Air Hammer Bit Recommendations

[HomeTheaterMan]

Previous searches turned up recommendations for Ajax bits, Gray bits, or Snap On bits. Well, I'm having trouble finding somewhere to buy Ajax bits, I'm seeing a lot of recent negative reviews on Gray, so I'm wondering if I should avoid those or if there is a recommended set? That leaves SO, but the price is crazy.

I'm using these with a Snap On PH3050 air hammer. After this thing ruined my chisel from Sears in about 5 seconds, I realized that I'm going to need something a bit better. What currently are the best bits? My mechanic friend keeps trying to get me to get the SO set, but it's hard for me to justify that price unless they really are that much better.

 

[Pipe]

I hate to say it but I have nothing but SO bits and have never broke one. I'm not easy on that air hammer either.

 

[ADSR]

The last 2 ajax bits i've bought had problems releasing from the gun. I had to grind down the collar to let it loose.

 

[Bobioz1]

Snap On's do break but then you get a brand new one. I think you pay for a couple replacements upfront. For professional use its the way to go. For home or low use Ajax and Old Forge/Mayhew are good. Not sure where your looking but Google AJAX tools and you'll find plenty of places to buy.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Will Snap On warranty them if you grind the chisel down to resharpen it?

Is it worth paying the new SO price, or am I better off just getting a used set off of eBay?

 

[Fedwrench]

To me air hammer bits are consumable. I like the ones made by old forge. They're durable, won't break the bank, and offer a decent selection of types.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have Snap-On and Matco air bits. They work well.

They are best thought of as a consumable. The issue with cheap ones is that they will mushroom on the head where the anvil hits inside the hammer. This then prevents you from removing it without disassembling the barrel and beating it out with a cold chisel and hammer. Beware of that.

 

[Mastermind]

Most of mine are matco, less expensive than snap on and easily warrantied. Have seen grey pneumatic ones hold up well in a mechanic environment.I do have a couple old forces that have been around forever as well. Would be great at home or light use. I warranty my matco ones every 6 months or so, but I am not nice to them at all.

 

[RedF]

I've had good luck with the Snap-on air hammer bits. I have a couple of MAC air hammer bits that haven't let me down yet, but they haven't been used that hard.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have Old Forge bits/chisels that work really well. Old Forge, Ajax, and Mayhew can all be found on eBay for cheap.

 

[stearn786]

I have Snap on chisels; came as a package deal with my 3050 . They hold up and my driver will cover them under warranty. Good thing too, because a 3050 mangles chisels pretty quick

 

[Polski-Chevy]

I've gotten an Ajax straight punch from here...

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-brand/ajax.html

 

[AJ1978]

I run the snap on's as well. The tolerances for the chuck are tighter and the BITS are much better. Now granted I broke a chisel the first week I had one, got a new one a few days later. YOU PAY MORE NOW, but know you can always get a replacement if it fails.

I was also told the bits work better for the chucks and cause less damages that way