The Framers Forum

Thanks, Mike, but I've taken a somewhat 'less creative' approach to solving the problem. After the production washout that was last week, and in recognition that I'm much busier now and the weakness of my wrist is likely to affect me again, I took the plunge and ordered my air tools and compressor today. I think I'm probably more excited about them than I would be about a CMC! No doubt, I'll be brimful of 'eejit questions' when they arrive...

Wrist is now much improved after the rest, btw, and as a result of this thread I've learned some ways to be kinder to it - and how to make my Morso work better! Seems it's true what they say about ill winds!

Thanks to everyone for your help, support, and good wishes!

Glad to hear the wrist is improving.

Good luck with the airtools - what are you getting?

Just the basics for starters, Mike: fixed and flexipoint drivers, stapler, small compressor, trackway and balancers.

I had been planning for my next significant purchase to be my visualisation system, but if I don't get the air tools now, I think I'd continue to have problems with my wrist. (Actually, I think the injury to my shoulder after the crash may be playing a part in the weakness of the wrist: it gave out on me for no apparent reason a couple of times last year, once when I was holding a kettle full of boiling water, and I ended up scalding my other hand. )

After trying out the tools at the NEC, I couldn't get over the difference in how they feel to use. I'm confident they will make a great difference to everyday life in the workshop!

I've never wanted air tools in the workshop because of the noise of the compressor and all the trailing pipes everywhere.

Now I've got a CMC I realise how quiet modern compressors are so I'll be interested in hearing how you get on with your new tools.

WelshFramer wrote:.... all the trailing pipes everywhere.

Know what you mean, Mike. That's why I opted for the ceiling-mounted trackway from the get-go.

I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

WelshFramer wrote:I've never wanted air tools in the workshop because of the noise of the compressor and all the trailing pipes everywhere.

There is no need for hoses trailing everywhere. I have a few spots where hoses and electric cords cross the floor but with a heavy metal arched cover over them and that's only because I don't want to spend the time moving them to overhead.

My compressor is a bit noisy, but I'm used to it after listening to one for about 40 years! There are quieter ones available but they don't output as much air.

I started out with all air tools and could not work without them. Just like I couldn't work without all the other time and labour savingequipment. ie. saw, chopper, vee nailer, mat cutter, workbench etc, etc.

osgood wrote:...only because I don't want to spend the time moving them to overhead.

I opted for the 'overhead' approach because it's ideal for my workshop layout. Also, having gone through the pain of reorganisation at the beginning of the year, I'm very keen to keep the benefit of much clearer decks these days! The track will be fixed above my main workbench.

The new setup will be visible from the shop counter, and I'm hoping that it will in some way give peeping customers who haven't had the workshop 2-cent tour at least some sense of the crafting that goes on 'behind the scenes' and the professional equipment needed to do it.

Stardate 214389 - Air tools latest.

Compressor's here (Bambi BB8).
Tab gun and stapler are here.
Air lines are here.

Pity there's nothing to connnect 'em to the compressor...

Having a major sense of humour failure here.

Hi Áine,

I looks like I'm soon to get a compressor and an air powered Euro underpinner. Also I've got to re-arrange my workshop too! Scarry task!

Airtools latest...

I managed to get something cobbled together locally to get the tools operational so that I can work while the 'right bits' are being sorted out.

I am now the proud owner of an Omer 3G.16 stapler. Only teething problem I have with this is that the staples are sinking in a bit, but I understand from the documentation that if I reduce the airline pressure it will solve the problem.

I've also been supplied with a Tabmaster point driver (think it's the Tabmaster 4, as it has a - scary! - repeater action. (I've sussed out how to slow the firing rate down, so not a problem.) For info, it fires both fixed and flexi Tabmaster points, and the tabs are cheaper than the Fletcher points.

One problem I can't suss out a solution to is that the Tabmaster 4 is hissing. I've got PTFE tape around the male quick-release adapter, and the female quick release coupler on the air line doesn't hiss when connected to the Omer stapler.

I'd really appreciate some advice on how to solve the problem. (Note: to avoid overloading the compressor, I'm disconnecting the tab gun as soon as I finish using it.)

Moglet wrote:Airtools latest...

I One problem I can't suss out a solution to is that the Tabmaster 4 is hissing. I've got PTFE tape around the male quick-release adapter, and the female quick release coupler on the air line doesn't hiss when connected to the Omer stapler.

I'd really appreciate some advice on how to solve the problem. (Note: to avoid overloading the compressor, I'm disconnecting the tab gun as soon as I finish using it.)

Have you put PTFE tape around the thread that screws into the gun?

Compressed air is sometimes hard to contain- I found the best way is to get airlines made up with screw fittings whereever possible and don't try and use jubilee clips.
Quick release adappters do eventually leak with tools being regularly changed , the cheapest and easiet solution is to replace them.

I put a regulator before every outlet for air and then adjust the pressure from this point rather than at the compressor.

Hope this helps

Will

Thanks for the hints 'n' tips, Will.

I've got PTFE tape on the screw threads. For good or ill, I've just done the good ol' water bubble test, and the air seems to be escaping from the silencer. Would I be correct to assume that it's a faulty part?

What pressure are you running the compressor at?

most of these guns have a maximum psi of about 120(i think!)

If your running to high it could be causing a seal to fail.

I'm running it at 4 bar / 60 psi. The Tabmaster box has the maximum PSI defined as 75.

Sorry about the psi I'm afraid i was too lazy to check

But if its leaking from the main body of the I would have a word with your supplier as it sounds as if the gun arrived with a faulty seal.

Methinks you have the right of it! Thanks for your help, Will!

Aine,

Have you tried tightening the silencer a little?

Tried that, too, Ormond. When I did the air bubble test, the bubbles were coming from what looks as though it could be a tiny hole in the silencer, just above the "nut" section, if you get my drift.

At least it's operational now.

Naaaah ! I'll stick to my manual stuff thanks.........no hissing sounds.
Btw Áine, if I have painful joints I have a tot of apple cider vinegar, mix in a teaspoon of honey and some warm water. For me it works within the hour, don't know about sprains though but worth a try.

Thanks for the tip, Alan. I'd be willing to try anything that'd help if it were to flare up again, and that concoction would definitely be kinder on the tum than ibuprofen!

I'm very relieved to get them working. The tendons in my left elbow are starting to get very painful as a result of the unfamiliar level of usage they've been getting lately.