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Best Air Hammer?

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WESTOF7

Active member
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
27
I want to buy the best air hammer available.

I'm currently considering the

IR 132

Chicago Pneumatic CP717

Snap On PH3050

Not sure why but I'm gravitating towards the IR132 It uses common 401 bits unlike the CP717 and I've always had good luck with IR air toolks (Ti impacts ftw :bowdown: )

The PH3050 keeps being recommended to me but I'm not sure if its just the usual snap on nut swingers mentality of its the best because its snap on or if its actually that good.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated
 
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tbobbo

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May 19, 2011
Messages
248
Location
Bismarck, ND
For the smaller air hammers the snap on has no equal, no one even comes remotely close. I could not say how it works against bigger ones. I am a ir guy too. I have all ir air tools except that snap on air hammer.
 
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impactims

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Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Messages
1,168
Alot of that depends on what you are doing.

Can't say that I have done a lot of side by side comparisons with those three hammers, but I have used the snap-on one a lot and it is very nice. I had a Chicago before that and it could not hold a candle to the snap-on one, can't remember the model number though but it looks like the one in the link.

I use the snap-on one with a keyless chuck which is very nice, not sure if the others you put up in the links have that option or not.
 
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blacK20

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Mar 19, 2011
Messages
652
For a long barrel hammer, the ph3050a blows the competition away.
 
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diesel research

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Location
gulf coast, TEXAS
Danglerb said:
Good thread from two weeks ago.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109989
Click to expand...

I ended up buying it pretty much since there wasn't any reviews available for it, and then started a preliminary review. Yesterday's hammer use consisted of cutting a 3" (approx I.D.) roller bearing off of a shaft. It took some work, but was a bit safer alternative than using a cut off wheel, and a puller wouldn't fit.

I still cannot come to a complete conclusion on it vs ph3050, but suspect the difference ends up quite small which ever way it goes (as far as power)

Now after using both, I can say that if a task cannot be handled with this, I do not find myself reaching for my coworkers ph3050, and end up having to come up with a totally different plan than a simple air hammer. Usually a torch.

It is quite hefty and will set up a mean vibration deep in your chest, so you do have to have some caution when using it.

As far as controlability, well there is no question there.

One of my favorite tool purchases for 2011, out of maybe 20-30 of various categories.
 
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wafrederick

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Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,044
Location
Holton,Mi
Snap On has a new air hammer out that is powerful and will remove rivets off a frame easily.One of my father's friends has it and will see it one day,about $300.00.I don't remember the model number
 
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blacK20

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652
wafrederick said:
Snap On has a new air hammer out that is powerful and will remove rivets off a frame easily.One of my father's friends has it and will see it one day,about $300.00.I don't remember the model number
Click to expand...

Snappy does not have a new hammer out that I'm aware of. The 3050a is their latest and greatest, and has been around for quite a few years.
 
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Seanbev24

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Mar 25, 2010
Messages
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Location
Lynnwood, Wa
It's kind of funny when Snap-On is the cheapest option during a tool discussion. For a regular .401 shank air hammer, the PH3050A is the best I've ever used, wouldn't trade mine for anything. The largest stuff I work on is full size trucks like an F350, but I've never had the desire for anything more powerful.
 
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diesel research

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gulf coast, TEXAS
I still need to let a couple of the other guys use it and get a better idea on power reviews.

Anyone who already owns one is not going to rush out and buy another, so it is hard to get some good comparison review data. If they already own a "heavy hitter" chances are they jumped straight into it or straight from a $15 HF/CH type gun (or one of a few lower end IRs)
 
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GeorgeFromPa

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Aug 3, 2014
Messages
111
snap on air hammers are junk.. we have 3 at the shop. 2 are always out for repairs. they last us about 2 weeks before they stop working... i repair trucks and they get alot of use.
 
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bowtiepro3

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May 29, 2012
Messages
76
Location
Northwest of Minneapolis
Nothing comes close to Snap On 3050A. Shearing rivets, driving races, heavy duty work. I use a hammer head for breaking ball joints. It's a hard hitter that gets my vote!!
 
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wafrederick

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Holton,Mi
Matco makes a powerful air hammer,the MT2816 and I have one.It breaks bits and I broke one with mine so far which the bit was replaced under warranty.
 
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Shadowdog500

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Dec 7, 2009
Messages
9,833
Location
Down the shore
GeorgeFromPa said:
snap on air hammers are junk.. we have 3 at the shop. 2 are always out for repairs. they last us about 2 weeks before they stop working... i repair trucks and they get alot of use.
Click to expand...

Wonder what one the OP bought three years ago when this thread was current?

Guess we won't find out since he hasn't been on the forum in 2 years.


My 3050 kicks ****, wonder why you are having troubles with yours.


Chris
 
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stikman56

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Jun 12, 2014
Messages
3,127
The CP's hit hard and are quite a bit less dough. Good quality tools too.
 
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foreverfalcon40

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Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
856
SO 3050 long barrel. I use it to heavily to busy out frozen rollers in HD brake applications. About 50% of the time I do not even need to heat them up! Just BRRRAP and they are out! Make sure you get yourself a nice set of ear muffs! You can buy the best tools but you can not buy your hearing back!
 
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MattPersman

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Apr 1, 2009
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Location
Indiana
wafrederick said:
Matco makes a powerful air hammer,the MT2816 and I have one.It breaks bits and I broke one with mine so far which the bit was replaced under warranty.
Click to expand...

Having both the ph3050a by snap on and the MT2816 by Matco I think the Matco does have more power. I am not a huge Matco fanboy by any means in fact there are not that many things they relabel that impress me, but this air hammer is pretty darned good. Maybe my snap on is just worn out, bet it's 5 years old. Not that it is old by air hammer standards.
 
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MattPersman

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Location
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Keep in mind these are auto air hammers we are talking about yes a 4x rivet gun has much more power.
 
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sparky5982

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Feb 17, 2013
Messages
89
I had the IR118MAX for a short period, and well, it was junk. IR really dropped the ball on these, IMHO. I see in earlier posts that some others had luck with them. Not me.

Now I have the snap on, one of the very few snap on tools I own. No comparison. Really. In the future, I won't bother with a .401 unless it says Snap On.
 
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rob0781

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Feb 13, 2011
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Location
Canada
Can't say for any other then the IR and snap on. And between the two snap on wins by a lot.
 
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Acuratechva

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Joined
Mar 4, 2013
Messages
438
Location
Virginia Beach VA
holy **** stumbled on to this when i realized my 10 year old HF just wasnt doing its job...any job.

500$ for air hammer and thats not even off the **** truck?

None ever mention strength or momentum of the blows, whats the best way to even shop for an air hammer aside price tag or brand? I was hoping for something decent under a 100$...
 
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newchris

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Joined
May 3, 2010
Messages
226
Location
CT
tbobbo said:
For the smaller air hammers the snap on has no equal, no one even comes remotely close. I could not say how it works against bigger ones. I am a ir guy too. I have all ir air tools except that snap on air hammer.
Click to expand...

i put the fixed chuck matco against the snap on all day
 
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gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
Acuratechva said:
holy **** stumbled on to this when i realized my 10 year old HF just wasnt doing its job...any job.

500$ for air hammer and thats not even off the **** truck?

None ever mention strength or momentum of the blows, whats the best way to even shop for an air hammer aside price tag or brand? I was hoping for something decent under a 100$...
Click to expand...

I bought a Mac ah650 and ah600 of eBay for like $60 each maybe? Can't remember it was a few years ago. They were used, but in excellent condition. I wouldn't hesitate going that route again...

I'd take a lightly used truck brand over a HF tool any day of the week.
 
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jptbay

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2006
Messages
608
Acuratechva said:
holy **** stumbled on to this when i realized my 10 year old HF just wasnt doing its job...any job.

500$ for air hammer and thats not even off the **** truck?

None ever mention strength or momentum of the blows, whats the best way to even shop for an air hammer aside price tag or brand? I was hoping for something decent under a 100$...
Click to expand...

CP7150 does a great job for $60 ish bucks.
https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Pneumatic-CP7150-Air-Hammer/dp/B004EVO0CA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1515721652&sr=8-4&keywords=chicago+pneumatic+air+hammer
 
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