Is anyone still making good air tools anymore? Are the more expensive air tools really better than the low end ones for someone who uses them a times a year?
I am currently looking for an air hammer. Lowes has one for $20 with chisels that doesn't look any different than all the other chiwainese air hammers. Tractor Supply has one that looks a lot nicer than the others, but I found out it would cost almost $50 with chisels so I passed for now. Ingersoll-Rand used to be a good brand, but their stuff looks the same as the cheap chiwainese tools just for a lot more money.
Belfert,IR sold the small air tool unit off 20 years ago and CP did the same unless you buy the air tools for aircraft industry there is not going to be any good air tool that will last for 20 years out there,so just buy the China made stuff and use it and throw it away when it breaks.About the only air tools made in the USA are Sioux and Dotco and a hammer in that brand would probably cost you 150 to 400 bucks
And don't forget to drown the cheap ones in oil.......this way, they last for a few more minuets. (Maybe)
I did some research befor starting the buck riviting on my bus and found that the quality,long barrel air hammers were the tool of choice for the job. But very $$$$. It was suggested to try a pnumatic tool rebuilder. I picked up a rebuilt top of the line professional type for $50!!!!!
HTH Jim
I've gotten lots of good tools - power, pneumatic, and hand - from pawn shops for cheap. All were in great condition. My C.H. air chisel (from Lowe's) was worth it's weight in gold for removing all the rivets on the inside panels of an MC-8, and it's still going strong. I think it was around $25 or so. The chisels that came with it sucked, though. Replacements chisels were not a whole lot cheaper than the entire hammer + chisel set, but the overall cost was very reasonable.
David
Quote from: belfert on May 07, 2008, 10:55:14 AM
Is anyone still making good air tools anymore? Are the more expensive air tools really better than the low end ones for someone who uses them a times a year?
I am currently looking for an air hammer. Lowes has one for $20 with chisels that doesn't look any different than all the other chiwainese air hammers. Tractor Supply has one that looks a lot nicer than the others, but I found out it would cost almost $50 with chisels so I passed for now. Ingersoll-Rand used to be a good brand, but their stuff looks the same as the cheap chiwainese tools just for a lot more money.
Brian for the couple of times you'll actually use it buy the cheapy hammer ($20) and a set of good chisels ($20-$50), then when the hammer dies buy another, the chisels will last the rest of your life! But yes there are still good tools made, but unless your using them daily for months on end, or making your living with them it just ain't worth investing in them! Also as mention check the rebuilders & pawn shops many quality tools that'll last you a lifetime can be bought cheap this way! FWIW
;D BK ;D
Besides that the more expensive they are the quicker they learn to walk!
Check here for the "good stuff": www.yardstore.com
My weapon of choice is Dynabrade, but they are a bit salty. But worth it if you use them allot and eventually want to rebuild them. There ia a huge difference, and it will spoil you, if you hold one of each in each hand and feel what they do. But if it's a one time thing, go cheap.
Chaz
Click this: http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,4332.html
It looks like just buying cheap tools is the best bet for my use.
Chaz, I'm not removing rivets with my air hammer so the tool you linked to won't help me.
Belfert.....what are you going to use for?
Riveting
Cutting
Planishing
Hammering
There is a difference gun for difference purpose.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
I want to try using an air hammer to remove the floor covering on my steps. The floor covering is rubber on sheet metal. The stuff won't come up worth a darn so I was thinking an air hammer with a flat chisel would help. Cutting the stuff into pieces with a cutting wheel works, but fine dust gets everywhere and is not a good solution.
I'm not sure this will even works which is why I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I also want something that won't quit right out of the box either. I've looked for used on Craigslist to no avail.
Any low price muffler tool would work with sharp chisel wide & narrow. If the glue is rubbery then use a very sharp narrow thin chisel.
Then may use heat gum to remove glue off of metal.
If your step is linoleum....you use heat with heat gun to peal off with putty knife.
Have fire extinguisher ready.
Let us know what (with photo) work best, if you will. Thanks.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
The rubber on the steps was glued to sheel metal before the sheet metal was glued down. The whole thing is glued to the floor. The whole thing including the sheet metal is coming up. I've tried heat and it doesn't really help.
I'm hoping an air hammer with appropriate chisel will help.
If it like what I am thinking.....get a hold of the end of rubber pad with channel lock or wide jaws vice grip and stretch pull up with a razor blade with holder peeling under or over glue. The harder you pull, will make it easier to razor off.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
The YardStore has lots of surplus air tools from the aircraft mf places from Beechcraft and Cessna in wichita. They are all name brands and are very reasonable.
To get a catalog google The Yard Store. HTH
Yard Store is an excellant choice, I use them! Speaking of tool catalogs, " I never met one I didn't like"
When there is a dust problem I turn on my big shopvac, set it up so it catches the dust plume and go for it. I have a long hose and make sure the shop vac is outside. I can cut tile in a finished btrm, even use a shop vac with my NO sander to sand a wall in a finished home, no air borne dust, just a little heavy stuff falls to the floor. Never underestimate the power of a flat pry bar being driven by a hammer, also a throw away chisel, hammer driven , sharpen with your grinder. I have tried using air chisels not too effective on rubbery/bouncy stuff, but mine isn't great. I have a big Bosch electric hammer drill that has a hammer only mode, even then not great on rubbery stuff. BTW watch out for fires in your shop vac. Saw dust and sparks make a lethal combination.
To clarify, the rubber and sheet metal are coming out as one piece. The sheet metal is actually glued to sheet aluminum that is the actual step. The rubber is really tough stuff and no way I am I ever getting it loose from the sheet metal.
I've been trying a pry bar and beating on the pry bar with a hammer to no avail. I am hoping the air hammer might work. At $20 for a cheap air hammer I can't go too wrong.
Just a curious question....
What are your plans for covering the steps..... once you get the old stuff out?
Maybe it would have been easier to attach the new floor covering to the rubber.
Skip
Belfert, have you tried getting a small spot started and using acetone it will dissolve most glues.buy some nail polish remover or a small can of acetone and try it if you haven't already but make sure you use it in a well vented area
Belfert, the step tread should be one piece - rubber bonded to metal, then it's secured to the stepwell. That's how most of them are made. I use an air chisel with a flat blade to get them out.
Prep stepwell surface before installing new step treads - scrape old glue. I use a DA sander with 80 grit paper to scuff up surface, so new glue will hold properly.Put glue on bottom of new step tread and on stepwell surface too, let it tack up then install it. Caulk around edges if needed to keep out water and dirt.
Hope this might help. Best of luck with your project. 8)
Sammy, that is exactly what I have. Thanks for confirming that an air chisel will work.
I am putting aluminum tread plate in place of the rubber. I might not have started to remove the rubber if I knew how much work it would be. The steps are made of multiple pieces of rubber with little seams in between. It is very hard to sweep dust and dirt out so that is the reason for replacement.