Air Hammers

[crf450x]

I've been looking for a good air hammer and have some questions...

I am a home use guy but I like top notch tools and use them a lot for my own projects and some side jobs. I am a mechanic but the boss supplies the tools and everything is snap on...nice at work but it costs me a lot of money being used to using the high end stuff.

Question one...How do the different Ingersoll guns compare to each other? Especially the 118max and 122max. Seems the lower vibration would be nice.

Question two...How does the snap on gun compare to the most powerful ingersoll?

 

[oldtools]

Buy used and get either Chicago Pneumatic CP4444 series, or IR avc series, or Atlas Copco. The longer the barrel, the more powerful the gun.

 

[bcradio]

I have both the 118 and 122 and I like both of them for different reasons. I use the Short Stroke more often because it hits faster in has lower kickback. the long-stroke comes out when I really need to hit something hard.

Most of the time I prefer not harder hitting air hammers because they are more likely to damage stuff and are typically not needed in my usage

 

[mlum6969]

get a used like oldtools says. any of those he said are good, and snap on is a good one too.

 

[chris142]

I bought a long barrel cornwell one. Dont buy one of those. It *****.

 

[oldtools]

I bought a long barrel cornwell one. Dont buy one of those. It *****.

Cornwell is just a rebadged of a low end consumer grade air hammer from Chicago Pneumatic. For the same price, don't get new consumer grade CP while you could get used industrial grade CP. Same with IR. For the amount of money they charge, I would not get truck brand air hammer (they are low to mid grade air hammer).

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I love my Snap On 3050. It's always a great choice.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Cp7150 is a good bet while still being cheap, one of the highest rated hammers in joules for .401 shank.

 

[Tuc04]

I'd also recommend looking at 4x aircraft rivet guns. They have triggers that allow you to get one hit at a time if needed. There are usually some nice deals on eBay.

 

[vssjim]

CP 714 is a great 401 shank tool

 

[Stevenn1]

The best of both worlds, get 2; a long and a short barrel one.

 

[anndel]

I love my Snap On 3050. It's always a great choice.

+1

 

[oldtools]

I have both the 118 and 122 and I like both of them for different reasons. I use the Short Stroke more often because it hits faster in has lower kickback. the long-stroke comes out when I really need to hit something hard.

Most of the time I prefer not harder hitting air hammers because they are more likely to damage stuff and are typically not needed in my usage

I bought this Atlas Copco for $60. The trigger can be adjusted (rotating the trigger) to get light tapping to hard pounding. You can see the "-" and "+" marks on the trigger. You get the best of both world. This gun hit harder than the CP 717 and it retail for over $1000. Buy used industrial instead of new consumer grade air hammer.

 

[Mr_B]

Used is always worth a look, that atlas copco is lovely tool .
AP4980 is not a bad tool for money and is a hard hitter, add a smaller one for lighter/compact jobs and you covered. No need spend snapon prices for air tools, buy same models direct as way cheaper. Buying airtool and battery tool from snapon is not good value for money generally .

 

[bcradio]

Lots of folks in here who have not used the IR air hammers (pretty much everyone in fact) are recommending others. Keep that in mind OP, they are saying all these other hammers are better even though they haven't even used the ones you are looking at.

Both of the IR guns are excellent and you will be happy with either.

 

[Finky198]

If going new I'd go for an IR or CP. If your going used buy an Atlas Copco...

I not one to complain about IR as I really like their stuff. but Bcradio comparing them to some of the industrial brand hammers is foolish. I'm not saying there bad I liked the feel of them, but they are absolutely in a different league. I've used all three brands + a snap on 3050.

I went with an Atlas which is handsdown the leader in the market... possibly neck and neck with the CP industrial models the issue being they are much harder to come by and are based on a much older design of the cp717. Compare that to the recent redesign of the Atlas lineup. It gives them the edge...

I live in the rust belt ops might differ around here as to necessity of a decent air hammers.

 

[nh_yota]

I picked up one of these from Home Depot last month and I think it works fine for home use:

www.homedepot.com/p//203464539/

Can't beat the price and the bonus is that it's made in Taiwan and not China.

 

[bcradio]

If going new I'd go for an IR or CP. If your going used buy an Atlas Copco...

I not one to complain about IR as I really like their stuff. but Bcradio comparing them to some of the industrial brand hammers is foolish. I'm not saying there bad I liked the feel of them, but they are absolutely in a different league. I've used all three brand + a snap on 3050.

I went with an Atlas which is handsdown the leader in the market... possibly neck and neck with the CP industrial models the issue being they are much harder to come by and are based on a much older design of the cp717. Compare that to the recent redesign of the Atlas lineup. It gives them the edge...

There is certainly no comparison with the IR and the industrial hammers, but most people don't need an industrial hammer to get their jobs done. Same reason most people won't need a 2000 ft-lb 3/4 drive impact when a 500 ft-lb 1/2 drive will take all the bolts they need off just fine. Is one better than the other for the end user? Not really as they both get the job done just fine.

 

[Finky198]

True, but just because it called industrial does not mean they all have incredible power both CP and Atlas offer a full range of 1x to 10x rivet guns. With better trigger control then any std air hammer on the market. While I agree an air hammer is pretty simple a rivet gun not so much. How accurately it can be wielded is were the quality and differences come in vibration damping, spec length, adjustment of said power and bpm control. All allow the user to adjust how the tool preforms and reacts with precision. Whether thats worth it for your specific use it's up to you.


To the op

The used industrial market is a very good for buyers. look for trigger start models. If you go down the road there are other threads with more info...

 

[Cope]

This is what I bought. Astro Pneumatics has a presence here,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Astro-Pneum...hash=item1ec32893dd&item=132123235293&vxp=mtr

 

[MoonRise]

Astro Pneumatic?

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php...k-super-duty-air-hammer-w-5pc-chisel-set.html

http://www.astrotools.com/pdf_flyer/4901.pdf

http://www.astrotools.com/index.php...barrel-air-hammer-with-4pc-chisels-250mm.html

 

[dnschmidt]

That Astro model is the .401 version of "Big Nasty." Not quite as killer but doesn't require the .498 chisels either. Strongest .401 air hammer that I've ever used.

 

[engineer2]

Speaking of air hamers... has anyone tried using an air hammer to rip up ceramic floor tile?

 

[Loscaldazar]

I bought this Atlas Copco for $60. The trigger can be adjusted (rotating the trigger) to get light tapping to hard pounding. You can see the "-" and "+" marks on the trigger. You get the best of both world. This gun hit harder than the CP 717 and it retail for over $1000. Buy used industrial instead of new consumer grade air hammer.

Is that a CP-RRH08P (4x) rivet gun? That's an 8J rivet gun, making it pretty powerful.

However, the $65 CP7150 is a 9.5J rivet gun and should be more powerful. May not have quite the control or low level of vibration, but is a solid bet for a new tool. It's also rated as 5x rivet gun despite being .401 shank.

EDIT: Finding a good used rivet gun is hard. I've been looking at RRH08P and they either are $500 used in good condition or $100 and look like they won't function anymore
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-Copco...066141?hash=item282c30795d:g:COkAAOSw4CFYqkXH

 

[oldtools]

Is that a CP-RRH08P (4x) rivet gun? That's an 8J rivet gun, making it pretty powerful.

However, the $65 CP7150 is a 9.5J rivet gun and should be more powerful. May not have quite the control or low level of vibration, but is a solid bet for a new tool. It's also rated as 5x rivet gun despite being .401 shank.

EDIT: Finding a good used rivet gun is hard. I've been looking at RRH08P and they either are $500 used in good condition or $100 and look like they won't function anymore
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-Copco...066141?hash=item282c30795d:g:COkAAOSw4CFYqkXH

Yes that is a RRH08P. The advantage of industrial riveter is the wide range of power options (from 1X to 9X) and the controllability of the gun in addition to low noise and vibration. It also made of high quality material for durability (since they are designed for the aerospace industry that use them 8 hours a day, 7 days a week for many years). Your best bet would be at the flea market. I think I have over 10 riveter hammers. All of them are industrial from CP, IR, Atlas Copco, and Jiffy. They range from $5 to $20 each. The Atlas Copco is the only one I paid $60.

 

[Mamrak76]

I bought a new IR with the quick attach and 3 bits for $49.99 at northern tool and they still have the same one at the same price. 114gqc it hasn't stopped with anything I've thrown at it. It was the cheapest ir I could get and it works great. I even drove a ground rod in for my garage sub panel with it. I spent 15 mins and drove it 2 feet by manual hammer. It took
me 2 mins with my ir air hammer. I've also used it on some 10+ year old rusty salt spreader bearings. If my small ir suits my needs then the 122max must be a hand cannon.

 

[crf450x]

Wow you guys respond quick! After talking it over with a couple guys I think I have decided on IR, either the 118max or 122max. The 118 is 2500bpm with a 3.5" stroke and the 122 is 3500 bpm with a 2.6" stroke. I'm assuming the longer stroke of the 118 makes it more powerful, but by how much? And the 122 would just be easier to hold onto? They are basically the same price. Any recommendation between those 2? I think both would suit my needs equally so I'll let you guys make the decision for me.

 

[bcradio]

I personally use the short stroke more.

 

[crf450x]

I personally use the short stroke more.

I think I'm leaning in that direction. The snap on at work is a handful to keep in one spot and it's only a 3" stroke.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Snap on 3050 here. works great! Chris

 

[xjfish]

Opinions on Matco's latest and greatesst?? I'm running an old Mac thats maybe kinda tired...great hammer...barrel always comes loose...not sure if worth fixing... I'm torn between Matco and Snap-On at the moment. Snap on 3050 was my first choice...

 

[oldtools]

Opinions on Matco's latest and greatesst?? I'm running an old Mac thats maybe kinda tired...great hammer...barrel always comes loose...not sure if worth fixing... I'm torn between Matco and Snap-On at the moment. Snap on 3050 was my first choice...

 

[mlum6969]

that looks like a older snap on in the video. the new snap ons have a different rubber grip handle. I love the snap on.

 

[Loscaldazar]

that looks like a older snap on in the video. the new snap ons have a different rubber grip handle. I love the snap on.

The PH3050 hasn't undergone any power changes that I am aware of, shouldn't make much of a difference (unless it is worn out). Just differences in grip, color, and whether or not the quick release coupler is included.