The 10 Best Air Cut-Off Tools

Editor's Notes

February 25, 2021:

With all of our previous picks continuing to be sensible selections for this category, it was a very straightforward round of updates that saw no major comings or goings for these rankings. Note that the size of cut off disc these tools can accept varies considerably, and while four-inch models – like the Chicago Pneumatic CP9116 and Astro 409 – are common, bigger models are also available – like the five-inch Ingersoll Rand 422G – as are smaller — like the three-inch Astro 208 Onyx or DeWalt DWMT70784, or even the diminutive two-inch Chicago Pneumatic CP7500D.

Speaking of the DeWalt DWMT70784, I should mention that since there was some ambiguity regarding its housing construction, we reached out to the company and they were quickly able to clarify that it's made of an aluminum composite. Without insulting anybody’s intelligence, just in case anybody’s confused, I'll also say that, as pneumatic equipment, these tools will all require a separately purchased air compressor and air hose to function.

If metal fabrications your game, you might also be interested in our rankings for straight grinders and angle grinders.

April 10, 2019:

Air cut off tools are very versatile, making them a handy addition to any shop or home garage, Whether you need to remove weld splatter, cut into a muffler, or hack of a length of pipe, these items are up to the job. From the options on our list, commercial contractors would be best served by the Chicago Pneumatic CP9116, Chicago Pneumatic CP7500D, Astro 409, Ingersoll Rand 422G, DeWalt DWMT70784, and Aircat 6525-A. Your applications will go a long way to determining which of the above models is best for you. If you need to cut through large-diameter tubing or thick steel, choosing a tool that has a four- or five-inch disc is a smart idea. Home DIYers can generally get by with less expensive models, since they won't be subjecting their tool to daily use. If you fall into this category, we recommend you take a look at the Astro 208 Onyx, Ingersoll Rand 326G, Craftsman 9-19953, and Sunex SX6210. While all of these models are also relatively well-built and perform admirably, some of their interior components may not be intended for heavy volume use day in and day out.