Electric VS Air

[DXN1EL]

I know air impacts are unbeatable and with proper lubrication air tools can last long time. But what about performance? Are the grinders, drills stronger than electric powered tools?

 

[TripleR]

Going to depend a lot on your compressor performance.

 

[nybirdman]

I had used air tools at my work and have some at home.I don't see any power advantage to air versus electric.You need a very large compressor to take advantage of air tools.Maybe a little cheaper to run in a commercial shop environment where they have a large air source.Home use not so much.
You still have to drag around an air hose,today's cordless tools are pretty good.

 

[Bird]

It depends entirely on the individual tool, as well as having enough compressor. There are some electric drills and grinders that are more powerful than other electric ones, and the same is true of pneumatic ones. Some of the most powerful drills and grinders I've had any experience with were older Sioux air drills and grinders that came to me for repairs. They were stronger than any electric ones I've used, and they belonged to a freight company's trailer rebuild shop.

You want to see a small drill with unstoppable power - T-Handle Pneumatic (Air) Drills

Or the 1280 series 7" grinder - Right Angle Grinder-Sander - Model#1287L

But of course Sioux tools are a bit expensive for a home shop.

 

[yomax4]

I have a Sioux Disc Sander and 2 Sioux Die Grinders. Hands down more powerful that the Eagle, Kawasaki and Craftsman air tools I have. I do have a 1/2" electric impact that is one mean tool compared to the Chicago Pneumatic Air impact I have. Air tools will require a lot of oil if used a lot and you're compressor is running a lot. Compressors like to pump out moisture which the tools don't like. I have auto oilers on some.

 

[bandaidmd]

I compare on a tool to tool comparison, sometimes the air version of a tool is way more compact than its electric counterpart (such as a die grinder).
It seems like you can buy a cheaper brand of air tool that will hold up pretty well where a cheap elec. tool is not going to hold up to any serious use.
Economily the electric tool probably wins out, running a 5hp compressor to drill a 1/4" hole seems quite a bit wasteful.

Weight is another factor, i cant imagine what an electric version of my 1" truck air impact would weigh.

 

[ericher69]

I know air impacts are unbeatable and with proper lubrication air tools can last long time. But what about performance? Are the grinders, drills stronger than electric powered tools?

You gotta remember that the main advantage to air tools is being able to stall them without burning up the motor (such as stalling an electric drill) or being too aggressive while grinding with an electric grinder.

Cost wise the air tool is almost always more expensive to operate; running a 5hp compressor vs a 6 amp electric drill

 

[Bird]

I have a Sioux Disc Sander and 2 Sioux Die Grinders. Hands down more powerful that the Eagle, Kawasaki and Craftsman air tools I have. I do have a 1/2" electric impact that is one mean tool compared to the Chicago Pneumatic Air impact I have. Air tools will require a lot of oil if used a lot and you're compressor is running a lot. Compressors like to pump out moisture which the tools don't like. I have auto oilers on some.

I'm sure curious about that 1/2" electric impact. What brand and model is it? I've owned 2 electric 1/2" impacts and they were very handy when I didn't have enough air compressor, but they were both less than 250 ft. lbs. of torque. I see the 8 amp Craftsman now claims 350 ft. lbs. but I thought most any Chicago Pneumatic would be around 425 ft. lbs. Of course, for most jobs, you wouldn't notice the difference in power, since either one will do the job.

Of course, automatic oilers, dryers, etc. are good, but instead of that, I just give my air tools a little shot of air tool oil through the air inlet and a very brief burst of air after I finish using them. A lot of people will oil them before use, but I think it does even more good to do it after use to displace any moisture.

 

[Bird]

You gotta remember that the main advantage to air tools is being able to stall them without burning up the motor (such as stalling an electric drill) or being too aggressive while grinding with an electric grinder.

Cost wise the air tool is almost always more expensive to operate; running a 5hp compressor vs a 6 amp electric drill

Another big advantage to air tools is their much lighter weight; not as tiring to use. Naturally, you need a big, high capacity compressor in a shop where time is important and there's almost continuous use, but you sure do not need a 5 hp compressor for home use.

 

[Scooby074]

It comes down to how much air you got and how much you want to spend.

High quality air tools with lots of supplied air in many cases are superior to corded tools and can certainly be as powerful or more powerful in a lighter package. We used Sioux and DeSoutter tools, very high end, worked extremely well.

Sometimes a quality corded tool is preferable.

There's too many variables to say ones better than the other for all uses in all cases. One thing is, most home shops dont have enough air to run high end pneumatic tools properly.

Then there are the new pro grade cordless tools, like Ingersolls new W750 impact W7150 | 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench | Ingersoll Rand that for all intents and purposes is the match for even high end pneumatics. Its capable of 780 ftlbs!, which is the match for Ingersolls TiMax unit, which is a GREAT pneumatic gun. Not a cheap tool at near $500 for the kit however.