Thread: Air Tool Voyage for Beginners

Originally Posted by NewLou

My first question is what is the standard connection size for airtools in Australia and what brandnames are the ones to look out for???

G'day Lou,

Standard! Strewth, there a heaps of different connectors to go with! It comes down to you making your workshop utilize one "Standard".

PBR, Atlas Copco, CEJN.....

The most common and affordable IMHO is a brass jobbie called Jaymec, my local Totaltools stocks a whole wall of them in all manner of sizes!

Good luck and Happy New Year,

Mark.

Originally Posted by NewLou

ANy help advise guidance really appreciated!!!

REgards Lou

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR GOOD EAR MUFFS ON....

Al

Lou,
I believe the Jamec-Pem and Ryco connectors are pretty common in the southern states (worked on a few big commercial projects where it seemed that every chippy from Victoria had migrated to Cairns ). Check out the Nitto connectors though, when you compare them side by side you'll see that the bore is much larger on them compared to most of the others. Larger bore = better airflow.

Mick

Nitto fittings are the way to go.
An air duster is my most used air tool, good for blowing dust out of every thing!
The orbital sander uses to much air and is only good for short runs(5 min max). My compressor is 12cfm 7.8 FAD. Other tools I have are more suited to metal and automotive work(die grinder, 3" metal cutoff tool, 1/2" rattle gun, sand blaster, under body spray gun and several other spray guns.
I can spray 2 pack automotive paint ok so I will be trying some 2 pack lacquer on a jarrah slab table I am in the process of making.
It is amazing how often I use the compressor now since I bought it.

Regards
Glen.

This thread got me thinking, since I have just got my compressor working, and I had a look around Super Creeps yesterday. Most of the tools that they sell come with the Nitto fittings as standard as do most of the fitted hoses.

At work we have mostly Airco tools. Since we don't use them a lot they are perfect for the price!

Gidday

Yup once again some great help here that has really given me a good start!! The brandname Nitto keeps coming up so looks like this is the kit I'll be looking to put an initial outlay into and build upon!

I've been tralling the Net and it appears that the majority of air tools come in 1/4 or 3/8 inch setups. Which Diameter hose should I be looking to setup in? 1/4inch or 3/8inch? In australia standard sizes appear to be 8mm & 10mm can 1/4inch tools be setup on a 10mm hose???

REgardless of fitting size I have also noticed that the statement "fits most common airtools" seems to follow either configeration.

I've also just realised that another advantage of Airtools is that I might have the option of also scouring the American MArket which offers a lot more variety in the Big Brand tool lines. Am I really right in assuming this? no hassles with different plugs amps volts etc etc??

Has anyone here ever successfully ordered airgear from ths states and if so could you recommend a reliable supplier that mailorders overseas???

All feedback really appreciated!!!!

REgards Lou:confused:

G'day Lou,
The Nitto fittings are very good but I've noticed that they can uncouple if bumped or dragged across an uneven surface. This has usually occured ( to me ) where two or more airlines are connected together & are laying on the floor .:eek: The Ryco & Jamec fittings seem to be more secure but do not have the same bore as the Nitto fittings. Win some , lose some.
As for air tools, you should have a Snap On Tools van in your area. Track him / her down & check out their line of air tools. Good gear but a bit expensive!!:eek: Also check out the big tool supply houses / auto parts supply shops, e.g. Blackwoods, Repco, Motor Traders etc. or similar or Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, CP ( Chigago Pneumatic ) or their distributors, as these people have a very large range of air tools & will also give you the right advice on air supply / airline & fittings requirements.
I actually use a Snap On Bluepoint 3" orbital air sander on my bowls when woodturning. It has a high density foam backing pad & Velcro face to fit the fuzzy backed sanding pads ala Vic Wood, Tim Skilton etc.
Didn't mean to ramble on for so long Lou but I hope that this is of some help to you.
Regards,
Barry.

I don't think the brand is all that important

I bought a heap of elcheapo chinesae ones long ago so I always have plenty of spare fittings. I reckon they are much better than Jamec which I used to break occasionally

Most of my air tools come with a 1/4" BSP female socket, so you need a Nitto type fitting with a 1/4" BSP male thread which screws straight into the air tool with a bit of thread tape to seal the fitting. A couple of cheaper tools came with a straight male thread which a Nitto fitting with a 1/4" female BSP thread will screw onto.
I run 1/2" hose(second hand stuff thrown out at work) but 3/8" or 10mm should do for most things. You should be able to buy a 10-20m hose ready made up with Nitto type fitting for $20-$30 from Super Cheap Auto, even K-mart has them here.
I bought my sand blaster from U.S.A. but have seen similar units here for about the same price. Cheap air tools seem to work better then cheap electric tools so it may pay to try a few cheapy's before spending big bucks on quality tools.

Regards
Glen.

Gidday

Heres a great little guide to Air Tool usage that I think is really invaluable for the novice exploring the airtool scene (like me):

"Air tools are often rated as “Average CFM.” “Average CFM” is typically based on a 25% duty cycle (15 seconds out of a min.). This sometimes creates a problem with tools that are used on a continuos basis (ex. orbital sanders, die grinders, etc). Nailers and impact wrenches typically don't have the same problem since by their nature are used more intermittently. If you plan on using an air tool on a continuos basis, it is a good idea to multiply the “Average CFM” x 4 to get a continuous CFM rating for the tool."

<TABLE class=black cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=northerngray2 vAlign=center align=middle width="50%">Air Tool Description</TD><TD class=northerngray2 vAlign=center align=middle width="50%">Average CFM @ 90 PSI</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Angle Disc Grinder - 7"</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>5-8</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Brad Nailer</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>0.3</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Chisel/Hammer</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>3-11</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Cut-Off Tool</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4-10</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Drill, Reversible or Straight-Line</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>3-6</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Dual Sander</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>11-13</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Framing Nailer</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>2.2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Grease Gun</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Hydraulic Riveter</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Impact Wrench - 3/8"</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>2.5-3.5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Impact Wrench - 1/2"</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4-5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Impact Wrench - 1"</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>10</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Mini Die Grinder</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4-6</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Needle Scaler</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>8-16</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Nibbler</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Orbital Sander</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>6-9</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Ratchet - 1/4"</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>2.5-3.5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Ratchet - 3/8"</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>4.5-5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Rotational Sander</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>8-12.5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left>Shears</TD><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=middle>8-16</TD></TR><TR><TD class=northerngray vAlign=center align=left></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hope you find this guide as helpful as I have thx to forum members that have been stearing me on the right track!!!

REgards Lou

Hello Lou,

In Qld in the building trade it's almost exclusively Nitto. They make quick release fittings as well as the standard one. But to my thinking, for a lot of applications, air is inefficient if electricity is available (why pay the middle man?). For instance, an electric sander will run with full power for hours, but the power of an air sander will fluctuate according the the puff in the compressor tank as the pump struggles to keep up.

I run a Honda powered compressor for work, for a pneumatic star picket driver, staple gun and nail gun, and have a three phase one for my workshop. After the novety wore off, I only use the workshop one for spray-painting (when the job is too big for spray cans), a degreasing gun, an impact driver, and for blowing dust out of things.

My overall point is, while a compressor is essential for any workshop, don't invest too much in air tools; they'll end up hidden in drawers like mine.

Glen

Yup,

After much consideration I tend to agree n lets face it most quality electrical based power tools will last generations in the small shop environment!!

However the Compressor and tools that can be driven from one certainly demand some consideration and heres what I consider to be the essential kit to consider:

Air BLower
Brad Nailer
Crown Stapler
Spay gun kit to suit 'the balls' of your compressor
VAcuum Press to open up the world of effective veneering

I reckon this will just about do the Job.................................Lets See

Regards Lou

what I consider to be the essential kit to consider:

Have to have the rattle gun. They are just so much damn fun.
Oh, and the air ratchet cause I'm a lazy sod!

Only other essencial tool, tyre inflator with gauge