AIR-680 Pneumatic Polisher (Discontinued-See AIR-830))

The Alpha® AIR-680 is the Ultimate Pneumatic Polisher for Fabricators. As an upgraded version of the proven successful AIR-658, it is better than ever. This high performance, pneumatic polishing tool has a central water-fed distribution system that produces the highest quality finishes. It has a maximum speed of 4,000 RPM, consumes 15 CFM and requires 85 PSI. With a 5/8”-11 spindle, the AIR-680 is lightweight and ergonomically designed. It is now equipped with 15ft flexible air and water supply hoses and an oil port for easy maintenance. These new hoses are made of Hybrid Flexible Material and are all-weather flexible down to -40F. Additionally, Alpha® offers a splash guard and C-Shaped handle as optional accessories. This workhorse tool is designed for a long life and is a must-have for any fabrication shop.

Question : What applications are the Alpha® AIR-680 recommended for?

Answer : The Alpha® AIR-680 is recommended for wet polishing, wet core drilling, profiling and grinding.

Question : Does the Alpha® AIR-680 have a maintenance program?

Answer : Alpha Professional Tools® does not offer a formal maintenance program; however, we offer Maintenance Cards with recommended tasks for keeping the tool in peak operating condition.

Question : How can I get the parts list and schematic for the Alpha® AIR-680?

Answer : There are several ways to obtain information such as this from Alpha Professional Tools®. Information is available on our website at www.alpha-tools.com or by contacting our customer service or tool repair departments at 800-648-7229.

Question : Can I use my AIR-680 as a wet cutting tool with a diamond blade?

Answer : No. The AIR-680 has only 3,500RPM at no load. This is not enough RPM for diamond blade cutting applications. It is also unsafe to use as a cutting tool. Do not attempt to cut with the AIR-680.

Question : Can I use my AIR-680 for dry polishing applications?

Answer : Yes. The AIR-680 can be used for dry polishing applications. Use only dry polishing abrasives such as PVA QC, Sandpaper or other dry polishing pads that can be used under 4,000RPM.

Question : What is the RPM of the Alpha® AIR-680?

Answer : The Alpha® AIR-680 has a no load RPM of 4,000. The RPM of a pneumatic tool will drop to the optimum polishing speed of 2,000 to 2,500RPM under load.

Question : Can I use the AIR-680 for drilling applications such as faucet holes?

Answer : Yes. The AIR-680 can be used with Alpha® Core Bits to drill faucet mounting holes. We recommend that you use the Handle attachment and a template.

Question : How many gallons of water does the Alpha® AIR-680 use per minute?

Answer : The AIR-680 has a throughput of 0.5 gallons of water per minute if the needle valve is fully opened.

Question : What size air nipples are recommended for use on the AIR-680?

Answer : The thread on the end case for the air on the AIR-680 is metric or 1/4” BSPP; this is a parallel pipe thread that seals on the flat seat of the fitting.

Question : What is the warranty for this Alpha® AIR-680?

Answer : Alpha Professional Tools® warranties the AIR-680 against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail. Upon purchase, customers are asked to send in the registration cards; however, Alpha® still requires a proof of purchase for warranty repairs. Warranty repair is limited to the repair or replacement of parts without charge of problems caused by defects in material and/or workmanship. The warranty does not apply to tool accessories. The warranty for repairs is 30 days on parts and labor.

Question : What shall I do if my Alpha® AIR-680 breaks down and I need to complete the job immediately?

Answer : This largely depends upon the time frame involved. Alpha Professional Tools® has warranty service centers in the US and Canada (see Contact Us for information). The service centers can usually turn your tool repair around in a 3-5 day period. For warranty repairs, please include a copy of the sales receipt.

Question : Can I use motor oil to lubricate the Alpha® AIR-680? How about WD40?

Answer : No. You cannot use motor oil for lubrication. The Alpha® AIR-680 requires special lightweight pneumatic oil for maintenance. These types of lubricants can cause the vanes to stick in the rotor or prematurely clog the silencer. We recommend Alpha® Lubrication Oil for Pneumatic Tools (part no. AIR-008).

Question : How much horsepower should my compressor have to operate one air polisher?

Answer : The airflow needs to run at 15CFM in order to run one air polisher. Therefore you will need a minimum of 5HP per tool to efficiently operate the AIR-680. A 5HP two-stage compressor is highly recommended as the minimum requirement for one AIR-680. If a second polisher is added or planned for future growth, the air flow requirement increases 15CFM per tool and the horsepower increases 5HP per tool.

Question : Can I use an automatic oil feeder in the air supply line?

Answer : No. You should not use an automatic oil feeder. The AIR-680 does not require much oil so a few drops a day at the end of operations should be enough for maintenance. Too much lubrication will cause the silencer/muffler to clog, which may seize the AIR-680. Alpha recommends inserting 2 -3 drops of Pneumatic Oil in the air line and running the AIR-680 for about 1minute on a daily basis at the end of your work shift.

Question : What is the largest diameter accessory that the AIR-680 will accept?

Answer : The AIR-680 will accept accessories up to 5". Do not attempt to use accessories larger than 5" for safety reasons. In addition, large accessories require more torque than the AIR-680 can provide. Operating the AIR-680 under these conditions will result in overheating failure due to operator abuse.