Cordless vs. Pneumatic Tools

Cordless vs. Pneumatic Tools

Professional Tools. Professional Facts. You Ask The Questions, We Get The Answers.

As the gleaming white truck pulled into the parking lot and backed into place, the vivid Matco Tools artwork first drew my attention, then I settled on the bold red letters that read, “Denny Morgan, Authorized Distributor.”

Morgan climbed out of the cab and greeted me with a handshake and a smile. Just coming off his route for the day, Morgan agreed to meet and give me a tour.

Stepping inside, I was like a kid in a candy store. Every square inch was taken up by neatly organized tools, toolboxes, work apparel and accessories and the unmistakable smell of “new” filled the air.

After perusing every inch of the truck and making my wish list, I explained that this issue of TechShop would feature cordless and pneumatic tool innovations, and I asked which of these tools are more popular with his customers.

“Technicians like cordless tools,” Morgan said, without hesitation. “The 1/2-in. and 3/8-in. impacts are very powerful and the batteries are smaller and lighter, making them very user friendly. Cordless tools are extremely amazing and versatile, and new lithium batteries are much more forgiving and have a longer shelf life.”

Morgan also pointed out that mobile repair has been completely revolutionized by cordless tool technology.

For Morgan, the cordless market is the stronger one and impacts are some of most popular cordless tools, followed closely by hex bit drivers and drills.

“With the advancements in cordless tools, the power tool market has really changed in the 15 years that I have been a Matco dealer,” Morgan said. “But I still sell a lot of air tools.”

On the pneumatic side, 1/2-in. impacts and die grinders are the two most popular tools, followed by air hammers, air drills and 3/8-in. impacts.

“More technicians still use the air impacts and tools in the shop where they have air available,” Morgan said. “Especially the 1/2-in. impact, it will always be a necessary tool in your shop due to its power-to-weight ratio.”

Morgan explained that certain industries use air tools over cordless, for example in the aircraft and collision repair industries. Tools that see continuous use for extended periods of time, such as air drills, die grinders and body-refinishing tools, can only be efficiently operated on air.

Even though cordless tool technology and innovation is on the forefront of power tool evolution, pneumatic tools are still seeing innovations and improvements.

“New air tools are smaller, lighter and much more powerful than they used to be,” Morgan said. “Composite materials and superior motor designs are the primary reason.”

I asked Morgan about his favorite tools and things that he likes to keep on his truck and he replied, “Toolboxes, Redback boots, cordless tools, beef jerky and flashlights. My customers like the beef jerky and I can have a snack if I need it,” he added with a chuckle.

“I’ve been wearing these Redback boots since I started with Matco,” he said while tipping up a foot. “They are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever had, and they last for years. I like to keep both the slip-on boots and the lace-up boots on my truck. I have customers who will buy nothing but Redback and it helps that I wear them, too.”

Morgan said that even in shops where the boots see continuous exposure to oil and grease, the soles are incredibly resilient and they still last for years. He also keeps a selection of Redback insoles and socks on his truck to complement the boots.

“Thinking about toolboxes brings something else to mind with cordless tools,” Morgan continued. “Matco is building toolboxes with power outlets and USB ports both externally and inside drawers for laptops, tablets, cell phones and cordless tools. With these features, techs can charge their cordless tools overnight while keeping them securely locked up.”

Morgan cleaned and organized as we talked. He spoke about his excellent experience with Matco Tools and the great customers that he has. As I thanked him and stepped down out of the box, I found myself already thinking about my next candy store visit.

Denny Morgan has been a Matco Tools Authorized Distributor since 2003, servicing areas of Summit, Stark and Portage, OH counties. Outside of work, he loves his family, old cars, playing guitar, golf and target shooting.

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Upgrade Your Air System: It’s Easier Than You Think

Improving your shop airflow is only a benefit, unless you like to spend more time, work harder and make less money.

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What if there was a shop upgrade that could be done quickly and easily that would save money and allow your tools and equipment to operate more efficiently? If that gets your attention, it’s time to think about upgrading your shop’s air piping system.This is one of my favorite topics because most shop piping systems are as old as the shop itself, and if it was the electrical system in a car, we’d have dim bulbs all over the place. What is it we avoid in electricity? Higher than normal resistance. What does old steel pipe offer to the air flow in your shop? You guessed it, resistance and turbulence in the airflow. Think about the built-up corrosion after all these years.Think about how it affects the operation of your air tools and equipment. Static is the air pressure available when nothing is running. Put a gauge on the line at the farthest point from your compressor and it always looks good. But operate an air tool or equipment while looking at that same gauge, and you might be surprised at how far it drops. That’s your dynamic pressure. You’ll likely find it’s way below the recommended pressure for your tools and equipment. You can no longer blame the tools. Your air piping is costing you efficiency, time and money.The better an air tool works, the quicker it gets the job done. That means less time listening to an impact hammering away because it’s not producing the power it should. It’s just draining the air tank. That means less time listening to the compressor wailing its electricity-using song.Do you have a loop in your air system? Most old systems don’t. A loop will equalize the pressure at all drops and increase the volume of air flow. Picture a new feed with no unwanted fittings or angles and drops exactly where you want them. Think about the clean, modern look it will give to your shop. Picture shut-off valves everywhere you want them. Think about no more leaks and increased performance from your tools and equipment, i.e. a stronger bottom line.It gets better. What if it was easy to install with no soldering, threading or gluing? I’m talking push to connect. What if all fittings could be easily disconnected and reused, or if everything was corrosion resistant and future add-ons were as simple as swapping fittings. Don’t have time to figure it out? Think about a predesigned kit. They’re available.It’s easy to think that technology makes things more difficult. In our world, vehicles seem to get more complicated all the time. We’ve got to learn new systems, update our scan tools, get new certifications; it’s never ending.Finally, technology is doing things for us to make our jobs easier and our shops better, and it’s not difficult to do. Improving your shop airflow is only a benefit, unless you like to spend more time, work harder and make less money. That’s up to you. But for now, think about upgrading your air. It’s easier than you think. TS

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