<font color=blue>I'm just starting my air tool collection. Any product recommendations or warnings you could give would be appreciated</font color=blue>
Mike, that might be like trying to tell you which tractor to buy without knowing what you're going to do with it. But I'll try to list a few basics.
Almost any of the air tools will do what they were designed to do. And nearly all my business is the result of:
1. running too high air pressure. Nearly all the air tools are designed and rated for 90 psi, but a lot of shops run 175 psi; more power and more wear.
2. moisture in the air lines. Condensation forms in the compressor and it should be bled off frequently and/or a drier/filter should be used on the air lines. Moisture in the tool results in rust.
3. dirt getting into the tools. Nearly everyone uses quick couplers and when the tool is disconnected, if it, or the end of the air hose, is dropped in dust, dirt, and debris, it gets into the tool and you get the same wear in the cylinder that you would get running your car or tractor without an air filter.
4. lack of lubrication. They're nearly all labelled to "oil daily" with air tool oil through the air intake. I'm afraid not many people do that; those who do usually give it a shot of oil before use, but giving it a shot of oil at the end of the day will help blow any moisture out and prevent rust. Many of the impact wrenches also have an oil plug on the side or towards the front to add oil for the impact assembly; non-detergent 20W or 30W motor oil is the recommended oil. Very few people ever check that oil. If they're not designed for motor oil in the impact assembly, then they probably have a grease fitting (looks like a dimple in the rear or side of the tool - or on the reverse knob on some ratchets and requires a needle nosed grease gun - needs greasing about once a month in daily use, but actually is seldom done).
5. using ratchets for a "breaker bar". People break or wear out ratchets using them to break loose or tighten bolts beyond what the air ratcheting mechanism can do.
As for which brands: Nearly any of them. Look at the torque rating. Many that look alike may be far different in performance. Example: A Chicago Pneumatic CP734, half inch impact, is rated for 425 ft./lbs. There are lots of cheap "clones" available and they work well; but only rated for about 250 ft./lbs. How much torque do you need? Professional mechanics who use their tools all day every day usually buy name brand, expensive tools (Snap-on, MAC, Matco, Chicago Pneumatic, Sioux, etc.). Parts are available and the tools can be rebuilt. Individuals who use their tools occasionally are probably just as well off to buy cheaper ones, if the torque rating is sufficient for their use (Campbell Hausfeld, Central Pneumatic, and dozens of others).
Personally, I'm partial to Ingersoll Rand products, closely followed by Chicago Pneumatic (and many of the MAC and Matco tools are made by one of those, especially Ingersoll Rand). Parts are readily available and the price of the parts isn't too bad - of course if they're used properly they'll probably last a lifetime without needing parts. Snap-on makes good tools; no better, no worse than the others, but they're expensive and so are the parts.
Whew, probably telling you more than you wanted to know, but you can send me a private message or private e-mail if you have any specific questions about particular models.
Bird
