With all the different brands of air tools on the market today, sometimes it is difficult to decide which tool you should buy to best fit your needs and application.
Do you buy based on brand name?
Based on price?
Based on application?
Based on the tool itself, quality, and size of tool for your application?
Buying using brand names usually works if the brand is still making the same quality tool that it has made in the past. But in our changing market, some brands have changed where they manufacture their tools. Also, the material they used to make the important parts like bearings and internal parts has changed, and the tool no longer lasts as long as it once did.
Buying based on price will usually result in acquiring an air tool of lower quality, unless it is a special for a short time.You can have quality or price, but getting them at the same time is tough.
Now, buying for application is an interesting subject. If you were looking for a new gear-driven air saw, there are a number of them on the market. The gear drive does not get stuck when your blade gets in a bind. The reason is that they have a gear that drives the screw type gear that moves the blade. The old-style air saw uses a piston, and when the blade gets bound in a sharp corner while you are cutting, it stops. What you need to decide is "What is my application?" Do you often work in small areas? What materials do you need to cut? Now you can assess the tools available--there are large gear driven air saws and there are small powerful gear driven air saws available. Also make sure that the blades are available anywhere, not special blades that only fit that tool.
Another unique tool is the cut-off tool. These come in 1/3hp styles and they will bind, and some of them come with a reverse as well. There are 1/2hp tools available, and a new flex head unit that allows the head to flex up or down to get into tight spots for cutting. Again, make sure you assess your application before buying a cut-off tool to make sure it meets all your needs.
The same thing applies when choosing die grinders. Many times, they are purchased on price and the buyer complains that they are not strong enough or that they stall out. Make sure you assess your application and buy the tool that fits what you need. Most of the die grinders have a 1/3hp motor, but there are also 1/2hp motors available. So review what you need to do the job and buy the tool to fit the job.
Belt sanders are another tool used for removing spot welds and many other uses. But all the time, we hear that the tool is too large to get into tight areas, or the belts are hard to find. Make sure when looking for a tool like belt sanders you do look around. It is possible to buy quality at a much cheaper price than brand names and have the tool fit into small areas using standard belts easy to find at any hardware store.
So the next time you find yourself needing to purchase a new tool, make sure you have thought about what you want the tool to do (application), how long would you like the tool to last (quality), and -- finally -- what are you willing to pay (price).
Research brands for each tool style to make sure they will fit your application, and learn where they are made and their selling price so you can make an informed decision.
Sandy Allen is employed as sales manager for SP Air USA, Inc.
