Four Things that can Damage Pneumatic Tools

Among the many power tools you can buy, pneumatic tools are the most indestructible ones. However, there are still factors that can stop them from functioning properly. Here are four things that can damage these tools.

Unfiltered air

Let us start with the most popular culprit: the dirty or moist air. If the air that enters into the system is not filtered properly, you are grinding grit into the pistons. This becomes a real problem when the filter is taken out of the compressor (because it’s been clogged with dirt and grit) and the system is turned on again without replacing or cleaning the filter.

Moisture

In most shops, there is an air drier or water separator. This is a requirement for all shop environments. An on-site compressor must also be present. However, it can still be cleared by completely draining the tank every day. If this seems unachievable, spraying water right through the insides of the tool will do.

Lack of air supply

If you don’t have a dry air supply, lubrication can be of great use, especially on construction sites. The “O” rings are the core of pneumatic tools, therefore they need to be lubricated. And since many lubricants attack rubber, it is best to use varieties such as “non-detergent” oil or specifically, “pneumatic tool oil”.

Too much or not enough oil

Some people prefer to have self-oiling valves on tools; there is no problem with this if they work well with the system. Frequently, they supply oil too much or critically not enough. If you want to know whether your pneumatic tool is getting what it needs or not, try putting two or three drops of oil right into the coupling joint of the hose right at the beginning and end of each day. Then fire them a few times. The purpose of executing this at the beginning is to provide lubrication while having it at the end is for rust resistance.

In terms of quick connectors, they share the same rust and lubrication problems with pneumatic tools. Just make sure that they remain cleaned, dried, and lubricated every night and in turn, you won’t develop into leaky hoses. A quick wipe while having the hose rolled up is all that is required.

Beyond all these that prevent a pneumatic tool from performing their best functions, cold weather can also be the reason why they don’t work as they should. If you happen to work in below-freezing temperatures, use pneumatic tool oil that is antifreeze.

To avoid damages to your tools, make sure to have an environment that has clean, dry air and make use of non-detergent lubrication. This way, your tools are kept out of the repair shop.