Equiping a small home workshop

[Splatterer]

Hi, Can anyone point me in the right direction, please.
As you can probably guess by the tone of the question, I know very little about air tools, so what do I need to know?

I'm sure there are threads which have previously discussed this one, but I can't find them.

Question is; if I am going to buy expensive tools for a little home metal bashing, like a die grinder, hole puncher and or shears, then is it worth buying the much cheaper air version and getting a compressor and the bits, or is it better to go electric and spend more?

Many thanks.

 

[Daz1968]

Air die grinders and other air tools in general are pretty air hungry and need a good compressor, they can also be noisier. If you don't need a compressor for anything else it may be best to buy electric as a good high output compressor to run air tools is not cheap.

 

[shenion]

I prefer air tools as they run cooler.

I doubt you save either way. A decent compressor that can run, grinders, sanders is not cheap. Once I got a sand blaster, then no compressor is big enough

I'm on my 3rd compressor and have a 4th as a small portable.

My die grinder is probably 15 years old and worked hard. Ratchet is at least 25.

I have a Ryobi angle grinder that will get real hot if worked hard. I don't expect it to last real long. Then again an air grinder that could match its performance would probably need an even bigger compressor.

My compressor is used and actually two made into one (big tank from one and motor/pump from another. Motor/pump probably 30 years old. 5HP motor, 12CFM @90PSI (probably 15+CFM displacement.) It cost me $200.

If you find a used compressor cheap, then the choice get easier.

 

[adamsmitqc]

I personally use air tools and wouldn't have it any other way, the tools are normally cheaper than the electric equivilant and smaller which is good for storage and using in tight spots.

However, they are noisy as is a compressor so if I were you I would be thinking about my neighbours, is the workshop attached to a neighbours house, do you envisage using the tools later on at night?

My circumstances dictate that this isn't a problem and it wouldn't be without my compressor and tools. Also, couldn't run my plasma cutter without it so need the compressor.

 

[normspanners]

I have both electric and air for most I pick air unless I dont have air then I obviously use electric then if I dont have electric I use batteries when they go flat then I struggle and use my broken wrists HA!!

 

[Splatterer]

Thanks all,
I've bought one of these http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Evolution%20Evo29%20240%200849713033147%20Multipurpose%20Die%20Grinder%20%2020%20Accessories%20240V

The info about compressors was very useful.

 

[dannyp]

air tools are cheep, but compresed air is expensive.

you'll allways want a bigger air compressor.

air tools can be much more compact. my mini air die grinder is awsome on cylinder heads because of where i can get it. will keep a 3hp compressor fully occupied tho. the dremel thing is just as powerfull and uses a fraction of the power but it dosent fit places much.

air is allways usefull and you can have shonkey old airlines lyeing in puddels and you won't die picking them up.

 

[chevy2]

I use a variety of air and electric tools but what I do like about air tools is you can have a selection of say 4 or 5 air tools out and in use but only one hose, not 4-5 cables to get knotted or trip over.

 

[Mr shiney]

I love my compressor. Best workshop tool I ever bought, spraying, grinding, cutting drilling you name it. Batteries never run out and tools seem to last way longer.

I never realised how much I would use the small shot blast cabinet until I got one.

Not to mention the ease of being able to do simple jobs like blowing up tyres on the bikes and cars!!

 

[norlander]

I use a variety of air and electric tools but what I do like about air tools is you can have a selection of say 4 or 5 air tools out and in use but only one hose, not 4-5 cables to get knotted or trip over.

+ 101 on that like to mention I use a mini flap wheel on my little die grinder to scrub off mill scale etc especially when doing tig, think I'm going to add a drill and mini angle grinder to the tool board as well.

 

[bigegg]

I use a variety of air and electric tools but what I do like about air tools is you can have a selection of say 4 or 5 air tools out and in use but only one hose, not 4-5 cables to get knotted or trip over.

+ 101 on that

I cut all the cables on my power tools down to about 12 inches and fit a 16A 240V twist-lock plug.
Then I made up an 8ft extension cable with a 16A 240V twist lock socket on one end, 13A plug on the other.
Simply swap them over like air tools - no trailing leads. Bonus is that they are much less desirable to "borrowers".

If I use them on the 16A outlet, with a normal 16A extension, I have a small extension with a 13A inline fuse.

 

[striker]

Thats not a bad idea bigegg. I always end up with a bunch of wires all over. How big are these plugs and sockets? Do they get in the way? Any links to a pic of then? Are they similar to the blue 16a plugs and sockets we use on our welders and plasmas?
Sorry for all the questions but this could be great for my workshop!
Paul.

 

[bigegg]

Yep - bog standard blue 16A sockets and plugs. No worse than a standard plug and socket as regards space - exactly the same size as the yellow 110V ones.

Dunno where to obtain the locking ones, as I got them (as most other things) at a farm auction, water damaged - so no manufacturers labels.
Standard ones are available everywhere - they don't always come apart, but when they do it's when you're 20ft up a ladder

 

[striker]

Hmmm. Thanks for info. They seem a bit bulky for some tight jobs... how about those c13 type sockets and plugs off a kettle or those ones found on flymos and strimmers. They will have to be 3 pin though..
Paul.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I remember seeing some Milwaukee corded power tools a few years ago and they had a plug built in to the handle and a socket on the end of the power leads which came in different lengths, seemed like a really good idea! Not that I could bare to part with the money that Milwaukee tools cost.
Lately I see them have normal mains leads now?

 

[bigegg]

Hmmm. Thanks for info. They seem a bit bulky for some tight jobs... how about those c13 type sockets and plugs off a kettle or those ones found on flymos and strimmers. They will have to be 3 pin though..
Paul.

Kettle leads would be OK - they are three pin.
BUT:
They don't lock (see comment about 20ft up a ladder), and I'm not sure if they are 13A?

<edit = Found some>
http://www.dcdi.co.uk/product/66/power-cables/232/all-power-cables/801/iec-lock-iec-c13-to-iec-c14-power-lead-orange

 

[striker]

Good find! Could do with some rewirable ones though..then you can chop the cable off your power tool at say 300mn and fit plug. ..if you had to split the casing to fit new power cable with plug, would this void warrenty?
Paul.

 

[striker]

Woops my mistake... the locking piece would come woth the cable as an extension lead...the plug on the tool are indeed readily available on ebay as rewirable up to 10amps.
Paul.

 

[Shox Dr]

I cut all the cables on my power tools down to about 12 inches and fit a 16A 240V twist-lock plug.
Then I made up an 8ft extension cable with a 16A 240V twist lock socket on one end, 13A plug on the other.

This has been on my round tuit list for yrs

 

[Shox Dr]

I use a variety of air and electric tools but what I do like about air tools is you can have a selection of say 4 or 5 air tools out and in use but only one hose, not 4-5 cables to get knotted or trip over.

So true.

I cut all the cables on my power tools down to about 12 inches and fit a 16A 240V twist-lock plug.
Then I made up an 8ft extension cable with a 16A 240V twist lock socket on one end, 13A plug on the other.

This has been on my round tuit list for yrs