Air Hammer

[sorcutt]

I am looking to buy an air hammer. I don't want to spend the money for snap-on. I will be using it for suspension work. What would you suggest?

 

[ImportTuner]

IR 121 .. can't beat it for price/performance ..

 

[A_Pmech]

For occasional suspension work, I would buy a Campbell-Hausfeld such as this one:

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/chPrd3_10051_10001_97793_-1_10676_10708_

I have one for weld chipping, suspension work, and masonry work. It's a fine little tool for $25.

The only place were I would spend a lot of money on an air hammer is if you're bucking rivets. In which case, a $750 Chicago Pneumatic or Cleco is money well-spent.

Tip: The longer the air hammer's barrel, the fewer hits per minute, but the heaver each blow is. In aviation, we denote the size of the gun as 1x, 2x, and 4x Though, guns up to 10x or so are available. I'm sure there's a precise standard for air hammer sizing, but I've always gone by this rule of thumb.

1x guns are stubby, with about 3,000 or more hits per minute

2x guns are about 6" in length, with about 2,500 hits per minute

4x guns are 8" or so long, with about 1,500 or fewer hits per minute.

For suspension work, I'd want a 2x or 4x gun.

 

[trackwelder]

Cp 714......

 

[mdoolittle]

I use this one and it has done some serious work for me.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=26181

 

[vssjim]

there are only two Cp714 Cp717 period others are noise makers

 

[speed bump]

there are only two Cp714 Cp717 period others are noise makers

Do you know if the 714 is rebuildable? I just ran into one for next to nothing but I don't know if its good or not.

 

[billymade]

I have a CP air hammer with the long barrel; I believe it is like this one: http://www.toolking.com/chicagopneumatic_cp715.aspx
Question; the barrel on this gun gets loose and I always have to tighten it, is this normal? Is this just the way they are? I got it used and it has always been this way; if it gets too loose it won't work and I have to tighten it (by turning the whole barrel), to use it again. The other designs don't seem to have this problem; any insight appreciated!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The only place were I would spend a lot of money on an air hammer is if you're bucking rivets. In which case, a $750 Chicago Pneumatic or Cleco is money well-spent.

From Brown Tool, the CP 2X thru 4X guns are about $500 (which is alot!)

2X rivet gun

3X rivet gun

4X rivet gun

Sioux rivet guns are about $250

Taylor brand (exact CP clone) run from $160 for a 2X to $380 for a 9X

Charles

 

[gofastman]

there are only two Cp714 Cp717 period others are noise makers

a little birdie told me the Snap On PH3050A is better...

 

[Spookrider]

I have the Sk long barrel
http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=10&pid=91719
on order and I also have CP air hammer bought in the mid 60's by my Dad. The Cp still going strong.

 

[goodfellow]

Cp 714......

+1 -- have used a &14 for over 30 years. Best all-round hammer.

 

[scottguehne]

If you don't want to spend an arm and a leg, such as I did, don't get the CP 717. But I tell you what, I don't regret the amount of moolah I spent on that one. Used the nonsense out of it, and I haven't run into a job it can't handle. You do get what you pay for, and this one is worth the cash.

 

[gofastman]

If you don't want to spend an arm and a leg, such as I did, don't get the CP 717. But I tell you what, I don't regret the amount of moolah I spent on that one. Used the nonsense out of it, and I haven't run into a job it can't handle. You do get what you pay for, and this one is worth the cash.

I just picked up an SK long barrel for riveting work, $100, hope that you turn out to be wrong.

 

[tpolley]

oreilly has an ir 114 for $55. can't vouch for it but anything by ir has to be decent, right? if i ever need one i will probably buy it.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ING0/114GQC.oap?partType=N0691&parentPartType=C0369