How to look after your Air Tools

Air tools are some of the best tools for any workshop - Why is this the case?

Air Tools themselves don’t run on electricity or batteries. Instead, they are powered by high-pressure air to drive mechanical internals. Air tools last longer, run much cooler, have mountains of torque potential and also may weigh less so you won’t get tired as quickly. Most air tools come with features such as variable speeds and adjustable torque giving you greater flexibility.

Air tools require little maintenance to ensure a long life. Here are some tips on how to properly set up, maintain and use air tools:

Use the right compressor for the job

To get the maximum performance from your air tool make sure you are using a compressor capable of the litres per minute required, or else you'll find you'll run out of pressure halfway through a job. The LPM requirement is usually located on the tools' packaging, and the compressor’s maximum PSI is usually provided in the manual.

Clean the air compressor

Drain the air and condensation from the air tank daily after use and clean the air filter weekly if used frequently. Less condensation in your tank, less moisture ends up through your tool. This is good so that the metal stays clean and rust free.

Let your compressor fill before you use your tools

Every compressor has a specific duty cycle which is the amount of time it takes to recharge the compressor tank. Belt driven are best for high duty cycles. When the compressor is first turned on and compressing air into the tank, make sure you don’t operate the air tool, wait till it stops at it's peak pressure. When the pressure has dropped low enough on the compressor, it'll kick back on and start to fill up the tank to full pressure.

Operate your air tools at the right pressure

Each air tool has a specific pressure at which it operates. This is usually found in the tools manual. If you operate the tool above the specific pressure, it will seriously reduce the life of the tool and could even be dangerous.

Clean your tools before you store them

Before using your air tool apply about five drops of air tool oil into the air inlet and apply a little lubricant to the operating head - if noted in the manual - to make sure the tool will run smoothly. Apply oil and lubricant after use as well so that the air tool remains lubricated during storage to prolong tool life. To ensure lubrication during use, it’s a good idea to use an inline oiler to keep the tool fully lubricated at all times. Lubrication oil should not be used with any spray tools so make sure you check the manual first.

Store your tools in the right place

Try to avoid storing the air tool or compressor in a humid or damp environment as it may cause rust deposits on and inside the air tool.
If taken care of, air tools will become an important part of any workshop.