power tools: electric or air?

[phunkatek]

Well, having the right tools always makes the job easier, so I was wondering about upgrading my own recently. An impact wrench would be really nice to have and that led me to thinking about electric or air-powered. Does anyone here use electric/air power tools & have an opinion on them?
I hear alotta stuff about how air-powered is better to go with over electric cuz you have to keep charging electric stuff & they're heavier, air-powered is more reliable, electric stuff tends to be more expensive, and plus there's such a wide range of air tools available out there.

Can anybody give some advice on this? Are electric or air-powered easier to work with? Do you find an air compresor and air-powered tools are well worth the investment over electric tools? Which really are better?

[d112crzy]

air tools are better than electric, period.

But i would always choose hand tools over air tools.

[oneoffaccord]

like the one above said

[NutBucket]

In general, things hammers and impact guns are better with air. For everything else I'd rather have electric.

[cp[mike]]

i bought a craftsman electric gun, it was absolute shit. while i was returning it, i bought a compressor and gun.

i still use strictly hand tools though, i need to get around to hooking that compressor up someday.

[lil_dcb7]

i love that sound air tools make. you know what im talking about. like when you go get tires or something. and you hear the air ratchet.

I LOVE THAT SOUND

air tools have a higher abuse rate, i would think, as well


so air tools for the win

[91accord2dr]

air tools ftw. make sure ur air compressor can power it.

[TypeG]

air tools cost less and require some general maintenance.

electric never runs out of air, but then i guess that depends on the compressor you use as well. later.

[wed3k]

itsall about getting the right compressor
.i use a twin tank 5 gallon from kragen. it has never let me down.

just recently i just threw down for a craftsman angle grinder