Replies

1. 
   Shep | Oct 11, 2007 04:30pm | #1

   Never seen one.

   But they must have a pretty big compressor to run it. My little hot dog would die quick.

2. 
   diddidit | Oct 11, 2007 04:30pm | #2

   I'm sure the air consumption would be monstrous - when I worked with air-powered hoists and cranes, we figured that for every HP the air motor developed, you'd need 5 hp at the compressor for continuous use.

   did

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3. 
   DanH | Oct 11, 2007 04:58pm | #3

   Amish carpenters? You sure they weren't hand cranked??

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
4. 
   DanH | Oct 11, 2007 04:59pm | #4

   (67 cfm)

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
5. 
   MikeHennessy | Oct 11, 2007 05:08pm | #5

   I just saw this on some DIY channel on TV today too. The Amish use all sorts of power tools, but they run them off a deisel air compressor. Seems deisel power is OK with their religious beliefs, but electricity is not.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   popawheelie | Oct 11, 2007 05:18pm | #6

   They try to stay off the grid. In some areas electrification happened just a little while ago.

1. 
   marv | Oct 11, 2007 08:54pm | #7

   This old guy had a pretty good eye too.  He could spot a 1/2" drop in floor level in 60'.....and from the back of the old foundation, he told the owner it was out of level 6", when they got out the transit, he was out ot level 5.5". You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Oct 12, 2007 01:24am | #8

   Staying off the grid I understand. But if you are using a deisel, why not just use it to run a generator instead of a compressor. Much easier to get tools. I figgur it must be something against electricity per se.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

1. 
   GregWerner | Oct 12, 2007 01:42am | #9

   The local Amish here use diesel compressors too but the also have circ saw blades mounted on chainsaw bodies. That looks like a heavy saw.Greg

   http://www.wernerbuilding.net

2. 
   DanH | Oct 12, 2007 02:08am | #11

   I think some Amish will allow a generator in the barn, eg to run a milking machine, but no electricity is allowed in the house. (Some also have a battery-powered TV in the barn, but I'm guessing that's stretching their rules a bit.)No phones in the homes either. Generally there's one pay phone per community, for emergencies and business calls.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

2. 
   McDesign | Oct 12, 2007 02:42am | #12

   <Seems diesel power is OK with their religious beliefs, but electricity is not.>

   I love all the moving interpretations and re-interpretations of religions - it points out that religon serves man, not the other way around.

   Forrest

1. 
   LIVEONSAWDUST | Oct 12, 2007 04:37am | #13

   I believe each local Amish enclave makes a lot of their own choices in regards to what technology is used, Used to be in my area some of the Amish would use tractors in the field, but they would tow them to the field with horses.

2. 
   basswood | Oct 12, 2007 06:00am | #16

   The Amish have nothing against electricity or technology...they just have a healthy skepticism ...that all things modern do not really improve the actual quality of life.They take a simpler path and if a technology helps them preserve their way of life (generators for running milking equipement or computers that keep their farms competitive) then they adopt it.

6. 
   Matthew | Oct 12, 2007 02:04am | #10

   In an antique shop in lancaster, I saw an air powered room fan. They type that osilates back and forth. They make all sorts of air powered items for the amish.

1. 
   reinvent | Oct 12, 2007 05:42pm | #21

   "I saw an air powered room fan"Seems oxymoronic to me.

7. 
   bobbys | Oct 12, 2007 05:36am | #14

   Is there a link to that saw, I once saw a air worm drive but i believe it took a lotta air and one would need a big compressor, Dont know anything about the Amish , Do they take the American dollar that was made on the Grid????

1. 
   jhausch | Oct 12, 2007 05:52am | #15

   Tangential Hijack alert

   I heard a piece on NPR about the Amish.  A new book written by a guy who sorta moved into an Amish area in Ohio (Lancaster county or thereabouts).

   He said there is about 200,000 people in the US that call themselves Amish.  Of that 200k, there are many sub-groups - often divided by the technology they adopt.  He said some even pilot their own small planes!

   If I remember the book, I'll post the title.

2. 
   marv | Oct 12, 2007 03:59pm | #17

   Is there a link to that saw

   http://www.irtools.com/IS/product.asp?en=526

   My friend said these amish were actually using a Makita Air Drive circular saw.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

1. 
   DanH | Oct 12, 2007 04:30pm | #18

   On wonders if the air drive is somehow "smart". A big advantage of electric drive is that current draw is proportional to load, but a "dumb" air motor will draw air roughly proportional to speed, not load. This would lead to excessive air consumption and poor max-load performance.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

1. 
   diddidit | Oct 12, 2007 05:19pm | #19

   Air motors are "dumb," and generally have lower starting torque than running torque. They were a royal pain in the tootie for overhead lifting.did<!---->Cure Diabetes - Whitefish, Montana, 2007!<!---->

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8. 
   Dudley | Oct 12, 2007 05:31pm | #20

   The US Army Engineer Pioneer equipment trailer is full of air powered tools - circular saw being one - used to cut most of anything and there were a bunch of drills.  This was back in the 70's; not sure the Pioneer Tool Kit still has air driven tools but it did then and we had no complaints