• Discover Air Tools

• Choose a Compressor

• Select a Nail Gun

• Find Air Tools on eBay

• Buy Air Tools with Confidence

Discover Air Tools

Discover Air Tools

Air tools, also referred to as pneumatic tools, have several advantages over electric power tools. For one, they offer more torque and power than conventional power tools. They also are generally more durable than their electric counterparts because they have fewer moving parts. Finally, they're easy to use. Just plug in your air tool's hose to your compressor and start working.

Air tools do require a separate air compressor that powers your individual air tools. Be sure to match the PSI (pressure per square inch) rating on your compressor with that of your tools. Doing so will enable you to run your air tools at maximum power. Also, only purchase air-tool hoses that are made for the connection on your compressor. A tight seal between your hose and compressor is critical to prevent air leakage and loss of power.

There is an air tool for almost every job. Some of the more common air tools are pneumatic drills, air grinders, pneumatic hammers, lubricators, air nail guns, air paint sprayers, pneumatic ratchets, air sanders, air saws, tire inflators, and pneumatic wrenches.

Choose a Compressor

Choose a Compressor

Air tools need a constant, stable supply of compressed air to function well. Before selecting a compressor, carefully consider the unit's horsepower and tank capacity. Units with more powerful motors and larger tanks (measured in gallons) can generate higher levels of PSI for longer amounts of time, providing greater power to your air tools.

Most air tools need a certain amount of pressure to operate properly, so make sure the compressor you choose is powerful enough to run your most demanding tools. There are two main types of compressors available: piston-type and compact.

• Piston-type compressors: Piston-type compressors use a pump to fill a tank. The tank stores the compressed air until it’s ready for use. When the air pressure drops below a certain point, the compressor turns back on and increases the pressure. There are both single-stage and two-stage compressors, featuring one and two compressors, respectively. Two-stage compressors create more pressure and are superior for heavy-duty jobs.

• Compact compressors: Compact compressors do not have a tank to store compressed air. Instead, the compressor continues to run while it is providing air pressure. While these models are small and light, they do not provide enough pressure for many applications and are generally used as propellants for paint, glue, or lubricant guns.

Craftsman, Campbell Hausfeld, DeWalt, Husky, Coleman, and Ingersoll-Rand make popular air compressors.

Select a Nail Gun

Select a Nail Gun

An air-based nail gun can make a big job seem small. Pneumatic nail guns come in two basic types: stick and coil.

• Stick-type nail guns: Stick-type nail guns hold 20 to 40 nails at a time in a long narrow configuration, or “stick.” The nails in the stick are held together with thin pieces of wire, paper, or plastic.

• Coil-style nail guns: Coil-style nail guns hold nails in a drum or canister. The nails are usually held together by wire and form a long flexible strip. Coil-style nail guns can hold upward of 300 nails.

Air tool nail guns are often designed for specific applications, including framing, finishing, and roofing.

• Framing nail guns: Framing nail guns are designed for prolonged, heavy-duty work.

• Finishing nail guns: Finishing nail guns are smaller and used with lightweight finishing nails.

• Roofing nail guns: Roofing nail guns are designed specifically to fasten shingles.

Nail guns use two different trigger mechanisms, including professional grade and two-step.

• Professional-grade (automatic): Professional-grade varieties fire immediately upon pulling the trigger and require some practice to use.

• Two-step nail guns (semi-automatic): Other models, more appropriate for beginners, require a two-step process: pulling the trigger and tapping the barrel against the surface being nailed.

Nail guns also come with a variety of features, such as adjustable depth control and oversized triggers for use with gloves.

Bostitch, Craftsman, and DeWalt make popular air nail guns.

Find Air Tools on eBay

Find Air Tools on eBay

Once you know what type of air tools you want, go to the Home & Garden portal, click Tools, then Air Tools, and start searching for item listings on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for grinders, hammers, paint sprayers, and more. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by brand.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find ratchets, type "ratchets" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Air Tools with Confidence

Buy Air Tools with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.