Wondering if anyone has or knows of some small/compact sized air hammers? Just wanting something that will fit in tight areas like under a cowl, behind engines etc for small things (knocking off V band clamps from turbos)....places where its hard to get swing with a hammer. Power requirements are low so Im not even looking at performance specs, just physical size. I've seen some air rivet hammers that seem pretty small but I'm not sure if they share the same shank size (.401) as a normal air hammer or if regular air hammer bits will fit in them. Seems like the cheaper the air hammer the smaller in size they LOOK (from pictures anyway). Anyone have any suggestions?
Any baby sized air hammers?
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I know, not air and it's skil, but maybe enough?
SKIL PWR CORE 12 Brushless 12V Auto Hammer Kit includes 2.0Ah Lithium Battery and PWR JUMP Charger - AH6552A-10, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8C8LVT?tag=atomicindus08-20
SKIL PWR CORE 12 Brushless 12V Auto Hammer Kit includes 2.0Ah Lithium Battery and PWR JUMP Charger - AH6552A-10, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8C8LVT?tag=atomicindus08-20
cvairwerks
Well-known member
You would be looking at a 1x or 2x corner rivet gun, aka a "Buck Rogers". Not cheap if you are buying new, but can be had for under 125$ used if you shop for a while.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
They probably have these in aviation where they've got hundreds of unique tools that 1) get into tight places 2) cost a lot of money. Look at this unit from Milwaukee. It is used to drive nails and it's cordless. If it fits where you need it to it might be your answer. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...juQeFpjmBjoQ6qns12QIVvuKGjRJj5UucjNtc60cT0S-8
Jswain
Well-known member
Pneumatic palm nailer would probably fit your bill
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Ridgid has an incredibly compact pneumatic palm nailer, too
Pinemarten
Well-known member
One of these.........
aircraftengineersstore.com
We always called them Jiffy Guns. Like cvairwerks said, they are expensive. Ebay is your best bet.
AIRCRAFT 1X JIFFY / CORNER / SHORT SHANK RIVET GUN KIT – Aircraft Engineers Store | UK
aircraftengineersstore.com
We always called them Jiffy Guns. Like cvairwerks said, they are expensive. Ebay is your best bet.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Palm nailers do not use .401" shank tools....
Jswain
Well-known member
You might have to rig something up, or use a small piece of round bar but there's quite a few videos of them being used on youtube
danielbuck
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I've used a palm nailer, yes you just need a short piece of round bar. if you have a lathe, you could make a "bit" that has a shank that fits inside the palm nailer, but has a wider head. Just becareful, palm nailers are usually pretty binary (at least mine is), either off or full strength instantly. they can catch you off guard sometimes, which might not be fun if your hand is in a tight area.
a spring loaded punch with a dull bit might also work. I've used that to pop a bolt out of a tight hole before.
a spring loaded punch with a dull bit might also work. I've used that to pop a bolt out of a tight hole before.
I"m not sure what is baby sized, but I still have the ~1985 $9.95 edition of this, and it's small
www.harborfreight.com
Air Impact Hammer Kit
Amazing deals on this Air Impact Hammer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Might be a dumb question, but would 18" air hammer bits work for this? I do understand you're stuck needing a straight shot.
Not really....If i could make that work I would just use a long prybar or pipe and hit that with a hammer instead. Long ones would be handy at times though.
I'm thinking more for things where you are basically kissing the windshield wipers because your arms are buried so far back/behind something. Honestly a lot of my reasoning for even thinking about this is for getting V band clamps off certain diesel pickups that can be a pain when they are stuck on and buried under the cowl and behind the turbo/s. I always make something work but I cant help but think there has to be an easier/quicker way.
I was going to try this but never got around to it yet because of time, but this popped up in my feed.
He used the Milwaukee, which I have as well, but I suppose as long as the bit fits (the bore hole can vary), it should work for light hammering being cognizant of the shortcomings (like having to hold the bit manually). Also obviously would work with pneumatic models as well (if it fits).
When I thought about it when the thread started, this is what I wasn't so sure of - if the shank would fit in the bore.
https://youtu.be/QC11XMwu_vg?si=KHVMwWdOMgxYh87T
He used the Milwaukee, which I have as well, but I suppose as long as the bit fits (the bore hole can vary), it should work for light hammering being cognizant of the shortcomings (like having to hold the bit manually). Also obviously would work with pneumatic models as well (if it fits).
When I thought about it when the thread started, this is what I wasn't so sure of - if the shank would fit in the bore.
https://youtu.be/QC11XMwu_vg?si=KHVMwWdOMgxYh87T
I actually have that M12 palm nailer, it IS bulky, especially compared to pneumatic palm nailers, but for nailing, I have found it works BETTER than all the pneumatic palms I have. It's able to nail things better/more consistent than my other palm nailers.Funny, I just watched that last night.....or had it playing in the background anyway
I have plenty of M12 batteries. While short, it also seems pretty bulky for some areas compared to one of the small riveters.
I don't know if it's because it's actually better, or if it has something to do with the mass - being heavier and more massive than pneumatic ones, perhaps there is some energy conservation going on where more of the energy is getting to the nail rather than into pushing in the opposite direction into your palm.
It's also much easier to stick a battery in and go rather than getting out the compressor, air line, waiting for the compressor to come up to pressure, yada, yada, yada.
Probably too small for the OP, but for future searchers…an air engraver will act as an air hammer on real small fasteners. If money is no object, this one is nice:
Chicago pneumatic air engraver
Chicago pneumatic air engraver
rlitman
Well-known member
I have a CP9361. I also have a hex collet that fits it, which allows you to make custom "chisels". I've been meaning to buy a bunch of 1/8" allen keys...Probably too small for the OP, but for future searchers…an air engraver will act as an air hammer on real small fasteners. If money is no object, this one is nice:
Chicago pneumatic air engraver
LopezBart
Well-known member
We have an ACAT 3X that I've used on our Airstream, works quite well and very controllable, but likely too large for you.
Air riveters are extremely expensive; the price is shocking in comparison to the mechanic guns. The $ reasons are obvious, limited market, made for production use, but still....