{{short description|Tool driven by compressed air supplied by an air compressor}}{{Infobox tool|name=Pneumatic tool|image=Tennessee Valley Authority Douglas Dam French Broad River Sevier County TN man with jackhammer 1942.gif|caption=Drilling a blast hole with a pneumatic drill (jackhammer).|classification=Power tool|types=Compressed air or compressed carbon dioxide|inventor=(Multiple, see history) <br> Samuel Miller (steam-powered drill, 1806) <br> Jonathan J. Couch (percussion drill, 1849) <br> François Cavé (compressed air drill, 1851) <br> Charles Brady King (pneumatic hammer, 1890)|related=Air compressor, Hydraulic tool, Electric tool}} A '''pneumatic tool''', '''air tool''', '''air-powered tool''' or '''pneumatic-powered tool''' is a type of power tool, driven by compressed air supplied by an air compressor.<ref>{{cite web |date=2002 |title=Hand and Power Tools |url=https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3080.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2025 |publisher=Occupational Safety and Health Administration}}</ref> Pneumatic tools can also be driven by compressed carbon dioxide ({{CO2}}) stored in small cylinders allowing for portability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soartec.com.tw/us/pneumatic-tools.php|title=Pneumatic Tools, Air Tools – Soartec|website=www.soartec.com.tw|access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref>
Most pneumatic tools convert the compressed air to work using a pneumatic motor.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is the working principle of an air motor |url=https://tools.cp.com/en/local/air-motor-solutions/technical-guides/working-principle |access-date=August 29, 2025 |publisher=Chicago Pneumatic}}</ref> Compared to electric power tool equivalents, pneumatic tools are safer to run and maintain, without risk of sparks, short-circuiting or electrocution, and have a higher power to weight ratio, allowing a smaller, lighter tool to accomplish the same task. Furthermore, they are less likely to self-destruct in case the tool is jammed or overloaded.<ref>S. R. Majumdar (1996). Pneumatic Systems: Principles and Maintenance. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 107–. {{ISBN|978-0-07-460231-7}}. {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/889921893 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot in plain-text form. The original cite can be found at Special:Permalink/889785836 (or in a rev close it it) as cite #1 - find and verify the cite and replace this template with it (4). User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref>
'''General grade''' pneumatic tools with a short life span are commonly less expensive and considered “disposable tools” in tooling industries, while '''industrial grade''' pneumatic tools with long life span are more expensive. In general, pneumatic tools are cheaper than the equivalent electric-powered tools. Regular lubrication of the tools is still needed however.<ref>{{cite book|author=S. R. Majumdar|title=Pneumatic Systems: Principles and Maintenance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k6KLBs2L2AMC&pg=PA107|year=1996|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|isbn=978-0-07-460231-7|pages=107–}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/889921893 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/889785836 cite #1 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref>
== Advantages and disadvantages == Pneumatic tools have many benefits which have contributed to their rise in popularity. The benefits of using compressed air to power tools are:
* Inexpensive * Safe to use * Easy to operate * Portable * Low theft rates<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiaha |first=Emiliana |date=2024-04-28 |title=Durability and Longevity of Pneumatic Tools: Reliable Investments for Every Toolbox |url=https://www.pneumatictoolz.com/durability-and-longevity-of-pneumatic-tools/ |access-date=2025-08-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The primary disadvantage of pneumatic tools is the need for an air compressor, which can be expensive. Pneumatic tools also need to be properly maintained and oiled regularly. Failing to maintain tools can lead to deterioration, due to a build up residual oil and water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vmacair.com/blog/air-tool-maintenance-operation/|title=Air Tool Maintenance & Operation|date=2016-09-06|website=VMAC|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref>
== Technical terms == Pneumatic tools are rated using several metrics: '''Free Speed''' (rpm), '''Air Pressure''' (psi/bar), '''Air Consumption''' (cfm/scfm or m3/min), '''Horse Power''' (hp), and '''spindle size'''. Each individual tool has its own specific requirements which determine their compatibility with air compressor systems.
'''Flow''' or '''airflow''', related to '''air consumption''' in pneumatic tools, represents the quantity of compressed air that passes through a section over a unit of time. It is represented in l/min, m3, at the equivalent value in free air in conditions of standard reference atmosphere (SRA). For example: +20 c, 65% of relative humidity, 1013 mbar, in accordance with norms NFE.
== Types of pneumatic tools == Pneumatic tools come in many shapes and form, including small and large-sized hand tools.
The most common types of pneumatic tools include: {{Div col|colwidth=24em}} *Air ratchet *Airbrush *Air hammer (forging) *Air hammer (pile driver) *Angle grinder<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vmacair.com/blog/many-cfm-need-run-air-tools-air-tools-cfm-usage-chart/|title=How Many CFM Do I Need to Run Air Tools? - CFM Chart|date=2018-10-30|website=VMAC|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref> *Backfill tamper<ref name=":0" /> *Impact wrenches<ref name=":0" /> *Nail gun *Jackhammer<ref name=":0" /> *Pneumatic hammer<ref name="Majumdar1996">{{cite book|author=S. R. Majumdar|title=Pneumatic Systems: Principles and Maintenance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k6KLBs2L2AMC&pg=PA107|year=1996|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|isbn=978-0-07-460231-7|pages=107–}}</ref> *Pneumatic drill<ref name="Majumdar1996" /> * Pneumatic jack (device) * Pneumatic paint shaker<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insightpg.com/pages/history|title=History - Insight Performance Group|access-date=30 April 2018}}</ref> * Pneumatic riveter<ref name="Majumdar1996" /> * Sanders<ref name=":0" /> *Sandblaster *Shears *Paint sprayer *Riveting hammer *Air saw *Blind riveter * Needle scaler {{div col end}}
== Common brands == {{Div col|colwidth=24em}} * Chicago Pneumatic * Kirloskar<ref>kirloskarkpcl.com</ref> Pneumatic * AIMCO * Apex Tool Group * Atlas Copco * ZIPP GROUP * Campbell Hausfeld * 3M * China Pneumatic * Compair Broomwade Ltd * Craftsman * DeVilbiss Air Power Company * Festo * Husky (tools) * Ingersoll-Rand * JET * Kobalt (tools) * Mac Tools * Makita * Matco Tools * Osaka * Patco Air Tools * Porter-Cable * RAD Torque Systems * Snap-on * ZIPP TOOL *Katashi {{div col end}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Power tools}} {{Power tool manufacturers}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Pneumatic tools Category:Power tools Category:Pneumatics Category:Industrial equipment Category:Construction equipment Category:Mechanical engineering Category:Tools