pneumatic tools?

ttocs · Sep 30, 2013

finally got my compressor wired in and now comes the fun part, buying more tools!

Who doesn't love that short of writing the check? I have never had a compressor big enough to justify buying pneumatic tools so I know absolutely nothing about them. So my question is, where would you buy yours at and what brands are good/bad? I have been looking at the Chicago pneumatic stuff at harbor freight and I have heard that as long as its kept oiled that they are not as bad as the rest of the tools at harbor freight that have any kind of movement. Will these self destruct like most of the other stuff there does? Also been checking out home depots brands and just not sure where to go. I need a DA sander, ratchet and probably a grinder and saw to start.

Orange 94 · Sep 30, 2013

I havent used Chicago tools themselves. I worked at a rental store and we used their pneumatic oil tons!

I found if you're just buying tools for your home garage you don't need to buy topic notch equipment. A lot of the cheaper stuff will do the job just fine.

Do you guys have princess auto down there? Their tools are cheap, sometimes you get what you pay for, but generally they are pretty good.

ttocs · Sep 30, 2013

never heard of princess before, dunno. I agree that I do not need snap-on quality but I also do not want to have to be replacing them in a couple of years. I don't mind spending a little extra above harbor freight prices by any means if it is a better quality but have no idea what is good/bad.

OnyxCobra · Sep 30, 2013

as far as the impact goes you're going to use it ALL the time, I'd go with a quality brand and not something at Harbor Freight. I personally have an Ingersoll-Rand and it's been a dream, it was under $200 also at Sears.

Gold4.6 · Oct 1, 2013

^+1 for ingersoll rand tools. I work at sears and I sell both craftsmen and ingersoll rand. I get far fewer returns on ir then craftsmen. But if your worried about something breaking get a craftsmen and save the receipt its covered for 2 years. My father uses an old snap on impact and it owns any Kobalt one we use.

ttocs · Oct 1, 2013

I have no doubt that a snap on tool will kill a cobalt and for the difference in price I would expect it too.

KillNThrill24 · Oct 1, 2013

Another IR over here. I'd recommend them or snap on. Buy it once and be done with it. My old man has had his IR for 30yrs

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CC'S95GT · Oct 1, 2013

IR are great tools. Dotco makes great grinders too.
I have a MAC mini 90* grinder and 3/8" reversable drill and 1/4" air ratchet. I also use Marvel Mystery Oil in all my air tools. It's also a great penetrating fluid too.

I have used some Central Pneumatic tools too and they're not bad for home use.

When looking for a straight or 90* grinder, the size of the motor makes a big difference in how much pressure you can put on it before it stalls during the cut. On the other side of the coin, the smaller it is the more comfortable and manuverable it will be to use.

ttocs · Oct 1, 2013

CC'S95GT said:
IR are great tools. Dotco makes great grinders too.
I have a MAC mini 90* grinder and 3/8" reversable drill and 1/4" air ratchet. I also use Marvel Mystery Oil in all my air tools. It's also a great penetrating fluid too.

I have used some Central Pneumatic tools too and they're not bad for home use.

When looking for a straight or 90* grinder, the size of the motor makes a big difference in how much pressure you can put on it before it stalls during the cut. On the other side of the coin, the smaller it is the more comfortable and manuverable it will be to use.

thanks that is what I am wanting to hear.

angrysam · Oct 1, 2013

IR makes great tools.

A lot of the guys at the shop I used to manage ran the Central stuff. Seemed to hold up pretty good. That Earthquake impact is a beast.

Air ratchets- You will want to buy one with a solid head. The split heads tend to spread after a while and loose their torque. You never get them just right again.

MustangChris · Oct 1, 2013

i use craftsman.

g36 monkey · Oct 1, 2013

I've used just about everything.

For your use Scott, Chicago would be fine for most any job you've got. However, as mentioned, look into IR for the grinder and impact, I think Lowes sells and IR air ratchet and impact gun combo which would probably suffice all of your needs.

Dynabrade is a great brand when it comes to sanders, their other tools are apparently pretty good as well, I just haven't used them.

I was also recommended to not use the marvel mystery oil by an IR rep, a dynabrade rep, and a snap on rep at work. I found it interesting that all three of them recommended not using it. Just food for thought [MENTION=10547]CC'S95GT[/MENTION] .

whiplash473 · Oct 1, 2013

Monkey just about summed up what I was gonna say.

CC'S95GT · Oct 1, 2013

g36 monkey said:
I've used just about everything.

For your use Scott, Chicago would be fine for most any job you've got. However, as mentioned, look into IR for the grinder and impact, I think Lowes sells and IR air ratchet and impact gun combo which would probably suffice all of your needs.

Dynabrade is a great brand when it comes to sanders, their other tools are apparently pretty good as well, I just haven't used them.

I was also recommended to not use the marvel mystery oil by an IR rep, a dynabrade rep, and a snap on rep at work. I found it interesting that all three of them recommended not using it. Just food for thought CC'S95GT .

It's all good. I've been using MMO for 15 years in all of mine and all are still fully operational.
I work at THE big airline in ATL. The air tool oil everyone uses in their personal and company tools is MMO. I've never seen an air tool go out because the air motor locked up or stoped working, gears and bearings yes but not the air motor.

g36 monkey · Oct 1, 2013

Hey if it's working no worries. I was just passing along interesting information

ttocs · Oct 1, 2013

Hey thanks to everyone I know a lot more now before I asked so I will not feel so stupid when I go shopping for them. I did see that IR kit with the impact/air ratchet at lowes last week and might go check it out again or just watch for some sales. I don't need the stuff tonight so I can take a little time to get it all on sale to save a few bucks.

g36 monkey · Oct 1, 2013

I have that IR Air Ratchet/Impact combo, it's fantastic

ttocs · Oct 1, 2013

my only hesitation with it is that to this day with all the stuff I have done on the car I have only needed an impact one time when I swapped a pulley out. Other then that I have never needed on. I might just hold off on it until I figure out when I will need it.

whiplash473 · Oct 1, 2013

Just a reminder/heads-up: remember to not oil the snots out of a DA you're using for pre-paint work, over-oiled tools can spit it out sometimes and chances are you'll end up with a spot in your paint where the drop of oil was even ifyou clean it off.