Air tools, are these good value?

[Flipatron]

I've seen individual tools advertised at around the £30 mark so these seem quite good value.

Or is it a case of buy cheap, buy twice?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170880807320?ssPageName=...

[gavgavgav]

There isn't any spec of the air tools, for example the 1/2 inch impact wrench. I've bought two of them, one was £30-40 and did not have enough torque to even undo a wheel nut, ended up buying again with better information to hand.

[Flipatron]

Bugger, moved to the graveyard thread

[ch427]

rubbish im afraid, only good for meccano sets!

[Flipatron]

Thought as much, so what should I be looking at for light garage use?

[paintman]

Main issue with many air tools is the compressors that people try to use them with.
I have a 2hp compressor with 50 litre tank. It will power an impact wrench (got mine - a CP - 2nd hand from an unfortunately now defunct local used tools shop) but only for a few seconds before you need to leave it to completely refill. It can't deliver the quantity of air required whilst also keeping it at the pressure required. Works fine with HVLP sprayguns.

Other problem is using too small an airline to connect to the tool, the curly ones are a complete waste of time for high consumption tools as they can't pass the quantity of air required. Fine for tyre inflation but that's about it.

[Mr2Mike]

Depends on whether you believe quantity=value! You are paying less for 5 power tools and numerous tools than you would for just a heavy duty impact gun from a reputable manufacturer.

They will probably be fine for occasional light duty use, but I see no specs. on e.g. torque capacity of the impact wrench.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Friday 9th November 13:35

[G600]

Chicago pnumatic make great stuff, I've got a tiny pistol drill for £80 and a sander for about £50 they get used every day and based on other people's experience will last for decades, I've got a hammer riveter that's atleast 40 years old! Have a look on the US amazon.

[Flipatron]

G600 said:

Chicago pnumatic make great stuff, I've got a tiny pistol drill for £80 and a sander for about £50 they get used every day and based on other people's experience will last for decades, I've got a hammer riveter that's atleast 40 years old! Have a look on the US amazon.

Great, I'll have a look

[smartphone hater]

Mr2Mike said:

Depends on whether you believe quantity=value! You are paying less for 5 power tools and numerous tools than you would for just a heavy duty impact gun from a reputable manufacturer.

They will probably be fine for occasional light duty use, but I see no specs. on e.g. torque capacity of the impact wrench.

I agree with this. If you bought that set you would get your money's worth even with the 1/2 impact wrench & air hammer being practically useless. The 3/8 drive ratchet, die grinder, inflater, duster, chisels & cut off tool will be usable plus all the little odds & sods you get in the box would add up to a lot more than £75 on their own.

For a decent 1/2 impact wrench alone you can easily pay £300+ so it does boil down to what your needs are. I think that's a good starter set if you realise that the quality wont be good, but you can add to it & buy better stuff when & if you need it.

[ch427]

sealeys air tools are ok for light garage use, depends on your budget.
bought an impact gun last year and its very good for the money

[Flipatron]

I may get flamed here but I've decided to throw caution to the wind and buy it. I figure it's got to be worth a punt for the light use I'll be giving it.

On the lookout for a 2hp 50Ltr compressor now.

So with tools and compressor I should see change from £150. It should give me a cheap 'in' to the world of air tools. If I like what I find I can always upgrade the tools as I go.

If it all goes tits up I'll just bung the whole lot back on ebay.

I'll report back as to how I get on.