Great Tool...For Me
I’ve used an in-line pneumatic cleco tool for an -8 and -10 slow-build projects and found it extremely beneficial. But like so many things in this hobby, it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Once you learn how to use the tool it is very easy to operate. But it does take a proper technique and that is not immediately intuitive. And it truly shines when you have have a large number of clecos to insert and extract. It saves time but in the long run, you’re not going to finish your project any sooner. I run mine on a dedicated second air line from a multi-port manifold located at my compressor. That way the tool is always available and doesn’t require switching tools. Not quite as convenient as dozens of cleco pliers located all around the project but close enough. Previous to my -8 and -10 builds, I also built a very early -6 using just cleco pliers. About half way through that project I developed very painful tendonitis. I suspect that came on from the repetitive motion of the pliers and the riveting/bucking. Even today, I still have to deal with the pain from time to time but not anything like during the -6 construction. And it’s as much a lower arm/elbow issue so using a wrist exercising tool would be useless. I have found my pneumatic cleco tool a great asset if for no other reason than to help deal with my tendonitis.