The mirror., 1923-02-22
PNEUMATIC TOOLS
By Mr.. L. B.

progress that has been made in the perfec-
tion of compressed air machinery and its
uses was outlined in one of our periodicals.
In this article l Shall take up the subject
of pneumatic tools and their uses in the
shop. There are a number of manufac-
turers in the United States who have a
number of tools on the market such as
hammers, drills, punches, presses hoists,
and great many others which shall not
mention at this time.
To those who are required to use these
tools, while here in the institution, / will
say a word regarding their care and
vice if properly cared for and handled
with judgment.
One of the most important items in the
operation of any type of machinery is
fabrication. Oil is cheaper than iron, re-
member that in pneumatic tools there are
cylinders in which pistons operate, and
that the film of oil between the piston and
cylinder will not only act as lubricant
but also prevents loss of air.
The average pressure on the air line in
the machine shop here 1 believe to be 80
to 12O pounds per square inch and that
pressure is plenty for the work required
either in the machine shop, forge shop or
foundry, for use in hoists, air hammer,
drill or press.
One should use some consideration in the
use of these different tools as to speed
especially so in the use of the air drill and
rot run the motor at too high rate of
speed, for the motor can justly be COM
pared with an automobile motor, you have
some knowledge as to the noise and vibra-
ton caused by opening the throttle of
gas engine and letting it race idle. When
you take into consideration the size of the
toggles and connecting rods of pneuma-
tic drill it is reasonable to expect they will
break sooner or later from crystalization
caused by excessive vibration. l have
found by experience that the repairing of
one of these motors is somewhat awk
ward proposition, especially when you
have to start lock nuts with your fingers
in hole about 1 Ax2 inches, as wrenches
are very difficult to use.
1t is very seldom that it is necessary to
open the valve on the air line more than
one full turn on work required here in the
shops on three-eights inch drill, although
the motor is good for 900 revolutions with
a one-half inch drill at full load in steel.
Another pneumatic tool that is very USE
full is the air press which can and is being
used for great many purposes besides
that of riveting, such as forcing in BUSH
ings, Strengthening shafts, bars, and punch
ing
In the railroad shops it is safe to say
that pneumatic tools are in more daily
use than any other branch of machine re-
pairs. There compressed air is used for a
great variety of purposes such as tapping
stay bolt holes in boilers, cutting the heads
off of stay bolts to be removed, for drill
ing grinding, and even for power for the
operation of turning and boring tools and
machines of the portable type, for turn
ing crank pins on the drive wheels of
locomotives that are laid up for repairs.
Some time ago trade publication illus
trated portable cylinder boring machine
for the boring and finishing of steam cy-
finders of locomotive without the neces-
sity of taking down the complete engine,
and the power was provided by Little
Giant" pneumatic drill.
Compressed air is also used for clamping
work to the tables of drill presses and
other metal working machines where the
table itself is stationary, also vices are in
use that open and close by the use of COM
pressed air.
When you take into consideration the
many uses of, and the tools and equip
ment made for the use of compressed air,