Air tools are special because they utilize compressed air to finish jobs in a matter of seconds that would take hours with a normal hand tool. This compressed air is the secret to an air tool’s explosive performance, whether it’s an air hammer, rotary hammer, or impact wrench (among others). As a result, the top air tool brands all focus on optimizing the use of air in each tool so you can get more done with less effort. With that kind of payoff, air tools practically pay for themselves — especially for professional carpenters.
So which air tool brands are the right ones for you? Well, it depends on which tool you want. Let’s start by taking a look at this list of highly rated tools from different companies. Then, check out our pointers on how you can pick the right air tool brands for your needs!
Here are our recommendations for the 4 best air tool brands on the market:
Ingersoll Rand Air Hammer 144GQC
The Ingersoll Rand air hammer 144GQC is a top-of-the-line, mid-priced tool that relentlessly pounds away at whatever you put in its face. This air hammer is actually shaped more like a handgun than a conventional power tool so you can more easily hold and control it as it works. After all, air hammers kick a lot harder than they look!
The barrel of this air hammer is made out of a high-durability alloy that’s designed to withstand the constant punishment air hammers endure every time they’re used. On top of that, the internal piston is heat-treated to stand up to constant friction. The whole unit diffuses through an exhaust port located in the handle (watch your hands), and the ergonomic grip reduces the recoil you feel in your palm. Plus, the air hammer comes with a chisel set in case you want to grind a tough obstacle into dust.
This air hammer is good for the home user, but it’s not going to pack the power required by professionals. If you need an air hammer for around the house, Ingersoll just might be the best air tool brand for you.
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Air Impact Wrench – Twin Hammer 1/2” Impact Driver
The Campbell Hausfeld TL140200AV air impact wrench is a compact, high-torque solution to stubborn machinery. With it, you can rip the nuts off of hubcaps, lawn mowers, brakes, and more in a matter of seconds. If you’ve ever felt the soreness of rotating four tires on a car by hand, you know how much pain this impact wrench can save you!
Like the last air tool we looked at, this wrench is crafted to resemble a handgun for a convenient grip and long-term use. Its trigger is capable of three different speeds so you can take apart machinery as quickly — or slowly — as possible. The whole unit is also designed to reduce the impact you feel as the operator, ensuring you can use this wrench for long periods of time without hurting your hands. (Still, it’s a good idea to wear a pair of gloves.)
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Astro 1822 1/2” Air Nano Impact Wrench
Who says tough jobs need a big tool? The Astro 1822 1/2” nano impact wrench packs 450 ft/lbs of torque into a 3 lb. Body. This little guy has an extremely short profile that makes it a perfect fit for virtually any job that requires you to get up close and personal.
The Astro nano impact wrench comes with three forward and three reverse settings for maximum versatility, and its innovative double-hammer design gets the job done twice as fast as the next-best brand. With so much power in such a tiny tool, there’s almost no limit to what this wrench can accomplish in a home or commercial setting.
The only drawback to the Astro impact wrench is its lack of clearance between the nose of the unit and the pistol grip. If you’re someone with big hands, you need to wear some tough gloves or find someone with a thin trigger finger so you don’t accidentally pound your palms into dust! With that caveat in mind, if you’re looking for the best air tool brand for impact wrenches, you can’t go wrong with Astro.
EXELAIR by Milton EX5005KIT (50-Piece Air Tool Accessory Kit)
EXELAIR by Milton is the brand that creates for the professional. The EX5005KIT accessory kit is designed to be the one-buy solution to every problem you could ever have with machinery, masonry, and more.
This kit includes the famous Milton 1/2” impact wrench, 3/8” air ratchet, 1/4” air die grinder, and even a blow gun. Plus, it comes with all of the replaceable adapters, sockets, bits, storage cases, and more. You even get a handy tire gauge to round out the whole kit.
There’s nothing to stop you from getting this kit for your home, but you’re almost definitely overbuying if you’re a hobbyist. This kit is 100% made for professionals who have a huge need for air tools to help them work more quickly and effectively. That’s also why it’s priced so high.
https://www.youtube.com/3i-9bJxqoVc
So Which Is the Best Air Tool Brand?
There’s not a single answer to this. Carpenters and DIY-ers all have their favorite brands, and that extends to these specialty tools. So what makes one air tool brand superior to another? And is there a single brand that’ll work for your needs?
In general, it depends. You can identify the right air tool brand for your needs by taking a look at some of the most popular manufacturers on the market today. Once you know what’s out there, you just need to know what you want to accomplish!
For example, some brands specialize in certain kinds of air tools. One might make rotary hammers to drill into masonry, and another could make impact wrenches that help people change their tires more quickly. Some brands decide to do it all and combine their tools into one comprehensive kit that’s made to last a lifetime. Once you know what kind of problem you need to fix, then you can choose the air tools (and the air tool brands) that’ll best work for your situation.
If you’re a home do-it-yourself type, then you can do just fine with Ingersoll Rand (see its air tool products here). The tools aren’t too pricey, and they’re durable enough to use on occasion. These tools might be able to stand up to professional usage, but don’t be surprised if you have to replace them sometime down the road.
Campbell Hausfeld is a little more heavy duty, but you can probably use it at home too. If you want a strong entry-level air tool for a business, Campbell Hausfeld is a good start, too. All in all, Campbell Hausfeld is a strong choice for professional use if you know what you’re doing and you can take care of your tools.
Astro is another brand that could go either residential or commercial. Their nano product (see the whole catalogue) is more oriented to residential users who have space at a premium. If you have a small toolbox (or a small workspace), this is the solution for you. The size doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for in-house or on-the-job use, but it couldn’t hurt to have one of these units on-hand for when space is tight.
Lastly, Milton makes air tools for the professional. If you own a garage or work in a construction company, spend some money to get the tools that’ll make you be the best in the business. This is especially important if you have a crew of workers who will share equipment, especially if they don’t know how to care for tools themselves. Milton will give you a durable, long-lasting solution that’s reliable, but you’ll definitely pay for the quality.
Bottom line: check out these best air tool brands for yourself! Good luck!
