Media Platforms Design TeamYou can tell by the extent of a car guy’s air system when he’s gone from hobbyist to automotive mental patient. For grease monkeys the world over, air tools elicit envy—and for good reason. Their speed and power make car work dramatically easier and put more projects within reach. With a properly sized shop air system, cutting, grinding, polishing, painting, sanding, inflating, and even cleaning up take less time and sweat. Assembling a system for yourself can be a little daunting because there’s no shortage of lingo and fiddly components. We’ve put together a guide to the basics, along with a roundup of the tools we have in our own garage. Be warned, air tools can spoil you.Air CompressorCompressors are sized by SCFM—standard cubic feet per minute—the measure of how much air the machine can deliver when running constantly. An air compressor’s SCFM sets the minimum performance of the system hooked up to it, so look to the consumption rate of the tools you use to decide how to size the compressor. There are two types: Single-stage units are smaller and louder, cycle more often, and are less expensive. Two-stage compressors are quieter, cycle less frequently, and deliver lots of continuous pressure. Pressure tank size is another variable. Bigger tanks hold more air, so the compressor won’t kick on as often, but small tanks are portable. For more capacity, connect additional tanks by plugging into a quick-disconnect coupling with a rubber hose.Pipes, Hoses, and FittingsDesign your system of air lines based on budget, garage size, and how often you use your tools. Flexible 3/8-inch rubber air hose is inexpensive and easy to store for the small shop and occasional use. With a bigger garage, consider permanently installed rigid air lines. Options range from simple iron pipe threaded together and sealed, to a slick system from Rapid-Air. The company’s modular wall-mounted high-volume hard-pipe or semirigid in-wall kits are assembled by using just a pipe cutter and reamer; if you want, the two systems can be used together. With all setups, hoses and tools connect via a quick-disconnect coupling. This standardized fitting is threaded onto a hose or pipe end and positively connects the female end on the tool to the male end on the supply side. Be sure to use thread seal tape or plumber’s dope for airtight joints.The End of the LineMedia Platforms Design TeamThe price of air tools varies wildly. Spend more on the tools you use the most, but feel free to shop for discounts on everything else.[1] INFLATOR AND AIR GAUGE Price range: $10 to $40· Fill flat tires and never lose the pressure gauge; these flexible fillers make inflation a snap.[2] DRILLPrice range: $40 to $200· Air drills have the grunt to bore big holes in metal and never overheat or run out of power. [3] ORBITAL SANDERPrice range: $30 to $120· Air sanders offer more power than electric, a smoother action, and don’t fatigue your hands as quickly. [4] RATCHET Price range: $30 to $150· Manual ratchets do the job, but these are faster and save time on big projects. [5] CUTOFF WHEELPrice range: $20 to $80· It is the must-have tool for fast and dirty metal cutting.[6] PAINT SPRAYER Price range: $60 to $450· High-volume, low-pressure paint sprayers deliver great results.[7] DIE GRINDERPrice range: $20 to $120· These are excellent for cleaning off paint, smoothing pitted rusty areas, and grinding down any metal that’s asking for it.[8] HAMMER/CHISELPrice range: $60 to $450· Separate stubborn parts with an air hammer—good ones come with many useful ends.[9] BLOW OFF Price range: $2 to $10· A valve and nozzle, this tool makes cleaning debris out of hard to reach places a snap; it also makes sweeping a thing of the past.[10] IMPACT WRENCH Price range: $60 to $450· The iconic air tool, it develops up to 700 lb-ft of torque, so use it wisely and with a set of high-strength impact sockets.[11] RECIPROCATING SAWPrice range: $40 to $130· Great for clean cuts in metal, plastic, or wood.
