Pneumatic equipment are tools that use compressed air as power. In general, they are safer than electronic tools because they are easier to use and easier to maintain. For example, with the constant flow of electricity pulling and pushing the equipment, you won’t see sparks flying and bouncing off the materials. You also don’t have to worry about the equipment becoming too hot, as wires won’t melt mid-use, causing a short circuit malfunction.
That being said, pneumatic tools do have their dangers. Just like with any piece of equipment, you need to be aware of the safety advice before you start.
Why Are My Pneumatic Tools Not Working?
If your tools are failing to start, you likely have a problem with the unloader valve on an air compressor. If your compressor is working as it should, the pressure in the tank would be below the desired level. If you are unsure what the desired level of your tool is, then check the manual. If you notice the pressure growing, you need to investigate the unloader valve first. It is the most likely function to break. Manual in hand, you should be able to lift the valve and allow the pressure to release. If you cannot use the value to lower the pressure, then you may need to call in a replacement.
Top Tips For Using Pneumatic Tools
Read The Manual
It may seem obvious, but some people think they are above manuals. The manuals will contain all of the important information, such as safety tips and usages. Even if you have used a similar tool before, each manufacturer will have different instructions on how to use their kit. Pay attention to their warnings and their maintenance!
Wear The Appropriate Safety Gear
Safety goggles that are designed for high impact are a must. Although pneumatic tools are more safe than electronic tools, they are not completely without worry. High impact protection is needed to keep your body safe because if something goes wrong, it won’t be a gentle knock on the head. Steel top shoes are also a must, along with hard hats and hearing protection. The equipment will be loud, so protecting your ears is something you need to be aware of daily. Strong shoes and strong headwear will protect you from unfortunate accidents.
Study The Mechanics
Most importantly, you should be aware of your triggers. Each mechanism will have a contact trigger, a full sequential trigger, single actuation triggers, and single sequential triggers. Each trigger will have a different contact point for safety; they will act independently of each other. Every pneumatic tool will have a different system, so do not rely on previous knowledge to get you through the day.
Follow The Air Pressure Guidelines
If the manufacturer guidelines tell you to keep the pressure below 30 psi (pounds per square inch), then keep it below that figure. Air tools might seem like a great way to poke fun at someone, but don’t aim the pneumatic at a person. The impact will be extremely harmful. You should also keep the nozzle away from clothing. It might seem like a good idea to give your jacket a quick spritz before hometime, but you may end up ruining it.
Do Not Carry The Tool By The Hose
The hose and the nozzle are delicate parts of the pneumatic tool, and they are not designed to hold the weight of the whole equipment. There should be handles or wheels attached to the device to help you move it around. If you were to carry the tool by the nozzle, you would put pressure on the hose, which may cause it to rip or disconnect, resulting in air being expelled from the wrong place.
Not Using It? Disconnect!
To ensure you don’t waste the air supply and it doesn’t go off when no one is around, you should disconnect the magazine from the machine when it isn’t in use. This isn’t just an “end of the day” task. You should be doing this during break times too.
Do Not Modify Your Tools
Bypassing the safety features, disabling a couple of buttons, and removing physical pieces might seem like a good idea at the time, but you are putting yourself in danger. This might make your work faster, but your life is worth more than a deadline. Tampering with the equipment can lead to other components failing. You will not be aware of how the mechanics work, and so disabling one feature could have a knock-on effect throughout the tool.
