</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Air sanders I have used are no better than electric but cost much more (both initially and to operate) )</font>
Ken, it may be true that they cost more to buy, . . . but to operate? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Of course, I repaired a lot of air sanders, both orbital and in line (also called air files by a lot of mechanics and body men). And they always came to me filthy, but that's what all the body shops used. Now I can't say for sure, but I do believe they'll hold up better than electric in heavy duty use.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Air drills do nothing an electric can't do faster and quieter. )</font>
Again, probably true for most of us but I'll bet you never used a top of the line Chicago Pneumatic or Sioux drill. Sioux makes some of the most powerful and yet small in size and light weight drills I've ever seen, but of course they're out of my price range. One of the major trucking companies has a bunch of the "T-handle" drills for drilling the rivets out in the trailer rebuild shop. Amazing tool.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( air-4inch disc grinder, I just don't understand this one, weighs a ton, costs a fortune, no better that electric )</font>
I don't understand this one either, because I've worked on Sioux, Chicago Pneumatic, and Ingersoll-Rand air grinders and they were lighter than similar sized electric tools, but of course you do need a compressor that can deliver a high volume of air, and as you said, they ain't cheap. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif