Hi All I have just completed a complete service on all my Air Tools so i thought this might be a good subject to Post an Article On. Have you Air Tools, when was the last time you Oiled the Internal Parts? Most people know that cars need an oil change every 3,000 miles. I'd also say that most people don't change their oil quite that often. But most of us understand that the pistons generate a lot of friction inside of a car motor, and the rings wear out faster without proper lubrication. So what's that have to do with air tools? A lot.
Inside of an air tool, there are pistons and rings as well. The rings aren't metal like they are in a car motor - instead they're rubber o-rings. But the piston itself still needs some lubrication. It is essential that the metal to metal surfaces get something slippery between them so that they don't generate excessive heat and friction, which would cause premature wear. Oiling an air tool is pretty simple. Before you use it, just add a couple of drops of air tool oil to the tool through the air fitting. For tools that get used once every now and then, just once before using it for the day is good enough. If it is a tool getting heavy use, it would be a good idea to add a few drops a few times through the day. Filtered Air Fitting Most air tools don't require a filter, and most don't include one, but it is such a good idea that Coilhose Pneumatics came out with that we're recommending them for everyone. A few manufacturers, such as Milwaukee nailers and Max Tools, are including filters on the tools themselves. For everyone else, adding a filtered air fitting can keep dust and debris out of the piston chamber. Again, automobiles use air filters to keep dirt and rocks out of the combustion chamber and away from the moving pistons. Air tools have a similar piston setup, so keeping dirt and debris out of the chamber of an air tool is just as important. Air compressors include filters for the incoming air, but some dirt will still make its way through and into the hose. For under $10, these filters are an inexpensive insurance policy for a long too life. Once you install one, you just need to remove the hose every so often to let the pressure inside the tool release and blow out the filter. They don't need to be replaced every 10,000 nails or so many miles of shingles. The fitting will keep working just fine if you allow it to get blown out every few uses. Of course, most air tools get disconnected fairly often anyway so it shouldn't ever be something you'll need to think about. Teflon Thread Sealing Tape Teflon tape for air fittings Not really maintenance, but still a necessary item is teflon tape. Taping your air fittings seals the threads, which prevents leaks and makes your compressor run less frequently. Less frequent running will lead to longer life, but it also means there is less of a chance that it'll pull more dirt in to blow into your air tool. The tape seems simple enough, but applying it properly is really an art form. Basically, all you really need to do is get 2 - 3 full clockwise wraps around the threads. Clockwise makes it so that as you screw the fitting in it doesn't come off, the 2 - 3 wraps gets just enough thickness so it'll properly seal without being so thick that it won't fully screw in. What Oil should I Use. The Oil That. is Specially engineered for the care of all piston-type and rotary air tools . Provides positive lubrication necessary for smooth starting and longer tool life - will not harm O-rings or seals . Prevents rust formation . Contains special antioxidants and rust inhibitors . Insures maximum performance by dissolving gums and sludges that cut down tool speed and reduce power output To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
