Air Hammer

[RickP330]

Thank you all. I really had time to watch all the TTC reviews. It's really hard to argue against the Sunnex when it goes up against the Sioux. And I am not bucking rivets so I don't really think I need the power. I'll just wait for my January tool budget and we will move forward. I'll report back here.
RP

 

[woody 73]

Rick Hi,

Funny thing but HF sent me one of their 25% coupons some time ago and well let's just say I walked in their store and bought that air chief hammer for a really nice discount, (more in your price range).

That mother hits like a power steam locomotive on steroids, although the trigger is rather touchy, but dam you cannot beat the price.

 

[WWheeler]

I have the Astro 4980 (AKA "Big Nasty"), the predecessor to the bit-breaking Thor 498K that they've come out with since I got mine.



Big Nasty is a beast. It knocks any and all specs of rust off the entire vehicle. i was just knocking a ball joint out, and now I have to sweep the entire garage. I can't really imagine needing anything more.

Here's the vid I saw that helped me settle on getting the Astro.

And here's Eric debuting Big Nasty's bigger brother Thor when he first got the prototype of it before astro put it into production.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Regarding the 498 hammers - Be careful especially if you're not used to running air hammers in general.


Imagine teaching someone to shoot with a 44 caliber pistol, or teaching them to drive a manual transmission in a 400hp RWD car with no traction control. I have big nasty and the Thor air hammer, great tools although the Big Nasty trigger is pretty much 3 positions. Wide open, half, off. But these tools make big power. A user can destroy knuckle mounting surfaces, shoot bolts 50ft across the shop, etc.

I've taught people to use air hammers and the finesse required to both crush something to death while simultaneously not destroying the valuable stuff nearby isn't a 2min process. The default for most people is to try to go wide open and they can get out of control and off target. The consensus, like impact guns, is to buy something super powerful. But there's risks involved just like handing someone a high-torque electric impact and telling them to "tighten" something.


Astro 401K is a very nice air hammer, as is the Sunex which I believe I have as a rebranded Matco. Once you're talking CP714 money just buy a snap on. But to the point of the thread, I don't think new users should default to buying these 498 shank tools. Even if you're used to using top power 401 shank units, 498 just steps it up considerably. The recoil punishes your arm, you feel the ringing in your skull. You also need the air to run a 498, which is a LOT more than a 401. I can feel the shop line pressure drop running 498 sized air hammers for more than 10 second bursts.


The 401 shank tools and good triggers teach the skills needed to handle a 498 sized tool and not have it be a beam of destruction for everything nearby. Even with a 401 shank tool there's a degree of physicality to operating it. Absorbing the impacts while keeping your trigger position correct while your vision is distorted and the air hammer is bouncing around on the driven object. I think people underestimate the value of a trigger. A controllable trigger is paramount for not just bashing everything in a 3" radius from the target.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Regarding the 498 hammers - Be careful especially if you're not used to running air hammers in general.


Imagine teaching someone to shoot with a 44 caliber pistol, or teaching them to drive a manual transmission in a 400hp RWD car with no traction control. I have big nasty and the Thor air hammer, great tools although the Big Nasty trigger is pretty much 3 positions. Wide open, half, off. But these tools make big power. A user can destroy knuckle mounting surfaces, shoot bolts 50ft across the shop, etc.

I've taught people to use air hammers and the finesse required to both crush something to death while simultaneously not destroying the valuable stuff nearby isn't a 2min process. The default for most people is to try to go wide open and they can get out of control and off target. The consensus, like impact guns, is to buy something super powerful. But there's risks involved just like handing someone a high-torque electric impact and telling them to "tighten" something.


Astro 401K is a very nice air hammer, as is the Sunex which I believe I have as a rebranded Matco. Once you're talking CP714 money just buy a snap on. But to the point of the thread, I don't think new users should default to buying these 498 shank tools. Even if you're used to using top power 401 shank units, 498 just steps it up considerably. The recoil punishes your arm, you feel the ringing in your skull. You also need the air to run a 498, which is a LOT more than a 401. I can feel the shop line pressure drop running 498 sized air hammers for more than 10 second bursts.


The 401 shank tools and good triggers teach the skills needed to handle a 498 sized tool and not have it be a beam of destruction for everything nearby. Even with a 401 shank tool there's a degree of physicality to operating it. Absorbing the impacts while keeping your trigger position correct while your vision is distorted and the air hammer is bouncing around on the driven object. I think people underestimate the value of a trigger. A controllable trigger is paramount for not just bashing everything in a 3" radius from the target.

Very well said, Scott.

I've had the Snap On PH3050B for a number of years. It has great trigger control and quite a bit of power for a .401 shank tool.

But sometimes you just need a bit more so I bought an Astro 498K.

I'll put it this way: When I use the Snap On I wear safety glasses and ear protection. When I use the Astro I wear safety glasses, ear protection, and a face shield. That thing is absolutely mean. It hits slower than the Snap On but much, much harder. Be careful with either of them!

 

[yhprum]

Late to the party here, but have a look at all the rivet guns at the yardstore. These are just the used ones.

Surplus - Rivet Guns - Pneumatic Tools - Pneumatic|Cordless Tools

www.yardstore.com

Edited to add you can also get a reducer to fit.401 in a .498 gun.

Rivet Gun Shaft Reducer

PN: 50102Rivet Gun Shaft Reducer When you have 0.401 shank rivet sets but a rivet gun that only accepts 0.498 shank sets, this reducer is the tool you need. Made of hardened steel and open at both ends to allow maximum riveting power, it increases the ve

www.yardstore.com

 

[RickP330]

Hello Guys,
I'd like to update this thread. I purchased the Sunex air hammer. The reviews from the TTC channel and Hohn's advice was just too convincing. Unadvised, I probably would have purchased the IR at twice the price. I am not sure what the old one I had was, but I am pretty sure I would have purchased it at the Sears Tool department and that would have also made it an IR. It was the only prior experience I had with an air hammer, and not quite sure why it's gone, it either gave up the ghost, or someone never returned it, and I forgot.

Keep in mind my application is automotive and body work / sheet metal related. We previously decided that power was not a major concern for me, but I would benefit from trigger control. I would say that realization was spot on.

I purchased the hammer through the TTC affiliate links to give them Kudos, plus I purchased a bit set from 8milelake I also don't regret that.

I love the hammer. It's like butter! The regulator on the handle is pretty useless, so I left it turned up but wow, that trigger. I had no idea what I was missing. I started by ripping some test coupons I spot welded. I just simply pointed the chisel at the seam and gently pressed the trigger and it just slipped between the seem. When I got to the weld, I was able to go full bore on it and got it to separate (Not sure if I'm happy with the spot weld, but that is the subject of another thread, I'll start playing with weld settings now).

I just don't know how else to describe it. If you have big brute guns in you toolbox, I feel you owe it to yourself to try one of these if you can ever borrow one. If you do need big power, I don't think this gun will satisfy all of your needs but at the bottom of the barrel for $89 bucks how can you go wrong?

The most I will ever do is zip off long panels with the panel ripper and it does rip 16ga steel with no problem. For me It's all I'll ever need and a big thanks to this forum. I would never have known the experience what a difference trigger control could mean.
RP

 

[Hohn]

Thanks for posting the follow up. Glad to hear the Sunex is working out so well. I'm generally loathe to recommend something I've never touched, but this felt low-risk. I hope it holds up well for you. Keep it oiled periodically and it will likely be fine.

The value of a great trigger on a tool like this was a real epiphany for me, and it sounds like you're having a similarly eye-opening experience. More power just lets you do a bigger job. But more precise control lets you do every job within the available power with much more finesse and precision. And that means less frustration and more productivity. Less stress on your body, too. All good things for those of us who a bit more miles on the clock.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Thanks for posting the follow up. Glad to hear the Sunex is working out so well. I'm generally loathe to recommend something I've never touched, but this felt low-risk. I hope it holds up well for you. Keep it oiled periodically and it will likely be fine.

The value of a great trigger on a tool like this was a real epiphany for me, and it sounds like you're having a similarly eye-opening experience. More power just lets you do a bigger job. But more precise control lets you do every job within the available power with much more finesse and precision. And that means less frustration and more productivity. Less stress on your body, too. All good things for those of us who a bit more miles on the clock.

People underestimate the trigger. That's what let's you use the tool to its full potential.

Having an Astro big nasty and the 498 Thor was eye opening to how much more you can do with a trigger that is sensitive. My daily use 401 shank is a snap on 3050, it's all about the trigger IMO. You have so many more possibilities of what the tool can do for you when you can precisely control it.

 

[joel63]

People underestimate the trigger. That's what let's you use the tool to its full potential.

Having an Astro big nasty and the 498 Thor was eye opening to how much more you can do with a trigger that is sensitive. My daily use 401 shank is a snap on 3050, it's all about the trigger IMO. You have so many more possibilities of what the tool can do for you when you can precisely control it.

Thanks for the information on the big guns.

 

[montanafordman]

Another vote for the Astro 4980 (AKA "Big Nasty")! For when you REALLY need something moved, unstuck, or pulverized. Mine has been a lifesaver separating 20 year old torsion bars and control arms and other rusted truck suspension parts. For a good "normal" .401 shank air hammer the CP714 is a good bet also. Good finesse with the trigger, effective and easy to control.

 

[RickP330]

Another vote for the Astro 4980 (AKA "Big Nasty")! ...

$300.00 *sigh* someday when I grow up LOL....
RP

PS is there a low buck alternative?

 

[montanafordman]

$300.00 *sigh* someday when I grow up LOL....
RP

PS is there a low buck alternative?

Well, I hate to break it to you but the Astro 4980 IS the low buck alternative for a .498 shank air hammer, its essentially a clone of the CP 717 which will run you over $500 from the cheapest sources....

 

[Wrench97]

$300.00 *sigh* someday when I grow up LOL....
RP

PS is there a low buck alternative?

That is the low buck alternative in .498 shank hammers