Air hammer question

[mopar4u]

Just bought a used snap on 3050 air hammer as i hear its a beast. What is the difference between the 3050, 3050A and 3050B?

I have a large suspension project coming up, i live in the rust belt. What bit do you use to tackle rusted nuts and not destroy the nut and bolt?

 

[bcradio]

I typically won't use an air hammer on rusty fasteners except maybe as an absolute last resort.

 

[drewvdw]

Nuts and bolts are cheap, especially compared to all the cussing that happens when you try to save something that should be replaced anyways...

 

[RECox286]

If you are really determined to unfasten rusted fasteners

with the intent of reuse try a 50/50 mixture of acetone and

any ATF (which has a load of detergent already onboard).

Soaking will eventually work, and heat is the other alternative.

I have also tried using the rat-ta-tat method (pneumatic rivit

gun) with a blunt chisle tool. It does work, however I ruined

more fasteners than I was able to save. Persistance seems to

be the buzz word. I have no idea what the differences might

be other than mods (like on aircarft) for the different air hammer

designations.

Uncle Bob

 

[theoldwizard1]

They do make "nut splitters" for air hammers, but I have not used them.

Simply rattling the top of the bolt head with a flat air tool for a few seconds sometimes helps after penetrating oil. After that, "flame wrench". (Oil. Flame. What could go wrong ? )

If you are removing a non-pressed FWD front bearing (typically held by 3 bolts), after penetrating oil, and the bolts are removed, use a blunt tool in the air hammer on the edge of the bearing and try to get the bearing to turn in the knuckle.

For items like tie rod ends or ball joints, as Eric the Car Guy says "Hit what it goes through !". Not with the air hammer. Use a 2-4 lb ball peen. Usuall a half dozen good wacks and it will fall out.

 

[Murphy4570]

Rusty bolts you want to use the blue wrench, not an air hammer. Use twist sockets if the bolt heads are rotted down. Worst case weld a nut to what's left.

 

[woody 73]

You might want to give this tool a look over for heavy rusted nuts:

https://store.snapon.com/Socket-Adaptors-Socket-Adaptor-Air-Hammer-1-2-sq-dr--P636880.aspx

 

[mopar4u]

Good info, thought I've seen posts where guys use air hammer on rusty nuts, maybe they meant that they split or peel them off.

What about my other question? What is the difference between the 3050, 3050A and 3050B?

 

[JJThrasher]

I believe the suffix is revisions and addition of the quick change chuck.

 

[mopar4u]

I assumed revisions, I got the 3050 (no A or B) and just wondering if I'm missing out on anything the A and B have besides the quick change.

 

[stikman56]

The 3050 doesn't have the rubber grip that the A and B does. I've never figured out what makes the A or B, they look the same.

 

[Skin]

the A didn't originally include the quick change chuck, it was added in later and the B made it official.

 

[mopar4u]

Rubber grip and quick change, pfffff, i can live without them. Im only a diy'r, not a full time mechanic so those little comforts missing wont bother me. As long as this hammer hits as hard as everyone swears by ill be happy.

 

[bcradio]

Should be a great air hammer. You will find more uses for it once you have it.

 

[jerseykat1]

the best way to save a fastener is with heat. heat it til its cherry red then unbolt it. Thats only if you can get to it with a torch without setting anything else on fire or melting bushings.

If torch is not an option soak it in PB blaster for a 30 hour or so.

Air hammer? i prefer the IR 118max over the SO air hammers. It hits HARD and is easy to control. That's what i use. However the SO air hammers are pretty good too.