Ready, Set, Go with the Right Pneumatic Set Up for Productivity and Safety

Whether you’ve been using air tools for decades and think it’s time to upgrade your setup or just getting started, here are 10 points to ensure you get the most from your tools: 

1. Indoor or outdoor?  Temperature fluctuations make a difference in which air hose you choose.  Depending on where you are in North America there can be a huge fluctuation from summer to winter temps, and now with global warming you’ve got to be prepped for almost anything.  Choose an air hose with great cold weather flexibility.  KBC and Blubird offer a 3/8” x 25’ 100% rubber air hose, that can withstand 300 PSI and temperatures of -50 degrees Fahrenheit to +190 degrees Fahrenheit, (KBC Part # 1-838-225) 

1. Time to lose some weight?  When replacing components in your pneumatic set up or starting from scratch, consider the weight of the individual components to improve the ergonomics of everyday usage.  One way to reduce the weight is to choose a lighter air hose, yet still gives you the integrity to go full throttle.  KBC and Blubird offer a ¼” x 25’ Avaguard polyurethane non-marking air hose that is ultra lightweight.  (KBC Part # 1-838-220) 

1. Turn, turn, turn.  As the world turns, so should your air tool.  Rather than connecting directly into your air tool, add in a whip hose with built in swivel to move the weight away from the tool and the user for better ergonomic use…and turn, turn, turn. Plus, the whip hose will prolong the life of the main air line. KBC and Blubird offer a 3/8” x 5’ whip hose with a ¼” NPT fitting, (KBC Part # 1-838-200), or a ½” x 5’ whip hose with a ¼” NPT fitting, (KBC Part # 1-838-205). 

1. Forward and reverse?  If you’ve never had a retractable air hose reel, now is the time.  Imagine having a car without the reverse function – life would be a lot harder, but we just take the benefits for granted now.  No more manual rewinding, no more having to guide the air hose in while still cranking away with an industrial quality retractable air hose reel.  KBC and Blubird offer a  few truly affordable versions: 3/8” x 25’, (KBC Part #’1-838-100), a 3/8” x 50’ (KBC Part # 1-838-105),  and a ½” x 50’ (KBC Part # 1-838-110) – all complete with the lighter than standard 100% rubber hose, 300 PSI working pressure, solid brass fittings, 20 gauge power coated steel construction, and most importantly smooth auto rewind with locking 12 point ratchet gearing system which helps to lock at various lengths on hose reels .  Did I mention that they also come with a 3’ lead in hose with a standard NPT end, perfect for hooking up to your air compressor or main line for air source?  

1. Wall, ceiling, or floor? Sometimes it’s not what you have, but where you put it that makes the difference.  I still remember the first time I saw a shop with a clear workbench and all of the pneumatic tools hanging within reach from the ceiling waiting for the user to choose the tool needed – so clean, so neat, and so much space.  If you choose a retractable air hose reel make sure that it has horizontal and vertical wall mount options so that it can be mounted on the wall, ceiling, floor, and workbench.  If you choose a manual air hose reel make sure that you have room on the wall or workbench to mount it so that you can crank it easily without hitting your elbows.  Manual air hose reels are a nice inexpensive option if you’re trying to save and don’t want to have a ceiling mount, and KBC and Blubird offer a 3/8” x 50’, (KBC Part # 1-838-150), and a 3/8” x 100’, (KBC Part # 1-838-155).  

1. Extra! Extra! A little kink, fray, or hole can put you out of business.  An extra air hose on the shelf can save you a frantic trip to your local industrial distributor or not getting your job done on time. Just sayin’. 

1. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!  Even the best of pneumatic set ups are dead in the water without all the accessories /peripherals to make it go.  Do you have the right: pneumatic tools, tool balancers, grinding stones, abrasives, drills, hole saws, sockets, impact tools, points, non woven abrasives, couplers, nozzles, air tool oil, PPE, carbide burrs, saw blades, quick disconnects, etc.?  If not, visit www.kbctools.com/CatSearch/563/power-and-air-tools – we’ve got ‘em! 

1. Organize!  Stop air tool hose and chord tripping hazards and eyesores with RapidTie rubber straps to make it easy to store and handle.  Unlike using traditional bungy cords that can lead to splitting, fraying, scratching, and other damage, RapidTie is a non-marring vinyl flexible tie that easily expands up to 50% of its length.  It’s oil resistant, non conductive, won’t tangle, and it won’t snap back at you like an alligator or a bungy cord.  So for safety and ease, choose RapidTie 16” rubber straps from KBC, (KBC Part # 1-838-210.) 

1. Oil and water don’t mix! The biggest tip we can give you to ensure that your air line system is in good working order is to regularly pull the water condensation out of your air lines.  Also, make sure that you oil your air tools and compressor on a regular basis to keep them working at top performance. www.kbctools.ca/products/search/?Keyword=air tool oil  
2. Rattling or clunking?  Those are not the sounds you want to hear from your air compressor, the heart of your pneumatic operations.  If you’re hearing a rattle, a clunk, or a wheeze it might be time to replace your compressor.  Is your compressor usage way up?  Do you have more users?  It may be time to beef up your CFM.  KBC has air compressors from Campbell Hausfeld, Dewalt, King, Legacy, Jet, Industrial Air from 8-30 CFM, 4.6 – 80 gallon, 1 – 7.5 HP, and 120 -175 maximum PSI. www.kbctools.ca/products/search/compressor?v=j&facet=[[“catname”%2C”catname”%2C”Air Compressors”]] 

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