Also adds a ton of pollution from using (often old and poorly maintained) Diesel engines in the name of avoiding the electric grid. Adding to that, compressed air is a much less efficient source of power than using electricity directly.
Yes, but air tools can be really nice to use,esp for grinding, cutting, sanding operations. For one, you can press/dig hard enough to bog or stop the tool and nothing hapoens - you just pick it uo and it speeds back uo again - do that with an electric tool and you'll have a dead motor paperweight real soon.
Air tools can also be lighter and no worries abt damaging the cord or carrying the battery.
Many good air tools can also have a better feel, especially if you can control the air flow trigger.
(I don't have a bias either way, use both in my shop, but just wanted to point out that both have advantages)
I agree - air tools are awesome in some cases, although modern brushless tools are often competitive if not superior to air tools compared to how things were a decade ago.
My complaint, really, is just how selfish it is to go out of your way to use a dirty energy source as a workaround for limits in your personal belief system.
Yes, I've also noticed that the new brushless motor tools are often great!
And yes, using diesel to power your compressor on a regular (non-emergency) is more than a bit wasteful.
I totally get their insistence on staying off-grid, and it is good to read that they seem to be positive towards solar, so we can hope that takes over soon! From the bits I've read about their ethos, it certainly should have the advantage of further reduced dependency on outside systems, in this case, a one-off purchase of solar panels & kit will eliminate ongoing dependence on the entire fossil fuel supply chain.
