Ship Building & Ship Repair:
The modern shipyard calls for tools designed to not only increase productivity, but to also withstand the harsh conditions found in a waterfront environment. Ship building demands long lasting air tools engineered to maximize material removal rates while keeping workers comfortable and safe.
Our premium selection of rotating, percussive, bolting, and lifting tools have been handpicked and expertly vetted to ensure that you receive the largest return on investment. Read on for more information about the specific types of pneumatic tools found in the shipyard
Angle Grinders – Ever present in virtually all shipyards, the importance of the right-angle wheel grinder cannot be understated. From weld blending and heavy stock removal to beveling and surface preparation, the humble angle grinder may be the most universal of all pneumatic tools. Paired with your favorite grinding wheel or flap disc, the 4-1/2” angle grinder is most fabricators "go to" for medium to medium-large sized jobs.
The most popular angle grinder variation is the 4-1/2”, 12,000 RPM, ⅝”-11 angle grinder. In this class we have had great results with both the lube free Ingersoll Rand M2A120RP1045 which features self-lubricating motor vanes, and the All-American Sioux SWGA101045 with its signature “drop in motor.” For work in around bulkheads or for jobs requiring a more compact footprint, opt for a 4” model such as the Cleco 236GLR-115A-W3T4 featuring a heavy-duty head. Just keep in mind that tools with a 4” guard will commonly have a 3/8” spindle and therefore you will need to choose your grinding wheel accordingly.
Important factors to consider when choosing an angle grinder include the tool’s wheel capacity, horsepower, and rotational speed (RPM). Grinder and abrasive manufacturers are in constant contact with one another to develop compatible products. It's not good practice to select a tool just because it has the most speed or horsepower. Rather, select a tool suited to the job at hand whose RPM and guard size are well matched to your selected abrasive. You don’t want to be underpowered, but overpowering your selected accessory will result in shortened tool life. More importantly, over-speeding an abrasive wheel can result in dangerous working conditions including the potential shattering of the abrasive.
Die Grinders – Advancements in manufacturing continue to transform the nature of the tools used in industrial finishing. While traditional, heavy-duty material removal continues in many segments, increases in precision and waste reduction are changing demands in the finishing department. Enter the modern era of inline and right angle die grinders. New work materials require different tool speeds and attachments designed to match surrounding surfaces and work areas. We can help. International Air Tool Company offers straight, and angle die grinders with a wide variety of RPM and Horsepower combinations which are optimized for maximum productivity. If accessory changes are frequent, opt for a tool that features a spindle lock such as the Ingersoll Rand 5102MAX.
Commonly used with quick change discs or carbide burrs, both angle and inline die grinders can be used for deburring plates, fillet weld blending, and weld spatter removal. Slower speed die grinders are used for removing rust or of old paint when paired with a non-woven type of abrasive stripping disc. Die grinders range in speed from 12,000 to 34,000 RPM and from 0.3 to 1.35 horsepower. 80% of tools on the market feature a ¼” collet, but many of the manufacturers we represent offer different size collets in their parts lists. If you need a special size collet for a special shank size accessory, call us and lets discuss your needs.
Higher horsepower die grinders (1 HP and up) offer faster material removal, but at the expense of adding additional weight. In contrast, some of the inexpensive, disposable style die grinders, while cheap, may be under powered and fail prematurely as a result of heavy use. Choose only the amount of horsepower required for the job at hand and be sure not to overspeed the chosen abrasive. Additionally, understand that a $50 dollar die grinder, while perhaps fine for occasional use, will not withstand the rigorous use of production shipyard grinding. Nevertheless, we have many shipyard customers who, due to the harsh conditions found on the waterfront, prefer to purchase cases of “throw away” die grinders at a time, thus treating them as disposable commodities. This is in clear contrast to those who opt for industrial models and rebuild them again and again. Do you need help establishing a die grinder strategy be it cheap, industrial or something in between? We can help. Give us a call to discuss your specific application.
Needle and Chisel Scalers - Proper prep work is paramount in the shipyard environment. Whether you need to remove heavy weld slag, clean up spatter, remove paint, or scrap off non-skid, we have a needle gun for your application. Needle scalers and chisel scalers are the ideal tools when you’re faced with irregular surfaces. Needle scalers are percussive tools that deliver rapid, light blows for surface preparation without deforming the metal Air scalers do not typically have enough energy to dig into, gouge, or cut into the parent material.
Choose between a pistol grip or conventional in-line design depending on the application at hand. Each shipyard has their preference, Air hammers are offered in the standard duty .401 shank while bonafide industrial grade needle scalers utilize the more robust .498 shank. When selecting a needle scaler for your yard, keep in mind that a shorter stroke tool with more blows is better for light paint and rust removal. A longer stroke tool with fewer blows per minute such as the Ingersoll Rand 182LNA1 will provide a more aggressive means of mechanical cleaning. When strategy is to cover all your needle gunning and chisel scaling needs when you select a kit such as the Ingersoll Rand 182K1 which includes everything you need for any percussive surface preparation tasks.
Note: When selecting chisels for your chisel scaler, make sure that the notch on the accessory is designed for use with the brand of gun you have. It's a strange if not slightly irritating concept, but each needle gun manufacturer has a retainer system that accepts different style shanks. For example, a Cleco shank chisel won’t fit in an Ingersoll Rand chisel scaler. A Texas Pneumatic shank is compatible with a Cleco too, but a Chicago Pneumatic shank is not. We can help you select the right scaler, chisels, bits, and needles, and ensure that everything matches up as it should.
Impact Wrenches - Large vessels naturally utilize large fasteners on flanges and in the engine room, all of which need to be properly tightened. When the safety of your crew is dependent on the proper functioning of your tools, you need an impact wrench that’s going to perform consistently. Equally important is the ability to break free rusted nuts and bolts when a ship comes off the water. Our selection of industrial grade impact wrenches is unrivaled, with the Ingersoll Rand Super Duty Series leading the charge and serving as our flagship line of impact wrenches. Lightweight, ½” drive composite body tools may be fine in the shop, but production work and heavy maintenance calls for super duty tools. Ingersoll Rand Super Duty Impact Wrenches feature titanium hammer cases for maximum strength at the lightest weight possible. We offer industrial grade impact wrenches ranging from 1/4” drive all the way up to 2-½” drive. Torque ranges start at 105 ft Lbs. on ¼” tools and end at 50,000 ft. lbs.
If you plan on needing more torque in reverse (break away torque), opt for a reverse bias model such as the ever-popular 2925RBP3Ti. Other factors to consider when deciding include a rear or pistol grip handle, the sockets you plan on running, the orientation of the work, and the accessibility of the fastener to be tightened or loosened. Our impact wrenches are designed with durability in mind, from the vanes turning the motor to the hammer frames and anvils. Proprietary hardening and treatment processes, innovative ergonomic designs, and excellence in engineering all add up to the longest lasting, hardest hitting impact wrenches on the waterfront.
Chain Falls - International Air Tool offers premium chain falls made by Ingersoll Rand and Columbus McKinnon (CM). Our chain falls are engineered for use in harsh environments and deliver exceptional durability. With grade 100 electro-galvanized chain, cast hook latches, all steel construction and extensive use of bearings, these hoists are designed to operate with minimal down time. Available in both standard and ATEX certified models, each hoist is designed to meet ASME/ANSI specifications and is ergonomically enhanced to make them as user-friendly as possible. The design of the hand grips on our lever hoists and the overload protection clutch mechanism add both comfort and safety for operators. Large throat openings on the load hooks allow for easy sling installation. We can configure manual chain falls with up to 20 tons of capacity and 100 feet of lift.
Lever Hoists - More commonly referred to as “Come Alongs” in the world of industrial lifting, lever chain hoists stand out as indispensable tools for pulling loads. These manually operated hoists provide a powerful and versatile solution for lifting, and positioning heavy loads. Their robust construction, combined with mechanical advantage, makes them ideal for a wide range of applications across the ship yard. Higher ends units will feature an overload brake to prevent users from trying to lift too much weight. Lever chain hoists are corrosion resistant and feature standard powder coat finish on housing and zinc plating on major components for extra protection against corrosion when working in damp environments.
When selecting a lever chain hoist, it's crucial to consider factors like load capacity, lifting height, chain type, and safety features. Additionally, choosing a reputable brand like Ingersoll Rand, Coffing, or Columbus McKinnon (CM) can ensure quality and reliability.
And More!
We also offer a range of other pneumatic tools for shipyards, including:
- Air Hoists: For efficient and safe lifting of heavy loads. We offer powered and manual hoist ranging from 1/4 tons to 100 tons in capacity.
- Diaphragm Pumps: For fluid transfer and dewatering applications.
At International Air Tool & Industrial Supply Company, we're committed to providing the highest quality pneumatic tools and expert advice to help shipyards enhance productivity, safety, and efficiency. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and discover how we can support your operations.