Pneumatic tool
Drilling a blast hole with a pneumatic drill (jackhammer). | |
| Classification | Power tool |
|---|---|
| Types | Compressed air or compressed carbon dioxide |
| Inventor | (Multiple, see history) Samuel Miller (steam-powered drill, 1806) Jonathan J. Couch (percussion drill, 1849) François Cavé (compressed air drill, 1851) Charles Brady King (pneumatic hammer, 1890) |
| Related | Air compressor, Hydraulic tool, Electric tool |
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.
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.
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.