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Help finding an air hammer

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TheMadMech

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Jan 31, 2016
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I have a task at work where I need an air hammer. I bought the Snap-On PH3050B and it works perfectly. My work has agreed to supply an additional hammer with bits for the task so I don't wear mine out. The caveat is that they won't get the Snap-On. What is a suitable substitute for this gun? I was browsing MSC (their preferred vendor) and nothing really matches up well but I don't know how much of a difference any of it makes as this is my first air hammer.

It's used for removing hardened material from a screw feeder. The job gets done easily enough with the Snappy but it definitely puts it through it's paces. It takes work to get some of this stuff loose. I'd prefer something where the bits would match mine but that isn't a MUST.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!

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superduty1

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I don't have a snap on, but from what i have read that is one tool where there is no substitute for the snap on. This assumes you need the absolute maximum power. If you are pushing the snap on to the edge, folks say there is usually no other tool that will do the job.

Let us know what you find.

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Shadowdog500

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Wrench97 said:
Big nasty takes bigger bits.
Click to expand...

He said the boss would buy new bits as well.

I have a 3050 and it is the hardest kicking air hammer I ever used.

I’ve heard that the Astro actually kicks harder.

Have your boss get a Astro “big nasty” along with the bits that go with it.

If he does get the “big nasty”. Please do a objective thread comparing the two.
 
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plinker

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I have a CP 717 which is a .498" shank air hammer and given choice I prefer it over my PH3050 as it will run circles around it. The only issue with the CP is somewhat less of a bit selection. Most of the time I only need a couple different ones anyway (hammer, straight punch, taper punch & chisel).

I also have a CP 7150 (.401") air hammer and it hit pretty hard too, just not quite as hard as the PH3050.


In any case, Ajax bits are the best thing going for air hammer bits, .401" or .498".
Snap-on & Matco are good bits, but cost more. They do have a warranty though.
 
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vssjim

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I would get the Astro 4980 with bits and move on 401. shank air hammers are for control work where as the 498 shanks are for power. I have a CP 717 and a CP 714 and an Astro 4980 and the Astro seems to work the same as the 717 but is made in Taiwan vs Japan for the 717 so the cost is a lot less.
 
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Zewnten

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Price out an Atlas Copco 6x gun for the company to buy you. Bet they'll go for the Snap On haha. But seriously the RH06 is about the closest I've found to the Snap On for feathering the trigger and power (I'm sure it is actually better than the SO, but that is how nice the SO hammer is)
 
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58Yeoman

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I don't have a Snap-On, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once. Seriously, let them buy a cheaper tool, and when it wears out/breaks, you can gloat when they have to buy another. When I was still working, our battery tester wore out. We could've gotten the same thing downtown at the NAPA store, but the higher ups bought the same one from their normal source for double the price. We asked them about it, and they stated "yeah, but we get 10% back later." So, you still paid 40% more. Good job.
 
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2ndGearRubber

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plinker said:
I have a CP 717 which is a .498" shank air hammer and given choice I prefer it over my PH3050 as it will run circles around it. The only issue with the CP is somewhat less of a bit selection. Most of the time I only need a couple different ones anyway (hammer, straight punch, taper punch & chisel).

I also have a CP 7150 (.401") air hammer and it hit pretty hard too, just not quite as hard as the PH3050.


In any case, Ajax bits are the best thing going for air hammer bits, .401" or .498".
Snap-on & Matco are good bits, but cost more. They do have a warranty though.
Click to expand...



I also prefer AJAX, epstiens sells them. Good selection of bits, they stay sharp for a while too. Like anything else, they will eventually break.


I use a CP714, and an astro big nasty.
 
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Super Mech

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plinker said:
I have a CP 717 which is a .498" shank air hammer and given choice I prefer it over my PH3050 as it will run circles around it. The only issue with the CP is somewhat less of a bit selection. Most of the time I only need a couple different ones anyway (hammer, straight punch, taper punch & chisel).

I also have a CP 7150 (.401") air hammer and it hit pretty hard too, just not quite as hard as the PH3050.


In any case, Ajax bits are the best thing going for air hammer bits, .401" or .498".
Snap-on & Matco are good bits, but cost more. They do have a warranty though.
Click to expand...

Same here. I have both the 717 and the 3050. The 717 makes the 3050 look like a toy. If you want to get something apart leave it up to a .498 gun.
My 717 is sometimes scary to use.
 
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plinker

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Super Mech said:
Same here. I have both the 717 and the 3050. The 717 makes the 3050 look like a toy. If you want to get something apart leave it up to a .498 gun.
My 717 is sometimes scary to use.
Click to expand...

Yep. Driving out ball joints with the 717 is easy, my 3050 wont hardly touch them. Wheel bearings come out much faster/better too.

That said,
Having your hand (or other) get smacked smarts with a .401", but a .498" really smarts. Found that out last thursday. Got the palm area below the thumb pinched. It Would have been a bad blood blister but it made it and popped it at the same time. Still fairly sore over a week later. It helped having gloves on.
 
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ihateminimumwage

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I run a PH3050 at work almost daily. When it can't move something my manager pulls out his beat to hell CP717, and it takes care of whatever we're fighting with like it was nothing. After a lot of reading (and pricing out a CP717) I recently bought the Astro 4980 and a few Ajax bits. Still haven't had the chance to use it yet (isn't that how it always goes) but looking forward to putting it into some carnage coming up.

EDIT:
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools said:
If you get a 4980 let me know, i'll send you a free locking chuck and bits that we now sell as well.

Not sure if we've announced these yet
http://www.astrotools.com/quick-change-retainer-chuck-498-shank.html
http://www.astrotools.com/3pc-chisel-hammer-bit-set-498-shank.html
Click to expand...
Wish I would've known about this before, bought a Grey quick chuck and misc Ajax bits.
 
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Skin

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Is this a daily or long task? If so you might want to dump that 3050 for an Atlas Copco. They aren't vibration free but they're a lot better than most air hammers. HAVS/nerve damage isn't a joke. If your work balked a 3050 due to price they're going to convulse at the cost of a new Atlas-Copco so it would be on you to shop used.
 
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rlitman

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Skin

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The blue baby is a bizarro CP717 sleeved for 401 bits. Then RRH12 and 14. If I could only have one it would probably be the RRH10 (redundant/sold it) or 12 but with all the corrosion I generally just want stuff to move instead of going deaf and getting numb hands. One caveat is you need good bits. The cheap sets shatter which might sound like a cool party trick until you're hit with it. For a screw feeder you'd probably want a 6 or an 8.

IMG-20191027-222730475.jpg
 
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Olafur

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Skin said:
The blue baby is a bizarro CP717 sleeved for 401 bits. Then RRH12 and 14. If I could only have one it would probably be the RRH10 (redundant/sold it) or 12 but with all the corrosion I generally just want stuff to move instead of going deaf and getting numb hands. One caveat is you need good bits. The cheap sets shatter which might sound like a cool party trick until you're hit with it. For a screw feeder you'd probably want a 6 or an 8.
Click to expand...
Can you give me some info -part number - for the quick change chuck on the RRH14? Does it also fit the RRH12?

As for the bits, none last very long on our RRH12's. I haven't seen any advantage buying Ajax or Old Forge, versus Grey Pneumatic for plain drivers. Chisels might be different story - if anything it seems when hammering on steel Ajax bits are too hard. Also bits with hammer head (larger end diameter than the shank) are mostly worthless in our use, snap right away.

BTW there is a sleeve in the end of the barrel, steering the bit in the Atlas guns. Our guys brake them, not too difficult to replace but like all spare parts from Alas - very expensive over here, ~ $100 each.
 
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TheMadMech

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We decided on the Astro Big Nasty. That thing looks like just the monster to do the job! I'm excited for it to arrive. I think I'll be saving up to get one for myself as well.

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Shadowdog500

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TheMadMech said:
We decided on the Astro Big Nasty. That thing looks like just the monster to do the job! I'm excited for it to arrive. I think I'll be saving up to get one for myself as well.

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Click to expand...

Great! Please let us know what you think compared to your snap on.
 
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Bruce Amacker

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plinker said:
I have a CP 717 which is a .498" shank air hammer and given choice I prefer it over my PH3050 as it will run circles around it. only need a couple different ones anyway (hammer, straight punch, taper punch & chisel).
Click to expand...

+1, CP717 blows away every other gun I've ever had, including all of my Snappys.
 
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MattT

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Feb 20, 2010
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Marlin said:
New on the market but not formally announced yet. Multiple patents pending. You won't be disappointed in the power or features.
Click to expand...

With 3/4" bore and 3 3/4" stroke it ought to have enough power:thumbup: Probably best to get bits with warranty and wear a face shield.

BTW the 23 CFM "Average Air Consumption" looks like they put running CFM in the wrong field.
 
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Marlin

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MattT said:
With 3/4" bore and 3 3/4" stroke it ought to have enough power:thumbup: Probably best to get bits with warranty and wear a face shield.

BTW the 23 CFM "Average Air Consumption" looks like they put running CFM in the wrong field.
Click to expand...
You are correct on the CFM :thumbup:
 
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