RickP330
Well-known member
There has got to be something in between. I know I can count on you guys to spend my money. Can you make a reccomendation?
Air Hammer
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rockbaron1
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- Nov 17, 2022
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Astro Thor? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/apt-498k. I don't actually own one, I have the snap on unit. But everyone loves the Thor impact wrenches, I can't imagine the air hammer would be a total disappointment...
speed bump
Well-known member
I really like my CP714 but they aren't much cheaper.
They trigger isn't as good but Astro Thor is pretty popular for the price.
There is also buying a used 7x rivet gun. They can be had pretty cheap and have all the hitting power but you can also back off when you need to.
They trigger isn't as good but Astro Thor is pretty popular for the price.
There is also buying a used 7x rivet gun. They can be had pretty cheap and have all the hitting power but you can also back off when you need to.
Hohn
Well-known member
Aircat 5250. It's $250, as powerful as the Snap On and has an absolutely incredible trigger.
The Astro did well in the Torque Test testing also, but the Aircat's absolutely amazing trigger was worth the upgrade IMO. I have the HF long barrel Chief which is powerful, but the trigger is an on/off switch and it's all but impossible to control.
The Astro did well in the Torque Test testing also, but the Aircat's absolutely amazing trigger was worth the upgrade IMO. I have the HF long barrel Chief which is powerful, but the trigger is an on/off switch and it's all but impossible to control.
I have the HF Chief also. I agree, it's really powerful but the trigger is awful. I bought mine a few years ago when they first came out. Overall has been great, just wish for a better trigger. Also, the bits HF sells are to hard and I've shattered a few. I now run Snap On bits.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The ASTRO Thor with the 401 bit size is sweet for the money. It is a little on the long side. I like mine. Harbor freight has a chief air hammer that's pretty good too.
This is what I would buy if I needed one.
www.harborfreight.com
I had a CAT branded air hammer for a while when I worked there. But I also got an employee discount at the time.
It did what I needed it to do.
// EDIT:
For anyone interested, this is what I had.
It has since been replaced with a new model, but no idea what it looks like.
Professional Long-Barrel Air Hammer
Amazing deals on this Long Barrel Impact Hammer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
I had a CAT branded air hammer for a while when I worked there. But I also got an employee discount at the time.
It did what I needed it to do.
// EDIT:
For anyone interested, this is what I had.
It has since been replaced with a new model, but no idea what it looks like.
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ThePostman
Well-known member
Or buy used. I picked up the snappy for a steal from a pawn shop that had an online listing, I believe it was $250. It's going strong to this day, and was well worth the hour drive.
kudakev615
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- Jan 10, 2017
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- 172
agree on the astro thor 401 but mine only lasted about a yr with not much usage or abuse. the price is cheap enough to replace it and not try to repair it. went back to using my 20+ yr old cornwell air hammer that hasnt skipped a beat but obviously not as powerful. ill pick up another 401 thor eventually
engineer2
Well-known member
I would avoid anything with a tool retainer spring. They always break at the most importune time.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Ingersoll Rand 119MAX $149
Ingersoll Rand 119MAX Vibration Reduced Long Barrel Air Hammer, 2530 BPM, 3-1/2" Stroke, Round Shank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872HW91C?tag=atomicindus08-20
Ingersoll Rand 119MAX Vibration Reduced Long Barrel Air Hammer, 2530 BPM, 3-1/2" Stroke, Round Shank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872HW91C?tag=atomicindus08-20
Theronswanson
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- May 13, 2023
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I think I paid $350 for my PH3050 20 years ago 
. IR would be my choice if you don't want a mortgage payment for an air hammer lol.
. IR would be my choice if you don't want a mortgage payment for an air hammer lol.danielbuck
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- Apr 15, 2014
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what are you looking for in an air hammer? all out power? or finer control? if you want both, it's usually not cheap
Astronomical prices .........all my air hammers are surplus unused or picked up from jobs .........got a tiny WW2 one marked "Air Ministry" that I use for alloy rivets in truck brake linings ...............had a marvellous WW2 IR that was new when I got it ............gave it away ,as at my age I dont want to bust my back with a 90lb hammer..............got lots of smaller IR and CP hammers too.............picked up tons of proper long stroke rivet hammers at a shipyard auction .............a rivet hammer should have a 9'' stroke at least.
9" stroke huh? You sure about that? Seems like most 7x - 9x guns have a 5" - 6" stroke lengths.
Hohn
Well-known member
I feel like I neglected to mention what they nearly $150 additional cost of the Aircat was worth it to me when it's basically only a trigger upgrade vs the Thor.
The trigger isn't just "better" but it's the kind of trigger that you'd find in a rivet gun. And yes, it allows me to buck solid rivets with it and quite well. So buying the Aircat gave me both Snappy levels of power as well as the control of a nice CP 4x-6x air rivet hammer. Nobody will be wanting to use it like a little 2x for thin sheet, but it's be best "middle ground" I can think of and will easily buck 1/4" solid steel rivets.
The trigger isn't just "better" but it's the kind of trigger that you'd find in a rivet gun. And yes, it allows me to buck solid rivets with it and quite well. So buying the Aircat gave me both Snappy levels of power as well as the control of a nice CP 4x-6x air rivet hammer. Nobody will be wanting to use it like a little 2x for thin sheet, but it's be best "middle ground" I can think of and will easily buck 1/4" solid steel rivets.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Only down side to those is that they are all .401 shank diameter !
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Hohn
Well-known member
The larger shank size has a LOT fewer options for tools available. The 498s are niche tools only to be used when a 401 really can't do it. A 498 is a good *second* hammer.
Hohn
Well-known member
If you've actually tried to use one, you'd maybe not recommend it so quickly.
Yes it's powerful, but it's so powerful that it makes the on/off trigger a much bigger deal. With a lesser hammer you might be able to manage. But with this guy is makes the hammer so hard to control it's almost useless.
I had mine less than a year before buying the Aircat.
Heck, I'd buy the weaker Sunex before I bought the Chief again because the Sunex has a great trigger.
Willie Makeit
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- Dec 30, 2013
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- 906
No complaints with my Ingersoll Rand 119MAXK. It's loud as hell but haven't found anything yet it won't move, shear or beat into submission.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
There has got to be something in between. I know I can count on you guys to spend my money. Can you make a reccomendation?
Those HF models are toys. You basically need the chief from HF and astro pneumatic 401k as a minimum floor as to function.
What are you trying to do with the tool, and what is your air supply?
Yeah, the cheaper HF models are toys, as well as the IR 114. I have the PH3050 that I bought from Ebay, and it's fantastic; but I bought it before there were so many import options that hit about as hard. I will also say, don't discount the trigger function and go for an on/off gun like the Chief. The Astro seems about the best bang for the buck, but it's also really long- if that matters to you. As old as the PH3050 design is, it's still highly impressive as far as having a great feathering trigger, hard hitting, and small size; and of course, since it's SO, the price is really impressive LOL.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I too have the IR 119max no complaints.
I also have a IR 114 I used for trailer door hinge rivets, works well for low power required situations.
For heavy work I have a old CP 717 .498 shank gun it's powerful you have to be careful I bent the brake spider on a rockwell rear trying to knock the frozen brake shoe anchor pins out of.............
I also have a IR 114 I used for trailer door hinge rivets, works well for low power required situations.
For heavy work I have a old CP 717 .498 shank gun it's powerful you have to be careful I bent the brake spider on a rockwell rear trying to knock the frozen brake shoe anchor pins out of.............
leadfoot415
Well-known member
I had an old solid handle PH3050 from the early 2000's that lasted 15 years; bought another, this time with the anti-vib rubber grip handle and it was junk within 5 years. I'm all done with snap-on air tools, every single one from recent years has broken quickly.
Bought the new IR 135max recently and have been using it for maybe 5-6 months. It is very similar in power as the snap-on; the trigger isnt quite as sensitive as the PH3050, but not bad enough to worry about for the considerable price difference.
Bought the new IR 135max recently and have been using it for maybe 5-6 months. It is very similar in power as the snap-on; the trigger isnt quite as sensitive as the PH3050, but not bad enough to worry about for the considerable price difference.
Hohn
Well-known member
All throw out another option that's not often on the radar:
www.aircraft-tool.com
A 4x rivet gun is strong enough to buck a 1/4" rivet, and these hammers have some of the most amazing triggers you'll ever see. All rivet hammers can be used as regular hammers, but not the other way around.
The ATS tools are remakes of the classic CPs. They have big-hitting .498 guns if you want those-- the 9x gun is essentially a CP4289 copy.
ATS PRO 4X RIVET GUN from Aircraft Tool Supply
ATS PRO 4X RIVET GUN - New ATS Pro Series X-Gun featuring a Lifetime Warranty. Includes beehive & Mechaid retainer springs. Excellent teasing trigger. Parts interchangeable with chicago pneumatic x series guns. 1/4 Aluminum Capacity, 90 psi requirement (3 cfm).
www.aircraft-tool.com
A 4x rivet gun is strong enough to buck a 1/4" rivet, and these hammers have some of the most amazing triggers you'll ever see. All rivet hammers can be used as regular hammers, but not the other way around.
The ATS tools are remakes of the classic CPs. They have big-hitting .498 guns if you want those-- the 9x gun is essentially a CP4289 copy.
I used a CP hammer to chisel the ring gear rivets from Rockwell diffs .............then one day I was pushed for time,and blew the rivets with the oxy........took maybe 1/10 of the time the hammer took ...........from then on ,it was the oxy .
Hey Guys,
Wow, thanks for all of the detailed responses. There were a few questions so here we go:
Application is in a home garage, call me a born-again car mechanic, I'm 55. I am (re)tooling up for a new project I plan on starting in a year and half. I have a Quincy 80-gallon air compressor. I just bought an old miller spot welder and am getting it set up, once happy I'll build a cart for it. I want to rip apart test coupons and I went to reach for my old air hammer and realized it's been long gone. I need the air gun immediately to rip coupons to test weld settings (rolling vice grips is getting old). Besides I will need a decent one at any point anyway. Might as well spend the time searching now.
Someone commented I couldn't have looked very hard. Guilty.
I'll be honest, you guys have helped me make some the best purchases I have ever made. I had replaced an old import junk jack and now have an awesome AC jack. I would never have gone that far down that path and discovered that item. and probably just bought another junk one. So I do lean on you guys, but I have given to this list in the past and promise to continue to do so as we move forward. Plus I'll update this thread with results and let you know where it goes.
To summarize: It seems the trigger is the key to success here. The air cat looks wonderful, but price is out of my range at the moment. The IR seems to fit the bill quite nicely. Someone mentioned Ebay and yes the SO can be found used for similar prices to the IR. So I'm on the hunt, let me watch that list for a week or two and see what happens. I did that with a socket set and watched a nice set, a week later the seller offered me a buy it now price with a nice discount. I can afford to wait so lets see what that process yeilds.....
Thank you,
Rick
Wow, thanks for all of the detailed responses. There were a few questions so here we go:
Application is in a home garage, call me a born-again car mechanic, I'm 55. I am (re)tooling up for a new project I plan on starting in a year and half. I have a Quincy 80-gallon air compressor. I just bought an old miller spot welder and am getting it set up, once happy I'll build a cart for it. I want to rip apart test coupons and I went to reach for my old air hammer and realized it's been long gone. I need the air gun immediately to rip coupons to test weld settings (rolling vice grips is getting old). Besides I will need a decent one at any point anyway. Might as well spend the time searching now.
Someone commented I couldn't have looked very hard. Guilty.
I'll be honest, you guys have helped me make some the best purchases I have ever made. I had replaced an old import junk jack and now have an awesome AC jack. I would never have gone that far down that path and discovered that item. and probably just bought another junk one. So I do lean on you guys, but I have given to this list in the past and promise to continue to do so as we move forward. Plus I'll update this thread with results and let you know where it goes.
To summarize: It seems the trigger is the key to success here. The air cat looks wonderful, but price is out of my range at the moment. The IR seems to fit the bill quite nicely. Someone mentioned Ebay and yes the SO can be found used for similar prices to the IR. So I'm on the hunt, let me watch that list for a week or two and see what happens. I did that with a socket set and watched a nice set, a week later the seller offered me a buy it now price with a nice discount. I can afford to wait so lets see what that process yeilds.....
Thank you,
Rick
Hohn
Well-known member
Based on your reply, then I'd say: don't sleep on the Sunex. TTC tested it and while it's not the most powerful of the most powerful, it's a got the best trigger on a <$100 hammer and only gives up about 20% peak power to something like the Sioux 4x hammer.
It's not as powerful as the biggest .401 hammers, but it's cheaper even than the Astro and has a better trigger.
Since your immediate use is separating spot weld test coupons, a tool that favors control over peak power might be a good fit, and the Sunex at under $100 shipped fits the bill nicely while respecting the budget.
Later on if you have some really heavy work that the Sunex cannot handle, then add a .498 shank hammer for those instances. As a bonus, a slightly less powerful .401 hammer means you won't constantly be breaking and replacing chisels when you do push them into harder work. Panel work doesn't require the strongest hammers. But I'd think it certainly would benefit from the control a good trigger provides.
It's not as powerful as the biggest .401 hammers, but it's cheaper even than the Astro and has a better trigger.
Since your immediate use is separating spot weld test coupons, a tool that favors control over peak power might be a good fit, and the Sunex at under $100 shipped fits the bill nicely while respecting the budget.
Later on if you have some really heavy work that the Sunex cannot handle, then add a .498 shank hammer for those instances. As a bonus, a slightly less powerful .401 hammer means you won't constantly be breaking and replacing chisels when you do push them into harder work. Panel work doesn't require the strongest hammers. But I'd think it certainly would benefit from the control a good trigger provides.
Thank you,
This is the one?
Heavy Duty 250mm Long Barrel Air Hammer
Long barrel design with 2, 200 BPM Aluminum alloy housing with ergonomic comfort grip Hardened steel barrel for maximum durability Built-in regular or knob for easy adjustment Specification ions: blows per minute 2, 200, bore (-Inch) 3/4, stroke (-Inch) 3-3/4, air inlet (npt) 1/4
sunextools.com
Can't beat that price if the control is there and yes, I don't think max power is too much of a consideration in my world here.
Rick
I got top brand NOS air hammers ,and dont think Ive used an air hammer in the last 10 years ..........last time would be a small one replacing truck brake linings,and that soft aluminium rivets ...........must say Im amazed at the prices for hammers now .......my gooseneck handle CP is over $1000.....I wont be buying any more.
Hohn
Well-known member
Here's the Sunex the TTC tested and noted the excellent trigger:Thank you,
This is the one?
Heavy Duty 250mm Long Barrel Air Hammer
Long barrel design with 2, 200 BPM Aluminum alloy housing with ergonomic comfort grip Hardened steel barrel for maximum durability Built-in regular or knob for easy adjustment Specification ions: blows per minute 2, 200, bore (-Inch) 3/4, stroke (-Inch) 3-3/4, air inlet (npt) 1/4
Can't beat that price if the control is there and yes, I don't think max power is too much of a consideration in my world here.
Rick
Note on their test graph that the Sunex at full air pressure (black line) can be controlled to give output as low as the Sioux (blue line), and the Sioux is actually a rivet gun and one of the best ever made:
The chart above shows that the 119 has nowhere near the low-output control of the Sunex. The IR is definitely a stronger hammer, see below:
Thus my recommendation of the Sunex. If your trigger can be controlled as well as the notoriously excellent-but-$500+-Sioux, then you have achieved something.
Every guy building airplanes wishes he had a Sioux rivet gun, they are considered the best, and the control of the trigger is a big part of that.
That's why I'm so impressed by the Sunex without ever touching one. Duplicating the bottom end of the Sioux while hitting usefully hard and doing it all for under $100 is an achievement, IMO.
I went with the aircat only because I wanted the extra punch without giving up an excellent trigger, and it was worth the premium to me.
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