If you had $500....would you spend it on air tools or power tools?

[beer]

Assuming you already had an air compressor, what would you buy and why? Assume that you have none of either. And it doesn't need to be all-or-nothing, you can buy some of each.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Quality hand tools 😉

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Depends on where I'd be needing to use my tools and for what purpose. If I had nothing specific in mind and was just trying to have some tools handy I'd go the power tool route.

 

[Lizardman]

I would go for air tools. Get a quality air rachet and air gun. That should run around 300 with all the fittings. Look at it this way, you will be saving your self hundreds of turns which could bring on tennis elbow.

edit: also air rotary tool is very very usefuly. Like a dremel but more POWER!

 

[Booster]

I think I'd buy something else.

 

[Shockwave]

Air rachets are cool, but thats where I'd probably stop. You have to ask yourself whats more available, power or air. YTou have power in every room, air is only in the garage (If thats where the compressor is) or you end up running air hose all over hell. So, power for the most part.

 

[ScottMac]

It depends on what you primarily intend to work on, and how good you are at maintaining your tools. Air tools require periodic maintenance (oiling and adjustment), power tools are usually "use it and forget about it."

Things like drills, for the average home user / hobbyist are probably best kept electric.

For big torque (like tire removal), air tools fit the bill much better.

Decent air tools are usually more expensive.

What will you be working on?


FWIW

Scott

 

[Pepsei]

Blow it on coke. 😉

 

[TwoBills]

woodworking = power
automotive = air
home maintenance = 18v cordless
Also depends on what you already have.

 

[slag]

Air tools, definitely, but I enjoy working on vehicles.

Oh, and air ratchets are, imho, pretty worthless.

Air impact guns are where its at.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
It depends on what you primarily intend to work on, and how good you are at maintaining your tools. Air tools require periodic maintenance (oiling and adjustment), power tools are usually "use it and forget about it."

Things like drills, for the average home user / hobbyist are probably best kept electric.

For big torque (like tire removal), air tools fit the bill much better.

Decent air tools are usually more expensive.

What will you be working on?


FWIW

Scott

Oh, this thread wasn't started on me looking to buy something. I just was at sears yesterday to buy a new clamp and I looked around at all the air tools, of which I have none of. I have basic power tools but hardly anything else, maybe one day when I actually have a garage I can get a decent set of power tools 🙂

 

[Eli]

Hand tools.

 

[Spencer278]

I would have to choose option 3, upgrading my computer. One can only stand using 128mb and 700 mhz duron CPU for so long.

 

[monk3y]

A man can never have enough tools.

 

[amdskip]

An impact gun.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Eli
Hand tools.

I already have most hand tools that I think I would ever need to have on-hand for general tasks:

11 piece SAE allen keys
11 piece metric allen keys
3/8" rachet with 20 sockets
32 wrenches, SAE to 1" and metric to similar
two 1",2",3" clamps
12" clamp
set of 3 files
multiple screwdrivers in various sizes, both standard and phillips
12 torx keys
hammer
two torpedo levels
25' tape
two crimping tools
four pairs of pliars

What more hand tools, besides saws, could I ever possibly need on an occasional basis?

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Eli
Hand tools.

I already have most hand tools that I think I would ever need to have on-hand for general tasks:

11 piece SAE allen keys
11 piece metric allen keys
3/8" rachet with 20 sockets
32 wrenches, SAE to 1" and metric to similar
two 1",2",3" clamps
12" clamp
set of 3 files
multiple screwdrivers in various sizes, both standard and phillips
12 torx keys
hammer
two torpedo levels
25' tape
two crimping tools
four pairs of pliars

What more hand tools, besides saws, could I ever possibly need on an occasional basis?

What you have listed is in my mobile toolbox. I also have a full 3 piece rolling craftsman tool chest along with 1/2 of another in my garage and am still buying tools regularly. Than God its now specialty type tools instead of regular sockets and such.

 

[Lvis]

With the exception of a nice set of mechanics tools, wrenches, ratchets, etc. I would leave my money in the bank.

Buy the tools as you need them. Buy quality tools for the ones you will have a need for long term. Spend less on tools you aren't likely to use very much.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Eli
Hand tools.

I already have most hand tools that I think I would ever need to have on-hand for general tasks:

11 piece SAE allen keys
11 piece metric allen keys
3/8" rachet with 20 sockets
32 wrenches, SAE to 1" and metric to similar
two 1",2",3" clamps
12" clamp
set of 3 files
multiple screwdrivers in various sizes, both standard and phillips
12 torx keys
hammer
two torpedo levels
25' tape
two crimping tools
four pairs of pliars

What more hand tools, besides saws, could I ever possibly need on an occasional basis?

What you have listed is in my mobile toolbox. I also have a full 3 piece rolling craftsman tool chest along with 1/2 of another in my garage and am still buying tools regularly. Than God its now specialty type tools instead of regular sockets and such.

List some of them, I'm c urious...I haven't really found a need for any other tools yet

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Eli
Hand tools.

I already have most hand tools that I think I would ever need to have on-hand for general tasks:

11 piece SAE allen keys
11 piece metric allen keys
3/8" rachet with 20 sockets
32 wrenches, SAE to 1" and metric to similar
two 1",2",3" clamps
12" clamp
set of 3 files
multiple screwdrivers in various sizes, both standard and phillips
12 torx keys
hammer
two torpedo levels
25' tape
two crimping tools
four pairs of pliars

What more hand tools, besides saws, could I ever possibly need on an occasional basis?

50' tape measure, chalk line, straight edg, wire cutters, ballpeen hammers, rubber mallet, hex wrenches, crowbar, umm im outta ideas.

MIKE

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Eli
Hand tools.

I already have most hand tools that I think I would ever need to have on-hand for general tasks:

11 piece SAE allen keys
11 piece metric allen keys
3/8" rachet with 20 sockets
32 wrenches, SAE to 1" and metric to similar
two 1",2",3" clamps
12" clamp
set of 3 files
multiple screwdrivers in various sizes, both standard and phillips
12 torx keys
hammer
two torpedo levels
25' tape
two crimping tools
four pairs of pliars

What more hand tools, besides saws, could I ever possibly need on an occasional basis?

What you have listed is in my mobile toolbox. I also have a full 3 piece rolling craftsman tool chest along with 1/2 of another in my garage and am still buying tools regularly. Than God its now specialty type tools instead of regular sockets and such.

List some of them, I'm c urious...I haven't really found a need for any other tools yet

****DROOOL****

 

[Anubis]

neither

 

[TitanDiddly]

I'd drop it all on a cheap Chinese made mill; which is about as good as mills get for $500. And some tooling.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1

50' tape measure, chalk line, straight edg, wire cutters, ballpeen hammers, rubber mallet, hex wrenches, crowbar, umm im outta ideas.

MIKE

Wire cutters are on every crimping tool i've ever seen
straight edge = ruler, i think everyone has that so much that it isn't mentioning
hex wrenches are the same thing as allen keys

haven't had a need for a mallet or additional hammers yet

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Eli
Hand tools.

I already have most hand tools that I think I would ever need to have on-hand for general tasks:

11 piece SAE allen keys
11 piece metric allen keys
3/8" rachet with 20 sockets
32 wrenches, SAE to 1" and metric to similar
two 1",2",3" clamps
12" clamp
set of 3 files
multiple screwdrivers in various sizes, both standard and phillips
12 torx keys
hammer
two torpedo levels
25' tape
two crimping tools
four pairs of pliars

What more hand tools, besides saws, could I ever possibly need on an occasional basis?

What you have listed is in my mobile toolbox. I also have a full 3 piece rolling craftsman tool chest along with 1/2 of another in my garage and am still buying tools regularly. Than God its now specialty type tools instead of regular sockets and such.

List some of them, I'm c urious...I haven't really found a need for any other tools yet

****DROOOL****

That 'tool set' is nothing more than a whole lot of sockets you would never need for most tasks. I mean if you can pull off lug nuts using a 3/8" drive rachet, why the hell do you need 3/4" sockets for if you aren't working on heavy duty trucks and machines?