Pneumatic tool

Drilling a blast hole with a pneumatic drill (jackhammer).

A pneumatic tool, air tool, air-powered tool or pneumatic-powered tool is a type of power tool, driven by compressed air supplied by an air compressor. Pneumatic tools can also be driven by compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) stored in small cylinders allowing for portability.[1]

Most pneumatic tools convert the compressed air to work using a pneumatic motor. Compared to electric power tool equivalents, pneumatic tools are safer to run and maintain, without risk of sparks, short-circuiting or electrocution, and have a higher power to weight ratio, allowing a smaller, lighter tool to accomplish the same task. Furthermore, they are less likely to self-destruct in case the tool is jammed or overloaded.[2]

General grade pneumatic tools with a short life span are commonly less expensive and considered “disposable tools” in tooling industries, while industrial grade pneumatic tools with long life span are more expensive. In general, pneumatic tools are cheaper than the equivalent electric-powered tools. Regular lubrication of the tools is still needed however.[3]

Most pneumatic tools are to be supplied with compressed air at 4 to 6 bar.[4]

  1. ^ "Pneumatic Tools, Air Tools – Soartec". www.soartec.com.tw. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  2. ^ S. R. Majumdar (1996). Pneumatic Systems: Principles and Maintenance. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 107–. ISBN 978-0-07-460231-7. [verification needed]
  3. ^ S. R. Majumdar (1996). Pneumatic Systems: Principles and Maintenance. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 107–. ISBN 978-0-07-460231-7. [verification needed]
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Majumdar1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).