electric VERSUS air tools Options

[jimkelly]

i don't have a compressor, so i have been looking at electric tools.

such as an electric impact wrench and body saw - here are harbor frieght examples, but i'd prefer better quality brands.

it does appear that an electrci impact wrench puts out about half the torque that air does, 220lbs vs 400lbs.

any suggestions???

[URY914]

You get what you pay for with tools. But with that being said it depends on how much you plan on using them.

[gothspeed]

I used to use pneumatic tools all the time ...... but lately I found I use my electric tools a bit more ..... I like them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[underthetire]

Don't cheap out on an impact. I did, and im sorry.

And the HF body saws SUCK ASS!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009HGCRO/?tag=h...c_df_B0009HGCRO

[jimkelly]

seems like you can't go wrong with dewalt and ryobi

does anyone make a decent electric body saw?

thanks
jim

[underthetire]

Not that I know of. Jig Saw won't work? How about a small Saws All?

And I will NEVER buy Ryobi power tools again.

[trojanhorsepower]

I second the suck ass on the HF body saws. I have the pneumatic version and hate it. I would advise against Ryobi also.

[andys]

I've got three HF air tools; 1/2" impact, 3/8" impact, and 3/8" air rachet and all three are really quite good (I bought them some 20+ years ago). I actually prefer my Ryobi"s over Makita's. 2 of 2 Makita's broke; both my Ryobi's are still ticking.

Andys

[TargaToy]

You can do a whole lot with metal blades in your jig saw and reciprocating saw (sawzall). Blades come in all kinds of widths and lengths. You can also get thin discs for your electric angle grinder. In really tight places, you can even carefully use a hack saw blade by hand but that's slow-going.

When you get a chance, try to pick up a decent compressor. Air tools are lighter and you'll find you can do much finer grinding with better control using a die grinder with abrasive discs.

I use my die grinder a lot for cutting but WEAR FULL GEAR! If one of those discs shatters, it can hurt you really badly.

Another good thing about a compressor and air (mechanics) tools is that they eliminate a lot of time breaking stuff loose and undoing fasteners.

[mittelmotor]

I think previous posters are correct in that air tools can offer better power in a smaller package, a real advantage when maneuvering in tight places. But I'm in the same boat as the OP...don't want the expense of a big compressor, the space it consumes, etc.

I've had excellent luck with the electric angle grinder from HF. Hard to go wrong for $18.99, and it comes with an extra set of commutator brushes.

[underthetire]

I never said I didn't like hf air tools, I have many that work quite well. The body saw just sucks. We bought 2 for a job, and neither would keep cutting. Went down and bought a ir,man that thing ripped all day long, and is still going strong.

My ryobi set was terrible. Batteries went south after only six months of light use. My Bosch set held up for more years than I can remember now.

[TheCabinetmaker]

Cheap tools are cheap tools. Period. I've had several cheap cutoff tools, both air and electric. They just don't do the job. I bought five cheap droplights in three years. They all broke when dropped, and just fell apart in months. Then I spent a hundred bucks on a snap on light and it has lasted as long as those five cheap o's put together and still looks like new. You get what you pay for.

Ryobi tools are disposable tools. It cost more to repair them than to buy a new one.

[Gint]

Different pneumatic impact wrenches have different torque ratings. I'd be surprised if electric impacts didn't come in varying torque ratings also. Usually the brutes cost more money. What else is new?

[Mike Bellis]

I love my 120V impact wrench. Much more torque and hammer than my air gun. It's a craftsman and not harbor freight.

Like the man said, you get what you pay for.

[76-914]

Jim, for what your doing and the number of times that you will use one; I'd suggest the HF sawzall that is on sale for 19.95. I have the expensive Milwaukee but when I am need a sawzall in an abusive environment (read mud, dirt or water) I will use the HF one. So far it's lasted 2 yr's on my truck so I'm pretty sure it will last a realtor much longer. The key is the blades. Buy some good Milwaukee, Ridgid or even Sears, bi-metal blades. 24 tooth should work fine. The blades that come with the HF sawzall are bi-metal, also. Only problem is, it is Chinese bi-metal and they ain't saying which two metals they use. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) Seriously, their blades are crapola. Also, when using any reciprocating saw you must hold the saw firmly against the surface when cutting or the metal dances with the blade. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[r_towle]

If you are not a super frequent user of the tools and you dont have a really large compressor, the Electric tools work great, and better in some situations.

Dont worry about the torque on the elec gun...it wont be a huge issue on most of the daily needs.

I would suggest you get the electric impact, a good solid jig saw and a good solid sawzall.
The two saws will last 20 years and you can and will use them for many household carpentry needs as things change in your life.

Air tools are really only used for car stuff...

Rich

[TargaToy]

Air tools are really only used for car stuff...

Rich

Hey, hey, HEY! Not true!!! Why, just the other day, I used my pneumatic die grinder to hog out some rust on the metal top rail of my swimming pool! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[jimkelly]

my electric tools + lincoln mig welder

[TargaToy]

my electric tools + lincoln mig welder

I have the same heat gun! Use it all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap23.gif)

[jimkelly]

the wagner was the cheapest home depot had and it worked flawlessly.