumatic drill. This was followed by another inventor who came out with the pneumatic hammer in 1890.

From there, air tools rapidly gained ground and are in use nowadays all over the world, widely used in various types of projects.

How do Air Tools Work?

Air tools are powered by pneumatic, or compressed air that is provided by an air compressor. The air is drawn in and pushed along its way by a piston. The piston then pumps a supply of compressed air into an air reservoir. It is the pressure from that compressed air that powers the air tool.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using air tools for your jobs:

 Ease of Use: Most air tools have a simple on/off switch, nothing technical. They are lighter weight than their electrical power counterparts and thus, easier to use.

 Safety: Since air tools are lighter weight, they are far less tiring to the operator over a period of time, which automatically makes them safer to use. No worries about electrical shocks, either. You can use air tools even in a flooded basement!

 Power: Generally speaking, most air tools deliver more PSI, or Pounds per Square Inch, which makes them more powerful than their electrical power tool counterparts.

 Faster: Since air tools deliver more PSI than hand tools or many electrical power tools, they can often get the job done in less time. This aids in safety as well as costs if you are a contractor paying your crew by the hour.

 Easily Maintained: Air tools have few moving parts and are designed to be quite tough and durable. Plus, their parts are generally made of metal such as steel or aluminum, instead of plastic as is the case with many electrical power tools. Having fewer parts to wear out and being metal and more durable, you can see why maintenance of air tools would be a breeze.

 Cost Efficient: Many electrical power tools require the use of 240 volts, but air compressors that power air tools usually run on 120 volts AC, a significant savings in electricity and money!

 Location Friendly: You can use a portable air compressor to power air tools in locations where there is no electricity. This represents a clear advantage when working in rural areas or construction that has yet to be wired for electricity.

Air tools are an invaluable asset for any DIYer or professional worker with many benefits!

About the Author

We are one of Australia’s leading air tools supplier offering a wide range of products at competitive prices. Visit our online store for more details.

Author (Nick). Submitted on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 Time: 7:15 AM

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