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Air tools are vital components of the toolkits of professionals in the automotive, engineering, agricultural or industrial sectors and do-it-yourselfers alike. As the name indicates, these tools are powered by air as opposed to manual force or electricity. They are also comparatively smaller and more durable, offer greater torque and enhance productivity. Air tools help the user complete the job faster, saving both time and money.
Perhaps the most popular air tools are air ratchet wrenches. These tools are ideal to install and extract nuts and bolts, their compactness and trigger-operated air power making them especially useful in constricted spaces.
Air ratchet wrenches are available in a variety of sizes, lengths and torques. Some newer versions also feature reversible levers and flexible heads, further facilitating quick and easy removal of nuts and bolts. Many air ratchet wrenches sport contoured handles for a better grip, insulation and features that diminish noise and oil spray.
While high CFM (cubic feet per minute) units make air ratchet wrenches suitable for larger applications, these tools are mainly designed for speed over torque. For greater torque levels, an impact wrench would be more appropriate.
An impact wrenchstores energy in a rotating mass, delivering it with force to the output shaft. The suddenness of the energy flow helps this tool to apply high torque with little effort.
The working of the impact wrench can be compared to that of a hammer and anvil. The rotating mass of energy is like a hammer. It is accelerated by a motor. Suddenly connecting to the output shaft - the anvil - it releases high torque. After delivering this impact, the wrench's hammer spins freely again. Just how a user applies very little force to a hammer but still generates a large impact when he strikes, the impact wrench requires him to put in only minimal effort to generate a very strong output.
While most impact wrenches are air-powered, the electricity-powered cordless versions are fast gaining popularity. However, cordless impact wrenches have significantly lower power outputs than their air-powered counterparts.
Both cordless and air-powered impact wrenches are available in every standard socket wrench drive size, serving a range as wide as light product assembly to heavy construction.
Specialized sockets and extensions, composed of high tensile material, are used to accessorize impact wrenches. However, attaching too many extensions and joints weaken the torque output. Using non-impact accessories is strictly discouraged as it can damage the extension as well as the fastener. It is essential to wear safety glasses while working with impact wrenches as the sudden, high torque levels may release dangerously speedy shrapnel.
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