Best value in air hammer?

[AmericanMechanic]

Are any of the "better" air hammers actually better in practical experience? Looks like they may all be import now. Is HF the same as the rest for occasional homestead use?

Looks like gone are the days of a hammer and 4 chisels on sale for $9. Buy they still look the cheapest.

 

[Fedwrench]

Cheapest isn't really the way to shop for air tools. Do you want an air hammer or a pistol grip ********?

I know it's way out of your $9 price range but, I think this Chicago Pneumatic kit is the best bang for the non Snap on buck.

http://www.tooltopia.com/chicago-pneumatic-7110k.aspx

 

[92integra]

Never found an instance where you need a cheep air hammer. What I mean is if your busting it out that ***** better work. I would only trust the snap on ph3050b.

 

[stikman56]

Best value, I'd go right down to Napa. You'll find it's the same tool as Matco sells with the logo changed. They're both Chicago Pnuematics. My experience with the price and usefulness of the tool I would go there, IMO the best bang for the buck. They work well. Snap-On? Yeah, if you want to spend a lot, sure, go there. I just sold a used PH3050B for almost 200 bucks . Too much for what it is IMO.

 

[rlitman]

Never found an instance where you need a cheep air hammer. What I mean is if your busting it out that ***** better work. I would only trust the snap on ph3050b.

My CP717 can move things that I am unable to move with a chisel and hand sledge, so there is something to what you say.

But I would steer someone to buying a rivet gun long before I suggested a Snap On air hammer. 4x rivet guns take the same .401" shank chisels as automotive air hammers, but are far more controllable. Most automotive air hammers are closer to a 3x rivet gun in power, so a 4x is a step up. 5x - 9x rivet guns use .498" shank tooling, so you need special chisels (IMHO worth it, but this step up gets expensive).

I'll put any US made 4x rivet gun up against a PH3050b any day of the week.

 

[Shadowdog500]

The only use I ever found for a cheap air hammer was to use it as a hand ********, while you wait endlessly for it to do something. I've had several and gave up on them before biting the bullet and getting a Snap on Air hammer. My Snap on air hammer kicks so hard that it actually hurts your hand, but it will blow anything I front of that chisel to smithereens in no time.

Chris

 

[trackwelder]

CP714 zip gun. If that doesn't work the cutting torch comes out.

 

[zkling]

for cp zip gun. Look for a used one, older air tools don't hold much value.

 

[gooseadrian]

Ingersoll rand 118max all day. I use it a lot in the shop from chipping concrete on the trucks to pushing stuck bolts out. Picked mine up for 140 and I don't know your budget but well worth it.

 

[Nikon_RH50]

I got an APT recoiless 4X rivet gun from eBay for $75. So controllable that you can hold a nail and slowly drive it in. Hits much harder than my IR114, which is basically an on/off air hammer.

 

[gooseadrian]

I got an APT recoiless 4X rivet gun from eBay for $75. So controllable that you can hold a nail and slowly drive it in. Hits much harder than my IR114, which is basically an on/off air hammer.

I have been reading about this. Gonna have to try it.

 

[techenthusiast]

The cp is an excellent, compact powerful and cheap air hammer. Ive only had it for about a month but with the otc pickle fork attachment I can crack tie rods loose from a heavy international truck in less than 5 seconds of hammering

 

[gooseadrian]

Number on that fork?

 

[Tim37]

I see no reason to spend big money on a tool that's gonna get used twice a year at the house. For $9 if it doesn't get the job done its a cheap lesson learned

 

[Zeroek]

http://www.tooltopia.com/aircat-5100.aspx

Any experience with the Aircat airhammer?

 

[theoldwizard1]

The longer the stroke (barrel) the better.

You don't need a CP714 or CP717 if you are cutting mufflers off.

 

[bcradio]

I have an IR 122max and it does what I have asked of it. Great tool.

 

[trackwelder]

I see no reason to spend big money on a tool that's gonna get used twice a year at the house. For $9 if it doesn't get the job done its a cheap lesson learned

But when you need it the $9 hammer might not work. It's your money waste it any way you like!!

 

[Finky198]

That statement is an oxymoron Cheap air hammers just don't kick. If you need a serious one that kicks like a mule buy a cp717 or check out atlas copco rivet guns. If you need a solid normal .401 buy a snappy ph3050 or Ir118Max

Higher quality hammers tend to have Better triggers which will give you more control

This is a 9x big bore with a ajax quick chuck

 

[dr_clyde]

I've been happy with my snap-on 3050, but I'm just doing general automotive and maintenance work with it. If I was serious about demolition or doing heavy equipment work, I'd get a larger CP.

 

[kiatech]

get a .498 from ebay

 

[bsaint]

I dont know who makes it but it was a saturday and I was in a pinch and I bought the best air hammer Napa had and its been the best air hammer Ive owned.

It the t handle style. Prob made by IR. Had a three year warranty.

 

[rlitman]

get a .498 from ebay

It's not a bad idea, but just remember that once you go .498, you need .498 chisels. That gets expensive. I use the Grey Pneumatic set of chisels and matching quick release chuck:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV92KA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kiatech]

It's not a bad idea, but just remember that once you go .498, you need .498 chisels. That gets expensive. I use the Grey Pneumatic set of chisels and matching quick release chuck:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV92KA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have that set of chisels, they seem soft. This was my first real air h.ammer, the one I had before was $10 one from Walmart.

 

[zkling]

That statement is an oxymoron Cheap air hammers just don't kick. If you need a serious one that kicks like a mule buy a cp717 or check out atlas copco rivet guns. If you need a solid normal .401 buy a snappy ph3050 or Ir118Max

Higher quality hammers tend to have Better triggers which will give you more control

This is a 9x big bore with a ajax quick chuck

Wow, what do you use that for? I really like their tools. Did you buy that new or find it used?

 

[techenthusiast]

Number on that fork?

Otc 4559

 

[Finky198]

It's not a bad idea, but just remember that once you go .498, you need .498 chisels. That gets expensive. I use the Grey Pneumatic set of chisels and matching quick release chuck:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV92KA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought these and broke 2 chisels within a week I might look into ajax bits any other recommendations for .498


RE^ Zkling

I bought it in almost new condition For $300ish retails $1200 or somthing like that I use It for metal fab work, suspension, vibrating rusty fasteners, balljoints ... but all kidding aside

You know the usual like cutting cars and half

 

[stage20]

Ik grew up with cheap short stroke air hammers that always gave issues and never got the job done. I've got a 40 dollar IR from tractor supply. Its a medium stroke and works great. I also have a long stroke mac that you need to wear ear muffs for. It was around 200 bucks. Never again will I use a cheap 9 dollar air hammer. There really is a difference in quality.

 

[Ironhorse74]

Best name in air hammers is CP. I like the 714 for riveting.

Brad

 

[sam.coll]

You can get an adapter sleeve from most of the aircraft tool supply places to use .401 chisels/punches/snaps in a .498 hammer

 

[rlitman]

You can get an adapter sleeve from most of the aircraft tool supply places to use .401 chisels/punches/snaps in a .498 hammer

Yes, and you can buy a 3/4" impact gun and get an adapter to use 1/2" sockets.

 

[stonesfan68]

The OP is asking about a $9 tool and everybody is recommending a $350-500 Chicago Pneumatic or Snap-On.

 

[stikman56]

The OP is asking about a $9 tool and everybody is recommending a $350-500 Chicago Pneumatic or Snap-On.

No, I mentioned the best value I know of. Most people as always are saying "get the PH3050", or "get the biggest" , blah blah blah. Sure, I need a 400 dollar hammer, right?

 

[90zcar]

I don't use an air hammer all that often but this cheap IR 114gqc model has been fine. It by no means compares to the bad *** snap on model that is $400 bucks but for how much I use it it is fine. I special ordered it from advance auto for $50 bucks if I remember right.
It's got a quick release chuck and a rubber grip.
I do however have a snap on brand air chisel or two that I use in it.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

The OP is asking about a $9 tool and everybody is recommending a $350-500 Chicago Pneumatic or Snap-On.

He said "best value". There's little to no value in a $9 air hammer. My 4 year old with a plastic hammer and chisel can do more effective work than one of those.
When it comes to value, if the tool cannot perform the job, it has zero value. Value is maximized by the cheapest tool that can perform the job. Which is why my recommendations were for 4x riveting hammers. A new setup could be had for $200ish, used for less than half that.

But everyone who has an air hammer will eventually encounter a task that it cannot handle (even my CP717 failed to remove an axle from a hub in one case), and lots of people have anecdotes of their own tools not being up to the task, so they borrowed something better and ended up buying the upgrade. So people here are naturally going to recommend something that works in the most situations. Hence the recommendations for expensive tools.

I don't use an air hammer all that often but this cheap IR 114gqc model has been fine. It by no means compares to the bad *** snap on model that is $400 bucks but for how much I use it it is fine. I special ordered it from advance auto for $50 bucks if I remember right.
It's got a quick release chuck and a rubber grip.

Funny you mention that. I've got the same one. Bought it at Lowes in 2005 for $36 when I needed to chip some concrete (long story). It's served me well, and I actually liked it more than my Snap On PH2040 (an OLD model that I got for cheap and sold for what I paid for it).

It's got a pretty controllable trigger, and considering that it comes with a quick release chuck (spring retainers are DANGEROUS IMHO), it's a pretty good deal, even at the $50 I see it for on Amazon now.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VZAENC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Right now, I keep it around to hold my needle scaler attachment.

If you're looking for something in-between garbage and a really good tool, this is it. It's not going to make an auto-tech in the rust belt happy, but as far as value goes, I'd rate this one fairly high.

No, I mentioned the best value I know of. Most people as always are saying "get the PH3050", or "get the biggest" , blah blah blah. Sure, I need a 400 dollar hammer, right?

Well, it depends. Perhaps a slightly more powerful hammer saves you hours of work just one time, or saves you an expensive part...

 

[hangfirew8]

Well, at least one person has mentioned chisel quality. I was looking at a cheap set at Lowe's during lunch and am certain the panel cutter couldn't cut jack because of the jacked up geometry and what looked like welding flash(?!) in the cutting corners!

I just used my 1960's era Dayton last evening to remove a muffler from my pickup. I'm sure a more expensive tool could have done it faster, but it has never met a muffler it couldn't remove, and it'll run forever on a modest amount of air.

My Dayton looks like this one: http://www.drillspot.com/products/39659/Dayton_4CA19_Air_Hammer

 

[G-Ram]

I don't use an air hammer all that often but this cheap IR 114gqc model has been fine. It by no means compares to the bad *** snap on model that is $400 bucks but for how much I use it it is fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have this air hammer as well, works great considering how cheap it was

 

[cheechi]

I own the $9 HF air hammer. I have used it twice, once to bust a seam and once to break a nut off a rusted lug.

In both occasions it worked. I think I have a set of IR chisels. don't quote me on that.

 

[stonesfan68]

Are any of the "better" air hammers actually better in practical experience? Looks like they may all be import now. Is HF the same as the rest for occasional homestead use?

Looks like gone are the days of a hammer and 4 chisels on sale for $9. Buy they still look the cheapest.

The OP is asking about a $9 tool and everybody is recommending a $350-500 Chicago Pneumatic or Snap-On.

Yes, the thread title is "best value in an air hammer." My point is that since the OP is asking about a $9 air hammer for "occasional homestead use" he isn't going to use it professionally, nor is he going to buy a $400 tool. What he really wants to know is can he get by at home with a $9 air hammer, or should he get something relatively more costly?

 

[trackwelder]

Yes, the thread title is "best value in an air hammer." My point is that since the OP is asking about a $9 air hammer for "occasional homestead use" he isn't going to use it professionally, nor is he going to buy a $400 tool. What he really wants to know is can he get by at home with a $9 air hammer, or should he get something relatively more costly?

Buy something more costly. The HR hammer is junk