Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective
- Demonstrate the correct operation of an air drill.
Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:
- Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
- Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
- Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
- Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
- Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators
If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check
- Make sure you direct the air exhaust of air tools away from yourself and others working in the area.
- Always wear eye protection when using air tools.
- Air tools generally produce more noise than electric tools, so wear ear protection when using air tools.
- Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.
Points to note
- The amount of torque an air drill can produce will be determined by the pressure in the air system feeding it.
- Air drills are smaller and turn at slower speeds than electric drills. Their power can be compared to a battery-powered drill.
- Unlike battery and electric powered drills, air drills do not require electricity to operate. They are safer in an environment where flammable materials are present.
- Air tools are attached to the air supply by fittings that allow the supply to be connected and disconnected easily. Over time, these connections wear and produce an air leak. If the air leak is excessive, the output of the air tool will be reduced.
- Air tools require lubrication. Most workshops have an automatic oiler incorporated in the air supply system. If your workshop does not have an automatic oiler, you will need to lubricate the air tools daily. Apply a few drops of oil to the inlet of the air tool before you use it.
Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
- Wear safety protection
An air drill is used in an environment where an electric drill would be unsafe to use. For example, where a spark may ignite flammable liquid. Because it relies on compressed air, it is not as powerful as an electric drill. Nor does it turn as fast. Make sure you are wearing the correct safety gear before you start. Goggles and ear protectors are usually sufficient. But if you’re using a wire brush to remove carbon, rust or worn gaskets, you should wear full-face protection against the flying particles.
- Check the lubrication
If the air drill does not have an automatic self-lubricating system, apply a few drops of light oil to the air inlet everyday.
- Attach the air hose
Attach the workshop’s air hose to the drill, and check the hose and fittings for any damage or obstruction.
- Work slowly and carefully
Work slowly and carefully, being careful not to snag the air hose, or allow the drill to touch any components other than the one you’re working on.
- Clean up
Clean up the work area, then dismantle the air drill and put the cleaned attachments away securely.
Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective
- Demonstrate the correct operation of an air impact wrench.
Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:
- Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
- Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
- Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
- Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
- Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators
If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check
- Make sure you direct the air exhaust of air tools away from yourself and others working in the area.
- Always wear eye protection when using air tools.
- Air tools generally produce more noise than electric tools, so wear ear protection when using air tools.
- Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.
Points to note
- The amount of torque an air impact wrench can produce will be determined by the pressure in the air system feeding it. Because this pressure will vary, there is no way of determining how much torque an impact wrench is applying to a fastener, so it is easy to over- or under-tighten fasteners.
- The best use of an air impact wrench is to remove wheel lug nuts. Do not use an impact wrench to tighten wheel lug nuts.
- Every impact wrench will have a control mechanism, so that it can be driven in either direction.
- Always use six-point impact sockets when using an air impact wrench. Impact sockets are manufactured from a different blend of materials and have thicker walls than a standard socket.
- Air tools are attached to the air supply by fittings that allow the supply to be connected and disconnected easily. Over time, these connections wear and produce an air leak. If the air leak is excessive, the output of the air tool will be reduced.
- Air tools require lubrication. Most workshops have an automatic oiler incorporated in the air supply system. If your workshop does not have an automatic oiler, you will need to lubricate the air tools daily. Apply a few drops of oil to the inlet of the air tool before you use it.
- An air impact wrench should be used to take up the looseness in a nut or stud. The final tightening must be undertaken by using a torque wrench set to the manufacturer's specifications.
Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
- Choose the correct tool
Use the impact wrench, sometimes called the “rattle gun”, to loosen and remove the lug nuts on the wheels. The power and the vibration will loosen a tight nut, because of the torque produced by the wrench.
- Adjust the direction of operation
Adjust the direction of spin: forward or backward with the wrench lever.
- Adjust the amount of torque
Turn the valve to increase or reduce the torque.
- Correctly remove fasteners
Never fully tighten the wheel nuts. If you over tighten them, the bolts may fail and cause the wheel to shear off the vehicle while it is moving. Always finish the job with a lug nut wrench.
- Use special sockets
Make sure only to use the special impact sockets, extensions and joints. These sockets are special 6-point types and can withstand the sudden force that the impact wrench produces.
Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective
- Demonstrate the correct operation of an air blowgun.
Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:
- Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
- Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
- Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
- Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
- Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators
If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check
- Do not use the air blowgun to clean brake dust from brake components. It will disperse the dust through the workshop.
- Do not use a high pressure air blowgun to disperse liquid solvents or fuels. A low pressure blowing action can help these volatile materials to evaporate more quickly, but a high pressure air jet could atomize the liquid, allowing it to form a flammable mixture.
- Make sure you direct the air exhaust of air tools away from yourself and others working in the area.
- Do not point the air blowgun at other people.
- Never use the air blowgun to blow air over yourself or other people.
- Always wear eye protection when using air tools.
- Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.
Points to note
- Pull the trigger gently and modulate the flow of air through the nozzle. If too much air is allowed through, you may blow dirt particles into the workshop.
- Air tools are attached to the air supply by fittings that allow the supply to be connected and disconnected easily. Over time, these connections wear and produce an air leak. If the air leak is excessive, the output of the air tool will be reduced.
- Check connections between the air hose and the tool connection every time you use it. If there is obvious wear, replace or repair any poor connections.
Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
- Attach the air supply
The simplest air tool is a blowgun or air duster. It’s used to spray compressed air with a valve, which is operated by a lever. Fit the blowgun to the end of the workshop air hose. Make sure the fittings are screwed in tightly.
- Wear safety protection
The air gun is used to blast dirt and debris out of confined spaces. To avoid injury, be sure to wear eye and ear protection whenever you use the air gun.
- Correct operation
Do NOT use the air gun to dust yourself off because you risk injury. Be sure to direct the air jet away from yourself, and away from anybody else who may be working nearby.
Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective
- Demonstrate the correct use of an air chisel.
Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:
- Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
- Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
- Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
- Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
- Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators
If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check
- Make sure you direct the exhaust of air tools away from yourself and others working in the area.
- Always wear eye protection when using air tools.
- An air chisel's operation produces a noise level that exceeds the maximum exposure level for human ears. Always wear ear protection when using an air chisel.
- Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.
Points to note
- Air chisels act in a similar manner to a jackhammer, however their size makes their cycling rate faster.
- Place the tool bit against the work piece before you pull the trigger.
- Use the correct attachment for the task you are performing. Incorrect use can create a large amount of damage in a short time.
- Air tools are attached to the air supply by fittings that allow the supply to be connected and disconnected easily. Over time, these connections wear and develop an air leak. If the air leak is excessive, the output of the air tool will be reduced.
- Air tools require lubrication. Most workshops have an automatic oiler incorporated in the air supply system. If your workshop does not have an automatic oiler or if the automatic oiler is not operating, you will need to lubricate the air tools daily. Apply a few drops of oil to the inlet of the air tool before you use it.
Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
- Select and fit the bit
Fit the appropriate bit into the nozzle of the gun.
- Position the chisel
Position the chisel so it’s pointing directly away from you and fits squarely on to the work piece. Be sure NOT to pull the trigger until the bit is pressed against the piece to be cut. Wear appropriate eye and ear protection.
- Work slowly
Apply gentle pressure to the chisel and pull the trigger. Allow the chisel to do the work, and work slowly around the bolt head.
