Construction sites depend on tools that deliver reliable power, stand up to demanding conditions and keep working through long shifts. That’s why pneumatic equipment is still the first choice for so many professional contractors.
Powered by compressed air rather than an electric motor or battery, handheld air tools offer an excellent power to weight ratio, durability and consistent performance. As an authorised Atlas Copco dealer, we supply the air tools contractors rely on most, and below we’ve picked out the ones that earn their place on a construction site.
Why Choose Pneumatic Tools?
Many contractors end up researching “air tools UK”, and the reason is simple. pneumatic tools powered by compressed air are reliable and they suit work that goes on all day.
Unlike battery powered alternatives, they don’t need recharging between jobs and their relatively simple mechanical design makes them durable in challenging environments. Many of Atlas Copco’s handheld tools use a one piece Solid Body design, so there are fewer parts to wear or go wrong.
There’s a cost advantage too. One compressor can run several tools at once, so a single air supply can keep a breaker, a hammer and a tamper going on the same job. Atlas Copco’s own rule of thumb is that if a tool will be used for more than an hour a day, pneumatic is the right choice.
1. Pneumatic Breaker
If there’s one air tool every groundworks and civils contractor knows, it’s the breaker. It’s used for breaking up asphalt for road repairs, clearing concrete floors and old foundations, and digging through hard surfaces to lay water, gas and electrical services.
Atlas Copco’s TEX PE breakers come in light, medium and heavy weights, from around 19kg up to 42kg, so you can match the tool to the material. A lighter TEX 150 PE suits service jobs and general demolition, while a TEX 40 PE will take on tough asphalt and heavy foundations.
The RTEX range is worth a look if air supply is a concern. Atlas Copco says it uses around half the compressed air of a comparable conventional breaker and is up to 25% lighter, which means you can run it from a smaller compressor, or run two breakers from the same one.
2. Air Hammer
An air hammer, often called a chipping hammer, uses compressed air to drive an internal piston back and forth, delivering rapid blows to the working tool. It’s lighter than a breaker and is used for chipping, scaling, renovation and conversion work and lighter demolition.
The TEX hammer range runs from the compact TEX 05 at around 6kg up to the TEX 12 at around 12kg. If someone will be using a hammer for long periods, the vibration reduced PE versions are the ones to choose. The TEX 09 PE, for example, is rated at roughly a quarter of the vibration level of the standard TEX 09.
For removing rivets from steel structures and bridge maintenance, the heavier TEX 14 and TEX 15 rivet busters are built specifically for the job, and they handle concrete chipping too.
3. Pneumatic Impact Wrench
An impact wrench delivers high torque to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts quickly. It’s particularly useful when assembling steel structures, maintaining machinery or working on plant. Its power can significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive fastening tasks.
Atlas Copco’s TEX 290 W, TEX 291 W and TEX 292 W impact wrenches cover bolts from M13 up to M30, with the TEX 292 W producing up to 1,400Nm of forward torque. They plug straight into your compressor and weigh between about 1.2kg and 3.2kg.
4. Pneumatic Rock Drill and Combi Drill
When you need holes in concrete or rock for anchors, wedges or plugs, a pneumatic rock drill is the tool for it. Built in air flushing clears dust from the hole as you drill, so you’re not constantly stopping to clean it out.
The DKR 36 is a good all rounder at around 4.5kg. It drills holes from 8mm to 32mm in diameter and switches to chipping just by changing the working tool, which makes it handy for renovation work and even underwater jobs. For deeper holes, the BBD 12 and BBD 15 rock drills reach depths of up to 2m, and the vibration reduced BBD 15 E is the easier one to live with over a full day.
5. Scabbler and Needle Scaler
Concrete often needs preparing before anything else can happen to it. A scabbler uses tungsten carbide tipped pistons to clean and roughen concrete surfaces and key construction joints so new concrete bonds properly. Atlas Copco’s SBL 05 and SBL 06 scabblers are light and compact, and the SBL 06 PE adds vibration reduction.
For smaller areas and edges, the TEX 01 N needle scaler weighs just 2.35kg and is ideal for cleaning concrete before reworking it.
6. Backfill Tamper
Once a trench or foundation is backfilled, the ground needs compacting properly. Pneumatic tampers deliver slow, heavy blows that compact all types of backfill, including clay and fine, powdery soils. The TAM 14 and TAM 19 can each be handled by one person, and an exhaust deflector keeps air, moisture and oil away from the operator.
One More for the Site: Pneumatic Pumps
It isn’t a handheld tool, but if you’re running a compressor on site, it can power a pump as well. Atlas Copco’s DIP and DOP submersible pumps are used for dewatering excavations and moving slurry and dirty water. Because they run on air rather than electricity, they’re safe in wet conditions and can’t be overloaded.
How Do Pneumatic Tools Connect to an Air Supply?
All pneumatic tools need a suitable compressed air supply. The compressor pressurises air, which travels through hoses to the tool. Atlas Copco air tools are rated at around 6 bar (90 psi), and each one has an air consumption figure, usually given in litres per second or cubic feet per minute (cfm).
The key is making sure your compressor can deliver enough air for everything you want to run at once. As a rough guide from Atlas Copco’s sizing chart, a compressor delivering 110 cfm will run two TEX 150 light breakers or three RTEX 15s, while a 175 cfm compressor will run two heavy breakers such as the TEX 40 PE. A tool that’s short of air won’t hit as hard, so this is where contacting the experts at Airia is a good idea.
An air compressor tools kit can be a convenient option for contractors who want a complete setup. Several Atlas Copco hammers and breakers are available as kits with a moil point and narrow chisel, and some also include air oil and a hose. Just bear in mind that claw couplings aren’t included with the tools themselves, so check you have the right ones before you get to site.
Using Pneumatic Tools Safely
Like all construction equipment, pneumatic tools should be used responsibly. Operators should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, wear the right personal protective equipment (including hearing protection) and check tools, hoses and connections before use. Always make sure the compressor is suitable for the job.
Vibration deserves particular attention. Every tool has a vibration rating in m/s², and the lower the figure, the longer someone can use it each day. Atlas Copco’s HAPS (Hand and Arm Protection System) and vibration reduced PE models are designed with this in mind, which makes them the better choice for regular, all day use. Tools with an integrated lubricator also hold enough oil for a full shift, which cuts wear and helps in cold weather.
Choosing the Right Air Tools
The best pneumatic tools depend on the work you’re doing, the air supply you have and the environment you’re working in. At Airia, we supply Atlas Copco air tools alongside compressed air solutions designed to support demanding applications.
Whether you’re looking for the right air compressor, an air compressor tools kit or advice on matching tools to your air supply, our team can help you find equipment suited to your construction requirements.
