Dead air tools

[shoddy_f-body]

I have a MiniVike air file (Viking) that has locked up on me. Also have a Chicago Pneumatic 1/4 air ratchet(not the cheapie model,was about $120) that has lost all its torque.What do you do with dead air tools?worth repairing?

[Len]

If the problems are not major and parts are available I'd probably give fixing a try. Most pro shops would just toss them because they need the tools and wouldn't want to spend the time to repair them but the average DIYer may not be able to afford new tools and fixing is more feasible.

Some body shop suppliers and some manufacturer's (like AirVantage) will rebuild the tools they sell for a very reasonable price. You may want to check to see if a jobber in your area or either of those manufacturers offer this service.

If you're tools are aging prematurely you may be generating moisture in your air line. Be sure to use dry air and lubricate your tools properly and they will last a long time. Almost every air tool we use has an oiler attached so that it automatically lubricates the tool every time it's used. These oilers are quite inexpensive and are well worth using on just about every pneumatic tool.

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[Phil V]

Wingsforwheels, Depending on whats wrong with the mini vike it may or may not be repairable. The ratchet also may or may not be repairable depending on how much use they've had and how worn out they are. I'd be willing to buy them both from you if you want to sell them and I'll pay shipping.

[vipond]

There is a company in Portland,Oregon Charles H. Day co. that does a good job of repairing air tools. their nunber is !-800697-8872. i had a dynabrade sander rebuilt there recently and it works great now. HTH Vipond

[shoddy_f-body]

How much did they charge?

[TimG]

If the Minivike is set up like the bigger ones,probably needs a piston,or skipped time.
Take the rails on the bottom sides off,remove the shoe,you'll see a round gear at either end,a smaller round gear in the center,engages a "rack" on the shoe,check for rounded/stripped/chipped teeth.
To remove the gears in the body,use a punch to drive the center of the pin the gear rides on thru the other side,just a press fit,rides on a cupped needle bearing,kinda like a U joint.
Again,once the gears are out,check the teeth.....
The "Rack" you'll see in the body of the tool is part of the piston,the teeth on these usually strip,last one I bought was @$40 from the tool guy.
I think Allen head bolts hold the end plates on,piston comes out thru there,be carefull if you want to reuse the cork gasket,doesn't hurt to run a brake cyl. hone thru it.
To time the thing,all three gears have to be centered.
Roll one of the end gears all the way fwd,then all the way back,counting the teeth/notches,to find the center,same on the other end gear,I'm thinking the 3rd notch on the gear is center,4th tooth on the rack on the shoe is also center??? You get the idea....
Center {horizontaly} mounted gear in the middle of the body should have a mark for center,catch a couple screws for the rails,and put 20 or 30 lbs of air to it,see if it works,may take a few tries.
I've found that using a lot of air pressure kills the bigger Vikings,I run regulators on mine to drop to 90 or so lbs.
The air rachet probably needs a "head kit",I find I need one like once a year in my Ingersol.10 minute job,costs @ $30,comes w/ instuctions.
The air tool rebuilding guy in my area gets half of new list price,and fixes just what is broken,I did that ONCE!
Sorry for the long post,I'm not the most eloquent S.O.B. on the planet,but I HATE to see tools thrown away!!!!!