Comparison of Electric and Pneumatic Power Tools - Part I: Mechanical Characteristics and Cost

Each supplier in the power tool industry offers unique tool features and packages. Competition and widespread individuality among manufacturers make it difficult to compare current air and new DC electric power tools.

This experimental study compares air and electric hand-held tools based on laboratory testing and research of significant tool characteristics including heat buildup, tool impulse, cycle time and cost.

Heat buildup in electric tools raised concerns as well as tool speed, although electric tools were in some instances only slightly slower than air tools. Electric tools, in general, do not have a lower torque-reaction impulse than air tools, but the correlation between tool-shutoff impulse and operator comfort remains unclear. Electric tools are more energy efficient than pneumatic tools, but their initial investment cost greatly outweighs the payback through reduced power usage.