Auto Body Air Tools To Go From Prep Work To Painting
Automotive repair and restoration is tough work. When you need extra power to tackle a job efficiently, you need auto body air tools. Pneumatic tools tend to produce more torque than electric tools plugged into a socket or battery. An electric tool is limited to less than 10,000 RPM, but auto body air tools and automotive painting air tools can reach 12,000+ RPM, which means less bounce and faster cutting or grinding.
Pneumatic air tools (from inflators to tire buffers) are also lighter and more compact than electric tools with a large battery pack. Instead of solely functioning as specialized hand tools, there are standard air tools that are adaptable and versatile. A standard air blow gun can be used for cleaning off debris (like metal shavings or grime) or for contact-free drying using short bursts of directed air.
Professional automotive painters rely on air-powered impact hammers, rivet guns, body panel crimpers and nibblers every day. And a fully equipped paint shop includes at least one power sander with paint remover wheels, if not a full sand and media blasting station. NAPA Auto Parts sells air powered restoration tools from popular brands like Carlyle, Chicago Pneumatic, DEWALT, Milwaukee and more.
Shop For The Best Body Prep Air Tools At NAPA
An air grinder, or pneumatic die grinder, provides a great introduction to auto air tools. Die grinders are high-speed rotary tools that can remove material from steel, aluminum, cast iron, plastic, body filler and wood, all depending on the attachment you choose. They use a lot of air, but a small 20-gallon compressor will keep a die grinder running for a long time.
Struggling with a hard-to-reach area? Choose a mini angle pneumatic die grinder designed for a 90-degree or 45-degree approach. This refers to the angle of the tool head versus the grip. Straight grinders typically offer more control for detail work, while angle-head tools work really well for tight spaces and sanding/surface prep work. Finesse is the air-powered tools domain.
Upgrade the usefulness of a die grinder by adding accessories, like wheels, discs, and stones for cutting, sanding, grinding and weld finishing. What makes a die grinder so versatile is the wide range of grinding jobs they can perform as a quick-change tool that allows you to swap out sanding and surface prep discs.
Car Repair Made Easy With Body & Paint Air Tools
There are many types of cutting tools, but the most common are carbide burrs and cutting wheels. Carbides are useful for heavy removal down to intricate details. Burrs come in all different shapes and sizes, so there is a burr for every job. The important key to using a burr is knowing which burr to use on what material. Coarse burrs are for aluminum and soft materials like wood. If you use a coarse burr on iron, it will just bounce and skip around.
There are air-powered saws that use blades, but these can be incredibly dangerous to operate for a beginner. If you need to slice through an 18-gauge piece of metal without any distorted edges, then you need professional air sheers. If you need to get creative with your cuts, and must maneuver tight spots to complete straight cuts or curved slits, our experts recommend a compact air saw.
Operating any high-powered repair tool requires a deft hand and firm support. It is extremely easy for a tool to get away from you, so take your time and take precautions. Watch out for flying debris, and wear eye protection. Not only are sparks flying, but these tools can break and cause serious personal injury or even death, so NEVER use air tools without the guard in place. A good face shield is always a good idea, even if you are already wearing safety glasses. Also consider adding hearing protection, as these tools are very loud.
