A pneumatic tool or air tools is a tool

Tool

A tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...

 driven by a gas, usually compressed air

Compressed air

Compressed air is air which is kept under a certain pressure, usually greater than that of the atmosphere. In Europe, 10 percent of all electricity used by industry is used to produce compressed air, amounting to 80 terawatt hours consumption per year....

 supplied by a gas compressor

Gas compressor

A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.Compressors are similar to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas...

. Pneumatic tools can also be driven by compressed carbon dioxide stored in small cylinders allowing for portability. Pneumatic tools are commonly cheaper and safer to run and maintain than their electric power tool

Power tool

A power tool is a tool that is actuated by an additional power source and mechanism other than the solely manual labour used with hand tools. The most common types of power tools use electric motors. Internal combustion engines and compressed air are also commonly used...

 counterparts, as well as having a higher power-to-weight ratio

Power-to-weight ratio

Power-to-weight ratio is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources...

, allowing a smaller, lighter tool to accomplish the same task.

Air tools were formerly unpopular in the DIY market, but are becoming increasingly popular, and have always been ubiquitous in industrial and manufacturing settings.

Flow represents the quantity of compressed air that passes through a section over a unit of time. It is represented in l/min, m3, at the equivalent value in free air in conditions of standard reference atmosphere (SRA), i.e. +20 c, 65% of relative humidity, 1013 mbar, in accordance with norms NFE

Some common pneumatic tools

• Air impact wrench
  Impact wrench
  An impact wrench is a socket wrench power tool designed to deliver high torque output with minimal exertion by the user, by storing energy in a rotating mass, then delivering it suddenly to the output shaft.Compressed air is the most common power source, although electric or hydraulic...
  
  
• Air ratchet
• Airbrush
  Airbrush
  An airbrush is a small, air-operated tool that sprays various media including ink and dye, but most often paint by a process of nebulization. Spray guns developed from the airbrush and are still considered a type of airbrush.-History:...
  
  
• Blow Gun
• Jackhammer
  Jackhammer
  A jackhammer is a pneumatic tool that combines a hammer directly with a chisel that was invented by Charles Brady King. Hand-held jackhammers are typically powered by compressed air, but some use electric motors. Larger jackhammers, such as rig mounted hammers used on construction machinery, are...
  
  
• Pneumatic angle grinder
  Angle grinder
  An angle grinder, also known as a side or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and polishing.Angle grinders can be powered by an electric motor, petrol engine or compressed air. The motor drives a geared head at a right-angle on which is mounted an abrasive disc or a...
  
  
• Pneumatic drill
  Pneumatic drill
  A pneumatic drill may refer to a:*Jackhammer, a tool used to break up rock and pavement*Drill, run by compressed air...
  
  
• Pneumatic jack (device)
• Pneumatic nail gun
  Nail gun
  A nail gun, nailgun or nailer is a type of tool used to drive nails into wood or some other kind of material. It is usually driven by electromagnetism, compressed air , highly flammable gases such as butane or propane, or, for powder-actuated tools, a small explosive charge...
  
  
• sandblaster
• Paint sprayer
  Spray painting
  Spray painting is a painting technique where a device sprays a coating through the air onto a surface. The most common types employ compressed gas—usually air—to atomize and direct the paint particles. Spray guns evolved from airbrushes, and the two are usually distinguished by their size and the...
  
  
• Tire Chuck or Inflator

Some common brand names

• 3M
  3M
  3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....
  
  
• Atlas Copco
  Atlas Copco
  Atlas Copco is a Swedish industrial company that was founded in 1873. It manufactures industrial tooling and equipment.The Atlas Copco Group is a global industrial group of companies headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Revenues for 2009 totaled 63 billion SEK. The Group employs more than 33,000...
  
  
• Campbell Hausfeld
• Compair Broomwade Ltd
  CompAir
  CompAir is an engineering and manufacturing company specialising in compressed air and gas systems.CompAir was acquired by Alchemy Partners from Invensys, which retained a small minority shareholding...
  
  
• Ingersoll-Rand
• Snap-on
  Snap-on
  Snap-on is a leading US designer, manufacturer and marketer of tools and equipment to professional tool users. It was founded in 1920. Snap-on is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide...
  
  

In addition, many house brands exist, such as those carried at Princess Auto

Princess auto

Princess Auto is a Canadian retail chain specializing in farm, industrial, garage, and surplus items. It was started in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1942, by Harvey Tallman who sold his truck and bought the business, then called Princess Auto Wrecking.-Overview:...

, Summit Tools or Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools is an American privately held company that runs a chain of discount tool retail stores. The company was founded in 1968 by Allan Smidt, primarily selling through its mail order catalog, which still exists today. The Calabasas, California based company offers a large variety of...

.