Decent 1/2" Impact Gun?.

[MetalMonkey]

“dragging the airline around”. A matter of organisation?

“dragging floor grit across my paintwork” Not ever thought of an overhead supply?

I find that air-lines posses that malevolent quality shared by extension leads and rope. No matter what you do they are out to get you!

”my compressor cannot keep up running of a 13 amp single phase supply.” Any compressor, up to 3 HP will run off a three pin plug. That includes all compressors of lower motor power. What size is yours? A decent quality 3HP compressor will produce about 10cfm - enough for most air tools. What are you using, or how many are you using at the same time?

When you get up to 3hp it is very touch and go running it from a plug top. Really needs to be on a 16A circuit, especially when it gets cold and the oil is thicker.

Only 110V portable/hand tooling is permissible in places of work, these days (unless a single person as sole trader?), so twice the current and heavier trailing leads or more localised socket outlets required.

Worth noting you can use 240v on site providing you have taken appropriate measures. 110v may be stipulated by the site manager and is certainly the norm, but there isn't a legal requirement

Most battery tools, while adequate, have a limited power output - mains or air tools can be much higher powered.

They can be, but battery tools now are getting as powerful as mains, sometimes more powerful.

They do get used quite a bit indoors, just purely for the convenience factor. Makita do specific models for working on production lines for example.

Hand-held battery tools are generally less economic than “direct from the mains’ power - less long-lived, require extra energy transfer (charging from the mains) and battery life. Their only positive is they are more portable. Occasional use is OK, but continuous use is less efficient/economic.

Also worth mentioning that Air tools are some of the most expensive to run and energy inefficient.

Air, cordless and mains all have pros and cons. It's about choosing the right fit for you and for the task.

For example, I really like the way air tools will stall out, especially die grinders, disc cutters and sanders - it safer when something "grabs" and the small form factor is useful. Air hammers and needle scalers too, very handy.

For bigger grinders electric is my preference - good runtime, cheaper to run.

Cordless is great for drills and impacts. Mostly more controllable, very powerful and portable. I still have my air impact but for a quick job cordless has it done before I've even unwound the airline.

 

[Ubique]

So you are saying hand on heart that you can throttle the air guns consistently, not just messing about but in use?

Yes of course, so does every tech (bar the apprentice, obviously!) where I work, it's not even a 'trick skill'. just something you learn to do.

 

[Ubique]

TBH, this is going a bit 'Emperors new clothes' like a BEV / ICE discussion, so I'll leave the rest of you to it I think.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Yes of course, so does every tech (bar the apprentice, obviously!) where I work, it's not even a 'trick skill'. just something you learn to do.

To be fair, there is quite a difference in the triggers between cheap and quality air tools. Cheap ones do tend to be very "on/off" where better quality ones are a lot more controllable.

Same with cordless really, better quality gear allows for more finesse.