I'm about to start investing in some air tools. I already have a good quality air dual action sander and a several die grinders. I'm looking around for a small mini angle sander and an air drill. As part of my research I've noticed a surprising similarity between cheapo ebay specials and more expensive kit eg machine mart/sealey etc. The real expensive tooling does seem to be different and of a higher quality but I'm unlikely to be investing in that bracket. With just about everything now being made in China, is there really any difference between these tools or is it simply the old case of buy the best you can afford when it comes to air tools.

Cheers

Made in China or not, bargain tools rarely, if ever turn out to be durable or well made, especially if they have moving parts like gears / bearings or work at very high rpms.

we scots really are a right tight fisted bunch of penny pinchers

[Edited on 8/5/08 by Mr Whippy]

my £10 impact gun from the bay has been really good, was a bit pants at first but just needed oiling and 'running in' a bit.

the only think i havent undone with it is the rear sierra hub bolts and one stipidly stiff wheel nut that took a breaker bar and a bit of jumping to undo - althogh thats probably down to my compressor not being high enough pressure tbh.

I'd agree with Mr W. other thinks like chucks on drills often don't centre the drill properly, or grip small drills. The vanes in the motors aren't brilliantly machined, and can stick, DA sanders aren't well balanced giving you a nice vibro massage but a real pain to do the job.....

I guess to clarify -

If I buy cheap from ebay I'm 99% that the tools will originate from China.

If I walk into Machine Mart and buy some air tools I'm also 99% that they'll originate from China.

Will the Machine Mart tools be any better than he ebay jobs?

Cheers

JC

quote:

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Originally posted by r1_pete
I'd agree with Mr W. other thinks like chucks on drills often don't centre the drill properly, or grip small drills.

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Remember Air tools use a lot of air --- impact guns and ratchets are usually OK on a medium sized hobby compressor but drills, die grinders, cut off tools, sanders and saws need a professional size compressor.

Sort of true - they work on hobby compressors but only for very short bursts.

(i know, I've got a 2.0hp compressor. At some point i'll rig up the 1.5hp compressor and hopefully have something similar to what a 3.0 hp hobby 50 litre compressor would give me - which is probably similar to a 2.5hp professional compressor).

Yep the first thing I did was source a decent compressor - a Hydrovane. In fact it's so decent I can't move the bugger. It's got plenty of CFM to play with and drives my shotblast cabinet easily (supposedly one of the most hungry applications).

Cheers

I've been very happy with my 10 quid Aldi air (Wolf power brand) drill... Not the best in the world I'm sure but does the job, centers the drills and is better than my electric drill... But then maybe I just got a good one... Works o.k off one compressor (again aldi, compressor can just keep up) one two it's no problem.. Stopped me snapping pilot hole drills (2mm) and it's defiantly payed it's keep in saved drill bits!

Dan

[Edited on 8/5/08 by Bluemoon]

quote:

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Originally posted by SeaBass
I guess to clarify -

If I buy cheap from ebay I'm 99% that the tools will originate from China.

If I walk into Machine Mart and buy some air tools I'm also 99% that they'll originate from China.

Will the Machine Mart tools be any better than he ebay jobs?

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We are finding that even "decent" makes are turning out pants - Dewalt grinders and drills bought recently are not the same tools as they were 5 years ago
Axminsters stuff is half decent, Machine ,art is cheap and wellpromoted but doesnt last too long if knocked about.
atb
Mike

quote:

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Originally posted by SeaBass
I guess to clarify -

If I buy cheap from ebay I'm 99% that the tools will originate from China.

If I walk into Machine Mart and buy some air tools I'm also 99% that they'll originate from China.

Will the Machine Mart tools be any better than he ebay jobs?

Cheers

JC

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If I may add another question.

How much difference does the larger bore hose make ?

i.e. If I buy real hose to replace the crappy freebie hose I have now, will I be noticing a very real difference in air delivery ?

Cheers

JF

a big difference!

imagine trying to blow through a little hose - you'd spend you're life pushing and get sod all air, now imagine trying to glow through a 10mm tube, its easier so you can shift more air.

Use the largest bore hose that you can for best results, the longer the hose the less pressure you get.

look on ebay for aircraft tools there are air tools there ,go for atlas copco if you can Desutor Ingasol Rand chicago pneumatic blue point ,a good compressor 15 to 20 ltr tank and a good heavy duty pump motor and air reg any smaller forget it ,small bore air lines are OK and don't alter your air tool to much but give you more flexibility than a large bore airline try using 360 swivel joints from halfords @ a fiver to your air tool

I recently repaired a very expensive (IIRC, an Atlas Copco) 3/4" windy gun by fitting the internals of a much cheaper machine. They were identical once the rubber boot was removed.

As the saying goes, 'buy cheap, buy twice', but if you're not relying on the tools to make a living and if they break, it's not going to cost anyone £30 an hour to go and get a new one, buy cheap......but buy two of them in the first place!!

i have a die grinder from B&Q cant remember the make but it was just as good as the snap-on/blue point one my mate had and i used it every day for over 4 years but on the same hand i bought a cheap air hacksaw and ended up chucking it in the bin and buying a bluepoint one

Davie

Well, I've taken the research route. I've ordered a half decent mini grinder and an ebay special drill. We'll how the quality compares and go from there. The drill was a cock & hen and my mate paid two ponys for his in Machine Mart. We'll see how they compare eh?

JC

Ive found very little use for my air drill. They spin way too fast, and stall out too easy. I would stick to an electric drill for anything harder than aluminum.

quote:

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Originally posted by SeaBass
Yep the first thing I did was source a decent compressor - a Hydrovane. In fact it's so decent I can't move the bugger. It's got plenty of CFM to play with and drives my shotblast cabinet easily (supposedly one of the most hungry applications).

Cheers

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