Pneumatic Tools & What They’re Used For: The Complete Guide

Did you ever stop to think that conditions in your workshop could be like a proverbial tinderbox that’s ready to explode? There’s an old saying that you should always use the right tool for the job.

What happens if you’re not sure which tool is right for your specific use case? You may be able to get a job done with the wrong piece of equipment, but you won’t be doing it in the safest way possible nor the most efficient.

Even though there is a large variety of different pneumatic tools on the market, they conveniently fit into several different categories so you won’t have to memorize too much if you want to audit your existing manufacturing processes.

We asked the experts from SMC Pneumatics to put together this guide detailing what each type of tool is used for.

Airbrush

More than likely, airbrushes represent the single most well-known category of all pneumatic tools. In fact, these are so widely used that the expression ‘airbrush a picture’ has entered into the common vernacular. That being said, there are also a wide variety of larger pneumatic paint sprayers that don’t necessarily resemble the smaller artist’s utensil. These are perfect for areas that have to be quickly covered by a great deal of paint.

Air Ratchet

Along with the airbrush, this might be among the most well-known pneumatic tools among members of the general public. In part, this is because many people who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to work with compressed air-driven equipment have seen these used by auto racing pit crew teams.

An air ratchet is functionally a power wrench that’s actuated by compressed air. They can be used nearly anywhere that you’d find a traditional power wrench, though they bring all of the benefits of compressed air-driven equipment. They’re safe, portable and can be used in situations you wouldn’t otherwise be able to use an electrical tool.

Pneumatic Hammers

Several different types of air hammers are found on the market, though they all share at least some aspects of the same operating principle. Large power hammers are sometimes used for forging purposes while similar tools are employed as compressed air-driven pile drivers. Jackhammers are perhaps a more accessible version of this same concept.

Riveting hammers that use air compressors are also found in certain industries. These are very similar to the electric version in that they use a sudden expulsion of force to drive a rivet into another piece of material. Occasionally, you might come across pneumatic mallets as well.

While it’s never a good idea to use tools in a way that’s inconsistent with their labeling, certain air mallets are precise enough that you could hit your hand against one without suffering any ill effects. That makes them attractive in construction and other industries where there’s a need to expel force against an object that could potentially break if proper care isn’t taken.

Disc Grinders

Anyone who has taken a traditional shop class has come into contact with a powered angle grinder. Pneumatic disc grinders work along with the same principle but come with the added benefit of compressed air actuation. It’d be difficult to bring an extension cord up to any significant height. You’d have an even tougher time bringing all the other accouterments needed to power an electrical grinder with you.

Nevertheless, these conditions are fairly common in many worksites. This makes pneumatic disc grinders a useful accessory in many situations.

Nail Guns

Powered nail guns are just as popular with general contractors as they are with compressed air specialists. These are incredibly versatile tools that can be used in a wide variety of situations. Perhaps their best-known use is in new home construction, where they’re used to quickly put together multiple wooden frames with a series of nails. This is much faster than trying to accomplish the same task with an actual hammer.

Graspers

Assembly line automation is all the rage, and the world of pneumatic tools have never been far behind. Graspers pick up and set down objects whenever pressure is applied to an air line. This allows factory managers to streamline entire workflows and potentially automate complete production lines.

Pneumatic Drills

While you might immediately think of dentistry when you think of pneumatic drills, this isn’t the only application of these flexible tools by any means. You can use a larger pneumatic drill in any situation where you’d need to use power tools that derive energy from any other source. Naturally, dentists continue to employ these because they’re clean due to the fact that they use nothing but compressed air to spin their bits.

Needle Scalers & Sandblasters

Rust removal and other fine processes need a special touch. Anyone doing restoration work can use a needle scaler to remove corrosion from surfaces without causing damage to the underlying material. Those who need to work through much harsher buildup can instead rely on sandblasters that blow granules onto a surface with great force.

Vacuum Suction Devices

Businesses that have to work with fluids or powders often find it difficult to transfer them between different containers. Vacuum devices use compressed air moving in the opposite direction to capture these materials and deposit them somewhere else. This is the same principle that older vacuum cleaners operated on.

Considering the popularity of vacuum-based components, there’s a number of parts designed to work explicitly with them. Quite a few pieces of specialist gear are also available, which should prove attractive to those trying to reduce the amount of manual work done in their shops.

Finding Tools that Fit Your Firm’s Needs

Did you notice anything in particular that you think would work for your business? There’s at least one pneumatic tool that can do nearly any job.

Contact us online when you’re ready to learn more about the kinds of tools that would work best in your particular use case. Our knowledgeable technicians are standing by to help you find new gear as well as replacements for anything in your company’s toolbox that needs to be changed out.