We do a lot of tool reviews on TMRZoo.com. Being a homeowner and a guitar fanatic I get to put a lot of these tools to practical use. When asked by DeWalt to test out their new line of air tools I wanted to put them to the ultimate test. The goal was to see how the DeWalt air tools would work in a professional environment.
We tool the tools to Riverside Auto Body in Methuen, MA. Riverside Auto Body is not your standard body shop. Not only do these guy do some of the most extreme collision repairs, they also do mind blowing restoration work and custom paint jobs.
The first tool out of the box was the 3/8”Drive Air Ratchet. This powerhouse delivers 65 ft-lbs of max torque for high-speed fastening at 160 rpms, and features a light-weight aluminum body design. The Air Ratchet removed ½ bolts from a damaged bumper with ease. The body of the tool is very comfortable, reducing hand fatigue. Any body man would have no trouble assembling or taking apart any car with this ratchet.
The second tool we took for a spin was the 3/8” Reversible Drill. The drill has all of the features you would hope for. It sports a quick-change keyless chuck and a variable-speed The ergonomic handle features a rubber grip for comfort. This power house delivers 2,100 rpms for high-speed performance. The DeWalt drill is fast and light, exactly what you need in a busy body shop.
Anyone that is working with twisted metal has to have a decent angle die grinder. The DeWalt Angle Die Grinder is small enough to fit in the tightest places. However, this little baby packs a punch. The grinder comes with 1/4” and 1/8” collets to accept a wide variety of grinding accessories. The grinder was precise enough to trim the most delicate plastics yet powerful enough to quickly slice though metal supports and panels.
The tool that stole the show was the duel action palm sander. If you have used a DA on a larger job I do not have to tell you how taxing it can be on your hand and arm. The DeWalt Palm Sander is very light and comfortable. It has a cushion grip and a touch control trigger.
The DeWalt air tools are now available at Lowes. These powerhouse tools are smartly priced and designed to perform. A special thanks goes to the crew at Riverside Auto Body 9 River St Methuen, MA 01844
