Looking to tap into the Knowledge Base: Air Tools

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Florida Chris

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Jul 22, 2023
157
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0% smoking related but I figured I try to ask on here. Delete if it's the wrong place to ask.

Do air tools (drill and impact mainly) work under water?

I need to rebuild my dock. The water is down pretty good right now but by the time I rip out the old, draw up some plans, get material, and get to rebuilding I'm sure it will change.

I last did it about 20 yrs ago and used electric tools. Well, apparently electric and salt water don't always mix too well. None of the tools went in the water (I sacrificed some hand tools for the really wet stuff) but an extension cord or two dipped in and made a few of the guys dance a bit. I don't want to use cordless because they're expensive and lithium batteries don't play well with salt water.

So I thought about air tools. I can get some sacrificial stuff from Harbor Freight at an acceptable (disposable) price point, but I wasn't sure if they would work if they had to get submerged at all.

Which one of you smoking Gurus has experience with mixing air tools and water? Will they hydro-lock or does the air flow keep them chooching under water?
 
Last edited:
You're supplying air from compressor so no hydro-lock problem. Oil the tools after each water use.
Use to help a friend install and repair docks. We wouldn't allow anything electrical in water area. This was 30+ years ago.
 
As a former Navy diver I can attest to the fact that you can indeed use air tools under water. We did it all the time. Hard to see with the massive amount of air bubbles though.
 
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