Garages and bodyshops right across Ireland are wasting time and suffering greatly reduced productivity, because of poor quality or low pressure air being delivered to power tools. That is the message from tool specialist Chicago Pneumatic, who want to help provide a very significant efficiency boost to Irish workshops.

Jason Walsh, Ireland Country Manager for Chicago Pneumatic says, "To get the maximum benefit from our precision engineered, high performance air tools, it is vital to have a good quality air supply. In all too many workshops, we find that the air supply for tools is under powered and inefficient. This can often be remedied by some simple and affordable changes that truly transform how a garage works.”

To demonstrate this point Jason recently carried out a test project at A&T Motors, in Moycullen, Co Galway. Owner, Tomas Franczkowski and his team already made use of several Chicago Pneumatic tools, including an air chisel which, despite its 9 years’ service, still proves invaluable every day.  Jason was convinced he could make the operation more productive and after an assessment of the air supply, he recommended that a new Filter Regulator Lubricator be fitted and well as Hi-flow Safety Couplings, new Hose Reels and Airlines. 
 
Jason says, "If the air supply is not optimised, a tool may be working at as little as 20% of capacity. This means every little job takes significantly longer, the workshop productivity drops and technician fatigue is more of an issue.”
 
Tomas commented, "I could not believe the difference. Our air tools now have so much more power, meaning we can get everything done quicker and easier. Before, if we were using the tyre changer, we could not use any other pneumatic tools. Now we have 6.3bar coming through the flexi lines when we need it. This has transformed our working practices and the garage is now not only far more productive, but also safer.”

Jason says the changes made were relatively inexpensive and included the use of hi-flow coupling and swivel connectors which prevent the hose kinking and tangling. The joint freely rotates on the hose end, making jobs easier. The quick fitting connectors also feature a safety valve that keeps pressure in the line when the tool is disconnected.

Tomas adds, "Jason’s knowledge and expertise has been a real help to us and it is great to know that he is based in Ireland and only a phone call away.”
 
Tomas is now planning to make further improvements in the New Year, including the fitting of a wall mounted plastic snap together airline, which will extend to the exterior door.
 
For more information call Jason Walsh on 087-623-6892.