Astro 4980 or Aircat 5300-A?

[plinker]

Looking at picking up one of these sooner or later, Both look like they come from the same factory, though the Aircat has the chuck & rubber grip added. Both have the same stroke (2-11/16), BPM is similar as well.

Aircat also has the 5300-A-T which looks to be a little different (more composite construction), same specs though.

The S-O PH3050 air hammer I have just doesnt seem to be enough to budge things, could need rebuilding I suppose. I've played with the regulator and compared the one my Brother had and they're both about the same, power wise.

Has anyone used either one or both the Astro & Aircat? I searched & didnt find a lot.

Aircat 5300-A
https://aircat.com/super-duty-0-498-shank-air-hammer-with-chisels

Aircat 5300-A-T
https://aircat.com/super-duty-0-498-shank-air-hammer

Astro 4980
http://www.astrotools.com/0-498-shank-super-duty-air-hammer-riveter.html

 

[noid]

Beast of a .401" (claims to be the most powerful) for around $100.

https://www.cp.com/en/tools/products/percussivetools/cp7150

2300 BPM
3/4 Bore
3.5 stroke
9.5 joules

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the astro 498, thumps pretty well. IMO there's no such thing as an air-hammer with too much power. Trigger control doesn't really exist, I have a CP714 for when I care about what I'm doing. The astro is just for smashing on things.

 

[Skin]

Atlas copco. Rrh10 or 12 or 14. Find a TS (trigger start) model. Power in spades and good control. Have to buy used on eBay though, retail is well North of a grand. Used they go for just a couple hundred since most mechanics and home gamers shop by brand and A-C isn't well known outside of industrial/aerospace. Just be aware that you're buying a power sledge hammer. Try to use them for teasing a snap ring out of aluminum or something and you'll probably break things that you didn't want to break.

Any of the 3 will make the 3050 seem like a toy noise maker. I didn't think much of mine either but a lot of praise comes from people that don't play in rust.

 

[johninct]

I have the astro 498, thumps pretty well. IMO there's no such thing as an air-hammer with too much power. Trigger control doesn't really exist, I have a CP714 for when I care about what I'm doing. The astro is just for smashing on things.

I disagree. I kept my old cheap one for more delicate work because my Snap-On was too powerful and I was damaging things.

 

[MoonRise]

Astro 4980, aka "Big Nasty".

Look in the Astro thread here on GJ.

IIRC, SouthMainAuto (?) has a quick vid on YouTube using the 4980.

I have the little brother of BigNasty, the Astro 4901. Good tool. Has done what I have asked it to do, as well as break one of the Astro-supplied/included bits on the first minute of use.

 

[noid]

Atlas copco. Rrh10 or 12 or 14. Find a TS (trigger start) model. Power in spades and good control. Have to buy used on eBay though, retail is well North of a grand. Used they go for just a couple hundred since most mechanics and home gamers shop by brand and A-C isn't well known outside of industrial/aerospace. Just be aware that you're buying a power sledge hammer. Try to use them for teasing a snap ring out of aluminum or something and you'll probably break things that you didn't want to break.

Any of the 3 will make the 3050 seem like a toy noise maker. I didn't think much of mine either but a lot of praise comes from people that don't play in rust.

The RrH14 has 19.5 joules of power, that some serious power!

Should beat out the SO by a magnitude of 4-5.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I disagree. I kept my old cheap one for more delicate work because my Snap-On was too powerful and I was damaging things.

You're simply working on things that aren't stuck enough. The SO ph3050 or whatever has garbage trigger control, IMO. I felt the same when I tried a co-workers.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Atlas copco. Rrh10 or 12 or 14. Find a TS (trigger start) model. Power in spades and good control. Have to buy used on eBay though, retail is well North of a grand. Used they go for just a couple hundred since most mechanics and home gamers shop by brand and A-C isn't well known outside of industrial/aerospace. Just be aware that you're buying a power sledge hammer. Try to use them for teasing a snap ring out of aluminum or something and you'll probably break things that you didn't want to break.

Any of the 3 will make the 3050 seem like a toy noise maker. I didn't think much of mine either but a lot of praise comes from people that don't play in rust.

.498 shanks on the Atlas? I peruse ebay occasionally for used guns, but the sellers rarely know details.

Any special air requirements for the big boy hammers, or will standard 120psi shop air work? I've run into stuff where "big nasty" struggled, but got the job done.

 

[Skin]

.498 shanks on the Atlas? I peruse ebay occasionally for used guns, but the sellers rarely know details.

Any special air requirements for the big boy hammers, or will standard 120psi shop air work? I've run into stuff where "big nasty" struggled, but got the job done.

Yep just standard .498 and normal air pressure. No special requirements. A RRH10 may not be a big step up from the CP/AP but a 12 and 14 will be noticeable. I do like the fact that they don't make your hand go numb as they install a little counter piston and spring to absorb quite a bit of the shock.

 

[Odd-job]

Looking at picking up one of these sooner or later, Both look like they come from the same factory, though the Aircat has the chuck & rubber grip added. Both have the same stroke (2-11/16), BPM is similar as well.



Aircat also has the 5300-A-T which looks to be a little different (more composite construction), same specs though.



The S-O PH3050 air hammer I have just doesnt seem to be enough to budge things, could need rebuilding I suppose. I've played with the regulator and compared the one my Brother had and they're both about the same, power wise.



Has anyone used either one or both the Astro & Aircat? I searched & didnt find a lot.



Aircat 5300-A

https://aircat.com/super-duty-0-498-shank-air-hammer-with-chisels



Aircat 5300-A-T

https://aircat.com/super-duty-0-498-shank-air-hammer



Astro 4980

http://www.astrotools.com/0-498-shank-super-duty-air-hammer-riveter.html

6 months ago I ended up with the Aircat 5300 mainly due to the quick change chuck. At the time it was same price as the Astro.

Hits nicely. Actually relatively quiet if that matters to you. Relative to my Astro Nano impact for reference.

Aircat seems to be able to make quieter tools based on my various air tool experiences.

Currently running off my wimpy 30 gallon compressor. If I am really wailing on something I need to wait for it to catch up.

Wish the .498 shanks were as readily available as .401's. Grey pneumatic has a kit that doesn't get many good reviews so ended up getting some one off Ajax bits from Tooltopia that have held up well to my non pro use.

 

[tyyost]

6 months ago I ended up with the Aircat 5300 mainly due to the quick change chuck. At the time it was same price as the Astro.

Hits nicely. Actually relatively quiet if that matters to you. Relative to my Astro Nano impact for reference.

Aircat seems to be able to make quieter tools based on my various air tool experiences.

Currently running off my wimpy 30 gallon compressor. If I am really wailing on something I need to wait for it to catch up.

In the same boat, have Amazon $$$ to spend and no Astro 4980’s in sight. How is the Aircat holding up?

 

[WhataTool]

In the same boat, have Amazon $$$ to spend and no Astro 4980’s in sight. How is the Aircat holding up?

You have like an Amazon gift card?
For everyone else:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/apt-4980

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

In the same boat, have Amazon $$$ to spend and no Astro 4980’s in sight.

We got more inventory in earlier this week and shipped open orders out, so retailers should be re-stocked shortly.

 

[tyyost]

We got more inventory in earlier this week and shipped open orders out, so retailers should be re-stocked shortly.

Awesome, I had one in my wish list and all sellers went NLA over the holidays. I’ll hang tight and keep an eye on things over the next few weeks.

 

[tyyost]

You have like an Amazon gift card?
For everyone else:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/apt-4980

That’s a sweet price but I have $300 in Amazon gift cards burning a hole in my wallet and a wheel bearing project on the horizon.

 

[Odd-job]

In the same boat, have Amazon $$$ to spend and no Astro 4980’s in sight. How is the Aircat holding up?

Holding up well and still hitting hard from non pro use but abused nonetheless. Only issue is we used the air hammer to bust up concrete piers in the ground. All the dirt tends to jam up the quick change chuck go figure. If you can get the Astro + a quick change chuck for the same money. I think it would be a draw.

 

[theoldwizard1]

We got more inventory in earlier this week and shipped open orders out, so retailers should be re-stocked shortly.

So when are you going to "product-ize" the "SMA Special Edition" version of the 4980 ?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

So when are you going to "product-ize" the "SMA Special Edition" version of the 4980 ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Can't find tool bits strong enough !

 

[ovilla]

I love my Astro 4980. It’s got power for days. I’ve gotten to the point now that I just air up Thor (that’s what I call mine) before I roll out my 20 ton press, and many times it gets the job done. My old air hammer is still great for delicate stuff that I want to vibrate to death. If you live in the rust belt or you’re only buying one air hammer, I highly recommend the Astro.

 

[tyyost]

I’m going to hang tight a couple of weeks and see if the Astro’s become available on Amazon, I have bought few Astro tools over the summer and haven’t been disappointed yet. The wheel bearing press and exhaust pipe spreader were built to beat on and should last my lifetime.

If it stays non-available I’ll give the Aircat another look.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I’m going to hang tight a couple of weeks and see if the Astro’s become available on Amazon, I have bought few Astro tools over the summer and haven’t been disappointed yet. The wheel bearing press and exhaust pipe spreader were built to beat on and should last my lifetime.

If it stays non-available I’ll give the Aircat another look.

Looks back in stock but limited

 

[nhwylee]

So when are you going to "product-ize" the "SMA Special Edition" version of the 4980 ?