Air tools - coach air compressor

JerryKelly · 06-09-2007, 12:43 AM

A friend of mine suggested using air tools rather than conventioal motor driven tools since I have a built in compressor and access to air. Has anyone used air wrenchs and drills using the coach air?

JerryKelly · 06-09-2007, 12:43 AM

A friend of mine suggested using air tools rather than conventioal motor driven tools since I have a built in compressor and access to air. Has anyone used air wrenchs and drills using the coach air?

Lug_Nut · 06-09-2007, 01:07 AM

Jerry, There is no reason it wouldn't work well, however if you were doing a job that took some time it would be a more expensive way than buying a 110 volt electric compressor. With the electric compressor it could run off shore power or at worse the generator which would be a whole lot cheaper than running the main engine. Granted it costs more at first but would save in the long run and would also eliminate the wear and tear on the prime mover.

Peter

JerryKelly · 06-09-2007, 03:07 AM

Peter, would the air holding tanks hold enough air to operate a drill for a short period and small repairs? Not sure how large the tanks are and if my air chuck would access the pressure in those tanks. I watched a Cummins tech drill through a steel frame member in a few seconds, where my 18 volt drill failed. The size makes them easy to work with in tight spaces, such as repairing a broken body screw.

Lug_Nut · 06-09-2007, 03:55 AM

Jerry, the tanks are large enough to supply the air flow necessary for a drill. The tanks are actually quite a bit larger than any portable air compressor and are charged by a larger CFM (cubic feet per minute) compressor, up to 14+ CFM. You would want your engine at 1000+ RPM set through the cruise control for both good air make up and it is better for the engine not to be at idle for extended period of time.

Peter

RicksDP · 06-09-2007, 06:28 AM

Good info,

I was wondering if my '98 DSDP would be able to idle at a higher RPM with the cruise control?
I guess I could just try it

I've had it for a bout a week now and still learning all the systems

Rick

JerryKelly · 06-10-2007, 01:25 AM

Peter, thanks for the information. Can you recommend specs for an air drill (minimum RPM, torque, use of CFM)? I would like to have a drill that will be able to drill out broken body screws and rusted bolts. I could have used one in Florida when I drove over a road gater and had to remove my rear flap.

racer0624 · 06-10-2007, 01:32 AM

Rick,

I had a '98 American Eagle, the last year they used a mechanical engine setup, and didn't have the capability. That's the key.

Ecker · 06-10-2007, 06:44 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JerryKelly:
A friend of mine suggested using air tools rather than conventioal motor driven tools since I have a built in compressor and access to air. Has anyone used air wrenchs and drills using the coach air? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I used the air compressor on my 99 Discovery to run nailers and torque wrenches. It worked very well on both. I actually bought at Home Depot a small regulator so I could control air pressure to nailer to control insertion depth. Laid an entire wood floor in motorhome and did trim with it. Torque wrench used to mount and dismount tires.