Beehive air hammer spring

[seagull369]

Was hoping someone could explain what the advantage (or disadvantage) is of a beehive spring/retainer compared to the old standby you see on air hammers most times (see pic below).

It looks like you'd need to take the beehive totally off to change bits, but since it doesn't have that tightening tab on the end the other one does- which typically breaks off after a while making it useless- perhaps it holds up longer?

 

[cvairwerks]

Beehive won’t fit large diameter rivet sets. We never used them when I was in producton for safety reasons. A dropped gun with a set retained by the spring could cause more damage to the aircraft. A rivet gun needs the recoil from the set to properly function. With a set loose in the gun, it can hit just enough to expell the set, but will not keep hammering, if dropped and the trigger activated. It will lay there and pass air out the barrel and not cycle.

 

[seagull369]

Thanks for replying. I'm not using a rivet gun, though.
'

 

[cvairwerks]

An air hammer works on the same principle, but usually doesn't have a teaseable trigger.

 

[seagull369]

I see. Do you know if there's an advantage of the beehive over the traditional spring?

 

[rlitman]

The beehive is supposed to be a little safer, as it does not allow the tool to be easily removed, and it offers a more springy catch area for the tool. If you're not switching tools, it may be a good idea. I prefer quick connect chucks to any of this spring ****.

 

[seagull369]

Makes sense. Thanks again for the help =)