#Best air tool kit professional#

This is a cheap but indispensable tool for increasing the versatility of your air die grinder. Compressors and die grinders can be noisy, so earplugs may also be needed.īestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert Accessoriesĭisc holder: Protool Roloc Disc Pad Holder Wear gloves, safety glasses or a face shield, and respiratory protection appropriate to the task you’re performing. Take the same precautions with an air die grinder that you would with any power tool. Used properly, there isn’t any risk, but never mess around with these tools. If it reaches your heart, it can kill you. If a tool is pressed against the skin, air can penetrate and cause an embolism - an air bubble in the bloodstream. A note about safetyĬompressed air doesn’t seem dangerous, but it can be lethal. It will also have a minor impact on maneuverability. Having said that, for someone else, having the debris blown away could be a bonus! WeightĪlthough none of these tools is particularly heavy, the weight is worth thinking about if you’re using one for long periods. You don’t really want it in your face, but having fast-moving air blowing across the workpiece might be a problem. Where this is positioned is another point to consider. Some air grinders come with an optional 1/8-inch collet, but not all, and adapters may or may not be available, so this is actually quite an important factor.īestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert Exhaust valveĪn exhaust valve is necessary to allow the air to escape. However, for delicate work, a bit with a 1/8-inch shank might be preferred. Most air die grinders have a 1/4-inch collet. With those that don’t, it’s worth checking customer feedback to see if real-world users think it’s a problem.

Some of the top models have rubber casings that provide insulation. Not a problem if you’re only using one for short periods, but uncomfortable if you’re working with it all day. High rotational speeds can make air die grinders vibrate quite a lot. That’s where the difference in CFM will make itself felt, with higher airflow providing increased drive. It’s important to note that this is “free speed,” in other words, without a bit attached, because the type of bit (and the material you’re working on) will make a huge difference to actual operating speed. You’ll also get speed ratings, usually between 20,000 and 25,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) Precision types go higher. For the technically minded, it’s not air pressure - which is probably a constant 90 pounds per square inch (psi) - it’s actual volume of air. Generally, this runs from around 1.5 CFM for pencil-grip precision air grinders, to 6 CFM for heavy-duty models. The best indication is air consumption, given in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Sometimes the horsepower (hp) is given, but it doesn’t mean much when a 1/4 hp tool is quite powerful in these circumstances. It can be difficult to assess power, and often figures aren’t easy to find. If you can’t decide, or you think you need both, there are some very cost-effective twin-packs available.īestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert Power An angled head can get into spaces a straight one might not, but the straight tool is often preferred for precision. Which is the better choice very much depends on the work you need to do. The tool head is either straight (in line with the body) or at a 90° angle. Good models have a safety lock to prevent this from happening. The only disadvantage is that it’s easy to operate accidentally, or when you put the tool down, and that could be dangerous. You wrap your hand around it and squeeze. FeaturesĪlmost all air die grinders have a similar design: a steel or aluminum body has a lever trigger/throttle on the side. They’re also very affordable, which helps to make them suitable for people with home workshops that already have a compressor or who are thinking of investing in one.

#Best air tool kit professional#

That being the case, you’ll find them in the shops of professional woodworkers, engineers, auto technicians, welders, and a host of other trades and crafts. Basically, they're a tool with a head that rotates very fast, but because you can fit them with many different bits, they can be used to sculpt, cut, grind, or polish all kinds of materials. Perhaps paradoxically, air die grinders (also called pneumatic grinders) owe much of their versatility to their simplicity.

Key considerations What air die grinders can do The metal bodies of these devices can be uncomfortable (and cold) over long periods.